2 pole indorsment and fishing with kids

[ski4life]

I have my 2 pole indorsment for the 2014-2015 and I have 2 children 2 and 10 that don't ruire a license yet. Can they fish with 2 poles as well or do I have to buy a endorsment for them to have 2 poles in the water?

[Amx]

why would you want kids that age TRY to handle and pay attention to TWO rods? They can have enough trouble paying attention to one rod, let alone handle 2 rods. I wouldn't even think of it. Let them have fun with 1 rod and not have to worry about 2.

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

One way to find out is to go thru the license purchase website. Insert your kids info (name, address, age, etc.), and then select which licenses you want. If a fee is not required for them for the 2-pole endorsement, the system will show the charge as $0. If a fee is required, the system will display the fee. The system calculates the fee amounts (and applicability thereof) according to the birthdate that you provide into the system.

[Idstud]

You have to pay for the 2nd pole for Kids its not free.

[Gringo Pescador]

Idstud is right.

I got my kid set up, Combo, Catch Cards, Summer Crab & 2-pole endorsement. Everything is free except for the 2-pole endorsement. I think it was like $16 or something.

What I don't know is if the kids are just fishing a lake where no catch cards are required do they still need to have a license even though it is free?

[sickbayer]

Idstud is right.

I got my kid set up, Combo, Catch Cards, Summer Crab & 2-pole endorsement. Everything is free except for the 2-pole endorsement. I think it was like $16 or something.

What I don't know is if the kids are just fishing a lake where no catch cards are required do they still need to have a license even though it is free?

My understanding is you can't fish without a license even if juvenile and no cards are required.

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

Idstud is right.

I got my kid set up, Combo, Catch Cards, Summer Crab & 2-pole endorsement. Everything is free except for the 2-pole endorsement. I think it was like $16 or something.

What I don't know is if the kids are just fishing a lake where no catch cards are required do they still need to have a license even though it is free?

My understanding is you can't fish without a license even if juvenile and no cards are required.

Regardless of whether they need a license or not, the packet that WDFW mails (for my kids) includes a free license in it, along with the catch card. So, I just bring everything in my (wallet) when we go fishing.

[BentRod]

Idstud is right.

I got my kid set up, Combo, Catch Cards, Summer Crab & 2-pole endorsement. Everything is free except for the 2-pole endorsement. I think it was like $16 or something.

What I don't know is if the kids are just fishing a lake where no catch cards are required do they still need to have a license even though it is free?

My understanding is you can't fish without a license even if juvenile and no cards are required.

Not quite true, unless something changed for 2014/15. Anyone 14 and younger does not need a "fishing license" unless fishing for a species that requires a catch record card (crab, salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut). So, if you want to take your kid (14 and under) to the local lake to catch trout or perch, no license necessary. If you want to take them out to harvest crabs and they're keeping some, then they need a catch record card in their name.

[sickbayer]

K that makes sense, although I wonder if the parent would be allowed to help the kid land a fish?

[BentRod]

K that makes sense, although I wonder if the parent would be allowed to help the kid land a fish?

Hard to say. I imagine if the kid always had his hands on the rod then it'd be ok, but it probably depends on the warden. Some can be real...uh, close-minded. But, then again, I don't know anyone who'd take their kids fishing and not have a license themselves. The one semi-related thing I remember was regarding a "kids only" fishing pond back in my hometown. Every year there were parents who'd get in trouble because the kids would lose interest, so it was the parents who end up manning the fishing poles.

[Idstud]

Fishing Permits & License Endorsements

Two-Pole Fishing Endorsement

The two pole endorsement option applies to the majority of the 8,000 fishing lakes, ponds and reservoirs in Washington State.

Revenue generated from the new fees will go toward hatchery fish production.

What are the specifics?

The total cost for the two-pole endorsement is $14.80 ($6.00 for seniors) which includes a surcharge, and transaction and dealer fees.
Anglers may buy an endorsement for a second fishing pole at an authorized license dealer or online at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.
All fishing rules and regulations still apply. See the Fishing in Washington pamphlet.
Anglers with a valid two-pole endorsement may use up to three hooks on each line.
For more information call WDFW’s licensing department at (360) 902-2464.
Exclusions (See list of excluded lakes and ponds)

The two-pole endorsement is allowed on most lakes, ponds and reservoirs. Approximately 145 lakes and ponds are excluded from the two-pole option based on conservation and fishery management goals.

Criteria for excluded lakes, ponds and reservoirs:

Lakes containing ESA-listed species, determined on a case-by-case basis
Lakes connected to anadromous waters during fisheries for anadromous fish, i.e., salmon
Lakes managed for natural trout production
Juvenile only lakes
Select lakes with fly fishing only, selective gear, or a reduced daily bag limit for trout regulations, determined on a case-by-case basis
In general, two-pole fishing is not allowed in saltwater, or in rivers, streams and beaver ponds. However, WDFW is evaluating areas and times when surplus fish may be available for harvest and the two-pole option could be allowed.

This is off the WDFW site. I feel if you are really just helping the child reel in the fish its fine but I guess I have morals for I have watched parents completely reel in the fish at a kids only event and say there child did it(kids not with in 50 ft). If mine arent near and attending the rod it gets reeled in.

[Larry3215]

I just purchased a combined license for my grandson - who just turned 14 yrs old last month. The WDFW on-line purchase cost me $6.05 for license and $2.00 dealer fee. That's for a single pole with no special endorsements or extra cards etc. I did get him a salmon and sturgeon catch record card, but there was no charge for that.

So, its not quite free for kids under 15 - even though they don't need the license until they turn 15.

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

I just purchased a combined license for my grandson - who just turned 14 yrs old last month. The WDFW on-line purchase cost me $6.05 for license and $2.00 dealer fee. That's for a single pole with no special endorsements or extra cards etc. I did get him a salmon and sturgeon catch record card, but there was no charge for that.

So, its not quite free for kids under 15 - even though they don't need the license until they turn 15.

Why did the system charge you $6.05 for his license? I did the exact same thing for my 7 year old daughter and got everything for free from the website (free license, free punchcard, no 2-pole or Puget Sound crab or Columbia River endorsements--just the basic package without anything special). I wasn't even charged a dealer fee.

[Larry3215]

Dont have a clue. Did you get the combined license or just fresh water? I may call them tomorrow to find out.

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

Dont have a clue. Did you get the combined license or just fresh water? I may call them tomorrow to find out.

I got my daughter the combo license. She doesn't need the license anyways, but the website prints out a "free" license anyways.

Maybe check the date of birth that you inputted into the system. There might have been a data entry error. But then again, looking at the license fees listed in the regs, there is nothing listed that costs $6.05.

Let us know what you find out from WDFW. This is odd.

[Larry3215]

I just e-mailed them. Will let you know what they say.

[Idstud]

I just purchased a combined license for my grandson - who just turned 14 yrs old last month. The WDFW on-line purchase cost me $6.05 for license and $2.00 dealer fee. That's for a single pole with no special endorsements or extra cards etc. I did get him a salmon and sturgeon catch record card, but there was no charge for that.

So, its not quite free for kids under 15 - even though they don't need the license until they turn 15.

I dont know what happened and Im interested to find out because you shouldnt have been charged. I know if they turn 15 for most of the fishing year they charge. Did you get any endorsements like the Columbia river?

[BentRod]

I just purchased a combined license for my grandson - who just turned 14 yrs old last month. The WDFW on-line purchase cost me $6.05 for license and $2.00 dealer fee. That's for a single pole with no special endorsements or extra cards etc. I did get him a salmon and sturgeon catch record card, but there was no charge for that.

So, its not quite free for kids under 15 - even though they don't need the license until they turn 15.

I dont know what happened and Im interested to find out because you shouldnt have been charged. I know if they turn 15 for most of the fishing year they charge. Did you get any endorsements like the Columbia river?

Same here. I've picked up licenses/catch record cards for my two kids the last couple years at the sporting goods store when I buy my own license. No extra charge for their stuff whatsoever.

[Bodofish]

So from what I saw as far as kids fishing with adults at the lowland lakes opener this year. Lots of tickets written. No need for anyone to get their panties in a bunch, just the way it is. Kids must be in control of the rod at all times, and just as an adult helping another when the card is full, no, no, no, ask Danny about that. I'm sure you can help but that does not mean, picking up the rod, setting the hook, reeling it in and having Jr. grab the butt of the rod as you net the fish. As I said earlier, lots of tickets written earlier this year. If your child is too young to control the rod/gear, you might want to consider waiting another year. The one I saw the most tickets written for was the parents casting out the kids gear, putting it in the rod holder then letting the kids run off to play. That is not considered being in control of the gear.

[Larry3215]

I got an answer from the WDFW people. I should NOT have been charged. Looks like I clicked on the "Fishing" tab when I should have clicked on the "other" tab

I'll try again

Thank you for contacting the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.
You are correct the license for under 15 is free. When purchasing online it is in the “Other” tab not in the Fishing tab. I will cancel the sale and the charge will go back to your card within 7 days. You can either go back onto the website and “purchase” the correct license, give us a call and we can set it up or go into a dealer.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at 360.902.2464.
Thank You,
Jason
WDFW Licensing Division
Recreational Customer Service Representative
Phone: 360.902.2464