It's Currently Illegal to Fish For Catfish With Your Bare Hands

The legislature may have some good news for all you hardened criminals who spend your free time out in the creek trying to catch catfish with your bare hands. Senators Mark Maynard (R-Wayne) and Sue Cline (R-Wyoming) introduced Senate Bill 416, which purports to legalize the practice, sometimes referred to as “noodling.”

If it comes as a surprise to you that this was illegal in the first place, you are likely not alone. But before you turn yourself in to the Sheriff to repent of your unlawful noodling habit, keep an eye on the legislative tracker linked below, because you may soon be absolved. The bill was introduced on Tuesday, January 30, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.

The full text of the bill, as well as tracking information, are available here: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=416&year=2018&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill .