Evening journal., 1915-01-21
Protecting FISH
IN State STREAMS
Eels and Black Bass Partic-
ular FavoriteS of
ky WaltonS
FREE FISHING
IN THE CANAL

Many changes in the present State
game laws were approved at the /
meeting of fishermen held at Dover /
yesterday afternoon when they con-
ferred with members of the state /
Game Commission. The most import |
ant of the proposed changes are: |
EXempting non-residents from Ii I,
cense fees to fish in the waters of
the Chesapeake and Delaware canal:
prohibiting the taking of cells less
than fourteen inches in length; !
closed season for carp to be from
April 10 to August 10, and the open
season for shad fishing to extend
from March / to June 8.
The hearing began at 1.3O o'clock
when the discussion as to the size of
net meshos was taken up John S.
Boyd, a Smyrna fisherman for 80
years favored the three inch mesh
and w. A. Stotesbury. of Smyrna, op-
posed the use of the small mesh.
Edward G.. Bradford, Jr.. member
of the commission, spoke Of the pres
ent laws and emphasized the need of
more revenue to carry on tho work
of the commission in protecting game
and fish.
II. l.. Robinson. of Milton, an
oysterman. declared that oystcrmen
were anxious To come under the jur-
isdicton of tho Game Commission,
but he did not believe the present
laws were being enforced Az this
point il was decided to have all inter
ested in Delaware bay fishing hold a
private conference.
While this conference was on. the
question of inland fishing was taken
up. Mr. Bradford presiding over this
conference. Captain LoFevro. of the
Game and Fish Commission, read
draft OF the proposed law regulating
tic size of the nets TO be used i'm
inland streams c. c. Barrett
veteran fisherman. of Wilmington,
representing the Wilmington Anglers
Association asked that the opel sea-
son for bass be extended from May
20 to December 81. AT the present
time the open season closes on Novem-
LCr 30 Mr. Barrett contended that
December and January were ideal
months i'm which to fish for bass. The
protection of perch was considered,
several claiming that April and May
should he the closed season. As
Indian River and Rehoboth fishermen
opposed this. It was decided not 20
have a closed secson for perch.
Mr.. Bradford also spoke of the need
OF bcttcr shad laws. and il was dc
cided TO have tho open season extend
from March 1 to June 8. II was de-
cided by those at the conference not
to have any closed season for rock,
catfish, sunfsh or crappies. but II
was deemed best TO protect cells. Dur
Ing tlc discus sion of coils IL was
brought cut that many small ones
woro caught and shipped to Maryland,
Wborc they were u9od as bait for
srarpors u was finally decided 30
pohibit the taking of all cells under
IA inches in length.
The fishermen were divided on tho
question of projecting the carp. many
claiming they were the most of the fish
cf che waters of the State. II was de-
,cdcl after much discussion to have tho
.dcscd season from April 10 TO August
no.
Black bass fishing Was then taken up
IL being asserted by those present that
the streams of this state provided more
bass sport than any other streams 10
the country II was likewise stated that
.
here and fishing the best ponds of tho
State. aud those at the conference IA
Norcd law conn clling the return TO tho
streams of an h-h OF this class under
ten inchc, in lcngh. q. G.. Barrett sug
uosted that no net with mesh less THAI
une-Quarter of lm inch be- used in tn,
inland streams and this was approved
II was explained that nets with smal
D D. ftssr.s ff.It
ermcn in the Chesapeake and Delaware
canal
The Delaware bay fishermen then re
turned to the conference, but before
their case was heard MIR. Cullen asked
that the use ol the 5-S inch mesh b'
{ permitted for eel pots. Il was then de
, cidcd TO restrict the size of tcls caugh
D 10 fourteen inches. The bay fisher
b men then reported that they approved
- net with onc-inch mesh, and they like
= wise recommended that diamond bacl
O. torrapn hc allowed to be taken froa
I June 60 August 81.
A discussion was then had in regard
to the non residence license law. Del
aware City fishermen said that all The
e fish caught in the canal by visitor.
n would not be worth $40 a year anC
d that many residents gained an income
t by entertaining these visitors, the sll'
of bait. etc.
Mr.. Barrett contonded that we coui,
not go TO fish where they 'camc from
y without paying. and that they shoul'
IS pay as we'll, and asked that the Law
is remain intact.
n other fishermen living on the cana
Is opposed the non-residence licens
dollars a year il the law is passed
n One fisherman told of a game war
:, den who even supplied bait for tw
III non-residents. placed it on their hook
o.
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