Chap. 185.—An ACT for the protection of fish in the Blackwater river, in Prince
George, Surry, Sussex, Isle of Wight, Southampton and Nansemond counties,
Virginia; providing rules and regulations by which fish may be taken there-
from, and fines for violations. {H B 194]

Approved March 14, 1924.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That it shall
be unlawful to take, kill or capture fish in the Blackwater river, in any
manner, other than by angling with pole and line or rod and reel;
except that the owners, bona fide lessees or renters of lands adjoining
the waters of said river may set fykes or traps of mesh not smaller than
one and three-fourths inches and not over three feet in diameter in the
waters adjoining their said land, from January first to May first for the
purpose of taking fish (other than bass or chub) for the use of the im-
mediate family of such owner, or of such bona fide lessee or renter re-
siding thereon, provided, however, that such fykes or traps must not
be hedged in any manner with stakes, brush or other obstruction so
as to prevent the free passage of fish up and down said river to all points
thereof. No person shall take more than twenty-five pike from said
river in any one day by any method. It shall be unlawful to hedge,
stake or otherwise prevent the free passage of fish in Blackwater river
at any point thereof, or to use a spear or gig to take fish therefrom or to
muddy any portion of the water thereof for the purpose of taking or
capturing fish of any kind.

2. This act shall not apply to the use of haul seines or dip nets
with mesh net smaller than one and three-fourths inches, during the
months of February, March, April, May, June and July of each year
for the purpose of taking fish (other than bass or chub); or at any time
to the use of hand dip nets for capturing minnows to be used as bait.

3. Any person violating any of the provisions of this act shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine of not less than
five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars.