River Estuary. Under this proposal, 58 Pa. Code § 61.2 would be amended to clarify language pertaining to the legal harvestable size range for Striped Bass and prohibit gaffing or the attempt to gaff any Striped Bass when fishing. At its May 2022 quarterly meeting, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) which includes the Commonwealth as a member, approved Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. The most recent Striped Bass stock assessment determined the stock was overfished and that overfishing was occurring.
Based on these findings, the ASMFC’s Striped Bass management plan calls for management actions to rebuild the stock. As part of Amendment 7, new requirements were established to address recreational release mortality, among other management plan components. Recreational release mortality is a large component of annual fishing mortality, and Amendment 7 establishes a new gear restriction which prohibits gaffing Striped Bass when fishing recreationally. This new restriction, along with the existing circle hook requirement when fishing recreationally with bait, are intended to increase the chance of survival after a Striped Bass is released alive. To align with the provisions of Amendment 7, it is recommended to prohibit the use of a gaff when fishing for Striped Bass in the Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, and River Estuary. If adopted on final rulemaking at a future meeting, this amendment will go into effect on January 1, 2023.
Commissioners approved changes to fishing regulations on Little Chartiers Creek, Section 05, in Washington County. Under this change, Section 05, which runs approximately one-half mile from the outflow of Canonsburg Lake to the confluence with Chartiers Creek, will be removed from the list of waters managed under Miscellaneous Special Regulations. While Section 05 is not managed by the PFBC as a Stocked Trout Water (STW), a Miscellaneous Special Regulation has been in place since the early 1980s which prohibits angling from the end of the extended season for trout through 8:00 a.m. on the opening day of the regular season for trout, which is typically associated with STWs. Historically, the rationale for this special regulation was to prohibit angling in Section 05 during the closure period following the stocking of trout in Canonsburg Lake, which could escape downstream into Little Chartiers Creek. Escapement of stocked trout created unwanted and disruptive angler behavior in Section 05 and warranted management with these special regulations. During the annual regulatory review process, Commission staff determined that these regulations are no longer necessary and recommended removal. This change will simplify regulations and increase angling opportunities while continuing to provide adequate resource protection. This amendment will go into effect on January 1, 2023.
The Board approved changes to fishing regulations on Penns Creek, Section 03, a Class A wild trout stream with a robust population of wild Brown Trout in Centre and Mifflin counties. Under this change, a Miscellaneous Special Regulation that has been in place since 2014 will be removed. The current Miscellaneous Special Regulation is an experimental trout slot limit regulation that allowed for year-round fishing, use of all tackle types, and the harvest of two trout per day that are at least seven inches but less than 12 inches in length, from the opening day of the regular season for trout through Labor Day, with no harvest permitted the remainder of the year. As a result of PFBC surveys from 2014-2019 that revealed the presence of larger Brown Trout (greater than 16 inches in length) and favorable angler feedback during this experimental period, the PFBC created an official Trout Slot Limit program with two subprograms in 2021. Upon removal of the current Miscellaneous Special Regulation, Penns Creek, Section 03, will be proposed for designation into the All-Tackle Trout Slot Limit program at a future meeting of the Board. It should be noted that while the name of the regulation applied to Penns Creek, Section 03, will change, the regulation itself will remain the same. This change will go into effect on January 1, 2023.
The Board approved the addition of nine stream sections to the list of Class A wild trout streams, and the addition of 19 new waters to the PFBC’s list of wild trout streams. A list of waters proposed for wild trout stream and Class A wild trout stream designation can be found on the PFBC website. The Board also approved the addition of 19 new waters to the list of wilderness trout streams. All of these additions will go into effect upon publication of a second notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Commissioners voted to approve changes to fishing regulations at Speedwell Forge Lake, Lancaster County. Under this change, the 106-acre impoundment will be removed from the Catch and Release Lakes program (58 Pa. Code § 65.17) and added to the Big Bass program (58 Pa. Code § 65.9). From 2017 through April 2022, the black bass and panfish populations at Speedwell Forge Lake were evaluated to monitor progress towards development of a high-quality, warm-water and cool-water fishery. Sportfish abundance and population size structure have improved to levels where populations can now sustain limited harvest. Big Bass regulations applied to lakes allow for the harvest of four black bass (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Spotted Bass; combined species) greater than or equal to 15 inches in length from January 1 to midnight the day before the second Saturday in April, and 12:01 a.m. the second Saturday in June to midnight December 31. No harvest is permitted from 12:01 a.m. the second Saturday in April to 12:01 a.m. the second Saturday in June. All other fish species not managed under these special regulations will be managed with Commonwealth Inland Waters angling regulations (58 Pa. Code § 61.11). These changes will go into effect on January 1, 2023.
The Board voted to add Colyer Lake, Centre County and Lake Nessmuk, Tioga County to the Panfish Enhancement program (58 Pa. Code § 65.11) for Yellow Perch. At the July 2021 Commission meeting, the Board approved the removal of both lakes from the Catch and Release Lakes program and added them to the Big Bass program and the Panfish Enhancement program for crappies and sunfish. However, no action was taken to manage Yellow Perch under the Panfish Enhancement program in either lake. Upon further consideration, it is recommended to also include Yellow Perch in the species group managed under this program. Panfish Enhancement regulations allow for year-round harvest of sunfish (Bluegill and Pumpkinseed) greater than or equal to seven inches in length and crappies (Black Crappie and White Crappie) and Yellow Perch greater than or equal to nine inches in length with a daily limit of 20. When Panfish Enhancement regulations apply to more than one species in the same waterway, the creel limit is 20 for each species with the total creel not to exceed 50 panfish combined. All other fish species not managed under these special regulations will be managed with Commonwealth Inland Waters angling regulations. These changes will go into effect on January 1, 2023.
The Board voted to remove Sugar Lake, Crawford County; Belmont Lake, Wayne County; and Prompton Lake, Wayne County from the Brood Stock Lakes program (58 Pa. Code § 65.18). Under the Brood Stock Lakes program, fishing regulations restrict harvest and fish consumption during the Food and Drug Administration mandated withdrawal period associated with anesthetics used during fish culture operations and help maintain high-abundance populations of fish for use as brood stock. During the catch-and-release/no-harvest period defined by this regulation, fish anesthetics are used during culture operations for Muskellunge, tiger muskellunge, Northern Pike, and pickerel, thus necessitating the harvest closure. There is justification to remove three lakes from the Brood Stock Lakes program based on lake characteristics. Prompton Lake, Wayne County, has not been used as a brood stock lake since 2014. Additionally, Largemouth Bass virus has been documented in Prompton Lake, and out of an abundance of caution, brood fish are no longer collected from this water. Belmont Lake, Wayne County, was historically stocked with Muskellunge, but no stockings have occurred since 2014. As such, Belmont Lake does not support a population of Muskellunge in numbers sufficient to support brood stock collections for culture purposes. Sugar Lake, Crawford County, is stocked with Muskellunge; however, these stockings have failed to produce a robust population. Consequently, the lake has not been used for a source of brood stock for more than 15 years. Removal of the lake from the program would allow abundant Chain Pickerel to be harvested during the current no-harvest period, which has been advocated for by local anglers. These changes will go into effect January 1, 2023.
Grant Approval
Commissioners voted to approve additional funding for an R3 (Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation) Education Grant to Bartram’s Garden for the purpose of a riverfront recreation project in Philadelphia. While the PFBC originally awarded the grantee funding to expand fishing and boating education efforts in urban communities, additional funding in the amount of $45,000 is necessary to continue these valuable programs. Board approval of grant funding is required under the R3 Education Grant Program when funding exceeds $25,000.
The Board voted to approve an amendment to a previously approved grant to the County of Carbon for a project at Mauch Chunk Lake Park through the PFBC’s Boating Facility Grant Program. While the PFBC originally awarded the grantee $155,500 for a project that included boat launch rehabilitation, parking lot paving, and the addition of ADA compliant restrooms and parking spaces, costs for the project have increased since the original estimate was provided. As a result of the increased costs, the County requested an additional $25,355 to complete the project. Board approval of grant funding is required under the Boating Facility Grant Program when funding exceeds $100,000.
The Board voted to approve additional funding for an Erie Access Improvement Grant to the Erie-Western PA Port Authority for the construction of the Lampe Marina Fish Cleaning Station along Lake Erie, Erie County. While the PFBC originally awarded the grantee $150,000 in April 2021, it was determined that an additional $100,000 was required to complete the project and planned improvements to the design. The revised grant amount includes costs for a larger concrete pad for a second fish cleaning table, water service, wastewater drains, adding a building roof and enclosure with sidewalls to the refrigeration building, and a chain link fence to secure the facility. Board approval of grant funding is required under the Erie Access Improvement Program when funding exceeds $100,000 per year.
The Board voted to approve additional funding for an Erie Access Improvement Grant to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for stabilization of the streambank and construction of habitat improvements on their property along Elk Creek. The PFBC originally awarded the grantee funding in the amount of $200,000 in October 2018. Due to increased materials and fuel costs, the Conservancy is requesting an additional $150,000 for the project to take advantage of the current lowest bid for the project. The Conservancy must proceed with construction in 2022 to retain other key grants they have secured for the project. Board approval of grant funding is required under the Erie Access Improvement Program when funding exceeds $100,000 per year.
The Board voted to approve an amendment to a previously approved grant to Lower Swatara Township for a project along Swatara Creek in Dauphin County through the PFBC’s Boating Facility Grant Program. While the PFBC originally awarded the grantee $87,500 for a project that included the design and construction of a new canoe/kayak access and parking area, costs for the project have increased since the original estimate was provided. As a result of the increased costs, the township requested an additional $66,533 to complete the project. Board approval of grant funding is required under the Boating Facility Grant Program when funding exceeds $100,000.
Public Access and Real Estate
Commissioners voted to authorize the acquisition of a property easement along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Susquehanna Township, Cambria County. Utilizing funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP), and pending due diligence, the PFBC will pay $71,000 to the property owner to obtain public fishing and boating access and riparian and fishery management rights on two properties totaling 5,925 linear feet along the West Branch Susquehanna River. The West Branch Susquehanna River provides significant Class A Wild Brown Trout fishing opportunities in the area.
The Board voted to authorize the acquisition of a property easement along Crooked Creek located in Springfield Township, Erie County. Utilizing funds from the PFBC’s Erie Access Improvement Program, and pending due diligence, the PFBC will pay $85,000 to the Young Men’s Christian Association of Youngstown to obtain public fishing and boating access and riparian and fishery management rights on 4,990 linear feet along Crooked Creek. Crooked Creek provides significant steelhead fishing opportunities in the area.
Commissioners voted to authorize the acquisition of a property easement along Elk Creek, Erie County. Utilizing funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP), and pending due diligence, the PFBC will pay $14,000 to the property owner to obtain public fishing and boating access and riparian and fishery management rights on 860 linear feet along Elk Creek. Elk Creek provides significant steelhead fishing opportunities in the area.
Special Announcements
The next quarterly meeting of the PFBC Board of Commissioners is scheduled for October 24-25, 2022, at the PFBC's Harrisburg headquarters.
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