Skip to main content

ASA to Governors: ‘Fishing is Safe Activity'

Amid COVID-19 closures, American Sportfishing Association asks to keep fishing open.

ASA to Governors: ‘Fishing is Safe Activity'

The ASA believes 'recreational fishing should be promoted as a safe outdoor activity compatible with physical distancing guidelines.' (Shutterstock image

The American Sportfishing Association wants each of the 50 governors in the U.S. to know how important it is to keep the sport of recreation fishing open and accessible amid the COVID-19 crisis in America.

With coronavirus-related closures and restrictions to fishing in place in many states, ASA president Glenn Hughes asked in separate letters to governors to “keep recreational fishing opportunities and businesses open as much as possible,” the organization said.

Click here to read the letter sent to your governor

“In no way do we want to stand in the way of states’ efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 and we recognize that in certain cases fishing access restrictions are warranted,” ASA Vice President of Government Affairs Mike Leonard said. “In general, ASA believes that recreational fishing should be promoted as a safe outdoor activity compatible with physical distancing guidelines.

“Given that recreational fishing provides health benefits associated with being outdoors, and a source of food for many individuals, we support state efforts to maintain fishing opportunities while keeping physical distance, and to allow sportfishing businesses to stay open as much as possible.”

The ASA says it is working with states to have recreational fishing-related business to be considered essential and allowed to stay open.

Click here to read more from ASA

Also, the organization is tracking state-agency responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...
Hunting

Kali Parmley - Florida Turkey Slam #1

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...
Fishing

Bass Crash Course: How and When to Fish a Buzz Toad

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...
Destinations

Polaris – Pack Up and Play On

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...
Gear

Polaris – Camping Adventures In Style

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...
Fishing

Bass Crash Course: How to Find Bass in an Unfamiliar Lake

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...
Fishing

Bass Crash Course: Is Bait Color Choice Important?

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...
Gear

What Turkey Hunters Need to Know About TSS

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...
Learn

onX Hunt: Your Edge for Successful Spring Turkey Hunts

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...
Destinations

Cigars International – Enjoying the Finer Things

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...
Destinations

Suckerpunch – Unusual Camping Necessity

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...
Destinations

Suckerpunch – Snacks While Securing Dinner

Game & Fish Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Game & Fish App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use