Washington § 77.15.250 - Unlawful release or possession of fish, shellfish, or wildlife — Penalty — Unlawful release of deleterious exotic wildlife — Penalty.

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 77.15.250 — Unlawful release or possession of fish, shellfish, or wildlife — Penalty — Unlawful release of deleterious exotic wildlife — Penalty., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 77.15.250. Unlawful release or possession of fish, shellfish, or wildlife — Penalty — Unlawful release of deleterious exotic wildlife — Penalty.

(1)(a) A person is guilty of unlawfully releasing, planting, possessing, or placing fish, shellfish, or wildlife if the person knowingly releases, plants, possesses, or places live fish, shellfish, wildlife, or aquatic plants within the state in violation of this title or rule of the department, and the fish, shellfish, or wildlife have not been classified as deleterious wildlife. This subsection does not apply to a release of game fish into private waters for which a game fish stocking permit has been obtained, or the planting of fish or shellfish by permit of the commission.
(b) A violation of this subsection is a gross misdemeanor. In addition, the department shall order the person to pay all costs the department incurred in capturing, killing, or controlling the fish, shellfish, aquatic plants, wildlife, or progeny unlawfully released, planted, possessed, or placed. This does not affect the existing authority of the department to bring a separate civil action to recover costs of capturing, killing, or controlling the fish, shellfish, aquatic plants, wildlife, or progeny unlawfully released, planted, possessed, or placed, or the costs of habitat restoration necessitated by the unlawful release, planting, possession, or placing.
(2)(a) A person is guilty of unlawfully releasing, planting, possessing, or placing deleterious exotic wildlife if the person knowingly releases, plants, possesses, or places live fish, shellfish, or wildlife within the state in violation of this title or rule of the department, and the fish, shellfish, or wildlife have been classified as deleterious exotic wildlife by rule of the commission.
(b) A violation of this subsection is a class C felony. In addition, the department shall order the person to pay all costs the department incurred in capturing, killing, or controlling the fish, shellfish, wildlife, or progeny unlawfully released, planted, possessed, or placed. This does not affect the existing authority of the department to bring a separate civil action to recover costs of capturing, killing, or controlling the fish, shellfish, wildlife, or progeny unlawfully released, planted, possessed, or placed, or the costs of habitat restoration necessitated by the unlawful release, planting, possession, or placing.
[ 2014 c 48 s 12; 2001 c 253 s 32; 1998 c 190 s 31.]

Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27

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Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 77.15.250

What does Revised Code of Washington § 77.15.250 cover?

Section 77.15.250 ("Unlawful release or possession of fish, shellfish, or wildlife — Penalty — Unlawful release of deleterious exotic wildlife — Penalty.") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Washington § 77.15.250?

A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 77.15.250" (Washington). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Washington law?

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