The weather has been pleasant for a while and you are thinking of going fishing this weekend off a bridge nearby. Everything is planned and you are ready to go. However, there is one important detail you have left to check out and i.es Is fishing off a bridge legal where you live or not?
You probably want to check with your state laws before you plan on doing any such activity as this varies from state to state. If it is illegal and you don’t know about it, this can get you in trouble with the law. So, it is advised to confirm this before fishing off a bridge.
There are 50 states in the USA and all of them have their own ruling about fishing off a bridge. Below given is the decision of every single state so you don’t need to waste your time here and there on the internet. Just find your state and get to know about the legality of fishing off a bridge.
Alabama
According to Alabama Code, “No person shall fish from a bridge, viaduct, or trestle, or the approaches thereto, within the State of Alabama, unless otherwise authorized by the governing body of the city or county having jurisdiction over the highway or from the State of Alabama in the case of state highways.”
It clearly states that fishing off a bridge is illegal in Alabama unless you have special permission from the governing body.
Alaska
The state of Alaska grants you permission to do fishing off the bridge without any special permission. It is legal there.
Arizona
Like Alaska, fishing off a bridge is legal in the State of Arizona regardless of any special permissions.
Arkansas
Fishing off a bridge is allowed for anyone having a fishing license in the State of Arkansas.
California
Fishing off the piers is legal and free for the public in California except for those piers that are on inland waterways. All others are legal for fishing.
Colorado
There is no rule that prevents you from fishing off a bridge in the State of Colorado, so it is completely Connecticut
Delaware
Fishing off a bridge is a legal activity in Delaware without any special permission from the authorities.
Florida
As per Florida State Stature “Fishing from a bridge upon which the Department of Transportation has posted signs as provided in subsection (1) is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a pedestrian violation as provided in chapter 318.”
This makes fishing off a bridge illegal anywhere in the state of Florida.
Georgia
As per state law of Georgia “Jumping or fishing from bridge or overpass–Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to jump or fish from any bridge or overpass located within the city limits. (Ord. 227 (part), 1988)”
Fishing off a bridge is illegal in Georgia.
Hawaii
Fishing off a bridge is legal in the state of Hawaii as no laws state otherwise.
Idaho
Fishing off a bridge is permitted by law in the state of Idaho without any special permission.
Illinois
No state law in Illinois prevents you from fishing off a bridge so it is completely legal activity.
Indiana
It is illegal in Indiana to snag fish from public waters. However, if a bridge is not made on public waters, it is completely legal to fish off that bridge.
Iowa
Bridges are completely off-limits in Iowa for fishing. Doesn’t matter if it is a pedestrian bridge, railway bridge, or a transportation bridge, it is an illegal activity to fish there.
Kansas
According to Kansas Fishing Regulation Summary “Before fishing private waters (except private waters enrolled in the FISH program, see Page 20), anglers must obtain permission from the landowner or tenant. This also applies to anglers fishing from roadways, bridges, or railroad rights-of-way.”
You need to take permission from the owner to fish off a bridge otherwise it is an illegal activity.
Kentucky[E]
It is completely legal to fish off a bridge in the state of Kentucky without seeking any permission.
Louisiana
Fishing off the bridge in Concordia Parish is illegal and it will get a fine of 500$; however, apart from that, no state law permits you from fishing off a bridge in the state of Louisiana.
Maine
Fishing off railway bridge is prohibited and illegal in Maine, but other bridges do not come under this restriction. It is legal to fish off them.
Maryland
Fishing off the bridges is a legal activity in the state of Maryland. There are no state rules against it.
Massachusetts[E]
No state law prohibits fishing off the bridge in the state of Massachusetts so you are in the safe zone if you are there.
Michigan
Other than a few bridges that are linked to private property such as Belle Isle Bridge, it is legal to fish off any public bridge in the state of Michigan.
Minnesota
No state law prohibits you from fishing off a bridge in the state of Minnesota, so it is a legal activity there.
Mississippi
Fishing off a bridge located anywhere in the state of Mississippi is a legal activity and it won’t get you in any trouble.
Missouri
In the state of Missouri, no state law refrains you from fishing off a bridge; however, it might be a good idea to check with the local sheriff before such activity as local laws may vary.
Montana
If you have a valid fishing license, no state law makes it illegal for you to fish off a bridge. It is a completely legal activity.
Nebraska
Fishing off the bridges is permitted in the state of Nebraska without seeking any prior permission.
Nevada
Fishing off the bridge is a legal activity in the state of Nevada if you possess a fishing license.
New Hampshire
No state laws prohibit you from fishing off a bridge anywhere in the state of New Hampshire.
New Jersey
It is illegal in the state of New Jersey to fish off many bridges but not all of them. You may need to check with the concerned local authority before you attempt to do it.
New Mexico
Bridge fishing is a legal activity in the state of New Mexico, and you do not need any permissions for it.
New York
Fishing off a bridge is a legal activity in the state of New York but the use of gaff hooks is prohibited.
North Carolina
According to the 2014 North Carolina General Statues, “No person may fish from the draw span of a regularly attended bridge, and no county may permit any person to do so.
The authority granted by this section is subject to the authority of the Department of Transportation to prohibit fishing from any bridge on the State highway system.”
It is clear that bridge fishing is illegal anywhere in the state of North Carolina and one can’t even take special permission for it. It is illegal for everyone anytime.
North Dakota
Fishing off a bridge is a legal activity in the state of North Dakota and not prohibited.
Ohio
The state of Ohio does not allow its citizens to fish off a bridge for safety concerns, so it is an illegal activity there.
Oklahoma
The state of Oklahoma allows you to fish off any bridge in the state without any prior permission.
Oregon
You can do fishing on a bridge in the state of Oregon, no law prohibits you from this activity.
Pennsylvania[E]
Fishing off a bridge anywhere in the state of Pennsylvania is a legal activity.
Rhode Island[F]
According to Rhode Island General Laws Title 11 “No person shall take or attempt to take any fish from the waters of Narragansett Bay while the person is on any part of the roadway, walkway, or railings of the Jamestown Bridge, except a special walkway as may be constructed exclusively for the purpose of fishing. Any person violating any provision of this section shall, upon conviction, be fined twenty-five dollars ($25.00) or imprisoned for not more than thirty (30) days, or both.”
Apart from Jamestown Bridge, bridge fishing is legal in Rhode Island.
South Carolina
The state laws of South Carolina strictly prohibit any kind of bridge fishing and attempting to do so might get you into serious law trouble.
South Dakota
As per South Dakota Certified Laws Title 31 “ Fishing, jumping, or diving from bridge prohibited–Violation as misdemeanor. No person may fish, jump, or dive from a bridge on the state trunk highway system except as provided in § 31-4-15.2. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.”
Fishing off a bridge is strictly prohibited and if attempted otherwise, can get you in serious trouble.
Tennessee
Bridge Fishing is a legal activity in the state of Tennessee without any special permission.
Texas
As per Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Section 66.008 “No person may fish from the deck or road surface of any bridge or causeway on a road maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation.”
Bridge fishing is illegal in the state of Texas.
Utah
No state law in Utah prohibits bridge fishing so it is a legal activity there.
Vermont
Apart from all the bridges only to the first highway bridge crossing said tributaries on the Vermont side, bridge fishing is a legal activity.
Virginia[E]
Fishing off a bridge is a legal activity in the state of Virginia.
Washington
No state laws are against bridge fishing in the state of Washington, so it is a legal activity.
West Virginia
Bridge Fishing is a legal activity in the state of West Virginia.
Wisconsin
There is no specific rule that prohibits you from fishing off a bridge in the state of Wisconsin. However, if a bridge is within 200 feet of a dam or a fishway then it is illegal to fish there.
Wyoming
No state law prohibits you from bridge fishing in the state of Wyoming, so it is a legal activity there.
It is better to check with the local concerned authorities about the permission as sometimes the things may vary. It is always better to avoid trouble with the law when you are on a recreational trip such as fishing. Follow the rules and enjoy fishing off a bridge!!!
