Discover pass vs yellow permit?

[ResQ]

So, I was at my little lake today and there is a new sign out there saying discover pass required and then underneath it, it said "Vehicle access permit ok". Does that mean my little yellow permit is still good there? What are all these new permits and rising fees for?!

[BentRod]

So, I was at my little lake today and there is a new sign out there saying discover pass required and then underneath it, it said "Vehicle access permit ok". Does that mean my little yellow permit is still good there? WTF are all these new permits and rising fees for?!

If the access to your lake is WDFW managed (you should see a sign), then the vehicle access permit you received with your fishing license will work. However, if the lake access is owned by another state agency (DNR, BLM, or State Park) then you'll need a Discover Pass instead. If you don't know, then let us know what lake it is and we can probably find the info online. I'm guessing it's WDFW.

[Amx]

So, I was at my little lake today and there is a new sign out there saying discover pass required and then underneath it, it said "Vehicle access permit ok". Does that mean my little yellow permit is still good there? WTF are all these new permits and rising fees for?!

If the access to your lake is WDFW managed (you should see a sign), then the vehicle access permit you received with your fishing license will work. However, if the lake access is owned by another state agency (DNR, BLM, or State Park) then you'll need a Discover Pass instead. If you don't know, then let us know what lake it is and we can probably find the info online. I'm guessing it's WDFW.

You need to clearify 'managed' vs 'owned' and so which pass is required and which pass will work. Just because it's 'owned' by some dept, does or doesn't mean a certain pass will work, needs to be clarified, I sure don't know just what they mean by all the crap 'declarations' from those people, totaly confusing. Wonder what the courts are going to say about the confusion, I'm sure someone will be taking them all to court sooner or later after they get a ticket.

[BentRod]

So, I was at my little lake today and there is a new sign out there saying discover pass required and then underneath it, it said "Vehicle access permit ok". Does that mean my little yellow permit is still good there? WTF are all these new permits and rising fees for?!

If the access to your lake is WDFW managed (you should see a sign), then the vehicle access permit you received with your fishing license will work. However, if the lake access is owned by another state agency (DNR, BLM, or State Park) then you'll need a Discover Pass instead. If you don't know, then let us know what lake it is and we can probably find the info online. I'm guessing it's WDFW.

You need to clearify 'managed' vs 'owned' and so which pass is required and which pass will work. Just because it's 'owned' by some dept, does or doesn't mean a certain pass will work, needs to be clarified, I sure don't know just what they mean by all the crap 'declarations' from those people, totaly confusing. Wonder what the courts are going to say about the confusion, I'm sure someone will be taking them all to court sooner or later after they get a ticket.

I'll hire a lawyer to write my next reply Tom.

Res, Unfortunately Tom is right. I'll try to be less detailed. Does the lake access have a WDFW sign similar to this?
You can also check out the WDFW access reference page here: WDFW water access

[Amx]

That's ok, I'll understand the lawyeries even less than the 'pass crap' as it is. lol

[Anglinarcher]

I finally just got that blank Discover Pass.

For the record, some politicians buy your vote, this act bought my vote for the person that did not pass the stupid Discover Pass.

[ResQ]

Yea, its a WDFW lake. Atleast Im pretty sure it is. They just have to make everything so dang confusing. Pretty soon, I will need a special permit just to park in my driveway. balls.

[MarkFromSea]

I decided to purchase my 2012 license this evening from my computer. I did, and, I was pleasantly surprised to see something. The Access Pass is included with our 2012 fishing license. Here's what was on my screen as part of the purchase, note the 4th line from the bottom, item 444:
23 - ANNUAL COMBINATION FISHING LICENSE $ 52.25
26 - CATCH RECORD CARD 1 Species: SALMON,HALIBUT,STURGEON,STEELHEAD $ 0.00
115 - ENDORSEMENT: PUGET SOUND CRAB $ 8.25
130 - PS CRAB CRC SUMMER $ 0.00
263 - CATCH RECORD CARD - OLYMPIC NATL PARK Species: SALMON,STEELHEAD $ 0.00
340 - TWO POLE ENDORSEMENT $ 14.30
356 - COLUMBIA RIVER SALMON AND STEELHEAD ENDORSEMENT CATCH RECORD CARD IS REQUIRED $ 8.25
444 - COMPLIMENTARY VEHICLE ACCESS PASS $ 0.00
SUB TOTAL: $ 83.05
DEALER FEE: $ 3.50
TOTAL: $ 86.55

"444 - COMPLIMENTARY VEHICLE ACCESS PASS $ 0.00" Yep, I could be wrong, I doubt it now though! Looks to me like we can continue to use the Access Pass on all WDFW ramps and lands for 2012-13 fishing year. I was wondering about this as I fished various lakes this winter and saw at WDFW ramps a permanent sticker was placed on those "Discover Pass required" signs. The sticker states that the Access Pass would also be honored. Found this at these lakes: Kenmore WDFW ramp, Hatch, Patterson, Roses, Waites, some others. I wondered why WDFW would attach what looked to be a permanent sticker, I think we're good to go! Discover Pass still applies to DNR and state parks of course,,,, Coffee Pot = need Discover Pass, Lake Williams near Sprague = Access Pass or Discover Pass. Samamish = Discover Pass and launch fee.

[rseas]

Good question, we were on a “drive about” this past Sunday afternoon and happened to check out both the boat launch at the south end of Whatcom Lake and the launch at Lake Samish. We noticed that the signage at both locations clearly indicates that the Discovery Pass is required. Unless I am mistaken, both are WDFW facilities and are noted in the regulations pamphlet as having WDFW launching ramps. Previously we would use the Vehicle Use Permit that you get with your license. Now I am not so sure, I think that we will carry and display both just to be sure.

Speaking about our “drive about”, the octopus at the little aquarium/marine center in the Bellingham marina is getting huge.

[hewesfisher]

So, I was at my little lake today and there is a new sign out there saying discover pass required and then underneath it, it said "Vehicle access permit ok". Does that mean my little yellow permit is still good there? What are all these new permits and rising fees for?!

If the sign says "Vehicle access permit ok" then that's exactly what it means. You do not need a discover pass if you have a WDFW vehicle access pass. If you're worried about using your Vehicle access pass, take a picture of the sign that says it's ok to use it and go fishing.

Here's a reply I made to the Discover Pass Now Availabe thread last July, and states what is, and isn't acceptable:

Did I miss it above or does anyone have a link that shows all of the parks/land that I will need a pass to enter? I know I don`t need one on my local lakes and rarely go to state parks. Just wondering more about where I hunt as I think it`s DNR land.

From the exemptions link in the WDFW email I received,

"Hunting and fishing on WDFW-managed lands. The Discover Pass is not required for holders of certain hunting and fishing licenses on WDFW recreation lands and water-access sites. For those individuals, a "WDFW vehicle access pass" will be required for vehicle access to WDFW lands and boat launches. WDFW will honor WDFW vehicle use permits that were purchased prior to July 1, 2011, on WDFW lands through March 31, 2012.

Those license holders will need a Discover Pass to access DNR-managed lands that are developed or designated as recreation areas, sites, trailheads and parking areas. Signs will be posted in these areas. License holders will not need a Discover Pass to access small blocks of undesignated DNR-managed lands.

For vehicle access to lands managed by State Parks, all hunters or fishers will need to purchase the Discover Pass. As a reminder, hunting is not allowed on State Parks lands.

Note: The vehicle access pass is valid for the license's year (April 1 through March 31) and is issued free of charge with an individual's initial purchase of a big-game or small-game hunting license, western Washington pheasant permit, trapping license, Watchable Wildlife decal, or saltwater, freshwater or combination recreational fishing license."

What's with the term "fishers" anyway? If the state wants to use gender neutral language why can't they just say "anglers"?

If you want to read the whole thread - http://www.washingtonlakes.com/forum/vi ... +available" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Jigking Fishhead]

Just to avoid any confusion I purchased a discovery pass and hang it with my WDFW pass.. Now I know I am covered.

[sickbayer]

Just to avoid any confusion I purchased a discovery pass and hang it with my WDFW pass.. Now I know I am covered.

Thats what i did not displaying equals hefty fine.

[spindog]

I'm not gonna waste 30 bucks when you don't need it at WDFW ramps. That Discover Pass covers the water users
who don't "fish". The wakeboards , jet skiers and water skiers that are known to use the facilities without having
any pass or right to be there.
You don't need a discover pass at Lake Samish if you have a fishing license/parking pass.
WDFW launch, no fee if you have a fishing license/free parking pass-get the facts
http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/discoverpass/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Amx]

I've heard, AND read, that if the WDFW launch is on DNR land, you need the discover pass even tho the WDFW manages the launch. BUT there doesn't seem to be any list anywhere to find out which land/launch is owned by which agency. Which is just one reason why this is confusing and will continue to be until THEY list launches, lands, etc.

[spindog]

I've heard, AND read, that if the WDFW launch is on DNR land, you need the discover pass even tho the WDFW manages the launch. BUT there doesn't seem to be any list anywhere to find out which land/launch is owned by which agency. Which is just one reason why this is confusing and will continue to be until THEY list launches, lands, etc.

They do.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/discoverpass/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Amx]

THAT WDFW web site has been proven a year or more ago, to be inaccurate for more than one lake.

For example, Lake Meridian it says gas motors not allowed, THAT is totaly false. Other lakes were mentioned in a thread last year. NONE of those lakes/complaints were fixed on that page or anywhere else on the WDFW site. So how can we trust that? And the info for the lake doesn't say whether on not a disc. pass is required. It just says it has a launch. It also doesn't say who ownes that land.

[KevinS]

Just to avoid any confusion I purchased a discovery pass and hang it with my WDFW pass.. Now I know I am covered.

Thats what i did not displaying equals hefty fine.

Same here. I got the discover pass thinking it's better to have the pass than waste time/effort disputing a fine. And supposedly the dollars go to state outdoors agencies, including the WDFW, so not a big issue to me.

[spindog]

THAT WDFW web site has been proven a year or more ago, to be inaccurate for more than one lake.

For example, Lake Meridian it says gas motors not allowed, THAT is totaly false. Other lakes were mentioned in a thread last year. NONE of those lakes/complaints were fixed on that page or anywhere else on the WDFW site. So how can we trust that? And the info for the lake doesn't say whether on not a disc. pass is required. It just says it has a launch. It also doesn't say who ownes that land.

Report inaccuracy



I don't fish state parks and I don't have 30 bucks to just burn.

I called the WDFW office, "2012 saltwater, freshwater or combination license" you receive a free parking pass for WDFW
launches.
They said they had been overwhelmed with questions regarding the Discover Pass.
State parks, DNR, lands require a discover pass or pay drop box for daily use.
If a launch is within DNR land and has WDFW sign or logo free pass.

[Amx]

It was reported, as were other lakes as mentioned in that other thread. Nothing was done about it.

[Mike Carey]

and don't forget the National Forest PAss for hiking Alpine Lakes. That makes three different passes to buy to get on "public" land.