Virginia Administrative Code › Title 4 - CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES › Agency 15 - DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES › Chapter 320 - FISH: FISHING GENERALLY › Section 4VAC15-320-100 - Department-owned or department-controlled lakes, ponds, streams, boat access sites, or hatcheries

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
A. Motors
				and boats. Unless otherwise posted at each recognized entrance to any
				department-owned or department-controlled lake, pond, or stream, the use of
				boats propelled by a gasoline motor or sail o is prohibited. Department
				employees and other government agency officials may use gasoline motorsis
				prohibited. Department employees and other government agency officials may use
				gasoline motors in the performance of official duties.
B. Method of fishing. Taking any fish at any
				department-owned or department-controlled lake, pond, or stream by any means
				other than by use of one or more attended poles with hook and line attached is
				prohibited unless otherwise posted in which case cast nets (subject to
				4VAC15-360-10
				B) may be used for collecting nongame fish for use as bait.
C. Hours for fishing. Fishing is permitted 24
				hours a day unless otherwise posted at each recognized entrance to any
				department-owned or department-controlled lake, pond, stream, or boat access
				site.
D. Seasons; hours and methods
				of fishing; size and creel limits; hunting and trapping. The open seasons for
				(i) fishing, as well as fishing hours, methods of taking fish, and the size,
				possession, and creel limits, and (ii) hunting and trapping for
				department-owned or department-controlled lakes, ponds, streams or boat access
				sites shall conform to the regulations of the board unless otherwise excepted
				by posted rules by the director or his designee. Such posted rules shall be
				displayed at each lake, pond, stream, or boat access site, in which case the
				posted rules shall be in effect. Failure to comply with posted rules concerning
				seasons, hours, methods of taking, bag limits, and size, possession, and creel
				limits shall constitute a violation of this regulation.
E. Other uses. Camping overnight or building
				fires (except in developed and designated areas), swimming, or wading in
				department-owned or department-controlled lakes, ponds, or streams (except by
				anglers, hunters and trappers actively engaged in fishing, hunting, or
				trapping), is prohibited. All other uses shall conform to the regulations of
				the board unless excepted by posted rules.
F. Fishing tournaments, etc. A boat ramp
				special use permit is required to organize, conduct, supervise, or solicit
				entries for fishing tournaments, rodeos, or other fishing events on lakes,
				ponds, or streams owned by the department, for which prizes are offered,
				awarded, or accepted based on size or numbers of fish caught, either in money
				or other valuable considerations. Any fish captured and entered for scoring or
				consideration during a permitted fishing tournament, rodeo, or other fishing
				event on lakes, ponds, or streams owned by the department must be immediately
				released at the capture site. A boat ramp special use permit is not required
				for tournaments, rodeos, or other fishing events that occur on a statewide or
				nationwide basis and that do not have a designated meeting or gathering
				location.
Statutory Authority: 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of
					 the Code of Virginia.