Cast Nets

ORIGINAL: Porktown

salty-

I am pretty sure the gizzard shad and alewives are plankton/algae eaters, most are only 3" or so too.

Do you know what the regulations on the coast are?  If I get one, I'd likely use it from NY to NC as well.  I'll hit up all of their state sites for regs.  If you happen to know any off hand, I'd appreciate it.

ORIGINAL: Porktown

I know this is an old post, but back into the season for them.  I have been under the same impression as most of you on this, but what 360 said, sounds like even the 48" ones are not legal any more.  It looks like you are not allowed to use them at all on the rivers?  That would suck....  The 48"ers suck anyway, I also cut mine down a few years back to make legal.  I think I might have to suck it up and get a permit and 10'er.  If so, I am keeping 100 combined, every time I use it, and freezing bait.

Here's what the man has in his books.





CAST/THROW NET PERMIT


The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission issues permits for use of cast nets or throw nets for taking gizzard shad 8 inches or less in length and alewife only in waters determined by the executive director. The executive director has determined that the Commission will issue cast net or throw net permits only for the waterways listed below. A separate permit is required for each area. (Net permit application)





County
Water Area

Berks
Blue Marsh Lake

Bucks
Nockamixon Lake

Carbon
Beltsville Lake

Huntingdon
Raystown Lake

Wayne/Pike
Lake Wallenpaupack

Butler
Lake Arthur

Mercer
Shenango Lake

The use of a cast net or throw net in any other Commonwealth waters is a violation of the Fish and Boat Code and is punishable by a fine and may result in the loss of fishing privileges. Cast nets or throw nets shall not exceed 10 feet in radius or 20 feet in diameter and possess a mesh size of at least 3/8-inch. The holder of the cast net or throw net permit may take, catch, kill or possess a daily creel limit of 100 gizzard shad and alewife (combined species). The holder of the permit shall carry the permit on his/her person while using the net or while possessing more than 50 gizzard shad or alewife (combined species). The permit shall be available for inspection by a waterways conservation officer.
It is unlawful to:

use a cast net or throw net in the waterways listed above without the required permit;

use a cast net or throw net in any other Commonwealth waters except those listed above;

use a cast net or throw net to take, catch, kill or possess any fish species except gizzard shad 8 inches or less in length and alewife;

use gizzard shad or alewife taken under the required permit as live bait in any water other than the water from which it was taken;

use a cast net/throw net without possessing a valid fishing license.