{"data":{"id":"us-wa/rcw-77.15.580","jurisdiction":"us-wa","citation":"RCW 77.15.580","heading":"Unlawful use of net to take fish—Penalty.","body":"(1) A person is guilty of unlawful use of a net to take fish in the second degree if the person:\n(a) Lays, sets, uses, or controls a net or other device or equipment capable of taking fish from the waters of this state, except if the person has a valid license for such fishing gear from the director under this title and is acting in accordance with all rules of the commission and director; or\n(b) Fails to return unauthorized fish to the water immediately while otherwise lawfully operating a net under a valid license.\n(2) A person is guilty of unlawful use of a net to take fish in the first degree if the person:\n(a) Commits the act described by subsection (1) of this section; and\n(b) The violation occurs within five years of entry of a prior conviction for a gross misdemeanor or felony under this title involving fish, other than a recreational fishing violation, or involving unlawful use of nets.\n(3)(a) Unlawful use of a net to take fish in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor. Upon conviction, the department shall revoke any license held under this title allowing commercial net fishing used in connection with the crime.\n(b) Unlawful use of a net to take fish in the first degree is a class C felony. Upon conviction, the department shall order a one-year suspension of all commercial fishing privileges requiring a license under this title.\n(4) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section, it is lawful to use a landing net to land fish otherwise legally hooked.","path":["Title 77","Chapter 77.15"],"source_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.580","current_through":"July 15, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T04:14:59Z","sha256":"1f28500ac0876bcb678e9623fe7aa4dc9a922d7ee3984cbfc62fbbcc7bf1e351","source_id":"us-wa","stale":false,"prev":"us-wa/rcw-77.15.570","next":"us-wa/rcw-77.15.590"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}