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Update to Shooting Catfish in Virginia

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fowlplay

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
The latest meeting for the DGIF Board of Directors was this past Tuesday. I attended it to give my opinion (again) and see what the outcome of the public comment period was on the regulation changes. I felt as though it was good news. Due to a few negative public comments, the proposed regulation has been changed to allow the shooting of catfish in tidal waters only, meaning below the fall line. I am fine with this, as that is all I shoot. I realize that some in the western part of the state might get excluded now, and I apologize for that, but that is what the DGIF wanted to do with it. Now, these regulations go out for a 96 day public comment period. After this period, the regulations will be finalized at the August board meeting and they will go into effect January 1, 2013. I am very excited, as it looks very good for the shooting of catfish in Virginia next year! Also, bowfin is pretty much in the bag. There were no comments on that addition and no one at the DGIF was opposed to it. This effectively doubles the number of legal species in Virginia! The regulations aren't up for public comment yet, but I will be pushing for some support again when they are available.

--Jason
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
http://www.communitiesnet.com/location/overview/493-tidewater-virginia/17-all-communities/

This map shows the region where catfish can be taken. The reason for this change was that there were some comments from the general public that stated the large flatheads that congregate in the shallow pools above the fall line would be too vulnerable and they should be protected. So, the DGIF decided that they would only allow catfish to be taken on the tidal regions. I can't say I completely agree with their point, but I understand where they are coming from. I feel like this is at least a step in the right direction.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
leroy said:
Josh i think we got screwed on this one
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Yeah, when the guy at the meeting was explaining why they made that particular recommendation, I told him that I understood the issue, but knew that it was excluding a good portion of the state. So, I feel bad that I couldn't make it happen for the entire state, but hopefully this will open the door to have some additional areas added in the future.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
GreenHead said:
Awesome.... it seems in some areas I see more catfish then anything else. If there is no daily size or creel limit why cant we shoot them? Great step forward non the less!!
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Technically, there is a size/creel limit. The size limit is to protect the trophy fish. You can only keep one over 32" per day, which is for rod and reel and will also be applicable to bowfishing next year. Also, the regulations read you can keep 20 per person per day, no minimum size. This will still pertain to us as well.
 
#14 ·
fowlplay said:
Technically, there is a size/creel limit. The size limit is to protect the trophy fish. You can only keep one over 32" per day, which is for rod and reel and will also be applicable to bowfishing next year. Also, the regulations read you can keep 20 per person per day, no minimum size. This will still pertain to us as well.
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http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/regulations/creelandlengthlimits.pdf

Straight from the horse's mouth. All rivers below the fall line no daily limit. However the blue catfish have one over 32" with 20 per day.
 
#16 ·
I am not 100% sure. Va laws are not very clear to what you can and can not do. Ex. According to the rule book the only fish you can not shoot in the bay is strippers and sharks, but when my buddy talked to one of the DNR officers he stated that you couldn't shoot flounder.
 
#17 ·
Well at least you got somthing. I will put my word in when you need me bud.

I don't get it, most places are fighting to keep flathead in check and va wants them to eat everything, va releases blue cats into the Potomac and now they are taking over the whole firkin river all the way down to Stewart's petroleoum.
 
#18 ·
GreenHead said:
I am not 100% sure. Va laws are not very clear to what you can and can not do. Ex. According to the rule book the only fish you can not shoot in the bay is strippers and sharks, but when my buddy talked to one of the DNR officers he stated that you couldn't shoot flounder.
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I've been all over the regs many times, including flounder and can't find any more than you, other than sturgeon. When I go back to work I'll check with the VMRC guys that stop by once and a while. I've been told it's the same regs as spearfishing and I know divers have been shooting flounder forever. Hey!! Just wear a scuba tank then its spearfishing.
 
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GreenHead
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