On Oct. 21, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission held its quarterly meeting at the Harrisburg headquarters. For those who are unfamiliar with how the commission is organized, the day-to-day operations are overseen by the executive director. A Board of Commissioners — volunteers appointed by the governor and approved by the senate — select the executive director and, through quarterly meetings, set commission regulations, approve grants, real estate transfers, and similar actions as prescribed by Pennsylvania C.S. Title 30 “The Fish & Boat Code.”

During the Oct. 21 meeting, commissioners approved new regulations, regulation changes and real estate acquisitions. These changes affect areas such as law enforcement, fisheries and boating.

FISHERIES

Anglers utilizing recognized fishing cleaning stations, such as those prevalent in Erie, may no longer be required to leave a 2-inch by 2-inch piece of skin intact. After review and public comment, the proposed regulatory change will require filets to remain intact. This is still only a proposed change, and it must still move forward in the review process before final rulemaking can take place. Public comments can be submitted via the Fish & Boat Commission website.

The commission approved the addition of 20 new waters to the list of Class A wild trout waters, 24 waters to the wild trout waters, and revisions for six already-listed waters. This is essential in protecting wild, reproducing trout populations, which are often adversely affected by stocking, stream disturbance, and other human activities, especially during the spawning season.

Tamarac Lake, Crawford County, was removed from the Catch & Release Lake program and added to the Big Bass program. The lake was originally listed in the Catch & Release program to provide additional protection after it was drained for repairs and subsequently restocked. It has now reached the point where it can sustain recreational fishing. Similar changes were approved for Pecks Pond in Pike County, which was moved to the general Commonwealth Inland Water regulations.

Changes were also approved for one of Clinton County’s most popular trout streams, Fishing Creek. Under the new regulations, sections 7 and 9 of Fishing Creek, an area commonly known as “The Narrows,” were moved to the Catch & Release Artificial Lures Only program. This change, designed to protect the wild brook and brown trout populations, was a result of intensive angler surveys, communication with area landowners, and public comments. The change will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

In Lycoming County, commissioners approved redesignating Section 5 of Muncy Creek. This section will now be split into three sections, creating new areas, sections 6 & 7. Section 6 will be managed under the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only program. Although this sounds more confusing than necessary, it was done to allow a 1.1-mile section of previously posted stream to be opened to the public after the landowner agreed to allow access if a particular regulation area was established. This change also goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.

BOATING

Commissioners approved a long-awaited change to boating safety equipment requirements. Under the new regulation, operators of boats under 26 feet in length will be required to use the emergency cut-off switch when installed by the manufacturer. This change was made to comply with current U.S. Coast Guard requirements and address an increased concern regarding runaway boats due to the operator falling overboard.

Changes were also approved that will remove the commission’s regulations on boat capacity plates, something already regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard, and strengthen requirements for boat livery, or rentals, operating in the Commonwealth. The increased regulations will better ensure that liveries are providing proper safety instruction to customers, maintaining safety equipment as required, and protecting customers from operating vessels that may not be otherwise in compliance with Pa.C.S. Title 30.

Elsewhere in the state, commissioners made the following changes:

Made the previous temporary creel limit for striped bass permanent. In addition, approval was granted for changes to the filet requirements for striped bass, allowing anglers to possess a maximum of two filets per legal fish with the carcass in possession for identification & measuring purposes.

Clarified regulations for using circle hooks when using bait in the tidal Delaware Estuary.

They approved the purchase of an access easement along Little Juniata Creek, Perry County, which will include a public parking area along this famous trout fishing water.