Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-350. Fish: Gigs, Grab Hooks, Trotlines, Snares, etc. (amending 4VAC15-350-70).

Statutory Authority: §§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: January 1, 2019.

Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Regulations Coordinator, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 367-8341, or email aaron.proctor@dgif.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments add goldfish to the list of fish that can be taken using bow and arrow or crossbow.

4VAC15-350-70. Taking common carp, grass carp, northern snakehead, bowfin, catfish, and gar of fish with bow and arrow or crossbow.

A. Season. Except as otherwise provided by local legislation or as posted, it shall be lawful to take common carp, northern snakehead, goldfish, and gar from the public inland waters of the Commonwealth, grass carp from public inland waters of the Commonwealth except department-owned or department-controlled lakes, and bowfin and catfish from below the fall line in tidal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay, except waters stocked with trout, by means of bow and arrow or crossbow.

B. Poison arrows or explosive-head arrows prohibited. It shall be unlawful to use poison arrows or arrows with explosive heads at any time for the purpose of taking common carp, grass carp, northern snakehead, bowfin, catfish, goldfish, or gar in the public inland waters of the Commonwealth.

C. Fishing license required. All persons taking fish in the manner mentioned described in this section shall be required to have a regular fishing license.

D. Creel limits. Common The creel limits for common carp, grass carp, northern snakehead, goldfish, and catfish – shall be unlimited, provided that any angler taking northern snakehead immediately kill such fish and notify the department, as soon as practicable, of such actions and provided that any angler taking grass carp ensure that harvested fish are dead. The creel limit for bowfin and longnose gar shall be five fish per day.