Meeting Summary
HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 27) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) began its quarterly business meeting by thanking anglers, agency staff, and volunteers for a safe and successful start to the 2026 trout season and promoting the plentiful fishing and boating opportunities that are just beginning as warmer spring temperatures arrive.
"With spring in full swing and even warmer summer temperatures not far behind, this is a truly special time of year to get outside and enjoy fishing and boating,” said John Mahn, Jr., PFBC President and District 2 Commissioner. "I appreciate the crowds of anglers that have been turning out for the first few weeks of trout season, including those who continue to assist our hatchery staff and Waterways Conservation Officers as they stock hundreds of waters statewide through Memorial Day. As water temperatures begin to warm up, the bass, panfish, and catfish action really begins to heat up on our rivers and lakes, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of the world-class Walleye fishery on Lake Erie beginning in May. As always, if you plan to fish from a boat, please remember to wear your life jacket."
Executive Director’s Report
In his report to the Board, Executive Director Tim Schaeffer reminded anglers and boaters that the PFBC's cold weather life jacket requirement remains in effect from November 1 through April 30. During this time, anyone aboard a boat less than 16 feet in length, including all canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards, is required to wear a life jacket. In addition, the PFBC and many other organizations throughout the Commonwealth will partner with the National Safe Boating Council to celebrate National Safe Boating Week from May 16-22, 2026.
Schaeffer also recognized and complimented the work of the PFBC’s Bureau of Law Enforcement during a special assignment to assist with security efforts during the recent NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. From April 23 through 25, Waterways Conservation Officers assisted the United States Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit, Pittsburgh, to enforce a security zone on local waterways to ensure public safety, safeguard hundreds of thousands of event participants, and protect the maritime transportation system.
“This unique opportunity to serve our community during a high profile event like the NFL Draft once again proves that being a Waterways Conservation Officer is a career like none other,” added Colonel Jeffrey Sabo, Director of the PFBC’s Bureau of Law Enforcement. “As we like to say, no day is ever the same. Especially for our officers who have served in the City of Pittsburgh and the surrounding Three Rivers during their careers, to be part of this special assignment is something they will never forget.”
Fisheries
Commissioners voted to authorize the publication of proposed rulemaking pertaining to the minimum size limit for harvesting trout. Under this proposal,
58 Pa. Code § 61.1 (Commonwealth Inland Waters),
58 Pa. Code § 65.19(Stocked Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing),
58 Pa. Code § 65.24 (Miscellaneous Special Regulations), and
58 Pa. Code § 65.26 (Extended Trout Season) would be amended to increase the minimum size limit (MSL) for trout from seven to nine inches.
The MSL for trout was last amended in 1983, when it was increased from six to seven inches, to provide additional protection to wild Brook Trout populations.
Based on analysis of Brook Trout data from electrofishing surveys over the past decade, PFBC staff determined that an increase in MSL from seven to nine inches for trout would prohibit the harvest of more than 99% of the state’s wild Brook Trout. Staff also evaluated angler opinion data that was collected through the PFBC’s
2023 Pennsylvania Trout Angler Survey (Trout Survey), which specifically asked anglers, “Would you support or oppose an increase of the minimum to nine inches to provide protection of wild Brook Trout?,” to which 85% expressed support. Harvesting trout, regardless of species or origin (i.e., stocked versus wild), was not ranked as one of the top three reasons anglers fish for trout in Pennsylvania.
It should be noted that the increase in MSL from seven to nine inches will have little or no impact on anglers’ ability to harvest stocked trout. The average size of a standard trout produced at a PFBC state fish hatchery and stocked into the waters of the Commonwealth is 11 inches, with most cooperative nurseries also producing similar sized trout for stocking in public waterways.
If approved on final rulemaking at a future meeting, the amendments will go into effect January 1, 2027.
The Board voted to authorize the publication of proposed rulemaking pertaining to General Fishing Regulations. Under this proposal,
58 Pa. Code Chapter 63 would be amended to establish a formal definition for how to measure fish length. The PFBC advises anglers how to measure fish in the
Pennsylvania Fishing Summary book; however, no formal definition is present in Title 58. Per
Addendum III to Amendment 7 of the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) requires that states define total length for the purposes of measuring Atlantic Striped Bass to determine compliance with size limits associated with both commercial and recreational fisheries. Adding a formal definition, as follows, would meet the ASFMC requirement while applying to all other species of fish across the Commonwealth:
“Total length is defined as the greatest straight-line length as measured on a fish while laid flat on its side with its mouth closed from the most forward tip of the jaw or snout to the farthest extent of the tail with the upper and lower tail lobes compressed or squeezed together.”
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.
Commissioners voted to authorize the publication of proposed rulemaking pertaining to Miscellaneous Special Regulations for catfish within the Ohio River Basin. Under this proposal, which would apply to multiple counties,
58 Pa. Code § 65.24 would be amended to implement catch-and-release regulations for **Blue Catfish. Additionally, a four fish per day creel limit for Flathead Catfish would be implemented with only one of the four flatheads being greater than or equal to 35 inches in length. For all other species of catfish, and in lakes within the Ohio River Basin, Commonwealth Inland Waters regulations would apply. These proposed regulations would replace the current 50-fish-per-day limit on catfish with no minimum size, in which catfish are included among panfish. The goal of this proposed change is to enhance protections for Blue Catfish, which are the focus of a historic reintroduction plan by the PFBC within the Three Rivers, and prevent the potential overexploitation of Flathead Catfish and conserve trophy-sized fish. If approved on final rulemaking at a future meeting, this amendment will go into effect January 1, 2027.
**Note that while Blue Catfish are a native species within the Ohio River Basin, they are not native to the Atlantic Slope basins in Pennsylvania including the Delaware River, Potomac River, Susquehanna River, and Lake Erie, and are considered highly invasive outside of their native range. Adverse impacts have affected fisheries where non-native Blue Catfish have been introduced including predation on threatened or endangered native species and commercially or recreationally valuable species. It is illegal for individuals to stock Blue Catfish into any water of Commonwealth.
The Board voted to authorize the publication of proposed rulemaking pertaining to Limitations on Gear. Under this proposal,
58 Pa. Code § 69.24 would be amended to increase the number of licensed trap netters that are permitted to operate from the same boat at the same time, from two to three. In 2025, PFBC staff consulted the three licensed commercial fishers, all of which operate on Lake Erie for the purpose of harvesting Yellow Perch, and determined that this change is warranted. 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.
Commissioners voted to add Hammond Lake, Tioga County, to the Panfish Enhancement Program (
58 Pa. Code § 65.11) for crappies. Hammond Lake is a 640-acre lake owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and managed by the PFBC. Panfish evaluations conducted in 2024 documented robust Black Crappie and White Crappie populations, with the majority of the fish captured being greater than 10 inches in total length. Given unique size structure and the propensity of anglers to harvest crappies, a more restrictive regulation is needed to conserve and enhance the fishery. Panfish Enhancement regulations allow for year-round harvest of crappies (Black Crappie and White Crappie) greater than or equal to nine inches in length with a daily limit of 20. When Panfish Enhancement regulations in a waterway apply to one species, the creel limit is 20 for that species with the total creel not to exceed 50 panfish combined. All other fish species not managed under these special regulations will be managed under Commonwealth Inland Waters angling regulations (
58 Pa. Code § 61.1). This designation will go into effect upon publication of a second notice in the
Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The Board voted to approve the addition of 28 new waters to the PFBC's list of Class A wild trout streams, 39 waters to the PFBC’s list of wild trout streams, and the revision of the section limits of six water currently listed. A list of waters proposed waters for
Class A wild trout and
wild trout stream designation can be found in the
Pennsylvania Bulletin. All of these additions and revisions will go into effect upon publication of a second notice in the
Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Boating Facility Grants Awarded
Executive
The Board voted to give final approval to a rulemaking pertaining to Administrative Provisions (
58 Pa. Code Chapter 51). In 2025, the Pennsylvania Fiscal Code was amended to permit the PFBC to use Fish Fund moneys for expenditures related to boats and boating that also benefit fish and fishing, and Boat Fund moneys for expenditures related to fish and fishing that also benefit boats and boating. Previously, no crossover of funds was permitted, leading to inefficiency and higher costs for anglers and boaters. Under this change, 58 Pa. Code Chapter 51 will be amended to memorialize the fund flexibility created by the amendment to the Fiscal Code. This amendment will go into effect upon publication of a second notice in the
Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Commissioners voted to authorize the publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking pertaining to public comments at committee meetings. Under this proposal,
58 Pa. Code § 51.7 would be amended to indicate that public comments for virtual committee meetings will be accepted on a date prior to the meeting via telephonic message or other appropriate format determined by the presiding officer. This amendment also ensures that the meeting agenda is published prior to the public comment period. While this form of public comment has become the standard for virtual meetings in recent years, this amendment would memorialize the format in Title 58. If adopted on final rulemaking at a future meeting, this amendment would go into effect upon publication of a second notice in the
Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The Board voted to authorize the publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking pertaining to Petitions or Requests for Regulations. Under this proposal,
58 Pa. Code § 51.6 would be amended to provide further instruction on returned proposals and to direct that the initial staff review will be the final administrative adjudication of the PFBC for proposals that do not meet the threshold substantive requirements set forth in 58 Pa. Code § 51.6 (b)(1). If adopted on final rulemaking, this amendment would go into effect upon publication of a second notice in the
Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Property Services
The Board voted to authorize the lease of property at Mauch Chunk Lake, located in the boroughs of Summit Hill and Jim Thorpe, Carbon County. Under this agreement, the PFBC would lease 641 acres of property around Mauch Chunk Lake and dam to Carbon County for 25 years. The County already leases the property for recreational purposes, including fishing and boating, and this agreement would serve as a renewal. Under the terms of the agreement, Carbon County will be responsible for the maintenance of the area around the lake. The PFBC will be responsible for fishery and aquatic resource management.
Commissioners voted to authorize the lease of property at Harris Pond, located in Ross Township, Luzerne County. Under this agreement, the PFBC would lease a 13.9-acre parcel along County Road 1, south of the impoundment, to Ross Township for 25 years. The Township already leases the property for recreational uses, including baseball fields and other amenities, and this agreement would serve as a renewal. Under the terms of the agreement, the Township will be responsible for the routine maintenance, operation, repair and supervision of the leased area.
The Board voted to approve the disposition of property in Solebury Township, Bucks County. Under this agreement, Solebury Township will pay $3,700 to the PFBC for .245 acres known as Ingham Springs. In 2009, the PFBC sold an adjoining 47 acres or property to the Township, which has been used as a park and natural area. While the PFBC retained a conservation easement on the property and control of the Springs to protect the aquatic resource and to consider using property as a water source for a hatchery, the PFBC has determined that it will not require the Springs for a hatchery. Under the terms of this agreement, the PFBC will retain a conservation easement on the Springs, as well as a right of first refusal should the Township decide to sell the Springs in the future. The Township will be responsible for all costs associated with the conveyance including recording costs. Staff will adhere to the PFBC’s standard practices for the disposition of the property.
Special Announcements
The PFBC's remaining quarterly business meetings in 2026 are scheduled for the following dates:
· July 27, 2026
· October 26, 2026
The July 2026 meeting will be held at the PFBC headquarters located at 1601 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The location of the October 2026 meeting will be announced at a later date.
