Chap. 194.—An ACT for the protection of fish in New River or its tri-
butaries.

Approved December 1, 1884.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
it shall not be lawful for any one for the space of three years,
to fish in New river or its tributaries, except so far as the
same shall apply to Grayson and Montgomery counties, with
any seine, net or trap of any kind, or with any other impli-
ment except a hovk and line. But this act shall not be con-
strued as preventing the use of minnow seines and nets for the
purpose of catching baits, or shall the provisions of this act
apply to mill ponds and private fish ponds, though they may
constitute a part of the stream: provided that the waters of
Big Reed island, Little Reed island, Shorts creek, Rock creek,
Crooked creek, and Chestnut creek shall not be embraced or
included in the provisions of this act, or in any way effected
by the same.

2. It shall not be lawful to catch or disturb the black bass
by any means whatever, between the first day of April and
the first day of May of each year; nor shall it be lawful to
disturb, molest, or injure the nest or spawn of any fish at
any time.

3. Upon complaint by any person before a justice of the
peace of the violation of this act or any part of it, he shall
issue @ warrant for the arrest of the person or persons against
whom complaint is made, and shall cause the same to be ap-
prehended and brought before him or some other justice of
the peace of said county, and if found guilty, he shall impose
a fine upon such person or persons of not less than ten dol-
lars nor more than fifty dollars, one-half of which shall be
paid to the person making the complaint, and the other half
to the commonwealth: and judgment shall be rendered by
the justice against the persons so found guilty, for the costs
of proceedings.

4. This act shall be in force from its passage.