Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 54, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 March 1899 — The New Fish Law. [ARTICLE]

The New Fish Law.

The new fish law passed by the recent legislature is now in force, an emergency clause having been attached. The law is intended toclose the season, and throwing other restrictions around fishing that will in time, if the law is obeyed, allow the fish to multiply and become as plentiful as they before the present murderous methods came in vogue. One provision attaches a penalty for polluting the water sufficiently to kill the fish. Another makes dynamiting a felony punishable with imprisonment from one to three years. Trot line fishing is allowed with a line having not more than fifty books. Seining is allowed during July, August and September, but owners of seins must obtain a license from the fish commissioner and the meshes must not be less than two inches. All bass under nine inches in length, and croppies and black basses under six inches most be returned to the water if caught. The penalties range from $5 to SSO, and trying to catch fish is punish* able the same as if the attempt was successful. The owner of the seine must give a S2OO bond, which is forfeitable to the state if used unlawfully.