HB 578 Summary

• Establishes an open paddlefish fishing season from December 1 to April 30 on the Tennessee River, Alabama River, and Tombigbee River.

• Limits Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to issuing no more than 40 paddlefish licenses per season at $1,000 per resident license, with nonresident licenses matching their home state's cost for Alabama residents.

• Permits licensees to fish only with gill nets of at least 6-inch mesh size, maximum 100 yards in length, with no more than 10 nets fished simultaneously and nets checked at least every 24 hours.

• Limits each licensee to 100 female paddlefish with roe, with roe removal restricted to the boat and within 50 yards of the dock, each fish must be tagged within reasonable time after capture.

• Makes violations of this act a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $500.