Taking of Fish, Net, and Device Restrictions

This is the 2026 edition of the code. This is the current edition. It was last updated Aug 02, 2026. Browse all editions.

This is Article 2 of the Code of Virginia, titled “Taking of Fish, Net, and Device Restrictions.” It is part of Chapter 3 “Finfish”, which is part of Subtitle II “Tidal Fisheries”, which is part of Title 28.2 “Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters”. It contains 11 laws.

It’s comprised of the following 11 sections.

§ 28.2-303	Taking and sale of sturgeon prohibited; penalty
§ 28.2-304	Repealed
§ 28.2-305	Size of mesh and length and depth of certain nets; penalty
§ 28.2-306	Use of certain fishing devices in certain waters; penalty
§ 28.2-307	Length of fixed fishing device; gill nets; penalty
§ 28.2-308	Setting of gill nets in oceanfront; penalty
§ 28.2-309	Distance nets may extend across body of water or channel; prohibition; regulations; penalty
§ 28.2-310	Trotline prohibited on ocean side of Eastern Shore; penalty
§ 28.2-311	Chickahominy River in Charles City; penalty
§ 28.2-312	Rappahannock River and certain of its tributaries; penalty
§ 28.2-313	Killing fish by means of explosives, drugs, or poisons; possession; penalty