Evening star., 1928-12-13

Harry A. jackson. chairman, Mary
! land conservation legislative advisory
committee, last week issued for publica-
ton the following statement:
"a purse, net bill was introduced at
the last session Of the legislature, but
failed to pass. The committee win have
1t introduced again at the next session.
beginning January !. The purpose OF
this bill is to abolish the use OF the
purse nets in the Chesapeake Bay,
which, they feel, is necessary in order
to assure an adequate supply OF nsn Ior
future generations.
"The black bass bill has as its pur-
pose 1.-The protection of black bass
throughout the State. 1t will prohibit
the taking of black bass in any waters
Of the State, at any time, in any man
ner, except with hook and line or artl-
ficiaE bait, between July / and Decem-
Der l. It will also limit the number OF
bass 81 caught to 10 per day and legal
length of not less than 10 inches. IL
will also prohibit the sale and exporta-
ton of black bass. The committee feels
that this Is necessary in order to pro-
tect this wonderful game hSh, which Is
fast disappearing from our waters.
The State Of Maryland has % fish
and game associations backing these
two measures, with membership total
ing several thousand. These organiza-
tions, with the backing of District and
Virginia anglers, certainly should be
able to show and impress the General
Assembly of Maryland with the absolute
necessity of enacting this needed legis-
lation.
Every State has its trouble with IL
legal fishermen, and New York State
last year arrested 142 persons for IL
legal use or possession OF fishing nets,
according to a statement issued by the
State Conservation Commission.
A report from Atlantic City states
that weakfish or trout are staying later
this year than usual Members of re-
sort anglers club report landing dozen
OF this specie while fishing from the
anglers pier IN Margate City, N. j., re-
cenely, the fish weighing from one to
one half pounds.
Another report reaching here last
week stated that the Eastern Branch
was full of dead fish. s. B. D. Rollins.
telephoning from Bailey's boathouse,
stated that bass, catfish, perch and carp
were floating on the water in large
numbers.
Deputy Sheriff Harvey @. Machen of
Hyattsville, Nd, recently returned from
hunting trip on the lower Potomac.
He proudly displayed his bag of ducks,
all canvass backs, and while they lasted
his close friends received q pair, with
the compliments Of the season.
This column has received many calls
lately regarding the closed season for
bass in Maryland and Virginia. In
Maryland waters the open season for
INoee from TIilv I m N0UarnhaY an IN.
elusive. Therefore, bass fishing In Mary
land and also the Potomac River above
the Little Falls closed the last day In
November
The Maryland law, effective June l.,
1927, contains no provision affecting
bass in the lower Potomac or any waters
of Maryland with hook and line. Bass
may be taken in Maryland State waters
by nets as regulated by State laws COW
ering taking OF other fish, and no ex-
ception Is made to bass.
A telegram from the Maryland Con-
Servation Commission on bass In tide
water is as follows:
Referring to telephone talk, the
closed season on bass above Little Falls.
Potomac, is December / to June 80. Be-
low Little Falls no law affecting bass in
Potomac or any waters of Maryland
with hook and line. Bass may be taken
in local State waters by nets as regu-
lated by State laws governing taking of
other fish, No exception made to bass. y
The Virginia law prohibits the catch
ing Of bass in her State between March
Is and July Of each year. There Is an
erroneous impression that the Virginia
law In regard to the closed season for
bass has been amended, but Judge Snow
lofsAleKAaadrie, q member OF the hiifsAu
aTye&%