Cliff Whitmore sent over this pic: "Here is a pic from last year. 2019 was my learning curve season so I will be waiting with baited breath for 2020 to open up for us All. Go Navy!" It looks like you're on the right side of the learning curve, Cliff. From a few early reports from San Francisco Bay it appears that this year may be a pretty good halibut year again. We just need the opportunity. And patience. Okay, mostly patience.

   Ray Heskett sent over these pics: "The way we were ???" Those were the days, eh?
   Salmon season not opening until a later date (TBD) is now official. Yesterday the New Sea Angler returned to Bodega from San Francisco Bay (post-haulout) and saw a parade of whales, working birds and schools of bait between Point Reyes and Bodega Bay. The wind is supposed to blow for the next few days so that should chase them away, anyhow. I am a firm believer in sour grapes.
    There was one guy on the beach in front of the store yesterday with a snare. Our gate is locked but he hiked in from somewhere. He had at least two Dungeness at noon and was going to quit at three keepers. I didn't see him at 2:00 PM so I assume he caught his go home crab. There's your current report.

    Received this email from Fishlipps today:"Hey Willie,

Like everyone else, I’m sitting here bored out of my mind and wishing I could get out on the ocean. I would quarantine myself there for a few weeks if I could!

I thought maybe a couple of pics from days gone by might help pass the time and provide some incentive to hang in there…

1. The tuna pic is my son and his wife a couple of summers ago about 60 miles out of San Diego. They caught it kite fishing. It weighed close to 220 lbs., gutted! Had to fight off a sea lion once they got it close to the boat. You can see the bite marks around the head.
2. Salmon and Halibut pics are just a few favorites from around home.

"

I imagine that most people are in the same situation. If anyone wants to brag or commiserate or whatever, send me your photos. lawsonslanding@gmail.com Please, no pictures of genitalia. Let's stick to fish or fishing-related photos.
    It would also appear that salmon season may be delayed until May. Rumors are flying and probably aren't wrong. Gage really wanted to catch one for everybody. Well, for him, really.

    Alastair Bland sent me a pretty good question: "Hey Willie,

What do you  expect for this summer? Are we going to be allowed to fish? I have been told all fishing (not sure about commercial) has been halted in Washington state. The beach closures in CA  seems like a step in that direction. Are they allowing you to remain open, both for camping and launching? If  you are going to address all this in a post, I'll just wait for it. 

Hope you're doing well.

Alastair "
    What do I expect? Anything but the Spanish Inquisition. There is obviously tremendous pressure to stay open for fishing and likewise to close it. I would have to say that the closure of almost every boat ramp is an indicator. Driving to or from a ramp in the Bay Area could net you a misdemeanor for non-essential travel. Most lakes are closed. Maybe CDFW doesn't need to close the season since it is 99% functionally closed. Or maybe they'll just make it official since the difference between functionally and actually is fairly negligible. If this $2,000,000,000,000+ stimulus bill passes with its money for small businesses (as it should) it makes it easier for governments to say no to a lot of activities as the economic justification to stay open weakens. This bill includes payments out to July 1 or so, so if you believe in following the money you can expect the current "Shelter In Place" order to remain in effect until late June. Lawson's Landing is closed to day use and camping until the order is lifted. The current order is through April 7 but I expect it to extend significantly within a few days after the passage of the Covid-19 rescue bill.
    If that makes you sad, here's this: Commercial fishing is considered essential so they can fish, but with the current socioeconomic situation there are no orders for crab or salmon. The crabbers got an extension on their season because there weren't many whales but crabbers are stacking their gear because the buyers aren't buying. Estimates on salmon prices at the dock are $2-3 a pound if they even buy any. Fuel is cheap now but it still takes money to fish.
     The only good news is that the fish will just be bigger and fatter when those of us that are lucky enough to still have jobs do get to go fishing....

    Got this report yesterday :"Hey Willie,

Snuck down there before we all go into lockdown and caught a few perch off the beach. Lots of smaller ones but had fun. Most came at the top of the tide.

Saw Gage taking quite a crew out Wednesday afternoon, they do any good?

Thanks, Swampy" The Gage report was two boats, one possible bite between them. They tried for halibut back by Marshall and found 54º water and not much bait. It is still early. I would stick with the perch and hopefully social distancing will keep others from crowding you if you find the good spot.
     One boat made a trip out for sand dabs yesterday. They tried 290 to 305 feet of water due West from Tomales Point for a grand total of three tiny dabs, one petrale sole and a spiny dogfish that tied the leader into knots. His summary: "Go perch fishing."
     Crabbing has been the usual, okay in the outer bay if you're in the right spot, slow inside the bay with occasional small runs of keepers passing through.