Washington Boat Launch Fees

I'm assuming that the $7 daily/$80 annual boat launch fees are applicable to registered watercraft only and do not apply to kayaks.
Anybody know this for sure? I usually don't launch from State Parks, but until the snow melts higher up, I might have to.

As far as I know, if you use the launch you pay. Most areas have access for yak launching
direct from the beach and that costs nothing.

Fishnut is correct. I called the state park directors office last year to be sure. If you use the launch itself it doesn't matter what craft you're launching you have to pay the fee. Now if you launch next to the boat launch and aren't actually using the launch itself there should be no fee.
Of course you need to check with the rules of the individual parks because they vary. For example, at Battleground Lake, you have to pay the launch fee if you even drive down the the water and unload your kayak off your car (without actually using the launch itself). The only way not to get charged the fee there is to walk it down from the parking area 300 yards away and launch next to the boat launch. Dumb rule, but they will fine you. Check with the individual park/marina rules before you assume or it may be costly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Be more than happy to cart my kayak to the water and save $7.
I got the Discover Pass, WDFW Pass(whatever that is, it came with my fishing license) and NW Forest Pass and now I may need a launch permit? How many of these things are going to have to buy? I know I have to pay my share, but this is getting ridiculous.

Next will be the "early bird pass" designed to make us pay for fishing the morning bite.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have a stack of various passes in my car, I just put the whole mess on the dashboard and hope I'm covered. Regulation books 200 pages long with daily online updates, takes a JD to decipher them.

This ain't my childhood Cajun country. Life was simpler then.

ronbo. that pass you have is just an access card for various boat launch areas that require it. the Discover Pass runs $30 extra fee and allows access to state park lands but if you use a boat launch at the park and there is a fee(usually there are)you still need to pay the launch fee. That's why I usually will avoid the boat launch and head for the beach that is usually very close. look at Mukilteo which is not a state park but charges at the launch. you can carry or cart your yak right next to the launch and not pay the extra bucks. Use that saved $$$ for a cold brew after fishing

I have the Discover Pass and the NW Forest Pass because we spend a lot of time in the backcountry and the more remote parks. I never use launch ramps and usually look for a place to launch the kayak away from the crowd(like at Drano, if you can get away from the crowd, it's always a friggen zoo there).
I usually get to places very early, by the time any enforcement people would arrive, I would already be out on the water, so no asking anybody what's up.