I really have no clue how the state can say they have any regulatory power over fish that you purchased or were born in your pond and have never left it.
I can understand owning a portion of a river and the state having say as to what you do with the fish in the portion you own as those fish can come and go as they please. A pond or lake is very different.
Fortunately, VA doesn't require one to have a fishing license to fish their own or family property nor do rules govern private ponds. PA is not that way though, as you need a fishing license to fish any private pond and state regulations are enforced on them as well. I'd love to hear their argument as to why state regs should be enforced on a private pond and why one should need to buy a fishing license to fish their own private pond.
