# ORS § 498.222: 498.222 Transportation or release of fish without permit prohibited > Oregon · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.222 ## Section - **Citation:** ORS § 498.222 - **Heading:** 498.222 Transportation or release of fish without permit prohibited - **Jurisdiction:** Oregon - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** OR Code / Title 41 / Chapter 498 / Section 498.222 ## Text (1) No person shall: (a) Transport any live fish unless the person has first obtained a permit therefor from the State Fish and Wildlife Commission. (b) Release or attempt to release into any body of water any live fish that was not taken from that body of water, unless the person has first obtained a permit therefor from the commission. (2) The commission may refuse to issue the permit referred to in subsection (1)(b) of this section if the commission finds that release of the fish into a body of water would adversely affect existing fish populations. (3) Subsection (1)(a) of this section does not apply to live fish that are for aquaria use. (4) Violation of subsection (1)(b) of this section is: (a) A Class C felony if the violation is committed intentionally or knowingly. (b) A Class A misdemeanor if the violation is committed recklessly or with criminal negligence. (5) Intentionally left blank —Ed. (a) Notwithstanding ORS 497.415 (Revocation or denial of licenses, tags or permits for wildlife law violations or failure to comply with citation) (1), (2), (3) and (5), when a person is convicted of violating subsection (1)(b) of this section, the court in which the conviction occurs shall notify the commission, which shall revoke all angling licenses and tags issued to that person pursuant to the wildlife laws. Revocation of licenses and tags is in addition to and not in lieu of other penalties provided by law. (b) No person who has been convicted of violating subsection (1)(b) of this section shall apply for, obtain or possess any angling license or tag issued pursuant to the wildlife laws within five years after the conviction. (6) Intentionally left blank —Ed. (a) The commission may institute suit for the recovery of damages for the control or eradication of live fish released into a body of water in violation of subsection (1)(b) of this section. The damages awarded under this subsection shall be the amount necessary to return the body of water to its condition prior to the violation. (b) In any action under this subsection, the court shall award to the prevailing party, in addition to costs and disbursements, reasonable attorney fees. (c) Damages awarded under this subsection shall be in addition to other penalties prescribed by the wildlife laws for releasing or attempting to release live fish without a permit. (d) Any circuit or justice court has jurisdiction to try any case for the recovery of damages as provided by this subsection. [1973 c.723 §94; 2009 c.243 §1; 2011 c.597 §66] Source: Section 498.222 — Transportation or release of fish without permit prohibited; penalties; revocation of angling licenses and tags; suit for recovery of damages , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors498.­html (accessed May 26, 2025). ## Nearby sections - [ORS § 498.002 498.002 Wildlife as state property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.002.md) - [ORS § 498.006 498.006 Chasing or harassing wildlife prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.006.md) - [ORS § 498.012 498.012 Taking wildlife causing damage, posing public health risk or that is public nuisance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.012.md) - [ORS § 498.014 498.014 Taking of wolves by State Department of Fish and Wildlife to address chronic depredation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.014.md) - [ORS § 498.016 498.016 Taking crippled or helpless wildlife](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.016.md) - [ORS § 498.018 498.018 Commercial cervid attractants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.018.md) - [ORS § 498.019 498.019 Purchase, sale or exchange of hides, antlers and other parts of deer, elk and antelope](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.019.md) - [ORS § 498.021 498.021 Short title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.021.md) - [ORS § 498.022 498.022 Purchase, sale, exchange or possession of wildlife or wildlife parts or products](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.022.md) - [ORS § 498.026 498.026 Transaction in threatened or endangered wildlife species prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.026.md) - [ORS § 498.029 498.029 Purchase, sale or exchange of fox, skunk or raccoon prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.029.md) - [ORS § 498.032 498.032 Angling or hunting for compensation in violation of wildlife laws or rules prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.032.md) - [ORS § 498.036 498.036 Possession in field of skinned or plucked wildlife prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.036.md) - [ORS § 498.038 498.038 Sale of wildlife for human consumption prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.038.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T41_C498_S498.222. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.