HARRISBURG, Pa. (October 23) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) began its quarterly business meeting by highlighting the many fall and winter fishing and boating opportunities available across the Commonwealth and encouraged everyone to be safe while enjoying the water.
In his report to the Board, Executive Director Tim Schaeffer reminded anglers that, especially during the early portion of the cold weather months, when many people are still active on the water, conditions remain favorable for popular gamefish species across Pennsylvania, including bass, Walleye, catfish, wild and stocked trout, and steelhead that are beginning their annual run on the Lake Erie tributaries. Schaeffer asked anglers, boaters, and hunters to keep safety in mind and to always wear a life jacket while boating, ice fishing, and waterfowl hunting. From November 1 through April 30, boaters aboard most small boats, including all canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are required to wear a life jacket.
"Pennsylvania is fortunate to have year-round fishing and boating activities, and because of those constant opportunities, anglers and boaters need to be prepared for every season," added Schaeffer. "Wearing a life jacket is the number one thing we can all do to stay safe on and around the water this time of year. Falling into cold water can be extremely dangerous, and even deadly, but wearing a life jacket will keep your head above water until help arrives. So, enjoy every moment out there on the water or ice this upcoming season -- just remember that a few safety steps before and during each trip will ensure that you'll be around to make more great memories for years to come."
Schaeffer also announced that application periods remain open for the PFBC's Boating Facility Grant Program, Erie Access Improvement Grant Program, and Clean Vessel Act Grant Program. Applications for all three programs are due by December 30, 2023. Information on each program, including application materials, can be found on the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com).
Fisheries
Commissioners voted to give final approval to regulations pertaining to Miscellaneous Special Regulations (58 Pa. Code § 64.24). These changes address streams designated as Class A wild Brown Trout streams that are also stocked with hatchery-raised Rainbow Trout by the PFBC. Twelve of the 13 stream sections with this classification are managed under Commonwealth Inland Waters regulations (58 Pa. Code § 61.1). Considering information gained through 2021 trout population and angler assessments of these fisheries, PFBC staff proposed implementing a new Miscellaneous Special Regulation on the twelve stream sections that would manage Brown Trout with catch-and-release regulations and maintain Commonwealth Inland Waters regulations for all other species with all tackle types permitted, while continuing to stock these stream sections with Rainbow Trout at current rates and frequency. Under this change, the following streams will be added to the list of waters managed under Miscellaneous Special Regulations: Yellow Creek, Section 04, Bedford County; Pohopoco Creek, Section 04, Carbon County; Bald Eagle Creek, Section 06, Centre County; Penns Creek, Section 02, Centre County; Fishing Creek, sections 13 and 14, Clinton County; Little Lehigh Creek, Sections 04 and 07, Lehigh County; Monocacy Creek, Section 09, Lehigh and Northampton counties; Kishacoquillas Creek, Section 05, Mifflin County; Martins Creek, Section 01, Northampton County; and Monocacy Creek, Section 08, Northampton County. This amendment will go into effect on January 1, 2024.
The Board voted to give final approval to regulations pertaining to the Extended Trout Season (58 Pa. Code § 65.26). These changes will improve the permitting process for the application of extended trout season regulations to waters that are not stocked with trout by the PFBC. The intent is to align the permit for the application of extended trout season regulations to waters that are not stocked trout waters and the beginning of the extended season closure period (third Monday in February), and to place the application review responsibility more appropriately on the PFBC bureau directly responsible for consideration, the Bureau of Fisheries. As the regulation is currently written, permits are valid into the extended trout season closure period, which is inconsistent with current seasons, sizes, and creel limits applied to waters included in the PFBC's Stocked Trout Waters program. This amendment will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Commissioners approved the publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking 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)
- Add the Longsolid (freshwater mussel)
- 58 Pa. Code § 75.3 (Candidate species):
- Remove Least Brook Lamprey
- Remove Brook Stickleback
If given final approval at a future meeting, these amendments will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The Board voted to approve the addition of seven stream sections to the list of Class A wild trout streams. The Board also approved the addition of 60 new waters to the PFBC's list of wild trout streams and revised the section limits of one water currently listed. A list of waters proposed for wild trout stream and Class A wild trout stream designation 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 the revision of the limits of Slippery Rock Creek, Section 04. Slippery Rock Creek is a 49.71-mile-long stream that originates near the Borough of Eau Claire, Butler County, and flows southwest to its confluence with Connoquenessing Creek near the Borough of Ellwood City, Warren County. The stream is currently managed as five stream sections for fisheries management Section 04 is a Stocked Trout Water that is managed under Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only special regulations (58 Pa. Code § 65.14). Section 04 extends 0.50 miles from the Heinz Camp property downstream to 0.25 miles below Armstrong Road bridge and is located primarily within McConnells Mill State Park. To further expand fly-fishing opportunities on this high use, popular stream section, an extension to the existing limits is warranted and supported by the landowners. PFBC staff have consulted riparian landowners and determined that a 0.25-mile downstream extension of Section 04 could be accommodated, which would result in an expanded section that would total 0.75 miles in length. This designation will go into effect on January 1, 2024.
Boating
Commissioners voted to approve the publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking 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 regulation 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.
If adopted on final rulemaking at a future meeting, these amendments will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The Board voted to give final approval to regulations intended to simplify boating regulations. Upon review of 58 Pa. Code § 107.5, which regulates boating activity on streams less than 200 feet across, it was determined that the section contained redundancies with other boating regulations and is unnecessary. Under this change, the portion of 58 Pa. Code § 107.5 which limits boat operators to slow, no wake speed on streams less than 200 feet across will be eliminated, because this activity is already covered in 58 Pa. Code § 103.3(a). The amendment will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Commissioners voted to give final approval to regulations pertaining to boating at Allegheny River Reservoir, also known as Kinzua Dam, in McKean and Warren counties. Many of the controlled areas on the lake are indicated in PFBC regulations and are marked with aids to navigation (i.e., buoys) by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The area near Elijah Run, in the southeastern portion of the reservoir in McKean County, is currently marked by USACE as a slow, no wake zone to protect the boat launch area; however, it is not part of the PFBC's regulations. Under this change, the area near Elijah Run will be added to existing McKean County (58 Pa. Code § 111.42) regulations for Allegheny River Reservoir so that these speed restrictions may be enforced by PFBC Waterways Conservation Officers. Additionally, a generic subsection referring to other coves, bays, inlets, arms, and areas marked with slow, no-wake buoys, will be added to the PFBC's McKean and Warren County (58 Pa. Code § 111.62) regulations to allow the USACE to respond quickly to areas that become problematic by marking them accordingly. This amendment will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The Board voted to give final approval to regulations at Halfway Lake, located within R.B. Winter State Park, Union County. Historically, boating has been prohibited at Halfway Lake, due to its small size of approximately six acres. However, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has agreed to allow unpowered boats to operate on the lake, which requires a change in PFBC regulations. Under this change, 58 Pa. Code § 111.60 will be amended to permit the operation of unpowered boats, while still prohibiting the operation of boats powered by a motor. This amendment will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Public Access and Real Estate
The Board voted to authorize the sale of a house located on the premises of the Fairview State Fish Hatchery in Fairview and Girard Townships, Erie County. The Hatchery property is made up of multiple parcels acquired between 1972 and 1985. One of the original parcels purchased in 1972 contains the McCreary Thornton Raine house. It is unknown when the house was constructed, but likely in the late 1800s. The PFBC utilized the house for various staff purposes until 2020, but it is no longer used. The PFBC plans to sell the home by auction, with the successful bidder being responsible for removing the house from the property and all associated costs. If the auction or removal is unsuccessful, the PFBC plans to demolish the house. Details of the auction and removal requirements will be announced later.
Commissioners voted to authorize the lease of the Fisherman's Cove Access in Victory Township, Venango County. Under the proposed agreement, the PFBC will lease approximately 7.8 acres of property to the Oil Region Alliance, a local 501(c)3 group, for a period of 25 years. The organization, which will be responsible for the routine maintenance, operation, repair, and supervision of the lease area, is interested in leasing the property so that it may explore opportunities to enhance the access site through different grant programs and potential partnership opportunities with Victory Township to repair and upgrade Fisherman's Cove Road. The lease will also require the site to remain open for public fishing and boating free of charge.
The Board voted to authorize the sale of a property located in Franklin Township, Beaver County. The approximately 392-acre property known as Herford Manor was acquired by the PFBC in 1973 from a private landowner at a total cost of $341,400. When acquired, the property contained two popular fishing and boating lakes with dams. However, the dams were subsequently classified as high-hazard, unsafe structures and were removed in 2012. Since the dams were removed, the property has remained open for public recreation, which generally consists of hunting, hiking, and wildlife viewing activities. In 2022, Franklin Township approached the PFBC regarding its interest in purchasing the Hereford Manor property with the intent of maintaining the property as a public green space, allowing and providing for various recreational opportunities. Under the proposed agreement, Franklin Township will pay the PFBC $1,200 per acre, totaling $470,400. The Township will be responsible for all costs associated with the conveyance, including recording costs. The PFBC will retain all oil, gas, coal, mineral, and timber rights on the property being conveyed. This conveyance will be subject to staff performing the necessary due diligence.
Commissioners voted to authorize the sale of a house located on the premises of the Huntsdale State Fish Hatchery in Dickinson and Penn Townships, Cumberland County. The house, previously used as the Hatchery Manager's Dwelling, is a two-story brick residence and was built in a cruciform plan with four gables. It is estimated the house was built in the 1850s and was the home of General T.C. Miller, a mid-nineteenth century owner of the Cumberland Furnace Iron industry in Huntsdale. The house, which is located on a level lot adjacent to the railroad tracks and Yellow Breeches Creek and across Lebo Road from the current Hatchery administration building/visitor center, has been vacant for the last 15 years. The PFBC plans to sell the home by auction, with the successful bidder being responsible for removing the house from the property and all associated costs. If the auction or removal is unsuccessful, the PFBC plans to demolish the house. Details of the auction and removal requirements will be announced later.
The Board voted to authorize a right-of-way and two easements on a portion of the Oswayo State Fish Hatchery property. Under the proposed agreement, the PFBC will convey approximately 0.018 acres of permanent right-of-way, 0.005 acres of required drainage easement, and approximately 0.279 acres of temporary construction easement, to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), so that PennDOT can perform a bridge replacement project on State Route 4025 over Brizzie Hollow on the property's north side. The temporary construction easement will revert to the PFBC at the end of construction, which is expected to take four months and not directly impact hatchery operations. This conveyance will be subject to staff performing the necessary due diligence.
Commissioners voted to authorize the sale of a parcel of land located within the Speedwell Forge Lake property in Elizabeth Township, Lancaster County. Under the proposed agreement, the PFBC will sell approximately 0.7 acres of land to the owner of a neighboring property for $18,500. The sale of land will resolve a right-of-way issue that was recently discovered involving a road constructed on PFBC property by the neighboring property owner. The property to be conveyed is not actively used by the PFBC, and its sale will not adversely impact PFBC operations or future plans to utilize or further develop the Speedwell Forge Lake property. The buyer will be responsible for all costs associated with the conveyance, including subdivision and recording costs. In addition, any real estate and transfer taxes that are normally shared between the buyer and the seller will be paid by the buyer. The PFBC will retain all oil, gas, coal, and mineral rights on the property being conveyed, and no permanent structures will be permitted to be built within the property being conveyed. This conveyance will be subject to staff performing the necessary due diligence.
The Board voted to authorize the acquisition of property and an easement area in Fairview Township, Erie County. Under the proposed agreement, the PFBC will pay $100,000 for an approximately 0.4-acre portion of property in fee simple, and an approximately 0.3-acre easement to be utilized for access, construction, maintenance, and emergency related purposes related to the PFBC's nearby Trout Run steelhead nursery water. The proposed agreement also includes a restrictive covenant in the deed prohibiting public use of or public access to portions of the property conveyed to the PFBC and will ensure the PFBC has continued access to a critical portion of Trout Run used for the collection of steelhead during winter. This acquisition will be subject to staff performing the necessary due diligence.
Special Announcements
The Board approved the following dates for its 2024 quarterly business meetings:
- January 22-23, 2024
- April 29-30, 2024
- July 22-23, 2024
- October 21-22, 2024
The January and July 2024 meetings will be held at the PFBC headquarters located at 1601 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The locations of the April and October 2024 meetings will be announced at a later date.
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Media Contact:
Mike Parker
Communications Director
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
(717) 585-3076
michparker@pa.gov