Chap. 376.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 39 of an act of Virginia,
entitled an act to revise, simplify, arrange and consolidate into one act the
general game, inland fish and dog statutes of Virginia, which act shall con-
stitute and be designated and cited as “the game, inland fish and dog code of
Virginia.” [H B 88]

Approved March 28, 1932

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
thirty-nine of the game, inland fish and dog Code of Virginia, be
amended and re-enacted as follows: ,

Section 39. Unlawful to catch, possess, sell or transport fish ex-
cept as permitted—Unless and until otherwise provided by a regula-
tion of the commission, after a public hearing, in accordance with the
provisions of this act, it shall be unlawful for any person to catch any
fish in inland waters other than shad, herring or mullet, except by
fishing with a hook and line or rod and reel, held in the hand, or to
catch, trap, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture or kill, possess,
offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, purchase, deliver for shipment,
ship, caused to be shipped, deliver for transportation, transport, cause
to be transported, carry or cause to be carried, by any means whatever,
receive for shipment, transport or carriage, or export, or import at any
time or in any manner any species of bass or trout, or the carcass or
any part thereof, except as specifically permitted by this act and only
by the manner of means and within the numbers stated, except in the
counties of Mecklenburg, Pittsylvania, city of Danville, Charlotte,
Campbell, Halifax, Amelia (except between Vaughn’s pond and
Meadsville dam), Brunswick, Caroline and King George it shall be
lawful to fish with “fish traps,” or “fish pots” and seines in any and all
streams and waters, except in Grassy creek in Mecklenburg county,
providing that no person shall catch fish with “fish traps” or “fish
pots” and seines to be sold; provided further that it shall be unlawful
in any and all of said counties to remove from the waters thereof any
bass, perch and trout caught with fish pots or fish traps or seines, and
any person so catching bass, perch and trout shall immediately return
the same to the waters. Any person violating the provision hereof by
not returning bass, perch and trout to the waters from which caught,
shall be fined not more than ten dollars for each offense. :

Provided, however, that the commission of game and inland fisheries
shall have the authority to close any streams or rivers or parts of
streams or rivers in said counties when same shall be stocked with fish
by said commission.