Fishing Forum

The politically correct phrase for the handicapped. I don't know about anyone else but I've always taken my walking for granted and given little thought to just how someone using a wheelchair must feel. This was hammered home to me just a few days ago when I watched a perfectly healthy person take over a fishing pier designed just for the handicapped, keeping a eager, wheelchair-bound person from enjoying a day of fishing. In this case, a Park Ranger intervened and the healthy fisherman was forced to move, much to his anger. Just how many times does this happened when there isn't a Ranger around to help? Probably more than anyone wants to admit. As a writer, that incident gave the creative juices a surge and set me to thinking. After a little research, I discovered that Colorado has many lakes, reservoirs and streams dedicated to the mobility impaired that insures that EVERYONE can enjoy a day fishing. Now if only other states would follow Colorado's lead and do the same. If my research is correct, this state has issued more "handicapped" licenses than any other state. Why? Because there are more places that can accommodate them; whether fishing or camping. I'm still interested in what other states are doing, I need something more than what the state prints out as a flier. I need specifics. Anyone care to help?

I am still reaserching the freshwater fishing in The Lone Star State, and hope to have more info on that for you soon. For the saltwater mobility impaired anglers, the Gulf Coast of Texas has made all state controlled parks and Piers fully accesable. The private has done the same with over 85% of related busineses fully accessable. For just one of the private sectors busineses and their program for The impaired angler check out this link: <A HREF="http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bigfish/wwwthreads/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=Texas&Number=12507&page=0&view=expanded&sb=5" target="_new">http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bigfish/wwwthreads/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=Texas&Number=12507&page=0&view=expanded&sb=5</A>[smile] Texas Gulf Coast Fisher <*(())))))))))>{ <A HREF="http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/ROSS6959/" target="_new">http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/ROSS6959/</A>

Hello johnincolorado, Thank you for the great information! Here is what I could find on California (appears to be a good start but room for improvemnent): Key: Name of fishing area HP = Handicapped Parking HR = Handicapped Restrooms Types of fish available Remarks concerning site conditions ALAMEDA Berkeley Fishing Pier, HP, Staghorn sculpin, surfperch, jacksmelt, Not posted F.D. Roosevelt Fishing Pier, HR, Not available Pier parking lot is usually filled by nonpier users; the pier receives little use as a fishing area, Not posted San Leandro Fishing Platform, No HP or HR, Staghorn sculpin, Not posted, CONTRA COSTA Antioch Pier, San Joaquin River, No HP or HR, Catfish, striped bass, Posted Martinez Fishing Pier, HP, Not available, Not know if posted Pt. Pinole Fishing Pier, HP; HR, Staghorn sculpin, surfperch, Pier is well-traveled but wheelchairs and crutches can be used, Not posted FRESNO California Aqueduct, Highway 198, No HP or HR, Warmwater fish, striped bass, Posted San Joaquin Hatchery Settling Ponds, No HP or HR, Trout Open to general public with good access by crutches, Not posted HUMBOLDT Mouth of Mad River, FA No HP or HR, Salmon, steelhead, sculpin, starry flounder, surfperch, Ordinary restrooms, good fishing access, Not posted IMPERIAL Finney-Ramer Unit, No HP or HR, Catfish, bass, Good access, Not posted Wister Wildlife Unit, No HP or HR, Catfish, bass, crappie, bluegill, Good fishing access for disabled, Not posted KINGS California Aqueduct—Avenal Cutoff Fishing Access Site, No HP or HR, Warmwater fish, striped bass, Not posted California Aqueduct—Kettleman City Fishing Access Site, No HP or HR, Warmwater fish, striped bass, Not known if posted LOS ANGELES Cabrillo Fishing Pier, HP, White croaker, Pacific mackerel, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface cement; rail height 44 inches, Posted Malibu Pier, HP, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Newly refurbished by the Wildlife Conservation Board explicitly for the handicapped Manhattan Pier, HP, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface cement; rail height 36 inches, Posted Redondo Beach Fishing Pier, No HP or HR, Silversides, jacksmelt, halibut, Some restroom stalls large enough for wheelchairs; pier surface wood; rail height 44 inches, Not posted Santa Monica Pier, HP, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface wood and cement; rail height 43 inches, Posted Venice Fishing Pier, HP, Pacific mackerel, queenfish, jack mackerel, halibut, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface cement; rail height 41 inches, Posted MARIN Paradise Beach Fishing Pier, HP (1 space); HR, Surfperch, Staghorn sculpin, County operated; trails can be steep but should not be a deterrent, Not posted MERCED Los Banos Wildlife Area, No HP or HR, Catfish, carp, crappie, bass, Available to general public, Not posted Mojave Narrows Regional Park (owned SAN JOAQUIN by DFG, leased and managed by county), No HP or HR, Largemouth bass, channel catfish, rainbow trout, bluegill, bullhead catfish, Fairly good access for disabled, Not posted MONTEREY Monterey Wharf #2, HP (1 space), Mackerel, bonito, sanddabs, starry flounder, jacksmelt, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface planked; rail height 43 inches; continuous 8-inch curb runs entire length of pier making access to railing difficult, Not known if posted ORANGE Balboa Pier, HR, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Pier surface cement; rail height 36 inches, Posted Dana Point Pier, HP; HR, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Pier surface wood; rail height 36 inches, Posted Huntington Pier, HR, Surfperch, corbina, mackerel, Pier surface cement; rail height 30 inches, Posted Newport Pier, HP; HR, Surtperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito mackerel, Pier surface cement; rail height 36 inches, Posted San Clemente Pier, HP; HR, Croaker, topsmelt, mackerel, Pier surface cement; rail height 43 inches, Posted Seal Beach Fishing Pier, HP, White croaker, California halibut, yellowfin croaker, Pacific mackerel, ordinary restrooms; pier surface wood and cement; rail height 43 inches, Posted SAN BERNARDINO SAN DIEGO Chula Vista, "J" Street Marina, HP; HR, Smelt, perch, guitarfish, croaker, pier surface cement; rail height 43 inches, Posted Embarcadero Fishing Pier (foot of Fifth Avenue), HP; HR, Smelt, turbot, bass, croaker, halibut, pier surface planked; rail height 42 inches, Posted Imperial Beach Pier, HP, Jacksmelt, mackerel, halibut, bass, croakers, opaleye, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface pavement over planking; rail height 41 inches, Posted Ocean Beach Fishing Pier, HR, Queenfish, topsmelt, mackerel, bass, Access to pier from parking lot is either up stairs or a block long public ramp, Posted Oceanside Harbor, HP, Smelt, perch, rays, guitarfish, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface planked; rail height 44 inches, Posted Shelter Island, HP, Smelt, turbot, bass, croaker, halibut, rays guitarfish, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface planked; rail height 42 inches, Posted SAN FRANCISCO Brisbane Fishing Pier, HP; HR, Staghorn, sculpin, Surfperch, Handicapped parking and restrooms are at marina gate; paths are level and paved, Not posted Candlestick State Park, HP; HR, Staghorn sculpin, Surfperch, Pier is quite a distance from the parking area, Not posted Fort Point Fishing Pier, HR, Staghorn sculpin, Surfperch, Not posted SAN JOAQUIN White Slough, No HP or HR, Bass, sunfish, catfish, Posted SAN LUIS OBISPO Avila Pier, HP, Mackerel, white croaker, surfperch, occasional halibut, Pier surface planked; rail height 42 inches; reconstruction anticipated that will include handicapped restroom; concrete ramp to pier, Not known if posted Cayucos Pier, HP, Pacific mackerel, white croaker, jacksmelt, surfperch, juvenile bocaccio (summer), occasional halibut, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface planking; rail height 39 inches, Not posted North T-Pier, HR, Jacksmelt, Pacific mackerel, surfperch, occasional halibut, Commercial fishing dock with public access for fishing; plenty of parking in area with easy access to pier; pier surface planking; no rail; 7.5 inch curb, Posted Pismo Beach Pier, HP; HR, Mackerel, white croaker, jacksmelt, perch, occasional halibut, Pier surface planked; rail height 42 inches, Posted Port San Luis Pier, HP; HR, Mackerel, white croaker, jacksmelt, perch, occasional halibut, Pier surface planked; rail height 35-42 inches, Not known if posted San Simeon Pier, No HP or HR, Surfperch, jacksmelt, white croaker, occasional halibut, No handicapped facilities, but easy access to pier for disabled with ample parking nearby; pier surface planking; rail height 46 inches; pier maintained by California Department of Parks and Recreation, Not posted South T-Pier, No HP or HR, Pacific mackerel, surfperch, jacksmelt, Commercial fishing dock with public access for fishing; ample parking in area with easy access to pier; pier surface planking; no rail; 7.5 inch curb, Posted SAN MATEO Half Moon Bay (Johnson's Pier), HP; HR, Surfperch, flounder, kingfish, occasional striped bass, Not known if posted Oyster Pt. Fishing Pier, HR, Surfperch Accessible by wheelchair and crutches, Not posted Pacifica Fishing Pier, HP, Staghorn sculpin, white croaker, surfperch, Ramp on south side, Not posted SANTA BARBARA Gaviota Pier, HP; HR, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Pier surface wood; rail height 42 inches, Posted Goleta Pier, HP; HR, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, mackerel, Pier surface wood; rail height 42 inches, Posted SANTA CRUZ Camp Campbell, San Lorenzo River, No HP or HR, Rainbow trout, Posted Capitola Wharf, HP, Perch, mackerel, jacksmelt, rockfish, flatfish, Ordinary restrooms; pier surface planked; rail height 42 inches, Not known if posted Loch Lomond Reservoir, No HP or HR, Rainbow trout, catfish, green sunfish, largemouth bass, Posted Pinto Lake, No HP or HR, Largemouth bass, bluegill, redear, sunfish, rainbow trout, Posted Santa Cruz Wharf, HP; HR, Pacific mackerel, jacksmelt, sculpin, perch, flatfish, occasional steelhead salmon, surface paved; rail height 42 inches; wooden curb extends length of parking area with occasional openings for wheelchair access, Posted Seacliff Wharf and Cement Boat, HP; HR, Perch, jacksmelt, mackerel, sculpin, Handicapped parking at foot of pier; surface planked; rail height 42 inches, Posted SHASTA Anderson River Park, No HP or HR, Steelhead trout, Not posted SOLANO Pt. Benicia Fishing Pier, No HP or HR, Flounder, bullhead, Not posted SONOMA Jenner Visitor Center, No HP or HR, Steelhead, coho, topsmelt, striped bass, Good access, Not posted TUOLUMNE Moccasin Creek (at hatchery standby pump platform), No HP or HR, Trout, all kinds, Not posted VENTURA Port Hueneme Pier, HP; HR, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Pier surface is wood; rail height 42 inches, Posted Ventura Pier, HP; HR, Surfperch, corbina, jacksmelt, bonito, mackerel, Pier surface wood and cement; rail height 36.5 inches, Posted [laugh] How about a good laugh? <A HREF="http://www.bigfishtackle.com/comics.htm " target="_new">http://www.bigfishtackle.com/comics.htm </A> Mike H

Thanks, Mike. That info was great and a big help.

Theangler posted a nice list of mobility impaired places to fish, however the list did not contain very many freshwater sites. I'm sure a lot of lakes could accomadate piers with safety rails to allow mobility impaired anglers to fish. I recently became mobility impaired in late February due to a tumor inside my skull. The radiadtion and chemo treatment mess up your thinking and balance. I own a boat, but can't use it. I'm retired and all my fishing buddys are younger and have full time jobs, so I sit home and surf the net, its not fishing,but???????

Pettybone lake - Milford - Michigan (Bass, gills, perch, cats, crappie, pike) ST Clair River - Algonac - Michigan (sturgeon, waleye, perch, catfish, white fish) <A HREF="http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/" target="_new">http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/</A> Lookie See what the kids are up to. Dave T. Clown

These sites are shown to be handicap accessible does not say anything about restrooms though. Indiana Sites controlled by the D.N.R.. Cedarsville Reservoir, Everett Lake, St. Marys River,Ohio River, Blue River, White River, Laughery Creek, St Joseph River, Story Lake, Patoka Lake, Brookville Lake, Wabash River, Bruce Lake, South Mud Lake, Summit Lake, Westwood Run Lake, Kokomo Reservoir, Cypress Lake,Muscatatuck River, Carr Lake, Chapman Lake, Dewart Lake, Palestine Lake, Syracuse Lake,Appleman Lake, Cedar Lake, Westler Lake, Lake Michigan, Trail Creek, Eagle Creek Reservoir, Dixon Lake, Koontz Lake, Lake Lawrence, Mill Pond Lake, Iroquois River, Kankakee River, Bear Lake, Cree Lake, Loon Lake, Sylvan Lake, Cecil M. Harden lake, Bruce Lake, Tippecanoe River, Cagles Mill lake, North Chain (bass) Lake, Pleasant Lake, Ball Lake, Big Bower Lake, Big Otter lake, Fish Lake, Golden lake, Jimmerson Lake, Loon Lake, Dugger Unit(strip pits), Ohio River, Scales Lake, Middlefork Reservoir, Blue Lake, Old Lake Round Lake. These are all state operated area and there are many more that are not yet converted but of course all of that takes money and DNR funds do not come from taxes.

thats why God invented big bushes and trees[cool] lol (I know it is dificult eather way) <A HREF="http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/" target="_new">http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/</A> Lookie See what the kids are up to. Dave T. Clown

Thanks, Brookie. Your post adds to my information pile, that is getting bigger by the day. I called the Colorado Dept of Wildlife (DOW) and got the proverbial run-around, no one here to answer your questions, etc and I'm still waiting to hear back from the Parks Dept. Guess it's time to go higher on the food chain to get answers. I did hit a few local fishing spots and was amazed at the accommodations for the handi-capped. One was paved from parking lot to fishing pier and around the lake with the paths wide enough for a Mac truck and a wheelchair.The weeds are cut low, we do have rattlesnakes at this alltitude, plus the place was clean. Now to visit places out of town (good excuse to get in a little more fishing). I certainly appreciate all posts in response to my question. Please keep them coming. "GO AVS"

johnincolorado

ssor

theangler

johnincolorado

shaarphook

davetclown

twoindyhicks

davetclown

johnincolorado