FIshing in Georgia and other states?

Question

Is it against the law (anywhere) to fish during there spawning season?

I don't mean the casual fishers but the giant fishing boats and people that do it for a living?

Are there any laws regarding when a person can and when a person can't fish (Anywhere in america)?

Answer 1

In Georgia it isn't against the law to fish during the spawning season in general.  Some fish in fresh water have closed seasons, more due to environmental conditions as opposed to spawning, and example is the subspecies of striped bass that lives in the Flint River in southwest Ga., when the water is warm, (summer) it is illegal to retain one, the congregate in springs and are easy to catch, so the season is closed.  Sturgeon are protected also with closed seasons or no seasons in most rivers. Designated trout streams are seasonal too. From time to time, there might be a closure for certain saltwater fish also.  In Ga. the state waters (as in all the Atlantic) only go out 3 miles, so most of the closures are federal and are typically for the whole atlantic seaboard.  In fresh water, there are no big boats full of people fishing for a living, commercial fishing is typically a one man show in freshwater with limb lines, or trot lines for catfish.  I know there used to be some shad fishing over on the Ogeechee and Savannah river with nets, I don't know if it is still done, but then again it was a one man or at the most two man show.  In saltwater, at least in Georgia, most comercial fishing is done in Federal waters and the seasons are controlled by the fed govt generally on a quota system, once a certain amount has been caught, the season is closed, same in international waters, tuna, swordfish etc the quotas are set by treaty amongst the countries that fish the atlantic whether in Federal waters or international waters.  As for anywhere in america, each state sets its laws, rules and regulations with regards to fishing.  Gill nets have been illegal in Ga. Costal waters since the 30's so that has never been an issue here (one of the first states to outlaw them).  But to answer your question, big comercial operations have never really operated in Ga. waters the biggest might be shrimp trawlers but most is in Fed waters.

Answer 2

Every state has its own laws about fishing or hunting. and the federal government regulates any commercial fishing in interstate or coastal waters ie: rivers, oceans and great lakes

Answer 3

not unless the fish is an endangered species.