Post by williethewelder on Mar 8, 2007 8:38:32 GMT -4
The season will start earlier for the state’s most popular gamefish in 18 counties beginning in 2007. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today adopted new regulations that will open trout season about two weeks earlier in the southeastern and southcentral parts of the state, effective next year.
Under the new regulation, all waters in Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York counties will begin the first Saturday after March 28. Currently, the statewide opening day for the Pennsylvania trout season is established as the first Saturday after April 11. So in 2007, the trout season will begin March 31 in the 18-county region while the rest of the state will see trout season open April 14.
“Starting the trout season earlier in parts of Pennsylvania expands fishing opportunities and improves our stocking and management efforts,” said PFBC Executive Director Doug Austen. “Opening Day has long been a time of great anticipation for anglers. This change, along with stocking trout statewide that are 30% larger on average, promises to add more excitement in 2007 to an already popular pursuit.”
Differences exist in climate across Pennsylvania and the time frame for providing optimum conditions for trout angling during the spring is earlier in portions of southern Pennsylvania. Warmer temperatures there provide conditions better suited for trout angling at an earlier time in the spring. However, these same warming conditions also can limit trout angling opportunities by mid-spring. The combination of a mid-April opening day and the potential for these waters to become too warm for trout angling by mid-May constricts the amount of time that trout angling can be provided.
Another issue that an earlier opening day in southeastern Pennsylvania addresses is the potential for movement of stocked trout prior to opening day, as well as the fact that some fish die between the time of stocking and opening day. The staggered opening days will provide the opportunity to stock trout in southeastern Pennsylvania earlier for the earlier opening day and shift the stocking to the other regions for the later opening day. This will effectively help to shorten the times between stocking and opening day throughout the state.
In a related move, the Commission made adjustments to regulations for possessing a trout/salmon permit, notably amending the rules so that any person fishing in streams and rivers that are approved trout waters from March 1 through May 31 must possess and display a valid permit. This change was necessitated by the earlier opening day and also reflects the period when the Commission is most actively stocking trout.
Among actions, the Commission:
Created year-round fishing seasons on inland water for muskellunge, hybrids, northern pike and pickerel. Starting in 2007, the daily creel limit for muskellunge will become one fish of at least 40 inches in length. The limit for northern pike will remain at 2 fish of at least 24 inches in length, while the limits for pickerel will be a maximum of four fish at least 18 inches long.
In related actions, the Commission also adopted a new special regulations program where the minimum size limit for muskellunge and musky hybrids will be 45 inches. The Commission also moved to solicit public comment on designating certain waters Brood Stock Lakes where fishing for musky, musky hybrids, pike and pickerel will be on a catch and release only basis April 1 through May 31.
Adopted an omnibus package of regulations related to the management of reptiles and amphibians. Among the many changes are a new minimum size limit of 42 inches with 21 or more subcaudal scales for the taking of timber rattlesnakes, a $25 permit ($50 for non-residents) for the hunting or taking of venomous snakes, a similar permit for the taking of snapping turtles, a provisional possession permit for individuals involved in permitted snake hunts, and rules governing the artificial propagation of native species and color morphs.
Made alterations to listings of wild trout waters. Sections of Plum and Halter creeks in Blair County were added to the list of Class A Wild Trout Waters while a section of Beaverdam Run, Somerset County was removed from the Class A list.
A total of 78 stream sections were added to a list of stream supporting natural reproduction of trout (wild trout) and limits were adjusted for 13 other waters already on this list.
Added rusty crayfish and ruffe to the list of injurious, non-native species for which transportation, barter, sale, purchase, importation and possession is illegal.
Moved to seek public comment on a mandatory wearing of approved lifejackets for persons on board boats less than 16 feet and all canoes and kayaks. The Commission is interested in commentary on mandatory wear year-round or for the period October 1 – May 31.
Solicited public comment on a proposal to remove miscellaneous special regulations from six different small waters and unify them into a new Catch and Release Lake program. If adopted on a final vote at a later time, waters in the program will be managed for year-round fishing on a no-kill basis.
Added a 1.2-mile section of Pine Creek, Lycoming County, to the Delayed Harvest, Artificial Lures Only Program. The designation will go into effect on January 1, 2007, from the confluence with Slate Run downstream to a point 150 meters above the confluence with Naval Run.
Extended by half a mile the limits of the existing Delayed Harvest, Artificial Lures Only section of McMichaels Creek, Monroe County. Starting January 1, 2007, the section limits will be from a point 0.71 miles downstream of Turkey Hollow Road Bridge to the Glenbrook Road Bridge, a distance of 1.66 miles.
Removed special fishing regulations from a 2.4-mile portion of Spring Brook and 2.5-mile section of Panther Creek in Lackawanna County. The Commission has been informed by the current private landowner that public fishing will no longer be permitted.
Adjusted the subscription price on the Commission’s Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Magazine to $12 annually and $30 for a three-year subscription effective in 2007.
Supported seeking an expansion of youth fishing programs through legislation that would create a new, low-cost, all-inclusive license for anglers 12-15.
Approved a $44,000 contribution to the Natural Lands Trust for the acquisition of an 82-acre tract along Unami Creek in Montgomery County.
Adopted language clarifying the definition of “Approved Trout Waters.”
Removed miscellaneous special regulations no longer in effect on Cross Creek Lake, Washington County.
Formalized a committee for the selection of the Ralph W. Abele Conservation Heritage Award.
Approved a staff reorganization within the Bureau of Fisheries that creates a Habitat Management Division.
Proposed prohibiting the harvest of grass carp from Harris Pond, Luzerne County.
Adopted a notice of proposed rulemaking for updates to licensing issuing agent requirements that reflect the move to an updated, electronically based licensing system.
Accepted for detailed review a petition to raise the horsepower restriction for boats on Sugar Lake, Crawford County, from 6 to 10.
Designated a 250-yard section of Wykoff Run, Cameron County, for the exclusive use of children or special populations.
Under the new regulation, all waters in Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York counties will begin the first Saturday after March 28. Currently, the statewide opening day for the Pennsylvania trout season is established as the first Saturday after April 11. So in 2007, the trout season will begin March 31 in the 18-county region while the rest of the state will see trout season open April 14.
“Starting the trout season earlier in parts of Pennsylvania expands fishing opportunities and improves our stocking and management efforts,” said PFBC Executive Director Doug Austen. “Opening Day has long been a time of great anticipation for anglers. This change, along with stocking trout statewide that are 30% larger on average, promises to add more excitement in 2007 to an already popular pursuit.”
Differences exist in climate across Pennsylvania and the time frame for providing optimum conditions for trout angling during the spring is earlier in portions of southern Pennsylvania. Warmer temperatures there provide conditions better suited for trout angling at an earlier time in the spring. However, these same warming conditions also can limit trout angling opportunities by mid-spring. The combination of a mid-April opening day and the potential for these waters to become too warm for trout angling by mid-May constricts the amount of time that trout angling can be provided.
Another issue that an earlier opening day in southeastern Pennsylvania addresses is the potential for movement of stocked trout prior to opening day, as well as the fact that some fish die between the time of stocking and opening day. The staggered opening days will provide the opportunity to stock trout in southeastern Pennsylvania earlier for the earlier opening day and shift the stocking to the other regions for the later opening day. This will effectively help to shorten the times between stocking and opening day throughout the state.
In a related move, the Commission made adjustments to regulations for possessing a trout/salmon permit, notably amending the rules so that any person fishing in streams and rivers that are approved trout waters from March 1 through May 31 must possess and display a valid permit. This change was necessitated by the earlier opening day and also reflects the period when the Commission is most actively stocking trout.
Among actions, the Commission:
Created year-round fishing seasons on inland water for muskellunge, hybrids, northern pike and pickerel. Starting in 2007, the daily creel limit for muskellunge will become one fish of at least 40 inches in length. The limit for northern pike will remain at 2 fish of at least 24 inches in length, while the limits for pickerel will be a maximum of four fish at least 18 inches long.
In related actions, the Commission also adopted a new special regulations program where the minimum size limit for muskellunge and musky hybrids will be 45 inches. The Commission also moved to solicit public comment on designating certain waters Brood Stock Lakes where fishing for musky, musky hybrids, pike and pickerel will be on a catch and release only basis April 1 through May 31.
Adopted an omnibus package of regulations related to the management of reptiles and amphibians. Among the many changes are a new minimum size limit of 42 inches with 21 or more subcaudal scales for the taking of timber rattlesnakes, a $25 permit ($50 for non-residents) for the hunting or taking of venomous snakes, a similar permit for the taking of snapping turtles, a provisional possession permit for individuals involved in permitted snake hunts, and rules governing the artificial propagation of native species and color morphs.
Made alterations to listings of wild trout waters. Sections of Plum and Halter creeks in Blair County were added to the list of Class A Wild Trout Waters while a section of Beaverdam Run, Somerset County was removed from the Class A list.
A total of 78 stream sections were added to a list of stream supporting natural reproduction of trout (wild trout) and limits were adjusted for 13 other waters already on this list.
Added rusty crayfish and ruffe to the list of injurious, non-native species for which transportation, barter, sale, purchase, importation and possession is illegal.
Moved to seek public comment on a mandatory wearing of approved lifejackets for persons on board boats less than 16 feet and all canoes and kayaks. The Commission is interested in commentary on mandatory wear year-round or for the period October 1 – May 31.
Solicited public comment on a proposal to remove miscellaneous special regulations from six different small waters and unify them into a new Catch and Release Lake program. If adopted on a final vote at a later time, waters in the program will be managed for year-round fishing on a no-kill basis.
Added a 1.2-mile section of Pine Creek, Lycoming County, to the Delayed Harvest, Artificial Lures Only Program. The designation will go into effect on January 1, 2007, from the confluence with Slate Run downstream to a point 150 meters above the confluence with Naval Run.
Extended by half a mile the limits of the existing Delayed Harvest, Artificial Lures Only section of McMichaels Creek, Monroe County. Starting January 1, 2007, the section limits will be from a point 0.71 miles downstream of Turkey Hollow Road Bridge to the Glenbrook Road Bridge, a distance of 1.66 miles.
Removed special fishing regulations from a 2.4-mile portion of Spring Brook and 2.5-mile section of Panther Creek in Lackawanna County. The Commission has been informed by the current private landowner that public fishing will no longer be permitted.
Adjusted the subscription price on the Commission’s Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Magazine to $12 annually and $30 for a three-year subscription effective in 2007.
Supported seeking an expansion of youth fishing programs through legislation that would create a new, low-cost, all-inclusive license for anglers 12-15.
Approved a $44,000 contribution to the Natural Lands Trust for the acquisition of an 82-acre tract along Unami Creek in Montgomery County.
Adopted language clarifying the definition of “Approved Trout Waters.”
Removed miscellaneous special regulations no longer in effect on Cross Creek Lake, Washington County.
Formalized a committee for the selection of the Ralph W. Abele Conservation Heritage Award.
Approved a staff reorganization within the Bureau of Fisheries that creates a Habitat Management Division.
Proposed prohibiting the harvest of grass carp from Harris Pond, Luzerne County.
Adopted a notice of proposed rulemaking for updates to licensing issuing agent requirements that reflect the move to an updated, electronically based licensing system.
Accepted for detailed review a petition to raise the horsepower restriction for boats on Sugar Lake, Crawford County, from 6 to 10.
Designated a 250-yard section of Wykoff Run, Cameron County, for the exclusive use of children or special populations.