The Online Source for Washington Fishing Information

Launch Fee rant

I guess its been a while since I've been to Sammamish. I went there today with my son to fish for a few hours this morning. I paid what I thought was the correct fee of $7.00. When I got back to my rig I noticed a piece of paper on my windshield. Apparently there is a brand new "discovery" fee of $10 more dollars you need to pay along with the $7 launch fee. I guess it doesn't matter where you launch someone's gonna want the better part of $20. I just wish the facilities reflected the amount charged. I'd gladly pay that kind of money for a first class ramp with top notch facilities but poor launch conditions, docks and restrooms. Damn I just wanted to fish for a few hours not rent out the park.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by eric mccarthy on July 18, 2011 at 5:36pm

I just found out about the discovery pass because I got a "notice" on my windshield the other day as well. Looks like its a $35 annual fee or $10 a day. Here is the link http://discoverpass.wa.gov/

Permalink Reply by Jamie on July 18, 2011 at 5:45pm

Yeah this state loves to fundraise for sure. If you work hard enough to afford a boat and some gear they figure you deserve to pay more to them so they can spend more like children @ a candy store. After I buy tags for my rig, boat, and trailer, buy a fishing license, get my "boaters" license, and pay all my other lake use fees I feel so broke and butt hurt I wonder why I do it. Gas money anyone?

Permalink Reply by Joe Boyd on July 18, 2011 at 8:48pm

I thought the Access Stewardship permit that we get with our licenses could be used at the ramps instead of the discovery pass.

Permalink Reply by Jerry on July 18, 2011 at 8:57pm

I believe it's at state park launches and state parks...I'll pass. Many other waters to fish. They did this a few years ago with the $5.00 day use fee with state parks. Oddly enough, day use at these places fell off. I wonder why. They dropped the fee, but now looks like it's back in place. Good luck WA State.

Permalink Reply by Chad Eidson on July 18, 2011 at 9:04pm

The new discovery pass is a day use fee for state park, wdfw, and dnr lands. It is currently required(as of july 1) to use state park or dnr land but your current access decal with your license still works for wdfw lands untill next March. The discovery pass is avialable for 35$ annually but this only covers your parking/day use so if you plan to launch you still need to pay for that. One other option is to buy the $75 annual launch permit and that not only covers your launch but also your parking in a state park.

I know that paying more money sucks believe me but with the budget cuts being experinced by many of our state agencys our other option is to see these facilities shut down.

Permalink Reply by William McMurry on July 18, 2011 at 9:29pm

this is whay i opted out of my V.P. position with my off road club.... more more more money needed.... it sucks, but i love fishing and love taking my family fishing. "quote from goodfellas" "Sometimes, we all gotta take a beating"

Permalink Reply by Kevin Bye on July 18, 2011 at 10:56pm

Nothing like trying to enjoy the great outdoors with the family and having the state pull more cash from my wallet. Maybe if I didn't work so hard in life and opted to sell dope and collect a welfare check instead,then I wouldn't have to worry about any fees. Anyhow,just bitching I suppose but it seems like our elected officials feel that the working man has this endless cash flow.

Took the family out to Belfair two weeks ago and saw several of those "Discovery Pass" signs up but was informed that for now a fishing license will cover that but don't take that as fact,just what I was told by another camper.

Permalink Reply by D.J. LaRoche on July 19, 2011 at 9:56am

Does anyone know if Blythe over at the Potholes is considered a WDFW launch? I just want to know if I need one of these stupid passes or not.

Permalink Reply by Matt B on July 19, 2011 at 12:36pm

Up until recently, State Parks was (at least) partially funded from the state general fund. With the recent budget cuts, WSP no longer receives any money from there. The Discover pass is where their money comes from now. It sucks having to pay for every little thing, but just know that State Parks is not double dipping to take more of your money.

Something else to note is that those Discover passes do not transfer to other vehicles, so you can only use it on the vehicle who's plate is listed on the tag. If you spend much time in the State Parks, especially if you use the launches, you're better off springing for the boat launch pass in my opinion.

Permalink Reply by Chad Eidson on July 19, 2011 at 1:40pm

Blythe is a WDFW launch...your current access pass you get with the purchase of a hunting or fishing licesense will work there

WCCT said:

Does anyone know if Blythe over at the Potholes is considered a WDFW launch? I just want to know if I need one of these stupid passes or not.

Permalink Reply by Ben Holten on July 19, 2011 at 4:26pm

You do not need the new Dicover Pass at Blythe. You can use the old vehicle pass you got with your license there. To my knowledge the change is just for state parks like Osbourne Bay and Northrupe point at Banks.

I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. Personally I feel that we get a great rate on our hunting and fishing licenses. I would not have a problem paying much more. However it seems like money that we pay from our licenses gets diverted elsewhere. I do not like the dicover pass. It is so confusing and a pain when you pay part of your tab money, launch fees, dicover pass all for one thing. I would rather just pay $200 for a fishing license and call it good. I have no problem paying for State Parks and feel that it a good alocation of tax dollars.

Government is and has never been a good stuart of public funds. Like Matt said state parks should be funded out of the general fund.

Permalink Reply by William McMurry on July 19, 2011 at 4:31pm

I agree! just pay one flat rate and call it good. it is what it is....