HARRISBURG, Pa. (January 22) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) began its quarterly business meeting by encouraging anglers and boaters to be safe when taking advantage of winter opportunities on the water and ice.

“We are fortunate that fishing and boating are year-round activities in Pennsylvania, even in the winter months,” said William Gibney, Board President and District 7 Commissioner.  “But whether you’re enjoying ice fishing on your local lake, seeking out steelhead on the tributaries of Lake Erie, or running your bass boats up and down the river when it’s not frozen, please keep safety first.  If you’re active on the water and ice this winter, be mindful of changing weather conditions, check for adequate ice thickness, never go ice fishing alone, and always wear your life jacket.”

Since 2012, the PFBC has required anyone aboard a boat less than 16 feet, including all kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, to wear a life jacket from November 1 through April 30.  Over the first decade of this regulation, the number of boating accidents in Pennsylvania during the cold weather months has remained about the same, but fatalities have been reduced by approximately 50%.

Executive Director’s Report

During his report to the Board, Executive Director Tim Schaeffer reminded anglers and boaters who are looking forward to spring that the PFBC is already preparing for pre-season trout stocking operations in anticipation of the statewide Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day on Saturday, March 30, 2024, and the statewide Opening Day of Trout Season on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

Schaeffer noted that the 2024 Adult Trout Stocking Schedule will be published on the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com) during the first week of February and reminded anglers to revisit the stocking schedule frequently to remain aware of changes that may occur due to inclement weather and hatchery logistics.  The PFBC will stock approximately 3.2 million adult trout throughout the 2024 season, which is consistent with the number of fish stocked over the past decade.  Fishing licenses and permits may be purchased through the FishBoatPA mobile app, on the PFBC website, and by visiting nearly 700 retail license issuing agents.

Schaeffer also highlighted that now through February 5, 2024, the PFBC is accepting applications for the 26^th class of Waterways Conservation Officer (WCO) Trainees.  

“If you are an outdoor enthusiast who cares about Pennsylvania’s abundant aquatic resources, the fish that inhabit them, and the anglers and boaters who utilize them, this is the job for you,” said Schaeffer.  “At any given point in a day, a WCO must be prepared to respond to emergencies and enforce fishing, boating, and environmental regulations.  WCOs also interact a great deal with the public, including speaking on the importance of wearing life jackets and the dangers of boating under the influence.  They play a prominent role in fulfilling the agency’s mission to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities.”

The class of up to 24 trainees will undergo a comprehensive training program at various training sites in the Commonwealth, including the PFBC’s H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety in Bellefonte, Centre County.  Schaeffer suggested that anyone interested in learning more about a career as a WCO should visit the Law Enforcement Careers page on the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com).

Boating

Commissioners voted to give final approval to regulations pertaining to horsepower restrictions and electric boat motors.  Current regulations limit boat propulsion to electric motors only on PFBC owned or controlled lakes, some State Park lakes, and waterbodies specified in 58 Pa. Code § Chapter 111 relating to special regulations counties.  Due to advancements in technology that have resulted in electric motors capable of very high horsepower and speed similar to gas-powered internal combustion engines, the Board passed changes last year relating to horsepower and electric motors.  The changes are reflected in the following sections of the PFBC’s regulations.

• 58 Pa. Code § 107.1 (Horsepower restrictions)
• 58 Pa. Code § 107.2 (Electric motors) Except as otherwise specified in Chapter 111

The PFBC did not receive any public comments regarding these proposed changes; however, during the comment period, it was discovered that other complementary changes in Chapter 107 were necessary to effect the changes in the proposal.  These additional changes were not published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin but were made public as part of the agenda for the October 24, 2022, meeting of the Board.  To provide an opportunity for public comment on the additional changes, staff recommended reconsideration of the proposed changes.  These changes will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

The Board voted to give final approval to a rulemaking that would add clarity to regulations that involve the operation of paddleboards.  Since October 2008, beyond the narrow limits of a designated swimming, surfing, or bathing area, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has defined paddleboards as vessels, which requires users to abide by the same boating regulations applied to other forms of paddling vessels, including kayaks and canoes.  The PFBC adopted the USCG’s definition of paddleboards and associated life jacket requirements in 58 Pa. Code § 109.2 (relating to paddleboards and sailboards), effective January 1, 2015.  This section states that a wearable life jacket must be carried on board for each person, “unless otherwise required to be worn in accordance with 58 Pa. Code § 97.1 (Personal flotation devices).”  Under this proposal, PFBC staff recommended amendments to 58 Pa. Code § 97.1 to provide clarification regarding life jacket wear requirements, since paddleboards had been generally included with canoes and kayaks for recreational boating purposes.  Staff also recommended amendments to incorporate paddleboards into Chapter 111 regulations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District lakes where life jacket wear is required on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak.  Regulations will be updated through this proposal to include a reference to the word “paddleboard,” include 58 Pa. Code § 97.1 (Personal flotation devices); 58 Pa. Code § 111.3 (Armstrong County) ; 58 Pa. Code § 111.20 (Crawford County); 58 Pa. Code § 111.24 (Elk County); 58 Pa. Code § 111.26 (Fayette County) ; 58 Pa. Code § 111.27 (Forest County) ; 58 Pa. Code § 111.32 (Indiana County) ; 58 Pa. Code § 111.42 (McKean County) ; 58 Pa. Code § 111.43 (Mercer County) ; 58 Pa. Code § 111.56 (Somerset County) ; 58 Pa. Code § 111.62 (Warren County) ; and 58 Pa. Code § 111.65 (Westmoreland County) .  These amendments will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Commissioners voted to give final approval to changes pertaining to boating regulations (58 Pa. Code § 111.22) within a portion of the Susquehanna River, known as Lake Frederick, in Dauphin County.  Under these changes, boaters would no longer be required to abide by a slow, no wake designation on the channel of the Susquehanna River between Bashore Island and the west shore of the river, downstream of Goldsboro.  This area was established to protect private cabins that existed on the west side of the island at the time.  The island is owned by York Haven Power and the cabins were demolished in 2018-2019, so there is no longer a need for the special slow, no wake restriction on this channel.  The channel is generally shallow and weedy, which limits boating activity and speed of operation.  Under this proposal, boaters would still be required to comply with 58 Pa. Code § 103.3(a) , which states that “boats are limited to slow, no wake speed when within 100 feet of the shoreline; docks; launching ramps; swimmers or downed skiers or other boat-towed watersports participants; persons wading in the water; anchored, moored, or drifting boats; floats, except for ski jumps and ski landing floats; or other areas so marked.”  This subsection does not apply in a zoned ski area or authorized ski return areas when those areas are found within the areas described in this subsection.  These changes will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Fisheries

Through executive action, the PFBC announced temporary changes to Striped Bass fishing regulations within the Delaware Estuary, Delaware River, and West Branch Delaware River.  These changes, which will remain in effect through January 1, 2025, unless sooner replaced, are an extension of temporary regulation changes that were enacted in June 2023.  At that time, the PFBC acted in accordance with action taken by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board during its May 2023 quarterly meeting to approve an emergency action to implement a 31-inch maximum size limit for Striped Bass recreational fisheries.  Specific to the Pennsylvania portion of the Delaware Estuary, Delaware River, and West Branch Delaware River, the legal harvestable slot limit for Striped Bass was established as 28 inches to less than 31 inches from June 3, 2023, through December 31, 2023.  All daily limits and gear restrictions remained the same.  At its August 2023 quarterly meeting, the ASFMC’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board extended the May emergency action through October 28, 2024, unless sooner replaced.  Harvest and delayed mortality of caught and released Striped Bass have reduced the coastal population below sustainable levels.  Due to the negative impact on the fishery, harvest restrictions are needed to help rebuild the coastal stock.  These regulation changes do not apply to inland populations of Striped Bass.  Please see the 2024 Fishing Summary and Boating Handbook for minimum size and creel limits for inland waters.

Through executive action, the PFBC modified fishing regulations at Kahle Lake located in Clarion and Venango counties.  Under these changes, which are an extension of temporary regulations enacted in June 2023, all seasons, sizes, and creel limits will continue to be lifted on Kahle Lake until further notice.  This action is in anticipation of the PFBC’s plan to temporarily drain the reservoir to complete dam and spillway repairs and modifications per the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection dam safety standards.  Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of angling opportunities for warm-water sportfish species including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, and catfish.

Commissioners voted to give final approval to changes pertaining to regulations for the management of aquatic life that is considered an endangered, threatened, or candidate species.  To address these changes, the Board approved changes to the following regulations:

• 58 Pa. Code § 75.1 (Endangered species):
  • Add Digger Crayfish
  • Remove Black Bullhead
  • Remove Threespine Stickleback

• 58 Pa. Code § 75.2 (Threatened species):
  • Add the Longsolid (freshwater mussel)

• 58 Pa. Code § 75.3 (Candidate species):
  • Remove Least Brook Lamprey
  • Remove Brook Stickleback

These changes will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

The Board voted to approve the addition of six stream sections to the list of Class A wild trout streams.  The Board also approved the addition of two new waters to the PFBC’s list of wild trout streams and revised the section limits of four waters currently listed.  A list of waters proposed for wild trout stream and Class A wild trout stream designations can be found on the PFBC website.  All of these additions will go into effect upon publication of a second notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Commissioners voted to approve an exemption to Pennsylvania Code (58 Pa. Code § 57.8a) that would allow for the continued stocking of trout at one Class A wild trout stream section.  Historically, there have been very few streams where stocking of trout following Class A designation was considered and warranted.  However, there are rare cases, beyond the current 13 Class A wild trout stream sections statewide that are stocked as part of the PFBC’s Stocked Trout Waters program, where a stocking exemption should be considered.  The following water met the required criteria, and the general exemption classification is listed below:

• Big Moores Run (Section 03), Potter County:  Previously received a Special Activities Permit from the PFBC between 2010 and present.

Hatcheries

Commissioners voted to authorize a Cooperative Nursery Grant in the amount of $31,848.29 to the Eldred Conservation Club in McKean County.  The cooperative nursery raises approximately 4,000 trout annually that are stocked into public waterways.  Through this grant funding, the club plans to make major renovations to its facilities including the replacement of a 60-year-old concrete block raceway with a modern poured concrete raceway, a protective roofed structure to cover the raceway, and the addition of a storage shed to store feed and equipment used for raising and caring for the trout at the nursery.

Special Announcements

The PFBC’s remaining quarterly business meetings in 2024 are scheduled for the following dates at the PFBC headquarters located at 1601 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110:

• April 29-30, 2024
• July 22-23, 2024
• October 21-22, 2024

Meeting times will be announced at a later date.