(a) It shall be unlawful to fish for game fish, except American shad, hickory shad, flathead catfish, and channel catfish, by any means other than a pole and line. Except as otherwise provided, it shall be unlawful to take any fish in the fresh waters of this state by any method other than a pole and line, sport trotlines in accordance with Code Section 27-4-32, set hooks, jugs, bow and arrow in accordance with Code Section 27-4-34, spears in accordance with Code Section 27-4-33, bow nets as provided in Code Section 27-4-35, seines in accordance with Code Section 27-4-6 and as authorized in Code Section 27-4-91 with regard to commercial fresh-water fishing.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Code section, dip nets and cast nets may be used to take threadfin shad, blueback herring, and gizzard shad for bait; and landing nets may be used to land fish legally caught.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Code section, it shall be lawful to use seines, nets, and chemicals in a pond if all the owners of a pond desire that such be done and if a local conservation ranger is notified at least two hours in advance of the use, provided that it shall not be lawful to use such seines, nets, and chemicals in an oxbow lake. For purposes of this Code section, an "oxbow lake" means a lake formed in an abandoned river channel which has become separated from the main stream by a natural change in the river.