NAC504.4595. Possession and propagation of certain species of fish on private property; restrictions on disposition; documentation on transportation; conditions for taking of fish.

     1. A person does not need to obtain a license to possess, propagate, breed or otherwise maintain the following species of privately planted live fish, including hybrids thereof, in a pond or lake which is not connected to a state water system by means of a natural water course and which is located wholly on private property:

     (a) Rainbow trout;

     (b) Brown trout;

     (c) Cutthroat trout;

     (d) Brook trout;

     (e) Largemouth bass;

     (f) Smallmouth bass;

     (g) Bluegill sunfish;

     (h) Redear sunfish;

     (i) Channel catfish;

     (j) Black bullhead; or

     (k) Crappie.

     2. Species of fish, and any parts and progeny thereof, authorized to be held pursuant to subsection 1 must not be:

     (a) Sold, bartered or traded;

     (b) Released into the waters of this State which are not located on the same private property, unless the other water is located wholly on private property and is not part of or connected to the state water system by means of a natural water course;

     (c) Captured or removed from the wild to stock the water on the private property;

     (d) Imported into this State, except upon the written authorization of the Department; or

     (e) Placed on public display or maintained as a part or as an adjunct to a commercial establishment.

     3. A person who possesses fish in accordance with this section may not charge another person a fee for the privilege of fishing for or otherwise capturing those fish.

     4. A species of fish authorized to be possessed pursuant to this section may not be transported, alive or dead, from the private property where the fish are being held, unless the fish are accompanied by an itemized statement which lists:

     (a) The species and number of each fish to be transported;

     (b) The date on which the fish to be transported were acquired by the person possessing the fish pursuant to this section;

     (c) The name and address of the person transporting the fish and the name and address of the person who will receive the fish, if different from the transporter;

     (d) The name and address of the person who owns or controls the property from which the fish are being transported; and

     (e) The signature of the person who owns or controls the property where the fish were being held, or of the person’s designee.

     5. The owner, or if applicable, lessee, of a private pond or lake which is stocked with fish in accordance with this section, his or her family and guests may take fish from that pond or lake:

     (a) At any time;

     (b) In any manner which is not deleterious or dangerous to the residents, the wildlife other than the fish to be taken, and the habitat of the wildlife in this State; and

     (c) Without regard for limits and required fishing licenses, permits or stamps.

Ê For the purposes of this subsection, manners of taking fish which are deleterious or dangerous to the residents, the wildlife other than the fish to be taken, and the habitat of the wildlife include, but are not limited to, the use of poisons and the use of explosives.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Wildlife Comm’rs, eff. 5-22-97)