SB 525

Current law, with certain exceptions, requires a person who fishes in the waters

of this state to hold a fishing license issued by the Department of Natural Resources

(DNR). Current law also requires a person, before stocking fish in the waters of this

state, to obtain a permit from DNR and to have the fish certified by a qualified

inspector as meeting certain fish health standards. Current law also prohibits the

stocking of any fish that is a species of lake sturgeon, regardless of whether a permit

has been issued.

This bill creates an exception to the general fishing license requirements under

current law. Under the bill, no fishing license is required for a person to fish in a pond

that is entirely confined on private property if the owner of the private property gives

the person permission to fish in the pond.

Under current law, a person may not control aquatic plants in waters of this

state by the use of chemicals without a permit issued by DNR. This bill allows a

person to use an algaecide or herbicide in a pond that is entirely confined on the

person's private property without obtaining a permit from DNR.