Two state agencies Thursday explained details regarding enjoying outdoor recreation during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a teleconference for reporters only, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the state Fish and Boat Commission offered information and answered questions regarding outdoor recreation across Pennsylvania as residents deal with the pandemic.

While Gov. Tom Wolf and the state Department of Health agreed that nonessential businesses be closed to stop the spread of the virus, they are encouraging safe outdoor recreation at parks, on trails and on lakes and streams.

“The mental and physical health benefits of the outdoors is more important now than ever,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “How to do that safely is the question we are addressing.”

While bathrooms, visitors centers, picnic shelters and other buildings are closed at state parks, she said trails, parklands and waterways are open for recreation while social distancing.

Dunn said Wolf and state agencies are encouraging people to get outside, but stay near their homes as much as possible.

That's because bathrooms and refreshment venues are closed at parks, and driving a significant distance to access a park would require families to stop at stores, restaurants and gas stations, which could spread the virus.

She said families looking for recreation outdoors should have two or three places in mind to maintain social distancing.

“If you arrive and it looks crowded, move on,” Dunn said.

Fishing update

Tim Schaeffer, executive director of the state Fish and Boat Commission, said trout season was opened early this year in an effort to get families outdoors.

He said the commission did have concerns that anglers would crowd the banks along waterways instead of standing six feet apart as required in social distancing.

Schaeffer said while thousands of Pennsylvania waterways were stocked with trout on opening day Tuesday, he received only five reports of anglers standing too close together.

“If you extend your arm and a fishing rod, that's about six feet,” he said. “We've seen that working.”

Schaeffer said because of social distancing, extended family members and friends cannot fish together.

Anglers should fish only alongside those in their home, he said.

He said fishing licenses and launch permits have been made available online so anglers and boaters don't have to go to an office to obtain them.

With students out of school, Schaeffer said, now is an excellent time to teach young people to fish.

Schaeffer said his twin 16-year-olds should be involved in school sports right now, but the coronavirus has eliminated that activity.

“So last night, we went to a nearby stream and caught dinner,” he said. “If you have a 16- or 17-year-old in the house and they're getting a little stir crazy, fishing would be a great way to spend an afternoon.”

Boating, camping

Schaeffer said while marinas at state parks remain closed, all accesses are open for kayaks and canoes.

All paddlers must wear life vests and remain six feet apart.

“If you're out paddling, stick your paddle out,” Schaeffer said. “If you can touch (another craft), you're too close. If not, you're good.”

Dunn and Schaeffer said all of Wolf's recommendations apply when pursuing outdoor recreation, including the use of masks.

“The same common sense you're using to go to the grocery store, use to go fishing,” Schaeffer said.

John Norbeck, DCNR deputy secretary for parks and forests, said while all campgrounds at state facilities are closed, primitive camping is being permitted.

He said all camping reservations at state parks have been canceled and refunded, but campers can make reservations for later in the year.

Norbeck said those who may want to drive to a state park should check with their municipality, many of which have walking trails.

“We recognize that people need to get outdoors, but we are trying to encourage people to stay near home,” Norbeck said.

Dunn said drivers cannot be cited by police for driving to an outdoor recreation facility that is relatively close to their homes.

Norbeck said camp owners are being discouraged from driving to another county to stay at their camps in order to prevent the virus from traveling between counties.

“If someone does travel a distance to a private facility, they should be quarantining themselves there for 14 days,” Norbeck said.

All three officials are encouraging residents to enjoy the outdoors during the stay-at-home order, but to do so sensibly.

“Any and all recommendations that the governor and secretary of health have included for interacting and traveling outdoors applies to outdoor recreation,” Norbeck said.