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    Regulatory Changes

    Read through proposed notices and rulemakings for publishing in the Pennsylvania Bulletin upon Commission approval.

    Pennsylvania coat of arms with two horses and a crest. And the Pennsylvania Code Bulletin logo

    The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) is the Commonwealth agency with the authority to enforce Title 30 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (The Fish and Boat Code). In addition, the Commission may promulgate such rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of the Fish and Boat Code. Before a regulation becomes final, the Commission must first publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Pennsylvania Bulletin seeking comments, objections, or suggestions from the public. Comments are accepted for at least 30 days.  After the public comment period, the Commission considers the proposed amendment on final rulemaking. If adopted on final rulemaking, the amendment becomes effective on the date of publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin or other date specified by the Commission.

    The information provided on this webpage is a summary of regulatory proposals that are being considered by the Commission, as well as final regulations. The purpose of posting this information is to make the public aware of the issues and to elicit public feedback on proposals. Comments on the proposals provide the Commission with valuable information and perspectives that will be considered and possibly incorporated into content or editorial changes. We appreciate your time and your commitment to Pennsylvania’s natural resources. The graphic within each topic will help you follow the change through the regulatory process.

    View more information about the rulemaking process

    NOTICE - Exemption to 58 Pa. Code § 57.8a (Class A wild trout streams) to Allow for the Stocking of Trout at Freeman Run, Section 04

    At its meeting on October 27, 2025, the Fish and Boat Commission approved an exemption to 58 Pa. Code § 57.8a to allow for the stocking of trout at Freeman Run, Section 04, Potter County.

    Under 58 Pa. Code § 57.8a (relating to Class A wild trout streams), prior to granting permission to stock a Class A wild trout stream section under 71a.8 (relating to stocking of designated waters), the Executive Director determined that the stream section does not meet any of the stocking criteria set forth in the current edition of the Operational Guidelines for the Management of Trout Fisheries in Pennsylvania Waters.  Now, having acquired the Commission’s approval for the exemption, Commission staff will determine the species of trout, number of trout and frequency of stocking consistent with stocking strategies and historical stocking rates of the stream section to minimize impacts to the Class A wild trout population.  Stocking provisions will be communicated in writing by the Commission to the entity receiving the exemption for stocking in Class A designated waters.  Stocking exemptions will be valid for no more than five years at which time the need for continuance may be evaluated.  More information is included the Pennsylvania Bulletin notice, which is linked below.  

            Thermometer illustration showing a notice is in the "Designation" period

            NOTICE - Special Regulation Designations

            At its meeting on October 27, 2025, the Fish and Boat Commission approved the following actions:

            58 Pa. Code § 65.17. Catch and release lakes
            The removal of the following water from its list of "catch and release lakes" regulated and managed under 58 Pa. Code § 65.17 (relating to catch and release lakes):
            - Kyle Lake, Jefferson County

            58 Pa. Code § 65.9. Big bass
            The addition of the following waters to its list of "big bass" waters regulated and managed under 58 Pa. Code § 65.9 (relating to big bass):
            - Kyle Lake, Jefferson County
            - Donegal Lake, Westmoreland County

            58 Pa. Code § 65.11. Panfish enhancement
            The addition of the following waters to its list of "panfish enhancement" waters regulated and managed under 58 Pa. Code § 65.11 (relating to panfish enhancement):
            - Kyle Lake, Jefferson County: Crappie and Sunfish species
            - Donegal Lake, Westmoreland County: Crappie species

            58 Pa. Code § 65.6. Delayed harvest artificial lures only areas
            The revision of the section limits of the following water  from its list of "delayed harvest artificial lures only areas" regulated and managed under 58 Pa. Code § 65.6 (relating to delayed harvest artificial lures only areas):
            - Muncy Creek, Section 06, Lycoming County

            58 Pa. Code § 65.6. Delayed harvest artificial lures only areas
            The revision of the section limits of the following water  from its list of "delayed harvest artificial lures only areas" regulated and managed under 58 Pa. Code § 65.6 (relating to delayed harvest artificial lures only areas):
            - Manada Creek, Section 02, Dauphin County 

            58 Pa. Code § 65.6. Delayed harvest artificial lures only areas
            The removal of the following water from its list of "delayed harvest artificial lures only areas" regulated and managed under 58 Pa. Code § 65.6 (relating to delayed harvest artificial lures only areas):
            - West Valley Creek, Berks County

            58 Pa. Code § 65.19. Stocked trout waters open to year-round fishing
            The removal of the following water from its list of "stocked trout waters open to year-round fishing" regulated and managed under 58 Pa. Code § 65.19 (relating to stocked trout waters open to year-round fishing):
            - Lake Luxembourg, Bucks County

                    Thermometer illustration showing a notice is in the "Effective" period

                    BOATING - Final Rulemaking; Donegal Lake, Westmoreland County; Miscellaneous Special Regulations

                    48A-367

                    At its meeting on October 27, 2025, the Fish and Boat Commission approved the removal of Donegal Lake, Westmoreland County, from the Commission's list of waters that are subject to miscellaneous special regulations.

                    Thermometer illustration showing a rulemaking is in the "Final Rulemaking" period

                    FISHING - Final Rulemaking; Freeman Run, Section 04, Potter County; Miscellaneous Special Regulations

                    48A-366

                    At its meeting on October 27, 2025, the Fish and Boat Commission  approved amendments to 58 Pa. Code § 65.24 (relating to special fishing regulations) at Freeman Run, Section 04, Potter County. The amendment adds Freeman Run Section 04, Potter County to the list of waters managed by the Commission under Miscellaneous Special Regulations.

                    Thermometer illustration showing a rulemaking is in the "Final Rulemaking" period

                    BOATING - Final Rulemaking; Amendmends to  58 Pa. Code § 111.43(b) (relating to special regulations in Lake Wilhelm, Mercer County)

                    48A-365

                    At its meeting on October 27, 2025, the Fish and Boat Commission approved amendments to 58 Pa. Code § 111.43(b) (relating to special regulations in Lake Wilhelm, Mercer County).  The amendments align boating regulations at the portion of the lake that is owned and managed by the Commission with the regulations at the parts owned and managed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

                    Thermometer illustration showing a rulemaking is in the "Final Rulemaking" period

                    NOTICE - Changes to List of Class A Wild Trout Streams; October 2025

                    At its meeting on October 27, 2025, the Fish and Boat Commission approved the addition of 20 stream sections to its list of Class A wild trout streams. Under 58 Pa. Code § 57.8a (relating to Class A wild trout streams), it is the Commission's policy to manage self-sustaining Class A wild trout populations as a renewable natural resource and to conserve that resource and the angling it provides. Class A wild trout populations represent the best of the Commonwealth's naturally reproducing trout fisheries.

                    Thermometer image showing the proposed designation is open for public comment.

                    NOTICE - Changes to the List of Wild Trout Streams; October 2025

                    At its meeting on October 27, 2025, the Fish and Boat Commission approved the addition of five stream sections to its list of wild trout streams and the revision of one stream section limit that is currently listed. Under 58 Pa. Code § 57.11, it is the Commission's policy to accurately identify and classify stream sections supporting naturally reproducing populations of trout as wild trout streams.

                    Thermometer image showing the proposed designation is open for public comment.

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