Chapter 330. Fish: Trout Fishing
4VAC15-330-10. Season; general open season.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the sections appearing in this chapter, there shall be a year-round season for taking trout. However, angling in designated stocked trout waters shall only be permitted from 5 a.m. until one hour after sunset, except for waters designated by the director as Trout Heritage Waters and listed in the annual trout stocking plan (as referenced in 4VAC15-20-190). Trout Heritage Waters will be closed to fishing on the Friday prior to the first Saturday in April and will reopen to fishing at 9 a.m. on the first Saturday in April. Youth fishing events that are sponsored by the department and held on designated stocked trout waters shall be posted on site with a closure to adults (anglers older than 15 years of age) from noon the day before the event until the conclusion of the youth event. Any person older than 15 years of age and accompanying a youth who is incapable of hooking and landing a fish unassisted shall be properly licensed to fish in designated stocked trout waters.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 1, eff. January 1, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 19, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 35, Issue 2, eff. January 1, 2019.
4VAC15-330-20. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 2, eff. January 1, 1992; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. July 1, 1995.
4VAC15-330-30. Creel limit; generally.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the sections appearing in this chapter, the daily creel limit for taking trout shall be six, except the daily creel limit shall be two in Lake Moomaw. Once a trout is taken into possession by placing in the creel, it becomes a part of the daily creel limit and may not be released (culled).
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 3, eff. July 1, 1973; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 17, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2001; Volume 24, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2008.
4VAC15-330-40. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 4, eff. July 1, 1980; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1993; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995.
4VAC15-330-50. Size limit.
Except as otherwise specifically provided by the sections appearing in this chapter, there shall be a seven-inch minimum size limit on trout generally and a 16-inch minimum size limit on trout in Moomaw Reservoir.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 5, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 17, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2001; Volume 22, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2006.
4VAC15-330-60. Methods and equipment used in fishing.
It shall be unlawful for any person fishing in designated stocked trout water to use more than one rod, one line, and one baited hook (a treble hook is considered one hook); however, any combination of artificial lures is allowed. It shall be unlawful to use seines and nets in designated stocked trout waters, except that a hand-landing net to land fish legally hooked may be used in all waters.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 6, eff. January 1, 1981; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 17, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2001.
4VAC15-330-70. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 7, eff. January 1, 1993; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. July 1, 1995.
4VAC15-330-80. Fishing in certain waters after obtaining creel limit of trout prohibited.
It shall be unlawful to fish in designated stocked trout waters or in the waters covered by 4VAC15-330-110, 4VAC15-330-120, 4VAC15-330-130, 4VAC15-330-140, and 4VAC15-330-160 (during the period from May 16 through September 30) of this chapter after the daily creel limit of trout is obtained.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 8, eff. January 1, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995.
4VAC15-330-90. Feeding or baiting trout prohibited in designated stocked trout waters.
It shall be unlawful to feed or bait trout in designated stocked trout waters of the Commonwealth.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 9, eff. July 1, 1969; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1993.
4VAC15-330-100. "Artificial lure" defined.
For the purposes of this chapter "artificial lure" shall include manufactured or handmade flies, spinners, plugs, spoons and facsimiles of live animals, but shall not be construed to include artificially produced organic baits and fish eggs that are intended to be ingested. Artificial lures with single hook shall mean any single point lure (with no multiple point hooks). Where single-hook artificial lures are required, a multiple number of single-hook lures (such as dropper flies) fished in series are permitted.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 10, eff. January 1, 1983; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 17, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2001; Volume 19, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 24, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2008.
4VAC15-330-110. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 11, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 13, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1997; Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1999; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 2021.
4VAC15-330-120. Special provisions applicable to certain portions of Buffalo Creek, Dan River, Pound River, Roaring Run, and South Fork Holston River.
A. It shall be lawful year around to fish using only artificial lures with single hooks in that portion of Buffalo Creek in Rockbridge County from the confluence of Colliers Creek upstream 2.9 miles to the confluence of North and South Buffalo Creeks, in that portion of the Dan River in Patrick County from Talbott Dam approximately six miles downstream to a sign posted just upstream from the confluence of Dan River and Townes Reservoir, in that portion of the Pound River from a sign posted 0.4 miles below the Flannagan Dam, downstream 1.2 miles to a sign posted just upstream of the confluence of the Pound River and the Russell Fork River, in that portion of the South Fork Holston River in Smyth County from a sign posted at the upper Jefferson National Forest boundary downstream approximately four miles to a sign posted 500 feet upstream of the concrete dam at Buller Fish Culture Station, and in that portion of Roaring Run in Botetourt County from a sign posted at the third footbridge above the Roaring Run Furnace Day Use Area upstream approximately one mile to a sign posted at the Botetourt/Alleghany County line.
B. The daily creel limit in these waters shall be two trout a day year around and the size limit shall be 16 inches or more in length. All trout caught in these waters under 16 inches in length shall be immediately returned to the water unharmed. It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his possession any bait or any trout under 16 inches in length in these areas.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 12, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 13, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1997; Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1999; Volume 17, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2001; Volume 19, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 24, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2008; Volume 27, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2011; Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2017.
4VAC15-330-130. Special provision applicable to certain portions of Mossy Creek and South River.
It shall be lawful year around to fish using only artificial flies with single hooks in that portion of Mossy Creek in Augusta County upstream from the Augusta/Rockingham County line to a sign posted at the confluence of Joseph's Spring and in that portion of South River from the North Oak Lane Bridge in Waynesboro upstream to a sign posted 1.5 miles above the State Route 632 (Shalom Road) Bridge. The daily creel limit in these waters shall be one trout a day year around and the size limit shall be 20 inches or more in length. All trout caught in these waters under 20 inches in length shall be immediately returned to the water unharmed. It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his possession any bait or any trout under 20 inches in length in this area.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 12-1, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2017.
4VAC15-330-140. Special provision applicable to certain portions of Big Wilson Creek, Cabin Creek, Conway River, Little Stony Creek, Little Wilson Creek, Mill Creek...
It shall be lawful to fish using only artificial lures with single hooks in that portion of the Conway River and its tributaries in Greene and Madison Counties within the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area, in that portion of Big and Little Wilson Creeks and their tributaries and Cabin Creek and its tributaries in Grayson County within the Grayson Highlands State Park and the Jefferson National Forest Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, in that portion of Little Stony Creek in Giles County within the Jefferson National Forest, in that portion of Little Stony Creek in Shenandoah County within the George Washington National Forest, in Mill Creek and its tributaries upstream of the Poplar Street Bridge in the Town of Narrows (Mill Creek flows through the Town of Narrows and Jefferson National Forest in Giles County), in the North Fork Buffalo River and its tributaries in Amherst County within the George Washington National Forest, in that portion of St. Mary's River in Augusta County and its tributaries upstream from the gate at the George Washington National Forest property line, and in that portion of Ramsey's Draft and its tributaries in Augusta County within the George Washington National Forest. All trout caught in these waters under nine inches in length shall be immediately returned to the water unharmed. It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his possession any bait or any trout under nine inches in length while in these areas.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 13, eff. January 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1999; Volume 22, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2006; Volume 27, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2011.
4VAC15-330-150. Special provision applicable to trout fishing using artificial lures with single hook.
It shall be lawful year-round to fish for trout using only artificial lures with single hooks within:
1. The Stewarts Creek Trout Management Area in Carroll County.
2. The Rapidan and Staunton Rivers and their tributaries upstream from a sign at the Lower Shenandoah National Park boundary in Madison County.
3. The Dan River and its tributaries between the Townes Dam and the Pinnacles Hydroelectric Project powerhouse in Patrick County.
4. The East Fork of Chestnut Creek (Farmers Creek) and its tributaries upstream from the Blue Ridge Parkway in Grayson and Carroll Counties.
5. Roaring Fork and its tributaries upstream from the southwest boundary of Beartown Wilderness Area in Tazewell County.
6. That section of the South Fork Holston River and its tributaries from the concrete dam at Buller Fish Culture Station downstream to the lower boundary of the Buller Fish Culture Station in Smyth County.
7. North Creek and its tributaries upstream from a sign at the George Washington National Forest North Creek Campground in Botetourt County.
8. Spring Run from it confluence with Cowpasture River upstream to a posted sign at the discharge for Coursey Springs Hatchery in Bath County.
9. Venrick Run and its tributaries within the Big Survey Wildlife Management Area and Town of Wytheville property in Wythe County.
10. Brumley Creek and its tributaries from the Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Area boundary upstream to the Hidden Valley Lake Dam in Washington County.
11. Stony Creek (Mountain Fork) and its tributaries within the Jefferson National Forest in Wise and Scott Counties from the outlet of High Knob Lake downstream to the confluence of Chimney Rock Fork and Stony Creek.
12. Little Stony Creek and its tributaries within the Jefferson National Forest in Scott County from the Falls of Little Stony Creek downstream to a posted sign at the Hanging Rock Recreation Area.
13. Little Tumbling Creek and its tributaries within the Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Smyth and Tazewell Counties downstream to the concrete bridge.
14. Big Tumbling Creek and its tributaries within the Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Smyth County from a sign starting at the foot of the mountain and extending upstream seasonally from October 1 until five days prior to the first Saturday in April.
15. South River in the City of Waynesboro from the Wayne Avenue Bridge downstream 2.2 miles to the Second Street Bridge.
16. Wolf Creek and its tributaries within the Abingdon Muster Grounds in the Town of Abingdon from Colonial Road downstream to Stone Mill Road.
17. Beaver Creek and its tributaries within the boundaries of Sugar Hollow Park in the City of Bristol.
18. Green Cove Creek in Washington County from Route 859 downstream to its mouth.
19. Whitetop Laurel Creek in Washington County upstream from the mouth of Straight Branch to a sign posted at the Forest Service boundary just downstream of Taylor Valley, and in Whitetop Laurel Creek in Washington County upstream from the first railroad trestle above Taylor Valley to the mouth of Green Cove Creek at Creek Junction.
20. Smith Creek in Alleghany County from the Clifton Forge Dam downstream to a sign at the Forest Service boundary above the C & O Dam.
21. Snake Creek in Carroll County below Hall Ford and that portion of Little Snake Creek below the junction of Routes 922 and 674, downstream to Route 58.
22. The North Fork Moormans River and its tributaries from the head of Sugar Hollow Reservoir upstream 0.3 miles to the Shenandoah National Park boundary.
All trout caught in these waters must be immediately returned to the water. No trout or bait may be in possession at any time in these areas.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 14, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 13, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1997; Volume 13, Issue 24, eff. October 15, 1997; Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1999; Volume 27, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2011; Volume 31, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2015; Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2017; Volume 35, Issue 2, eff. January 1, 2019; Volume 37, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 2021; Volume 39, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2023.
4VAC15-330-160. Special provisions applicable to certain portions of Accotink Creek, Back Creek, Big Moccasin Creek, Chestnut Creek, Hardy Creek, Holliday Creek, Holmes Run, Indian Creek, North River, Passage Creek, Pedlar River, Piney River, North Fork of Pound and Pound rivers, Middle Fork of Powell River, and Roanoke River.
It shall be lawful to fish from October 1 through May 31, both dates inclusive, using only artificial lures in Accotink Creek (Fairfax County) from King Arthur Road downstream 3.1 miles to Route 620 (Braddock Road), in Back Creek (Bath County) from the Route 600 bridge just below the Virginia Power Back Creek Dam downstream 1.5 miles to the Route 600 bridge at the lower boundary of the Virginia Power Recreational Area, in Big Moccasin Creek (Scott County) from the Virginia Department of Transportation foot bridge downstream approximately 1.9 miles to the Wadlow Gap Bridge, in Chestnut Creek (Carroll County) from the U.S. Route 58 bridge downstream 11.4 miles to the confluence with New River, in Hardy Creek (Lee County) from the Virginia Department of Transportation swinging bridge just upstream of the Route 658 ford downstream to the Route 661 bridge, in Holliday Creek (Appomattox/Buckingham Counties) from the Route 640 crossing downstream 2.8 miles to a sign posted at the headwaters of Holliday Lake, in Holmes Run (Fairfax County) from the Lake Barcroft Dam downstream 1.2 miles to a sign posted at the Alexandria City line, in Indian Creek within the boundaries of Wilderness Road State Park (Lee County), in the North River (Augusta County) from the base of Elkhorn Dam downstream 1.5 miles to a sign posted at the head of Staunton City Reservoir, in Passage Creek (Warren County) from the lower boundary of the Front Royal State Hatchery upstream 0.9 miles to the Shenandoah/Warren County line, in the Pedlar River (Amherst County) from the City of Lynchburg/George Washington National Forest boundary line (below Lynchburg Reservoir) downstream 2.7 miles to the boundary line of the George Washington National Forest, in the Piney River (Nelson County) in that portion of stream from the Piney River Trailhead (Route 151) to the Rose Mill Trailhead (Route 674) adjacent to the Blue Ridge Railway Trail, in North Fork of Pound and Pound rivers from the base of North Fork of Pound Dam downstream to the confluence with Indian Creek, in the Middle Fork of Powell River (Wise County) from the old train trestle at the downstream boundary of Appalachia extending approximately 1.9 miles downstream to the trestle just upstream of the Town of Big Stone Gap, in the Roanoke River (Roanoke County) from the Route 760 bridge (Diuguids Lane) upstream 1.0 miles to a sign posted at the upper end of Green Hill Park (Roanoke County), and in the Roanoke River (City of Salem) from the Route 419 bridge upstream 2.2 miles to the Colorado Street bridge. From October 1 through May 31, all trout caught in these waters must be immediately returned to the water unharmed, and it shall be unlawful for any person to have in possession any bait or trout. During the period of June 1 through September 30, the above restrictions will not apply.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 14-1, eff. January 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1993; Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 13, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1997; Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1999; Volume 17, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2001; Volume 19, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 22, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2006; Volume 24, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2008; Volume 27, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2011; Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2017; Volume 37, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 2021.
4VAC15-330-170. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 14-2, eff. March 15, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1997.
4VAC15-330-171. Special provisions applicable to certain portions of Jackson River.
A. In that portion of the Jackson River from Gathright Dam downstream to the Westvaco Dam at Covington in Allegheny County, the daily creel limit shall be four trout per day and only one of the four may be a brown trout, the minimum size limit for brown trout shall be 20 inches in length, and the protected slot limit for rainbow trout shall be 12 to 16 inches. All brown trout caught in this section of the Jackson River under 20 inches in length and all rainbow trout between 12 and 16 inches in length caught in this section of Jackson River shall be immediately returned to the water. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any brown trout under 20 inches in length or any rainbow trout between 12 and 16 inches in length in this area. Because of the 12-inch to 16-inch protected slot limit for rainbow trout, the statewide seven-inch minimum trout limit does not apply to rainbow trout in this section of Jackson River.
B. The trout daily creel limit shall be two, the minimum size limit shall be 16 inches in length, and only artificial lures may be used in that portion of Jackson River in Bath County from the swinging bridge located just upstream from the mouth of Muddy Run, upstream three miles to the last ford on FS 481D. All trout caught in these waters under 16 inches in length shall be immediately returned to the water unharmed. It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his possession any bait or any trout under 16 inches in length in these areas.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 26, eff. October 15, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2008; Volume 27, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2011.
4VAC15-330-175. Special provisions applicable to certain portions of Smith River..
In that portion of the Smith River from Philpott Dam downstream to the State Route 636 Bridge crossing (Mitchell Bridge), the protected slot limit for brown trout shall be 10 to 24 inches and only one brown trout longer than 24 inches can be harvested per day. All brown trout caught in this section of Smith River between 10 and 24 inches in length must be immediately returned to the water unharmed. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any brown trout between 10 and 24 inches or more than one brown trout longer than 24 inches in length in this section of Smith River. Because of the 10-inch to 24-inch protected slot limit for brown trout, the statewide seven-inch minimum trout limit does not apply to brown trout in this section of Smith River. Statewide creel and size limits shall apply to all other trout species caught in this section of the Smith River, and the statewide daily creel limit of six trout per day applies to all trout species combined, in aggregate.
Statutory Authority
§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2011.
4VAC15-330-180. Bills of sale for trout creeled in commercially operated fishing ponds.
The operator of a commercially operated fishing pond shall be required to furnish each fisherman taking trout therein a bill of sale, which shall include the name of the fisherman, date, species and number of trout creeled. The fisherman shall retain this bill of sale as long as the fish are in his possession and a duplicate of that shall remain with the operator of the commercially operated fishing pond and be made available for inspection by all authorized department personnel.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 15; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995.
4VAC15-330-190. Trout artificially raised for sale.
A. Permit required. It shall be lawful to sell artificially raised brown trout, brook trout or rainbow trout. Commercial aquaculture operations in Virginia that artificially raise and sell brown, brook, and rainbow trout must obtain a permit from the department.
B. Records. Any person who shall artificially raise brown trout, brook trout or rainbow trout for sale shall keep a record of the number and species, the number raised or, if imported, from whom purchased.
C. Inspection of premises or establishments. Any establishment raising trout or ordering, importing or possessing trout, as provided for in subsection A of this section, shall be open to inspection at all reasonable hours to any representative of the department.
D. Trout as bait. Artificially raised rainbow trout may be sold as bait for use in the James River and the New River, and in impoundments (ponds, lakes, and reservoirs), except impoundments listed as designated stocked trout waters, Lake Moomaw, and Philpott Reservoir. Persons possessing purchased rainbow trout for bait must have a valid invoice or bill of sale, specifying date of purchase, the number of trout purchased, and name of an individual or business permitted to sell trout.
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 16, eff. July 1, 1973; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 17, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2001; Volume 19, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2003.
4VAC15-330-200. Special provisions applicable to Urban Fishing Program waters.
Waters selected by the director for inclusion into the Urban Fishing Program will be considered designated stocked trout waters only from November 1 through April 30, thus a trout license is not required from May 1 through October 31. In addition, trout may be creeled from these waters year around and the daily trout creel limit shall be four. Once a trout is taken into possession by placing in the creel, it becomes a part of the daily creel limit and may not be released (culled).
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR325-03-2 § 17, eff. October 20, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 24, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2008.
4VAC15-330-210. Special provisions applicable to youth-only stocked trout waters.
Waters selected by the director for inclusion into the Youth-Only Stocked Trout Program will be considered youth-only stocked trout waters from April 1 through June 15. Only youth 15 years of age and younger may participate in the program. The daily trout creel limit shall be three. From June 16 through March 31, statewide fishing regulations and licensing requirements apply. Adults (17 years of age and older) are not required to have a freshwater fishing license or a trout license to assist youth fishing in youth-only stocked trout waters. Adults assisting youth (15 years of age and younger) while fishing in youth-only stocked trout waters may:
1. Bait the hook;
2. Assist in casting; and
3. Assist with removing the fish from the hook or line.
Adults may not assist with catching a fish (setting the hook or retrieving the fish).
Statutory Authority
§§ 29.1-103, 29.1-501, and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2017.