There is no law that allows you to fish around docks, but there is no law that prohibits you from fishing there, provided you are fishing from a vessel, the vessel is not anchored, tied to shore, or otherwise trespassing. Lakefront owners may own the lake bed in front of their property (unless the lake is a "navigable water, " but that is a wholly different discussion), but they do not own the water column, nor the fish in it. Thus, while you may not trespass on the property (to wit, the bed of the lake), you can float in the water and fish. If you are legally fishing, and a property owner interferes with your fishing, the property owner is breaking the law. Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish or wildlife, RCW 77.15.210, is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, a year in jail, or both.
Posted by: derik Posted on: 06/25/17 at 14:43:10
Here is the law as it is written in the event someone disturbs us while out on the water.