MOSES LAKE — Around 100 people from across the region gathered under overcast skies at Blue Heron Park Saturday morning to protest Washington state’s ban on fishing during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

They came to protest the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s moratorium on fishing and clamming, which was announced to coincide with Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order intended to slow the spread of the virus through the state.

While some lined Interstate 90 lifting up signs to the honking of horns, other protesters were scattered throughout the park, dock and lake, with fishing boats dotting the water. With few exceptions, those in attendance followed guidance from event organizers, who advised attendees to keep their distance and bring fishing lines only as props.

Even without a mandate, fishermen already keep their distance from each other to keep their lines from getting tangled and to find a quiet spot to relax, said Moses Lake resident Shaina Burgess, who questioned whether the fishing ban had a significant impact on the virus’ spread.

“You don’t stand right next to somebody you don’t know when you’re fishing,” Burgess said. “We’re not going to go out and disobey the law, but I think it’s honestly ridiculous. I don’t see what it would hurt.”

For her boyfriend, Steven Lingenfelter, who attended the protest with her, fishing is a good way to pass the time. Burgess said she and Lingenfelter use fishing as an opportunity to be by themselves and that the quiet helps her with her anxiety.

Though other states have also put some restrictions on fishing, Washington is the only one with a complete prohibition, state Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, stated in a recent newsletter. Those attending the protest said that the blanket ban not only didn’t make sense, it wasn’t fair.

“I can go back and forth from Seattle and Tacoma all day and work to provide for my family, but I can’t go home and relax in my own backyard in the weekend and fish and be outside,” said Bryan Gilliland, a third-generation veteran and a commercial truck driver.

“I’m more at risk every day going back and forth to the ports,” Gilliland added.

Local Alisha Stickle brought her 8-year-old son, Drake, along with her to Saturday’s protest. While Drake said his favorite part of fishing was playing video games and going for a swim while the older folks hauled one in, his mother notes that he’s caught his share of big fish in the past.

“I want to be out teaching my son how to fish and bringing food to the table as well,” Stickle said. “Right now is the primetime to be catching big walleye, and I can’t do that right now.”

Working in a local hospital, Stickle said that she’s aware of the risk the virus can pose, but said that Washingtonians should be trusted to make those health decisions for themselves.

“I don’t think there’s any risk to (fishing),” Stickle said. “We’re a family of three and we’re all healthy. By all means the ones who are at high risk, stay at home for your own benefit, but we’re healthy and we feel that it should be our choice to go out and fish.”

Inslee has indicated in recent press conferences that certain outdoor activities could be reopened in coming weeks as the state continues to see positive signs that the virus has slowed. However, his office has not provided specifics on what might be included in that early easing of restrictions, nor given any indication as to when that might happen.