In 1859 a special act was passed governing the catching of salmon in the Eel. Section 1 said it shall be unlawful to catch or take salmon from Eel river between 9/15 and 11/25 of each year. It was amended in 1874 whereby it said " Every person who between 8/1 & 11/1 catches or takes salmon is quality of a misdemeanor. In 1877-78 another amendment was made stating " Every person who between 8/1/and 9/15, takes or catches or buys or sells or has in his possession any fresh salmon is quality of a misdemeanor. This new law was made to apply statewide.