HARRISBURG, Pa (October 27) – During its quarterly business meeting today, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) encouraged anglers and boaters to take advantage of the many fall and winter fishing and boating opportunities available across the Commonwealth and reminded everyone to make safety a priority while enjoying the water.
Board President and District 2 Commissioner John Mahn, Jr. reminded anglers and boaters about the annual cold weather life jacket requirement that begins on November 1, 2025, and lasts through April 30, 2026.
“With beautiful weather and scenic surroundings continuing to draw people outdoors this fall, many anglers, boaters, and hunters are still very active on our waterways,” said Mahn. “While we encourage everyone to keep going and enjoy the adventures that still await, we also want to make sure safety is a part of those plans throughout the cold weather months. Whether you’re paddling on your favorite stream, fishing or waterfowl hunting from a boat, or venturing out onto a frozen lake for ice fishing this winter, please wear your life jacket. It’s the law this time of year on all kayaks, canoes, and boats under 16 feet. Life jackets really do save lives.”
In his report to the Board, Executive Director Tim Schaeffer reminded the public that the application period remains open for the PFBC's popular Boating Facility Grant Program. Applications for the program are due by December 1, 2025. Information about the program, including application materials, can be found on the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com).
Fisheries
The Board voted to approve an exemption to 58 Pa. Code § 57.8a to allow for the stocking of Rainbow Trout at Freeman Run, Section 04, Potter County. Under this proposal, Section 04 will provide a unique opportunity for PFBC staff to evaluate the use of special regulations to mitigate the impact of stocking a Class A wild trout stream section that was stocked previously, designated as a Class A wild trout stream section and removed from the stocking program, and then added back to the program and managed with special regulations.
Now that an exemption to allow for the stocking of Rainbow Trout at Freeman Run, Section 04, Potter County, has been approved, Commissioners voted to give final approval to changes pertaining to fishing regulations on the stream section. Under this change, Section 04 will be managed under a Miscellaneous Special Regulation that will manage Brown Trout and Brook Trout with catch-and-release regulations and maintain Commonwealth Inland Waters (58 Pa. Code § 61.1) regulations for all other species with all tackle types permitted. This amendment will go into effect January 1, 2026.
Commissioners voted to give final approval to changes in fishing regulations at Donegal Lake, a 92-acre PFBC-owned lake located in Donegal Township, Westmoreland County. Under these changes, Donegal Lake will be removed from management under a Miscellaneous Special Regulation which permitted the harvest of trout under Commonwealth Inland Waters regulations but no harvest of other species. In separate related action, the Board voted to add Donegal Lake to the Big Bass program (58 Pa. Code § 65.9) and Panfish Enhancement program (58 Pa. Code § 65.11) for crappies. These changes will go into effect January 1, 2026.
The Board voted to approve a change in fishing regulations at Kyle Lake, a PFBC-owned lake located in Washington Township, Jefferson County. Under this change, the 165-acre impoundment will be removed from the Catch and Release Lakes program (58 Pa. Code § 65.17) and added to the Big Bass (58 Pa. Code § 65.9) and Panfish Enhancement program (58 Pa. Code § 65.11) for crappies and sunfish. Since 2020, Kyle Lake has been managed in the Catch and Release Lakes program which allows catch-and-release fishing for all species. The intent of these temporary regulations was to facilitate rapid development of the warm-water and cool-water fish populations in the absence of harvest, and once re-established, the lake would be recommended for removal from these regulations and moved to one or more of the PFBC’s existing regulation programs. The black bass and panfish populations were evaluated from 2022 through May 2025 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. These changes will go into effect January 1, 2026.
Commissioners voted to approve a change in fishing regulations at Lake Luxembourg, located in Middletown Township, Bucks County. Under this change, the 166-acre impoundment owned by Bucks County will be removed from the Stocked Trout Waters (STW) Open to Year-Round Fishing (OYR) program (58 Pa. Code § 65.19). In December 2021, the PFBC was notified by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) of a do-not-eat fish consumption advisory issued for the entire Neshaminy Creek basin, which includes Lake Luxembourg. The consumption advisory was issued due to elevated levels of Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in water samples collected and analyzed by the DEP. Subsequently, the PFBC canceled stockings of all waters included in the STW program within the Neshaminy Creek basin beginning in 2022. Staff have not proposed to remove Lake Luxembourg from the STW-OYR program until this time because additional water quality sampling by the DEP could have resulted in the consumption advisory being revised to be less inclusive of the entire basin; however, the consumption advisory for the basin will remain through 2026 and potentially longer. Upon removal of this regulation, Lake Luxembourg will be managed with Commonwealth Inland Waters regulations (58 Pa. Code § 61.1). This change will go into effect January 1, 2026.
The Board voted to approve a change in fishing regulations at West Valley Creek, Section 03, Chester County. Under this change, Section 03 will be removed from the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Areas program (58 Pa. Code § 65.6). In February 2024, the PFBC was notified by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) of an issue with sinkholes forming in the immediate vicinity of West Valley Creek. To ensure safety of agency staff, volunteers and anglers, the PFBC canceled all trout stockings for both West Valley Creek, sections 02 and 03, for 2024 and 2025. To date, the DEP has documented over 100 sinkholes, creating a very unsafe and unstable environment in sections 02 and 03. Given the ongoing safety concerns, staff recommend that Section 03 be removed from the DHALO program. Sections 02 and 03 will also be removed from the Stocked Trout Waters program for 2026. This designation will go into effect January 1, 2026.
Commissioners voted to approve revisions to two stream sections managed as Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Areas (58 Pa. Code § 65.6):
· Manada Creek, Section 02, Dauphin County
· Muncy Creek, Section 06, Lycoming County
Public and landowner feedback received in 2025 pertaining to these sections suggest that small reaches on each of the two streams would be better managed under alternative regulations. As such, it is recommended that portions of these streams be removed from the DHALO program in favor of Commonwealth Inland Waters regulations (58 Pa. Code § 61.1) to optimize angling opportunities while meeting the desires of landowners and anglers that fish these waters. These designations will go into effect January 1, 2026.
The Board voted to approve the addition of 20 new waters to the PFBC's list of Class A wild trout streams, five waters to the PFBC’s list of wild trout streams, and the revision of the section limits of one currently listed water. A list of proposed waters for Class A wild trout and wild trout stream designation can be found in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. These additions and revisions will go into effect upon publication of a second notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Cooperative Nurseries
The Board voted to approve a Cooperative Nursery Grant in the amount of $55,000 to the Salisbury-Elk Lick Hunting Club, Somerset County. The cooperative nursery raises approximately 9,000 trout annually that are stocked into public waterways. Through this grant funding, the club plans to complete a stream habitat and nursery intake improvement project on the unnamed tributary to Tub Mill Run, Somerset County.
Real Estate and Property Services
Commissioners voted to approve the publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking pertaining to Accesses and Marinas. Under this proposal, the section of 58 Pa. Code § 53.12a, which references a hunting restriction for North East Marina, Erie County, would be removed. This change is necessary because the PFBC no longer owns the marina property, and the language is irrelevant. If adopted on final rulemaking at a future meeting, this amendment will go into effect upon publication of a second notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The Board voted to approve the acquisition of a parcel of property in Penn Township, Cumberland County. The 7.3 acre property is adjacent to the PFBC’s Huntsdale State Fish Hatchery, and contains a section of Irishtown Run, a small stream that serves as a source of fresh water for the hatchery. Currently, the PFBC’s access is limited to the east side of the stream, and acquiring the property will provide access to approximately 240 yards of the west side of the stream for maintenance and other hatchery needs. Under an agreement with the property owner, the PFBC will pay $120,000 for the property. Staff will adhere to the PFBC’s standard practices for acquiring property including meeting due diligence and funding requirements.
The Board authorized staff to pursue the acquisition of several flowage easements on property located near Beechwood Lake, a PFBC-owned lake located in Clymer Township, Tioga County. A dam rehabilitation project is expected to begin at the lake in 2027, and the new design of the dam will require additional flowage rights on .41 acres of an adjacent property. Staff will also pursue a second flowage easement along Beechwood Lake, with an area of .01 acres. Staff will also pursue the acquisitions in an amicable manner and only use the Commonwealth’s power of eminent domain as a last resort. Additionally, staff will adhere to the PFBC’s standard practices for acquiring property including meeting due diligence and funding requirements.
In related action, Commissioners also voted to approve the acquisition of two parcels of property located near Beechwood Lake, Tioga County. A dam rehabilitation project is expected to begin at the lake in 2027, and the new design of the dam will require the addition of approximately .49 acres consisting of two separate parcels. Under an agreement with the owner of the properties, the PFBC will pay $3,000 for the combined parcels. Additionally, staff will adhere to the PFBC’s standard practices for acquiring property including meeting due diligence and funding requirements.
The Board voted to approve the acquisition of a conservation easement on a parcel of property located in Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County. The approximately 115-acre property, known as the Minsi Lake Vernal Pool Preserve, is located half a mile north of the PFBC-owned Minsi Lake, and is owned by the Nature Conservancy (TNC). TNC intends to transfer ownership of the property to Northampton County while reserving a conservation easement for the PFBC for the purchase price of $1.00, to ensure the PFBC retains control of key areas within the Minsi Lake watershed. The easement area provides habitat for regionally declining plant and invertebrate populations, pathways for fish and wildlife movement and migration, and a section of Martin’s Creek which contains wild trout. Staff will adhere to the PFBC’s standard practices for acquiring easements including meeting due diligence.
Commissioners voted to approve the acquisition of conservation easements on four parcels of property located along Jacoby Creek in Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County. Together, the properties totaling approximately 30 acres are collectively known as the Mount Bethel Fens Preserve and are owned by the Nature Conservancy (TNC). TNC intends to transfer ownership of the properties to Northampton County while reserving a conservation easement for the PFBC for the purchase price of $1.00, to ensure the ensure the protection of aquatic life in the vicinity. The easement area provides habitat for regionally declining plant and invertebrate populations and pathways for fish and wildlife movement and migration. Staff will adhere to the PFBC’s standard practices for acquiring easements including meeting due diligence.
The Board voted to authorize the disposition of a property along the Susquehanna River in Halifax Township, Dauphin County. The approximately 12.3 acre property known as the Halifax Access has been closed to public use since September 2016. The property has a shared entrance with a railroad crossing that complicates its management and operation, and the PFBC has determined it would be best to dispose of the property. In coordination with a real estate professional, staff will request a market value analysis and seek fair market value for the property. Proceeds from the sale of the property will be used for a similar or comparable future public access acquisition or public access improvements within the same geographic area.
Boating
Commissioners voted to give final approval to changes pertaining to boating regulations at Lake Wilhelm, Mercer County. Under this change, PFBC regulations (58 Pa. Code § 111.43 Mercer County) will be amended to align with DCNR regulations on a 1,440-acre portion of the lake southeast of Interstate 79 within Maurice K. Goddard State Park. Currently on this section of the lake, DCNR allows the operation of boats powered by internal combustion motors and prohibits the use of motors in excess of 20 horsepower. This change will not apply to the 240-acre section of Lake Wilhelm northwest of Interstate 79, which is owned by the Pennsylvania Game Commission where all boats are limited to electric motors only and slow, no-wake speeds. This amendment will go into effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Special Announcements
The Board approved the following dates for its quarterly business meetings in 2026:
· January 26, 2026
· April 27, 2026
· July 27, 2026
· October 26, 2026
The January and July 2026 meetings will be held at the PFBC headquarters located at 1601 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The locations of the April and October 2025 meetings will be announced at a later date.
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