Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-06-03
NEW FISH LAW.
Radical Changes Made in the Statute
Relating to Game Fish.

bill passed by the legislature which
makes radical changes in the fish law Of
the state. The act became effective at
once, and its provisions are so stringent
that all persons who fish will do well to
acquaint themselves with the more i'm
portant sections of this law, else they
may unknowingly violate the act and be
arrested and heavily fined.
The new law is the result OF several
years labor on the part OF Pennsylvania
fishermen, or rather of those who desire
to see the game fish OF the state fully
| protected. The members OF the Free
land Game and Fish Protective Associa-
tion are very much pleased with the
law, as they have had incorporated into
the act many Of tho suggestions they
made to the State Fish Commission.
The act signed by the governor last
week is lengthy document, treating
the subject in all its details. The Tri-
bune gives below, in brief, the more i'm
portant sections OF the bill:
| Fish are divided into two classes.
game and food. The former class in
cludes all species of trout, salmon, bass,
may be caught only with rod, hook and
line or handline not having more than
three hooks Fine, S25.
The open seasons are as follows:
Brook trout, April IS to July 81; lake
trout, January to September /; Sunfsh,
pike, pickerel, perch, salmon, and all
species of bass except striped June 10
to February Is; striped bass, rock fish,
shad and herring with rod and hook at
any time. Fine, $40 for each fish
Must not catch white, rock or straw
berry bass less than five inches; brook
trout, less than six inches; black bass,
seven inches; lake trout, striped bass,
pike, pickerel, salmon, nine inches.
Fine, $40 for each fish.
1t is unlawful to catch more than fifty
brook trout in any one day. A fine of
$40 per fish over that number is provided.
The use of nets, seines and the like is
carefully provided for, and fines ranging
from $40 to 500 and Imprisonment are
placed in the law for violations.
Fish caught out of season or uulaw-
fully must be returned unharmed to the
water. Fine, $40 for each fish
1t is unlawful to purchase, sell or offer
for sale any dead game or food fish, ex-
cept during the open season and six days
thereafter. Fine, $40 for each fish.
Explosives are strictly prohibited from
use in fishing; nor can they be used in
any waters of the state for any but en-
gineering purposes, and then only with
written permission from the authorities.
Fine, 500 and six months imprisonment
For planting German carp or using
this fish for bait, 500 fine.
The Fish Commission, after stocking
a stream, may close the same for three
years. Catching fish in such stream
costs $40 per fish.
Possession of fishes out of season, or
Illegal size, or Illegal nets, is considered
prima facie evidence of guilt.
Arrests for violation OF the law may
be made at any time within one year
after.
One-half of all fines paid by persons
arrested and found guilty shall go to the
informer.
The new law provides a more efficient
system of enforcement than was furnish
ed by the act it succeeds The present
Fish Commissioners are retained, and
they are authorized to appoint and fix
the salaries of twelve wardens, the chief
warden to reside in Harrisburg. The
wardenS will be distributed throughout
the state, each being assigned to clear
ly defined district. The real value of
the law as protection to the game and
food fish of the state will be determined
by the efficiency and activity of these
wardens.
The chief defect of the old law was
that people in all parts of the state vio-
lated its provisions with very little
danger of being detected, and still less
of being punished If caught in the act.