Northwest Fishing Reports

So I went fishing last night around 6 pm at Cottage Lake in King County. Caught my limit without losing any fish which was a good time, but I was fishing from the dock. First it was mass crowded which made things difficult at first. Then the lake was full of nothing but loud, disrespectful, obnoxious teenagers. Cursing up a storm out loud when there were a few moms and dads out there with there young children. There were probably 20 or so teens out there that came out to drink beer and hide it from mom and dad. Then what really tipped me over the edge was them just tossing their cans into the lake. Finally another guy walked up and started coming down on them, so I join along with two other guys.

Is this going on at other lakes as well? Is this what I have to look forward to every time I wanna do some local fishing?

I've never seen it before, but I don't doubt it. You always see beer cans in the water on a hidden shore spot on a lake.

I havent noticed it to bad in the past as well but last night it was there

I hear alot of profanity on the lakes and rivers.
Most people have absolutely know idea how far there voice travels over water. I try not to listen, but I hear tons of profanity. People cussing, people on cell phones talking about personal stuff. Thats fine in the privacy of your own home, your car etc. I do it too, we all probably do. Just not where every man woman and child is forced to hear it.
Please, keep it down! Fishing is a nice quiet sport for the most part. I know we all like to have fun but the only shouting I like to hear is "FISH ON"!!! :thumleft:

Thanks Jake!

fishunt83 wrote:So I went fishing last night around 6 pm at Cottage Lake in King County. Caught my limit without losing any fish which was a good time, but I was fishing from the dock. First it was mass crowded which made things difficult at first. Then the lake was full of nothing but loud, disrespectful, obnoxious teenagers. Cursing up a storm out loud when there were a few moms and dads out there with there young children. There were probably 20 or so teens out there that came out to drink beer and hide it from mom and dad. Then what really tipped me over the edge was them just tossing their cans into the lake. Finally another guy walked up and started coming down on them, so I join along with two other guys.

Is this going on at other lakes as well? Is this what I have to look forward to every time I wanna do some local fishing?

Add to that extremely loud rap music and Jet Ski's:thumbdown and you have the reason I avoid one of my favorite lakes on Friday/Saturday nights and during the hot summer evenings.

hmm, underage drinking = call to police - prevents - dead drunk teenagers or innocent persons. I would discretely call the police. That's the only way this type of behavior ends AND you could prevent someone from getting killed.

It really is too bad how disrespectfull people are toward others as well as the environment. Nothing irritates me more than going to a nice fishing hole and seeing it ridden of garbage. Not only is it unpleasent to look at but it also poses a serious health issue. I've been to lakes that had dirty diapers, broken glass, rusty cans littered along the banks. Nothing makes a better day of fishing than stepping on a dirty diaper and cutting yourself on a rusty can or broken glass. Top that off with a case of hepatitis, and a trip to the emergency room for stitches and a tetnas shot, and you have yourself a cocktail for the best day of fishing ever (major sarcasm).

One of my favorite places to fish (as some of you know) is Dog Lake at the top of White Pass. The scenery is amazing and refreshing... at least it used to be so prestine. Last year, all along the bank where I fish were scattered beer bottles, used toilet paper (not for a number one, if you catch my drift), and other random garbage. Nothing takes away the serine quality of a mountain fishing trip than seeing mother nature 'raped' of her beauty by inconsiderate morons. People wonder why so many lakes and outdoor places are being shut down. While this is not the only reason, the complete lack of consideration when it comes to litter, does play some role.

As far as the cursing and blatent disregard for families, this is another reason that we need to slap some sense into these inconsiderate morons. Another thing that completelty ruins a fishing trip with your five year old is hearing "$@#!@ @#$%@!" yelled across the lake at the top of someones lungs.

That said, I'd say the vast majority of fisherman, young and old alike, do respect the outdoors and others when fishing, but it's these select few that need to be slapped silly a few times. As I always say, "love washington and leave only your footprints behind."

Sorry for going off. I guess I had some built up aggression on the matter.

Beerman

Check out my latest report from Storm Lake!

I actually thought about calling the cops as I was driving home, but then I remembered what a little bonehead I was at that age. They didn't appear to be "bad" kids, just rowdy and retarded...

calling the cops will create problems in my time. When someone called them on me as a kid I came back with m-80s and and reaked havoc on people. that was when you could find those sort of things. They just need to get a good ole' fashion beat down to learn the idea of respect

Mike Carey wrote:hmm, underage drinking = call to police - prevents - dead drunk teenagers or innocent persons. I would discretely call the police. That's the only way this type of behavior ends AND you could prevent someone from getting killed.

I echo Mike's comments. I grew up in Woodinville and went to Leota JHS. Cottage was my home lake and we always did well fishing there. It seems like both the fishing and the people frequenting the area are becoming more and more beligerent. You know I don't seem to run into this that much, but when I do I will usually leave the area. Fishing lakes that no one really knows about or is not surrounded by homes is the better choice. I have 3 lakes like this and that's all I need. Cottage has some problems with underage drinking. For one, the KCSO is willing to come out and issue warning or citations if needed. Calling 911 is much better than taking the matter into your own hands cause you never know with drunk fellas in general. It's disheartening to hear your story and then read your report about the ambience of the lake atmosphere. I've fished Cottage Lake over 70 times between ages 8 and 18. It's sad to see this happening, but when it does, call 911 and let the police or proper authorites handle the situation. When we are out fishing all we want is peace and quiet and perhaps some good fishin talk with our fishing buddies. I would recommend fishing some lakes less inclined to this kind of behavior, cause I know what you mean, it can ruin a fun day's worth of fishing.

I believe there was a report on "Storm Lake" yesterday and the write-up was hilarious (the steps that he wrote about) when reading it, but very sad at the same time (for the lake area and the abusing of fish). This does go on...and these people do need to be called out on it...I just would caution you on doing it yourself, cause you never know how people are going to react if you "make a move" or try to "solve" the situation. Better luck next time...don't let if deter you too much. It's too bad really. I do like the reflection Hillbilly put on the situation -- cause it's most likely true]

Kids drinking at parks....I'm worried about how they get there and get back....Surely some of them had to drive, makes me wonder about any of them drinking and driving...

Kids drinking beer, it is illegal and all but it ain't the worst crime. If I see a few kids sipping beers at a lake, I ain't gonna call the cops on em, but if I feel that one of them is gonna be driving or any of them are intoxicated, rude and annoying, then I would have a case to contact the law...Never had that happen, hope I don't. Not because I don't wanna call the cops, I just don't wanna deal with drunks who ruin the outdoors experience...

Being 19, I know/have seen kids drinking and then hopping in the car to drive home. Drives me nuts....They think they are fine to drive after 3-4-5 beers...Really? To get a DUI in WA when your under 21, all you have to blow is a .02. That's about a beer or two. Not to mention 3, 4, 5 drinks are plenty enough to impair a teenagers ability to drive...Makes me sick to see people thinking that they are fine to drive after 4 drinks...Just plain stupid to get behind the wheel after 4 drinks. I've never lost anyone to a DUI, but I dread the day I might have to mourn someone who got their life taken by such a ridiculous action....There is no excuse for a DUI.

My apologies for my rant, but for the amount of innocent lives that get taken by drunk drivers, and the results it has oe others lives, is just completely unfair to those who didn't drink up and get behind the wheel.

I agree that it would have been appropriate to call the police from the scenario you described. Especially since there were families and children there. Sometimes loud obnoxious under aged or adults who are drinking, need to be contacted by the police when in public acting like idiots. Just my opinion. They could have been cited and or arrested for MIP or disorderly conduct or both. They also have to get home somehow and in my experience, a drinking person's judgment is often as impaired as their driving ability when it comes to utilizing a designated driver.

Neg driving 1st Degree occurs when person is caught driving with even a trace of alcohol in their system. It's like DUI except the person doesn't have to be at a .08 to get arrested. Their vehicle can also be immediately impounded which is very expensive these days. A person can also be arrested for DUI if under the .08 blood alcohol content level if the officer believes the person is impaired but not over the legal limit. The decision to arrest under .08 is the same as when over a .08 which is based on the officer's observation of both the drivers driving and field sobriety tests. It's just not worth it!

Sorry for your experience Fishunt83. I hate fishing and hearing loud obnoxious people. It ruins my trip almost every time I experience it. I try to fish lakes during the week so the chances are reduced but that isn't foolproof either. Next I hope you call 911.

lake finwick is like this alot.

call the cops bro! They will happy to whoop some teenage ass.

Mike Carey wrote:hmm, underage drinking = call to police - prevents - dead drunk teenagers or innocent persons. I would discretely call the police. That's the only way this type of behavior ends AND you could prevent someone from getting killed.

Good call
You may end up saving theirs or an innocent bystanders life. Since they are young and new to driving adding alcohol only makes this situation more dangerous. Booze and the operation of anything motorized is bad news but with kids makes the statistics much worse.

kevinb wrote: Good call
You may end up saving theirs or an innocent bystanders life. Since they are young and new to driving adding alcohol only makes this situation more dangerous. Booze and the operation of anything motorized is bad news but with kids makes the statistics much worse.

I bet you see proof of this first hand all the time when you are at work:-"

If you hear someone drop just the F bomb real loud, its probably me after losing a big bass
But man, those teenager stories you guys are posting, someone needs to call the authorities. I've seen some bad things at lakes, but that takes the cake. The storm lake report, what the heck?? Man, someone needs to teach these kids a lesson.

ChrisB wrote:If you hear someone drop just the F bomb real loud, its probably me after losing a big bass

LMAO! Too good!!

This is the only time I have really encountered the problem other than lakes such as Chelan which turns into a party town during the summer. But luckily its big enough we can head up north and fish that one!