1. (A) A person may fish or use the following in the salt waters of this State solely for recreational purposes without being commercially licensed:

   1. (1) shrimp seines;
   2. (2) hand-operated tongs, rakes except bull rakes, and forks except seed forks, used to harvest shellfish;
   3. (3) hook and line or rod and reel;
   4. (4) minnow traps, drop nets, and dip nets;
   5. (5) cast nets; however, the use must comply with all other provisions of law;
   6. (6) no more than two crab traps;
   7. (7) no more than two trotlines with a cumulative total of not more than fifty hooks or baits;
   8. (8) no more than ten bush or pole lines with single hooks or baits.
2. (B) A person may use a lawful gill net for other than commercial purposes without a commercial saltwater fishing license.
3. (C) A person may use lawful minnow traps to take fish for a commercial purpose for use as bait without a commercial saltwater fishing license.
4. (D) No person may retrieve any unattended recreational equipment used pursuant to this section unless the owner is present. A person may retrieve equipment with the written permission of the owner, but no fish may be retained.
5. (E) A person who violates this section by fishing or using equipment in excess of the numbers allowed in this section or in violation of subsection (D) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.

HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 2; 2002 Act No. 342, Section 11.