2012PENNSYLVANIA FISHING SUMMARY Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws

NEW: CATCH AND RELEASE BASS REGULATIONS ON SUSQUEHANNA AND JUNIATA RIVERS NOW HAVE A CLOSED SEASON AND EXTEND TO TRIBUTARY PORTIONS, see page 5.

2 TROUT OPENERS Regular Opening Day 18 Southeastern AND Counties March 31 April 14 for Trout Statewide www.fishandboat.com WELCOME TO GREAT FISHING FOR 2012

QUICKVIEW of Summary Contents REGULATIONS BY LOCATION (all fish species) Inland Waters 8 Delaware River and estuary 10 The mission of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and Lake Erie and tributary streams 11 enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources Pymatuning Reservoir 12 and provide fishing and boating opportunities. Conowingo Reservoir 12 WHAT’s New FOR 2012 Catch and Release Lakes Program 28 l Catch and Release Regulations for Largemouth Miscellaneous Waters 30 and Smallmouth Bass on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers now have a closed season and extend to tributary portions, see page 5. REGULATIONS BY SPECIES l Lake Erie walleye and perch limits are set Catch and Release Bass (Juniata River and Susquehanna River) 5 annually by the PFBC Executive Director. l River herring in Lehigh River and tributaries, Big Bass Program 9 Schuylkill River and tributaries, Delaware River, Brood Stock Lakes Program 29 tributaries and estuary, and Conowingo Reservoir have closed year-round season with zero daily limit. Panfish Enhancement Special Regulations 29 l Changes have been made to regional approved Reptiles & Amphibians 31 trout waters, starting on page 15. l An angler may now use a maximum of three lines fished either by rod or hand when fishing for TROUT FISHING REGULATIONS gamefish, baitfish or both, see page 34. Trout Fishing Regulations 13 l Beginning November 1, 2012, boaters are required to wear life jackets on boats less than 16 Southeast Region 15 feet in length or any canoe or kayak from November Southcentral Region 16 1 through April 30, see page 36. l PA Saltwater Registry Program, see page 25. Southwest Region 18 Northwest Region 19 FISH-FOR-FREE DAYS Northcentral Region 20 ARE YOUR Northeast Region 23 FISHING HOLIDAYS! MEMORIAL DAY, Monday, May 28 REQUIREMENTS & LAW LABOR DAY, Monday, September 3 Fishing Licenses 32 No fishing license is needed to fish on either of these days. It’s a great way to introduce someone to the Permits 33 world of fishing. Check the Commission’s website for General Regulations 34 events. Remember that all other regulations apply. Tackle, Equipment and Bait 34 ALWAYS Unlawful Acts, BUI and Life Jackets 35 WEAR YOUR PFBC Property and Dog Regulations 37 LIFE JACKET. Fish Consumption Advisory 38 Some 80% of boating fatalities Reporting Pollution 41 happen to Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Clean Your Gear! 42 boaters who PENNSYLVANIA! are not wearing For more detailed reference, see index on page 45. a life jacket. This booklet is a summary of the laws and regulations applicable to fish and fishing in Pennsylvania WATER POLLUTION? in effect or proposed as of September 27, 2011. It is not, nor is it intended to portray, a verbatim reproduction of the text of the laws and regulations. Users are advised that regulations summarized REPORT IT! in this book are subject to changes, which, as made, are printed in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Official PFBC TOLL-FREE HOTLINE text is found in 58 Pa. Code and online at: www.pacode.com. For detailed and up-to-date information, 855-FISH-KIL contact the nearest office of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Cover artwork: “Brook Trout” by Pennsylvania This publication is partially paid for through the sale of advertising. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat artist Ken Hunter. For information about prints of this Commission neither endorses products or services listed nor accepts any liability arising from the use art, contact Hill Country Gallery at 570-437-2928. of listed products or services. ©2012 Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission

TO2012 FIND Pennsylvania THE STOCKING Summary DAY OFof Fishing TROUT Regulations STREAMS AND and LawsLAKES NEAR YOU, VISIT www.fishandboat.com WWW.FISHANDBOAT.COM. 3 PFBC CONTACTS/LICENSE DISPLAY

Use the following contacts for answers to your questions or better yet, go online to the PFBC website (www.fishandboat.com) for a wealth of information about fishing and boating. WHY SHOULD FOR MORE INFORMATION: I DISPLAY MY FISHING LICENSE? STATE HEADQUARTERS PLEASANT GAP COMPLEX FISHING LICENSES: 1601 Elmerton Avenue 450 Robinson Lane Phone: (877) 707-4085 P.O. Box 67000 Bellefonte, PA 16823 Why should anglers be required to display their bOAT REGISTRATION/TITLING: Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000 Phone: (814) 359-5100 licenses when fishing? The Pennsylvania Fish Phone: (866) 262-8734 Phone: (717) 705-7800 Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. & Boat Commission believes that open display Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday PUBLICATIONS: of fishing licenses is more convenient for the an- Monday through Friday BOATING SAFETY Phone: (717) 705-7835 gler, makes enforcement more effective and less PFBC WEBSITE: EDUCATION COURSES intrusive and encourages compliance with fishing www.fishandboat.com Phone: (888) 723-4741 FOLLOW US ON: license requirements. When an angler’s license is checked by a law enforcement officer, it is much more convenient REGION OFFICES: LAW ENFORCEMENT/EDUCATION and less disruptive if the license is displayed. It’s Contact Law Enforcement for information about regulations and fishing and boating opportunities. true that a detailed check of the license will re- Contact Education for information about fishing and boating programs and boating safety education. quire a close inspection of the license information and other identification, but in many cases our of- Northwest Region Southcentral Region ficers do a cursory check to just make sure the 11528 SH 98, Meadville, PA 16335 1704 Pine Road, Newville, PA 17241 person has a current valid license and trout stamp Law Enforcement: Education: Law Enforcement: Education: (if required). Instead of asking every angler to (814) 337-0444 (814) 336-2426 (717) 486-7087 (717) 486-7352 pull their license out of their wallet, the officer can Fax (814) 337-0579 Fax (814) 337-0579 Fax (717) 486-8227 Fax (717) 486-8227 simply check it on their cap or vest. This is bet- Counties: Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Counties: Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, ter for both the angler and the officer. What most Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Warren Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, anglers do not realize is the fact that an officer Juniata, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, York SOUTHWEST REGION may have conducted a license compliance check 236 Lake Road, Somerset, PA 15501 NORTHEAST REGION by utilizing binoculars to determine if they were Law Enforcement: Education: 5566 Main Road, Sweet Valley, PA 18656 properly licensed. If the angler was not in violation (814) 445-8974 (814) 443-9841 Law Enforcement: Education: of any other rules or regulations, the officer gener- Fax (814) 445-3497 Fax (814) 445-3497 (570) 477-5717 (570) 477-2206 ally does not interrupt the angler’s fishing time by Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Fax (570) 477-3221 (570) 477-2621 conducting a one on one license check. Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Counties: Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, It’s hard to overstate the importance of peer Washington, Westmoreland Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, pressure among sportsmen. We believe that Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming anglers respond positively to the peer pressure NORTHCENTRAL REGION brought by fellow anglers. When display of a fish- 1150 Spring Creek Road SOUTHEAST REGION ing license is required, as it is now, it is obvious to Bellefonte, PA 16823 P.O. Box 9, Elm, PA 17521 everyone around who is in compliance and who is Law Enforcement: Education: Law Enforcement: Education: not. Peer pressure encourages compliance, and (814) 359-5250 (814) 359-5193 (717) 626-0228 (717) 626-9081 the display of the fishing license makes it clear Fax (814) 359-5254 Fax (814) 359-5153 (717) 626-0486 Fax (717) 626-0486 to all on the waters who has a license and who Counties: Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Counties: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, may not. If display were not required, we believe Clinton, Elk, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, compliance with license requirements would be Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Philadelphia, Schuylkill reduced. Tioga, Union The Commission believes the current regula- tions work well and represent a balanced ap- proach to this issue. The Commission receives STATE FISH HATCHERIES few complaints about license display require- BELLEFONTE* BENNER SPRING OSWAYO* REYNOLDSDALE* ments. Remember, our regulations require issu- 1115 Spring Creek Road RESEARCH STATION 96 State Route 244 East 162 Fish Hatchery Road ance of a warning for a first violation of the display Bellefonte, PA 16823 1225 Shiloh Road Coudersport, PA 16915 New Paris, PA 15554 requirement. The Commission has taken positive (814) 355-3371 State College, PA 16801 (814) 698-2102 (814) 839-2211 action to address some of the concerns expressed CORRY* (814) 355-4837 PLEASANT GAP* TIONESTA* by those who don’t like the current display require- 13365 Route 6 HUNTSDALE* 450 Robinson Lane 172 Fish Hatchery Lane ment. One of these concerns was that an angler Corry, PA 16407 195 Lebo Road Pleasant Gap, PA 16823 Tionesta, PA 16353 will leave his license on a favorite hat or vest and (814) 664-2122 Carlisle, PA 17013 (814) 359-5121 (814) 755-3524 then find himself in a situation where he or she (717) 486-3419 FAIRVIEW PLEASANT MOUNT* TYLERSVILLE wants to go fishing and doesn’t have a license. 2000 Lohrer Road LINESVILLE* P.O. Box 3 43 Hatchery Lane The Commission modified its regulations to pro- Fairview, PA 16415 13300 Hartstown Road Pleasant Mount, PA Loganton, PA 17747 (814) 474-1514 Linesville, PA 16424 18453 (570) 725-3965 vide a systematic approach to deal with persons (814) 683-4451 (570) 448-2101 who are caught fishing without a license in pos- UNION CITY session and gives that person who already has a * Includes visitor center. Visitors are welcome 9450 Route 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Union City, PA 16438 fishing license, but doesn’t have it with him seven Groups should make advance arrangements. (814) 664-2122 days to produce the license and avoid a fine.

4 www.fishandboat.com 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws FOR NEW2012

AND TRIBUTARY PORTIONS

Tributaries affected by this regulation include: Acker Run Cook Creek Klines Run Armstrong Creek Counselman Run Kreutz Creek Bailey Run Cove Creek Little Buffalo Creek Bargers Run Cuffs Run Little Juniata Creek Board Run Dalmatia Creek Locust Run Boile Run Delaware Creek Losh Run Boyds Run Doe Run Mahala Run Boyers Run Donegal Creek Mahanoy Creek Shippens Run Brubaker Run Dry Run Mahantango Creek Shumans Run Bucks Run Dugan Run Manns Run Silver Creek Buffalo Creek Duncan Run Marsh Run Snitz Creek Bull Run Fidlers Run Oakland Run Spring Creek Burd Run Fisherman Run Otter Creek Stamans Run Buser Run Fishing Creek Paxton Creek Stony Creek Cabin Creek Frys Run Penns Creek Strickler Run Canadochly Creek Green Branch Pequea Creek Sugar Run Chapman Creek Gurdy Run Powell Creek Swatara Creek Chiques Creek Hallowing Run Raccoon Creek Tobe Run Clark Creek Hartman Run Reed Run Tucquan Creek Cocolamus Creek Herrold Run Reiders Run Tuscarora Creek Codorus Creek Hoffer Creek Rolling Green Run West Branch Wilson Run Conestoga River House Rock Run Sawmill Run Mahantango Creek Wisslers Run Conewago Creek Howe Run Sealholtz Run White Run Witmers Run Conodoguinet Hunters Run Shamokin Creek Wiconisco Creek Wrights Run Creek Independence Run Shawnee Run Wildcat Run Yellow Breeches Conoy Creek Kellys Run Sherman Creek Wildcat Run Creek

SMALLMOUTH AND LARGEMOUTH BASS–CATCH AND RELEASE Counties Waters Season/Special Regulations Cumberland, Susquehanna River (98.0 miles) From 12:01 a.m. on May 1 through June 15: Dauphin, Juniata, from the in atable dam near Sunbury CLOSED SEASON, NO TOURNAMENTS. During the Lancaster, downstream to Holtwood Dam, closed season, it is unlawful to target or attempt to Northumberland, including all tributaries to a point catch a bass. A bass that is accidentally caught during Perry, Snyder, York 1/2 mile upstream from the con uence. the closed season must be immediately released unharmed without being removed from the water. It is Dauphin, Juniata River (31.7 miles) from SR0075 unlawful to possess bass in, on or along these waters. Juniata, Perry bridge at Port Royal downstream to the Remainder of the year: NO HARVEST FOR MOREmouth, BOATING including all tributaries INFORMATION: to a point CATCH AND IMMEDIATE RELEASE ONLY; catch- 1/2 mile upstream from the con uence. measure-immediate release tournaments only.

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws www.fishandboat.com 5 ALL FISH SPECIES–INLAND WATERS COMMONWEALTH INLAND WATERS-2012 (includes the Youghiogheny River Lake and does not include special regulation areas or endangered and threatened species not shown on this chart.) Species Seasons Minimum Size Daily Limit All Species of Trout and Salmon Regional Opening Day of Trout Season* - March 31 at 7 inches 5-streams, lakes and ponds 8 a.m. through Sept. 3 (only 18 southeastern PA counties) (combined species)

Regular Season - April 14 at 8 a.m. through Sept. 3 7 inches 5-streams, lakes and ponds (combined species) Extended Season: Approved trout waters and all 7 inches 3 (combined species) waters downstream of approved trout waters. Jan. 1 through Feb. 29 and Sept. 4 through Dec. 31 Additional regulations may apply- see Trout Regulations-page 13-24 Bass-Lakes Jan. 1 through April 13 and Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 15 inches 4 (combined species) Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted April 14 through June 15 NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted) Additional regulations may apply- l see pages 5 and 9 June 16 through Oct. 31 12 inches 6 (combined species) Bass-Rivers and Streams Jan. 1 through April 13 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 15 inches 4 (combined species) Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted April 14 through June 15 NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted) Additional regulations may apply- l see pages 5 and 9 June 16 through Sept. 30 12 inches 6 (combined species) Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge** Open year-round 40 inches 1 (combined species) Pickerel** 18 inches 4 Northern Pike** 24 inches 2 (combined species) Walleye and Saugeye (Hybrids) Jan. 1 through March 14 and May 5 through Dec. 31 15 inches 6 Sauger Jan. 1 through March 14 and May 5 through Dec. 31 12 inches 6 American Shad*** Open year-round No minimum 3 American Shad Open year-round - Lehigh River, Schuylkill River**** and tributaries No minimum 1 American Shad CLOSED YEAR-ROUND l River Herring*** Susquehanna River and tributaries Hickory Shad*** CLOSED YEAR-ROUND Herring, Gizzard Shad*** Open year-round No minimum 50 (combined species) American Eel Open year-round 8 inches 50 Striped Bass and Striped Bass/ Open year-round 20 inches 2 (combined species) White Bass Hybrids Sunfish, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Open year-round No minimum 50 (combined species) Crappies, Catfish, Rock Bass, Suckers, Carp, White Bass and other gamefish not otherwise listed Additional regulations may apply- see Panfish Enhancement Special Regulations-page 29 Baitfish/Fishbait(except Mudbugs and Mussels/Clams) Open year-round No minimum 50 (combined species) American Eel (as Baitfish) Open year-round 6 to 8 inches 50 Mudbugs (Dragonfly Nymphs) Open year-round No minimum Unlimited if taken from lakes, ponds, swamps and adjacent areas. 50 per day if taken from moving waters (rivers and streams) Mussels/Clams CLOSED YEAR-ROUND Paddlefish CLOSED YEAR-ROUND Seasons, sizes and creel limits – Except for trout season, daily limit applied to Lehigh River and tributaries, Schuylkill pools on the Ohio River drainage are “rivers.” It is unlawful which begins at 8 a.m., all regulatory periods in the fishing River and tributaries, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware to conduct a fishing tournament on the North Branch, West regulations are based on the calendar day, one of which ends River, Delaware estuary, Delaware River tributaries upstream Branch or main stem of the Susquehanna River that allows at midnight and the next of which begins immediately thereafter. to the limit of the tidal influence, and Conowingo Reservoir. a tournament angler to harvest bass. * Includes only those waters in 18 southeastern PA counties and **** Schuylkill River upstream of the I-95 bridge and its NOTE: Approved trout waters are closed to fishing from two waters crossing from those counties listed in the Regional tributaries. March 1 to the opening day of the regular trout season in Opening Day of Trout Season Program (see pages 15-16). NOTE: It is not a violation of the bass regulations if a bass April, unless included in the Early Season Trout-Stocked ** Except those species in waters listed in the Brood Stock is immediately returned unharmed to the waters from which Waters Program or Regional Opening Day of Trout Lakes Program. Tiger muskellunge is a muskellunge hybrid. it was taken. It is unlawful for an angler to cast repeatedly Season Program or Approved Trout Waters open to *** Unlawful to take, catch or kill American shad, hickory shad into a clearly visible bass spawning nest or redd in an effort Year-Round Fishing Program. (endangered species), river herring (alewife and blueback to catch or take bass. NOTE: Landlocked alewife less than 8 inches in length taken herring) in the Susquehanna River and all its tributaries. River NOTE: For bass regulations, power dam pools and recreational from inland ponds, lakes or reservoirs that are collected herring also has a closed year-round season with zero dam pools on the Susquehanna River and navigational dam by legal means may be harvested for use as baitfish.

8 www.fishandboat.com l =NEW 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws LARGEMOUTH, SMALLMOUTH, SPOTTED BASS BIG BASS PROGRAM Hoow t measure a fish Special Regulations Tail slightly compressed These special regulations apply to largemouth, Tail in natural position smallmouth and spotted bass in the waters listed below. Approved trout lakes that are in the Big Bass Program Close mouth are closed to all fishing from March 1 until the opening to measure day of the trout season, unless listed in the Early Season Trout-Stocked Waters Program (indicated below by an asterisk). Those lakes designated below with an asterisk are closed to fishing from April 1 until 8 a.m. on opening day of trout season. For all other species, inland regulations apply. NOTE: For purposes of this section, navigational dam pools in the Ohio River drain- age are “rivers.” Anglers that harvest bass on a tributary to the waters managed under the Big Bass Program Fork length: Not used in Pennsylvania. who later enter the special regulation area with fish in possession must abide by the special regulation area Total length:This is the measurement Commission biologists and law season, sizes and creel limits. enforcement personnel use. Compress tail slightly to obtain this measurement. RIVERS AND STREAMS LAKES Season Minimum Size Daily Limit Season Minimum Size Daily Limit Jan. 1 through 18 inches 2 (combined species) Jan. 1 through 15 inches 4 (combined species) April 13 and Oct. 1 April 13 and through Dec. 31 June 16 through Dec. 31 April 14 through NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only June 15 (no tournaments permitted) April 14 through NO HARVEST- Catch and immediate release only June 15 (no tournaments permitted) June 16 through 4 (combined species) Sept. 30 15 inches

Waters Governed by These Regulations * closed to fishing from April 1 until 8 a.m. on opening day of trout

County Water County Water County Water Allegheny Upper, Middle and Carbon Mauch Chunk Lake Monroe/Wayne Gouldsboro Lake Lower Deer Lakes Centre Colyer Lake Montour Lake Chillisquaque Allegheny North Park Lake Chester Chambers Lake Northampton Minsi Lake Armstrong Keystone Lake Chester Marsh Creek Lake Perry Little Buffalo Lake Beaver Lower Hereford (State Park) (Holman Lake) Manor Lake* Clarion/Venango Kahle Lake Somerset Lake Somerset Beaver Bradys Run Lake* Crawford Sugar Lake Somerset Quemahoning Reservoir Berks Blue Marsh Lake Crawford Tamarack Lake Venango Two Mile Run Reservoir Berks Carsonia Lake Fayette Indian Creek Reservoir (Justus Lake*) Berks Hopewell Lake (Mill Run Reservoir) Washington Cross Creek Lake Berks Kearcher Creek Dam Indiana Yellow Creek Lake Wayne Lower Woods Pond Bedford Shawnee Lake (State Park) (State Park) Westmoreland Bridgeport Reservoir Blair Canoe Creek Lake (State Park) Jefferson Kyle Lake Westmoreland Keystone Lake (State Park)* to include two small ponds Lackawanna Lackawanna Lake Westmoreland Twin Lakes Number One and raceway adjacent to (State Park)* Reservoir (lower)* Canoe Lake* Lancaster Speedwell Forge Lake Westmoreland Mammoth Dam* Bucks Lake Towhee Lebanon Memorial Lake (State Park) Westmoreland Northmoreland Lake* Bucks Nockamixon Lake (State Park) Luzerne Frances Slocum Lake Westmoreland Twin Lake Number Two Butler Lake Arthur (State Park) Reservoir (upper)* (Moraine State Park) Luzerne Harris Pond Wyoming Stevens Lake Cambria Beaverdam Run Reservoir Luzerne Lily Lake* York Lake Marburg Cambria Duman Dam* Lycoming Rose Valley Lake (Codorus State Park) Cambria Hinckston Run Reservoir Mercer Shenango River Lake York Lake Redman Cambria Wilmore Dam Monroe Bradys Lake York Lake Williams For the latest information and regulation updates, please consult the York Pinchot Lake (State Park) Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s website: www.fishandboat.com.

l CATCH AND RELEASE REGULATIONS for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers now have a closed season and extend to tributary portions, see page 5.

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws l =NEW www.fishandboat.com 9 DELAWARE RIVER FISHING ANG WATER LER RE ALT GIS A S TR NI Y A PR LV O Y G S R N A N M E P

Saltwater Angler

DELAWARE RIVER AND ESTUARY

Registry Program The folllowing seasons, sizes and creel daily limits apply to the Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River and Delaware P E N N O River tributaries, from the mouths of the tributaries upstream to the limit of the tidal influence and the Lehigh River from its N SI See page 25. SY IS mouth upstream to the first dam in Easton, Pennsylvania. The Delaware River estuary waters are listed at the right. LV M ANI COM A FISH & BOAT Species Seasons Minimum Size Daily Limit Trout April 14 at 8 a.m. North of I-84: 1 (combined species) DELAWARE RIVER through Oct. 15 14 inches ESTUARY South of I-84: 5 (combined species) (including tributaries to limits of tidal influence) No minimum The Delaware River estuary consists of the water areas listed below to their upper tidal limits: West Branch 2 (combined species) Delaware River * WATER AREA UPPER TIDAL LIMIT 12 inches Chester Creek Kerlin Street Bass Jan. 1 through April 13 and 12 inches 5 (combined species) (Chester city) Largemouth June 16 through Dec. 31 Crum Creek U.S. Route 13 Smallmouth (Eddystone) Darby Creek Pine Street (Darby borough) April 14 through June 15 Delaware River From the PA state line NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only upstream to the U.S. Muskellunge and Open year-round 40 inches 1 Route 1 bridge Tiger Muskellunge Frankford Creek U.S. Route 13 (Hybrids) (Frankford Avenue) Northern Pike Open year-round 24 inches 2 Marcus Hook Creek U.S. Route 13 Pickerel Open year-round 12 inches 5 (Marcus Hook borough) Neshaminy Creek Hulmeville Falls Walleye The portion of the Delaware 18 inches 3 River between New Jersey and Pennypack Creek U.S. Route 13 Pennsylvania - open year-round. (Frankford Avenue) The portion of the Delaware Poquessing Creek State Road River between New York and Ridley Creek MacDade Boulevard Pennsylvania - Jan. 1 through (Chester city) March 14 and May 5 through Dec. 31 Schuylkill River Fairmount Dam

American Shad** Open year-round No minimum 6 - From the PA state line upstream to the Commodore Barry Bridge DELAWARE RIVER 3 - From the Commodore Barry Bridge upstream BLUE CRABS American Eel Open year-round 8 inches 50 FEMALE BLUE CRABS bearing eggs or American Eel Open year-round 6 inches to 8 inches 50 (as Baitfish) from which the egg pouch or bunion has been removed may not be possessed. Striped Bass and From the Pennsylvania state line 2 Hybrid Striped Bass upstream to Calhoun Street Bridge; CRAB POTS are limited to no more than two Jan. 1 through March 31 and 28 inches pots per person when taking crabs. In addition, June 1 through Dec. 31 two handlines may be used. April 1 through May 31 20 to 26 inches UNATTENDED CRAB POTS must be labeled From Calhoun Street Bridge 28 inches with the name and address of the owner or upstream - open year-round user. DISTURBING UNATTENDED CRAB POTS l River Herring*** CLOSED YEAR-ROUND is unlawful, except by the owner, user or mem- Hickory Shad CLOSED YEAR-ROUND bers of the immediate family, and officers or Sturgeon CLOSED YEAR-ROUND representatives of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Mussels/Clams CLOSED YEAR-ROUND HORSESHOE CRABS are unlawful to sell, Other Species Inland seasons, size and creel limits apply except for waters under special regs. offer for sale, or purchase any horseshoe * A special no-kill season with the use of artificial lures only has been established on the West Branch Delaware River crabs. It is unlawful to import into or transport (see page 30 for details). in this Commonwealth horseshoe crabs for the ** American shad daily creel limit is one fish in the Schuylkill River from 1-95 upstream including all tributaries and three purpose of sale. (3) American shad in all other Delaware River tributaries, including those above tide. *** River herring (alewife and blueback herring) has a closed year-round season with zero daily limit applied to the Lehigh River and tributaries, the Schuylkill River and tributaries, the West Branch Delaware River, the Delaware River, the Delaware * Measured estuary, and the Delaware River tributaries upstream to the limit of the tidal influence. point to point DELAWARE RIVER BLUE CRABS Season Minimum Size Daily Limit Harvesting blue crabs from the Delaware River and its estuary waters is permitted pursuant to Open year-round 4 inches * (hard shell) One (1) bushel 3.5 inches * (soft shell) (combined - hard shell and soft shell) the regulations at left.

10 www.fishandboat.com l =NEW 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws LAKE ERIE FISHING

Because of diseases and invasive species, the Com- LAKE ERIE mission recommends as a good conservation practice The following seasons, sizes and daily limits apply to Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and peninsular that anglers not transport any live fish out of the Lake waters, all Lake Erie tributaries in their entirety which include Cascade Creek, Conneaut Creek, Crazy Erie Watershed and introduce those fish into other water- Run, Crooked Creek, East Branch Conneaut Creek, Eightmile Creek, Elk Creek, Fourmile Creek, Middle Branch Conneaut Creek, Marsh Run, Mill Creek, Mud Run, Raccoon Creek, Sevenmile Creek, Sixmile sheds. For more information on invasive species, please Creek, Sixteenmile Creek, Stone Run, Temple Run, Turkey Creek, Twelvemile Creek, Twentymile Creek, see “Stop Aquatic Nuisance Species” on page 42. For Walnut Creek, West Branch Conneaut Creek and all waters that flow into these tributaries. more information on VHS, please contact the Commis- Species Seasons Minimum Size Daily Limit sion’s Northwest Regional Office (page 4) or visit www.fishandboat.com/pafish/all/vhs/vhs.htm. Muskellunge and Open year-round 40 inches 1 Tiger Muskellunge * It is unlawful to conduct or participate in a fishing (Hybrids) tournament for bass on Lake Erie or Presque Isle Bay during the period from opening day of the trout season Northern Pike 24 inches 2 Open year-round in April until midnight the first Saturday after June 11. ** It is unlawful to fish or possess trout or salmon in or l Walleye Jan. 1 through March 14 15 inches 6*** along any Lake Erie tributary stream from 12:01 a.m. and May 1 through Dec. 31 on April 13 until 8 a.m. on April 14 (32 hours total). *** l Adaptive management for daily limits: After the Bass* Jan. 1 through April 13 and 15 inches 4 (combined species) PFBC Executive Director establishes the daily limit for Largemouth June 16 through Dec. 31 the year, (by April 15) the information is then available Smallmouth April 14 through June 15* 20 inches 1 through PFBC offices and atwww.fishandboat.com . l Yellow Perch Dec.1 through April 30 7 inches 30*** May 1 through Nov. 30 None Special Regulations–Lake Sunfish, Crappies, Open year-round No minimum 50 (combined species) Erie Tributary Streams Catfish, Rock Bass, • Designated as Nursery Waters are Trout Suckers, Eels, Run and its tributaries, Godfrey Run, Orchard Carp, White Bass Beach Run, and Crooked Creek (where posted). Burbot (when taken by June 1 through Sept. 30 No minimum 5 It is unlawful to fish, wade or possess fishing scuba divers by use of non- equipment while in or along Lake Erie tributary mechanical spears or gigs at a depth of at least 60 feet) streams designated as Nursery Waters. Burbot (when taken by Open year-round No minimum 5 • Archery fishing or spear fishing is prohibited in hook and line) or along Lake Erie tributary streams. Smelt (when taken by Open year-round No minimum None • From September 4 until the opening day of hook and line) trout season in April, all Lake Erie tributary streams Trout Jan.1 through 15 inches 3 (combined species), only are closed to fishing from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. on and Salmon** April 12 two (2) of which may be the following day except for Walnut Creek north lake trout. of Manchester Bridge Road and Elk Creek north of Route 5. 8 a.m. April 14 through 9 inches 5 (combined species), only • It is unlawful to fish from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. Sept. 3 two (2) of which may be on the following day within 50 yards of the mouth lake trout. of both Trout Run and Godfrey Run while fishing Sept. 4 through 15 inches 3 (combined species), only the Lake Erie shoreline. April 11, 2013 two (2) of which may be lake trout. Lake Erie Permit Baitfish/Fishbait Open year-round No minimum 50 (combined species) (except Mussels/Clams) Mussels/Clams CLOSED YEAR-ROUND All anglers fishing in the waters of Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and their tributaries, includ- Sturgeon CLOSED YEAR-ROUND ing waters that flow into those tributaries are Spotted Gar CLOSED YEAR-ROUND required to possess a valid Lake Erie permit or Combination Trout/Salmon/Lake Erie permit. Transportation of VHS-Susceptible Fish The main tributaries where a permit is required are: Cascade Creek, Conneaut Creek, Crooked Out of the Lake Erie Watershed Creek, Eightmile Creek, Elk Creek, Fourmile Creek, An infectious fish disease, caused by a variant of Vi- It is unlawful to transport or cause the transportation of Mill Creek, Raccoon Creek, Sevenmile Creek, ral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus (VHS), has caused VHS-susceptible species of fish out of the portion of the Sixmile Creek, Sixteenmile Creek, Turkey Creek, fish mortalities in the Great Lakes. The initial list of Lake Erie Watershed in this Commonwealth into other Twelvemile Creek, Twentymile Creek and Walnut fish species that are susceptible to VHS includes black watersheds of this Commonwealth except when certain Creek. A permit is also required for all of those crappie, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, brown bullhead, conditions are met. It is illegal to use VHS-susceptible waters that flow into these main tributaries. brown trout, burbot, channel catfish, chinook salmon, fish species, fish parts and eggs taken from the Lake Anglers fishing the East and West Basin ponds coho salmon, emerald shiner, freshwater drum, gizzard Erie Watershed as fishbait in Commonwealth waters (Waterworks Ponds, Presque Isle State Park) are shad, herring, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern outside the Lake Erie Watershed except when the fish not required to possess a Lake Erie Permit. pike, pink salmon, pumpkinseed, rainbow trout, red- are certified as VHS-negative. It is legal to transport Anglers fishing inland ponds, lakes and reservoirs horse sucker, rock bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, dead recreationally caught fish out of the Lake Erie Wa- in Erie County are not required to possess a Lake white bass, white perch, whitefish and yellow perch. tershed solely for the purpose of human consumption. Erie Permit.

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws l =NEW www.fishandboat.com 11 PYMATUNING & CONOWINGO RESERVOIRS

PYMATUNING RESERVOIR FISHING PRIVILEGES Species Seasons Minimum Size Daily Limit IN BOUNDARY WATERS Walleye and Saugeye (Hybrids) Open year-round 15 inches 6 (combined species) The following fishing license agreements apply Bass Open year-round 12 inches 5 to boundary waters. You must abide by all other Muskellunge and Open year-round 30 inches 2 (combined species) rules and regulations of the state in which fishing Tiger Muskellunge (Hybrids) and where you launch or retrieve your boat. All Other Species Open year-round No minimum None A PENNSYLVANIA or MARYLAND LICENSE is Fishbait and Baitfish Open year-round No minimum None valid on the Conowingo Reservoir or Youghiogheny (except Mussels/Clams) River Lake when fishing from a boat (excluding Frogs and Tadpoles July 1 through Oct. 31 No minimum 15 coves and tributaries). DOES NOT INCLUDE Snapping Turtles July 1 through Oct. 31 No minimum 15 daily limit SHORE FISHING. 30 possession limit A PENNSYLVANIA or NEW YORK LICENSE Turtles (all species other Open year-round No minimum 2 is valid on the Delaware River (including West than snapping turtles) Branch) between New York and Pennsylvania Mussels/Clams CLOSED YEAR-ROUND when FISHING FROM A BOAT OR FROM EI- THER SHORE. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS A PENNSYLVANIA or NEW JERSEY LICENSE FOR PYMATUNING RESERVOIR is valid on the Delaware River between New • Lights or firearms may not be used to take frogs. devices, which may consist Jersey and Pennsylvania when FISHING FROM • Hooks used to take turtles shall be at least 3.5 inches of rods, hand lines, tip-ups A BOAT OR FROM EITHER SHORE. A Pennsyl- long with at least 1 inch space between the point or any combination. Each vania fishing license is required to fish in all other and shank. device shall contain a single fishing line with no waters identified on page 10 as being part of the • Spears, longbows, compound bows and crossbows more than three hooks attached to each line. Holes Delaware Estuary. may ONLY be used to take carp and suckers. cut in ice may not exceed 10 inches between the A PENNSYLVANIA or OHIO LICENSE is valid • Minnow seines and dip nets are restricted to 4 feet farthest points as measured in any direction. All on the Pymatuning Reservoir when fishing from a in size; mesh must measure not less than one-eighth lines, rods or tip-ups shall be under the immediate boat. DOES NOT INCLUDE SHORE FISHING. inch, nor larger than one-half inch on a side. control of the person using them. A PENNSYLVANIA LICENSE is required to • ICE FISHING – An Ohio or Pennsylvania fishing fish Kinzua Reservoir in McKean and Warren license is recognized anywhere on the lake. It is NOTE: See this page for reciprocal fishing privileges counties. No agreement has been established between Pennsylvania and Ohio. unlawful while ice fishing to use more than five fishing with New York. NO FISHING AGREEMENTS have been made on any other boundary waters. CONOWINGO RESERVOIR up to Holtwood Dam BOAT ANGLER’S Species Seasons Minimum Size Daily Limit CHECKLIST All Species of Open year-round No minimum 2 (combined species) aLIFE JACKETS Trout and Salmon aSOUND-PRODUCING DEVICE Bass- Jan. 1 through Feb. 12 inches 5 (combined species) aFIRE EXTINGUISHERS Largemouth 29 and June 16 aCAPACITY PLATE Smallmouth through Dec. 31 aVISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS Northern Pike Open year-round 30 inches 2 aNAVIGATION AND ANCHOR LIGHTS Walleye Open year-round 15 inches 5 a Muskellunge and Open year-round 36 inches 1 MUFFLING DEVICE Tiger Muskellunge (Hybrids) aBACKFIRE FLAME ARRESTER Pickerel Open year-round 14 inches 5 aBOATING EDUCATION SAFETY CERTIFICATE Striped Bass and Striped Open year-round 18 inches 2 (combined species) aADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED Bass/White Bass Hybrids only one of which may EQUIPMENT includes oars or paddles, anchor exceed 30 inches and line, bailer, marine radio, depth or fish finder, boating Sunfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass Open year-round No minimum maps or charts, flashlight, compass, extra line, extra gas 15 (combined species) can and a first aid kit. Crappies Open year-round No minimum 15 Carp Open year-round No minimum 15 Channel Catfish Open year-round No minimum 5 HAZARDS TO Suckers Open year-round No minimum 30 BOATING ANGLERS Eels Open year-round 6 inches 25 Yellow Perch Open year-round No minimum No daily limit • DAMS • COLD Baitfish/Fishbait Open year-round No minimum 35 • STRAINERS WATER All Other Fish Species Open year-round No minimum No daily limit • UNDERWATER • WEATHER American and Hickory Shad, OBSTRUCTIONS • CAPSIZING l River Herring (Alewife and • CURRENT • OVERLOADING Blueback Herring) CLOSED YEAR-ROUND • ALCOHOL • OTHER BOATERS Bivalves/Shellfish Be a smart boater - take a safe boating course. (Mussels/Clams) To find a boating course, check the PFBC website at www.fishandboat.com. l=NEW

12 TOwww.fishandboat.com FIND THE STOCKING DAY OF TROUT STREAMS 2012 ANDPennsylvania LAKES NEAR Summary YOU, ofVISIT Fishing WWW.FISHANDBOAT.COM Regulations and Laws TROUT FISHING REGULATIONS

NORTHWEST Find the regulation that applies to where you want to fish. NORTHCENTRAL NORTHEAST To assist trout anglers in knowing the regulations that apply to locations where they fish, the trout regulations are separated by PFBC Regions. From pages 15 through 24, each region contains a listing of SOUTHWEST SOUTHCENTRAL its counties separated by specific trout regulation. SOUTHEAST An explanation of each regulation and its requirements is on this page and the next page.

REGIONAL OPENING DAY OF TROUT SEASON Brook Trout–Pennsylvania’s Official State Fish The trout season begins earlier in 18 southeastern Pennsylvania counties. In these counties (and designated waters crossing into these counties), trout season will begin 8 a.m., March 31. Unless otherwise specified by special regulation, inland daily limits and Brown Trout minimum sizes apply. Approved trout waters in the Southeast Region and those in the Southcentral Region that have this early opening day are listed beginning on page 15. APPROVED TROUT WATERS Rainbow Trout Many streams, lakes, ponds and reservoirs are officially classified as “approved trout waters.” This means that these waters contain significant portions that are open to public fishing and are stocked with trout. The waters listed here are open to trout harvest during the “extended season” (see page 8). Unlisted tributary streams (those not included in this list of “approved trout waters”) are not open to harvest of trout during the “extended season.” Only approved trout waters and all waters downstream of approved trout waters are open during this period. Spearing fish is not permitted in Golden Rainbow Trout any of these waters at any time of the year. These waters are closed to all fishing (including taking of minnows) from March 1 to 8 a.m. on the opening day of the trout season. Some of these waters have been included in the Early Season Trout- Stocked Waters Program and are open from March 1 through March 31. A person shall be deemed to be fishing if he or she has in possession any fishing line, rod or other device that can be used for fishing while on or in any water or on the banks within 25 feet of any water where fishing is prohibited. Lake Trout Special note: Although the list was up to date at the time this booklet was printed, it is possible that some streams may later be deleted or added as “approved trout waters” because of last-minute changes in water Brown trout has dark quality conditions. Check with the nearest Fish and Boat Commission office (see page 4) if there is any ques- spots, few or none on tail. tion about whether or not a water area is “approved.”

APPROVED TROUT WATERS Rainbow trout has dark spots, especially on tail, OPEN TO YEAR-ROUND FISHING and a pink lateral stripe. Waters with this designation are considered “approved trout waters.” From 8 a.m. opening day of trout through Sept. 3, Commonwealth inland size and creel limits apply. From Jan. 1 through Feb. 29, and from Sept. 4 through Dec. 31, “extended season” size and creel limits apply. These waters are open Lake trout has light spots to fishing from March 1 through opening day of trout season; however, no trout may be taken or possessed over entire body. Tail on these waters during this period. It is unlawful to fish in rivers and streams designated as approved trout deeply forked. waters open to year-round fishing without a current trout/salmon permit. A trout/salmon permit is not required to fish in lakes and ponds that have been designated as approved trout waters open to year-round fishing unless the person takes, kills or possesses, while in the act of fishing, a trout or salmon on or in these waters.

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws www.fishandboat.com 13 TROUT FISHING REGULATIONS

CATCH AND RELEASE DELAYED HARVEST ALL TACKLE ARTIFICIAL LURES ONLY • Open to fishing year-round (no closed • Open to fishing year-round (no closed season). season). • No trout may be killed or had in possession. • Fishing hours – One hour before sunrise • Fishing may be done with artificial lures, flies to one hour after sunset. or streamers, natural bait, baitfish and fishbait. • Minimum size – 9 inches, caught on, or in Spinning or fly fishing gear may be used in these possession on, the waters under these regula- areas. tions from one hour before sunrise on June 15 • A current trout/salmon permit is required. to one hour after sunset on Labor Day. • The daily creel limit is three combined spe- TROPHY TROUT cies from one hour before sunrise on June 15 PROJECTS to one hour after sunset on Labor Day, caught on or in possession on the waters under these • Open to fishing year-round (no closed regulations. From the day after Labor Day until season). one hour before sunrise on June 15, the daily CATCH AND RELEASE • Minimum size – 14 inches, caught on, or in creel limit is zero. possession on, the waters under these regula- • Fishing may be done with artificial lures only tions from 8 a.m. on the opening day of the • Open to fishing year-round (no closed constructed of metal, plastic, rubber or wood, or regular trout season through Labor Day. season). with flies and streamers constructed of natural or • The daily creel limit is two trout – combined • Fishing hours – One hour before sunrise to synthetic materials. All such lures may be used species – from 8 a.m. on the opening day of the one hour after sunset. with spinning or fly fishing gear. regular trout season through Labor Day, except • No trout may be killed or had in possession. • The use or possession of any natural bait, during the period from the day after Labor Day • Fishing may be done with artificial lures only baitfish, fishbait, bait paste and similar substances, to 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular trout constructed of metal, plastic, rubber or wood, or fish eggs (natural or molded) or any other edible, season of the following year, when no trout may with flies or streamers constructed of natural or substance is prohibited. be killed or had in possession on the waters synthetic materials. All such lures may be used • Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited. under these regulations. with spinning or fly fishing gear. • A current trout/salmon permit is required. • Fishing may be done with artificial lures only, • The use or possession of any natural bait, constructed of metal, plastic, rubber or wood, or baitfish, fishbait, bait paste and similar substances, WILD BROOK TROUT with flies and streamers constructed of natural or fish eggs (natural or molded), or any other edible ENHANCEMENT synthetic materials. All lures may be used with substance is prohibited. spinning or fly fishing gear. PROGRAM • Wading is permitted unless otherwise posted. • The use or possession of any natural bait, • Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited. • Open to fishing year-round (no closed baitfish, fishbait, bait paste and similar substances, • A current trout/salmon permit is required. season). fish eggs (natural or molded), or any other edible • No brook trout may be killed or had in substance is prohibited. possession. CATCH AND RELEASE • Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited. • There are no tackle restrictions. FLY-FISHING ONLY • A current trout/salmon permit is required. • The regulations apply to brook trout only; all other species, inland regulations apply. • Open to fishing year-round (no closed ALL TACKLE • A current trout/salmon permit is required. season). TROPHY TROUT • Fishing hours – One hour before sunrise to EARLY SEASON one hour after sunset. • Open to fishing year-round (no closed • No trout may be killed or had in possession. season). TROUT-STOCKED • Fishing may be done with artificial flies and • Minimum size – 14 inches, caught on, or in WATERS PROGRAM streamers constructed of natural or synthetic possession on, the waters under these regula- During the month of March, when most trout-stocked materials, so long as all flies are constructed in a tions from 8 a.m. on the opening day of the waters are closed to fishing, anglers may fish select normal fashion on a single hook with components regular trout season through Labor Day. lakes and the Youghiogheny River and Shenango wound on or about the hook. Anything other than • The daily creel limit is two trout – combined River tailwaters, which are stocked early with a por- these items is prohibited. species – from 8 a.m. on the opening day of the tion of the spring’s trout allotment. The following • Fishing must be done with tackle limited to regular trout season through Labor Day except regulations apply: fly rods, fly reels and fly line with a maximum of during the period from the day after Labor Day • Open season – March 1 through March 31 18 feet in leader material or monofilament line to 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular trout (no fishing from April 1 to the opening day of attached. Spinning, spincast and casting rods season of the following year when no trout may the trout season) and reels are prohibited. be killed or had in possession on the waters • Minimum size – 7 inches • The use or possession of any natural bait, under these regulations. • Creel limit – 3 trout (combined species) fishbait, bait paste and similar substances, fish • Fishing may be done with artificial lures, flies or • Inland regulations apply to all other species eggs (natural or molded), or any other edible streamers, natural bait, baitfish and fishbait. Spinning • A current trout/salmon permit is required substance is prohibited. or fly fishing gear may be used in these areas. to fish on select lakes if an angler intends to • Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited. • A current trout/salmon permit is required. harvest trout. • Wading is permitted unless otherwise posted. • The regulations apply to trout only; all other • A current trout/salmon permit is required. species, inland regulations apply.

14 www.fishandboat.com 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws SOUTHEAST REGION TROUT WATERS

SOUTHEAST REGION REGULATED TROUT WATERS REGIONAL OPENING East Branch Perkiomen Creek (Branch Road Bridge DAY OF TROUT (T-431) downstream through SEASON Sellersville) OPENING DAY: NORTHAMPTON An explanation Levittown Lake SCHUYLKILL MARCH 31 Neshaminy Creek (Two of each trout APPROVED TROUT sections: Valley Road to Mill regulation LEHIGH WATERS Road near Jamison and from is on pages BERKS: the dam at the causeway in 13 and 14. Antietam Creek Tyler State Park downstream Antietam Reservoir to the bridge on SR 332) BERKS BUCKS Allegheny Creek Tohickon Creek (Dark Hollow (inseason only) Rd. to mouth) MONTGOMERY Furnace Creek (Robesonia) Unami Creek (Milford Township Hay Creek Park downstream to Kistler Creek Trumbauersville Road (SR Little Lehigh Creek 4051)) LANCASTER CHESTER Little Swatara Creek CHESTER: PHILADELPHIA Maiden Creek (confluence with Beaver Creek (at Downingtown) DELAWARE Kistler Creek in Kempton Big Elk Creek downstream to dam in Buck Run (Compass Rd. Perkiomen Creek (county line Lenhartsville) downstream to SR 372) downstream to first unnamed Manatawny Creek East Branch Brandywine Creek LANCASTER: trib downstream of Fruitville Mill Creek (trib. to Sacony (SR 4031 in Glenmoore Big Beaver Creek Swarr Run (Yellow Goose Road (T-414)) Creek) downstream to U S Business Bowery Run Road (T-802) downstream Skippack Creek Mill Creek (trib. to Schuylkill Route 30 in Downingtown) Climbers Run to SR 0741) Stony Creek River) East Branch Elk Creek Conowingo Creek (T341 Black Trout Run Unami Creek Mill Creek (trib. to Tulpehocken East Branch White Clay Creek Bear Rd. downstream to Rock Run (Bowmansville) Kepner Creek Creek) French Creek Black Barron Rd.) West Branch Little Conestoga Wissahickon Creek (from Northkill Creek Middle Branch White Clay Creek Conoy Creek (Saegerville Rd. Creek Lafayette Ave. downstream Ontelaunee Creek (Spring Pickering Creek downstream to mouth) West Branch Octoraro Creek to Stenton Ave.) House Road Bridge (SR Pocopson Creek East Branch Octoraro Creek LEHIGH: NORTHAMPTON: 4024) downstream to mouth) West Branch Brandywine Creek (Steelville Rd. downstream Cedar Creek (Lake Muhlenburg Bushkill Creek Perkiomen Creek (SR 4005 near Cedar Knoll to Knight Run confluence - outflow downstream to mouth) Hokendauqua Creek Pine Creek (trib to Maiden downstream to US Business inseason only) Coplay Creek Indian Creek Creek) Route 30) Fishing Creek Jordan Creek Jacoby Creek Sacony Creek (Bowers Road West Valley Creek Hammer Creek Kistler Creek Lehigh Canal (0.6 mile (T-616) downstream to SR White Clay Creek Indian Run Laurel Run (South Branch downstream of Carbon 222 Kutztown By-pass) DELAWARE: Little Beaver Creek Saucon Creek) County line downstream Scotts Run Lake Chester Creek (confluence of Little Chiques Creek Lehigh Canal (from first lock to confluence with Bertsch Spring Creek West Branch Chester Creek Little Cocalico Creek upstream of Monocacy Creek Creek, and first lock upstream Swamp Creek (aproximately downstream to Bridgewater Little Conestoga Creek downstream to Monocacy of Monocacy Creek crossing 350 yards above powerline, Road (SR 3018)) (powerline upstream of Miller Creek Crossing) downstream to confluence downstream to mouth in Chester Creek (upstream from Road (T-707) downstream to Little Lehigh Creek with Nancy Run Crossing) Morgantown) confluence with West Branch Harrisburg Pike (SR 4020)) Monocacy Creek Little Bushkill Creek Tulpehocken Creek (county - inseason only) Little Muddy Creek Ontelaunee Creek Martins Creek line downstream to 0.5 mile Darby Creek (0.5 mile upstream (Bowmansville Rd. Swabia Creek Monocacy Creek downstream of Charming confluence with Little Darby downstream to 150 Switzer Creek Saucon Creek Forge Dam) Creek downstream to Hilldale yds, below SR 897) Trout Creek (Big Trout Creek PHILADELPHIA: Willow Creek Road) Meetinghouse Creek - Slatington) Pennypack Creek (county line Wyomissing Creek (headwaters Ithan Creek Middle Creek (PGC’s Middle MONTGOMERY: downstream to Frankford downstream to SR 0222) Little Darby Creek Creek Dam downstream to Deep Creek Dam Avenue (SR 0013)) BUCKS: Ridley Creek (Two sections: W. Lime Rock Rd.) East Branch Perkiomen Wissahickon Creek Delaware Canal (Two Sections- 1.25 miles upstream from Muddy Creek (Pleasant Valley Creek (from near Salfordville (Germantown Pike Upper Washington Crossing Gradyville Rd. downstream Road downstream to SR 897) Rd. downstream to Bergey’s downstream to tributary at State Park and Lower to falls in Ridley Creek State Muddy Run (most northern Mill Rd. - inseason only) intersection of Forbidden Washington Crossing Park and Brookhaven Rd. SR 772 crossing Intercourse Loch Alsh Reservoir Drive and Lincoln Drive) State Park downstream to Manatawny Creek downstream to Chestnut downstream to powerline SCHUYLKILL: East Maple Street Bridge in Mill Creek Street) above Monterey Rd.) Bear Creek Morrisville) Pennypack Creek West Branch Chester Creek Pequea Creek (Mast Cold Run downstream to SR 0897) (Lorimer Park) Deep Creek Stewart Run Little Catawissa Creek

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws www.fishandboat.com 15 SOUTHEAST REGION/SOUTHCENTRAL REGIONS LEHIGH: Little Mahanoy Creek and tributaries including Little CHESTER: APPROVED TROUT Little Lehigh Creek – 1.8 miles; Little Schuylkill River (Two sec- Valley Creek. Be aware that East Branch Brandywine Creek WATERS OPEN TO from the downstream face tions-from confluence with Valley Forge National Historic – 1.2 miles; from SR 4019 YEAR-ROUND FISHING of the bridge on T-508 (Wild Locust Creek downstream Park has imposed special bait (Dorlan’s Mill Road) downstream BERKS: Cherry Lane) downstream to to confluence with Panther restrictions. Check local posters. to SR 4004 (Dowlin Forge Road) Tulpehocken Creek (from the upstream face of the bridge Creek,preseason and insea- Pickering Creek – 1.5 miles; from covered bridge at T-921 on T-510 (Millrace Road) son; from mouth upstream CATCH AND RELEASE SR 1019 (Charlestown Road) downstream to the mouth) Little Lehigh Creek – 1 mile; from downstream to 330 yards upstream 1.1 miles to Port Clinton, Kaercher Creek Dam (winter FLY-FISHING ONLY CHESTER: upstream face of Fish Hatchery of the railroad bridge inseason only) stocking) French Creek – 0.9 mile; from the Road bridge downstream to near Middle Branch White Clay Creek – Lizard Creek BUCKS: dam at Camp Sleepy Hollow the Oxford Dr. Bridge 1.7 miles; from SR 3009 (Good Locust Creek l Lake Luxembourg downstream to Hollow Road Hope Road) downstream to Locust Lake LANCASTER: DELAWARE: TROPHY TROUT the confluence with the East Lower Little Swatara Creek l Muddy Run Rec Lake Mahantango Creek Ridley Creek – 0.6 mile; from PROJECTS Branch NORTHAMPTON: NORTHAMPTON: Mahoning Creek the falls in Ridley Creek West Valley Creek – 1.2 miles Minsi Lake Monocacy Creek – 1.9 miles; Neifert Creek Dam State Park downstream to from the confluence with the SCHUYLKILL: from Illick’s Mill Dam upstream Pine Creek (trib to Little the mouth of Dismal Run unnamed tributary (locally l Sweet Arrow Lake to and including the Gertrude Schuylkill River) LANCASTER: known as Colebrook Run) Tuscarora Lake (fall stocking) Fox Conservation Area Pine Creek (trib to Mahan- Donegal Creek – 2.4 miles; upstream of SR 2020 (Boot Saucon Creek – 2.1 miles; from the tango Creek) CATCH AND RELEASE from 275 yards below SR Road) downstream to 0.25 upstream boundary of the city of Pine Creek (trib to Schuylkill NORTHAMPTON: 772 downstream to T-334 miles of the Railroad Tunnel Bethlehem property downstream River) Bushkill Creek– 1.1 miles; from West Branch Octoraro SCHUYLKILL: to the SR 0412 bridge Rabbit Run Reservoir (off East the dam at Binney and Smith Creek – 2.0 miles; From Bear Creek – 1.9 miles; from a Valley Rd. SW of Tamaqua) downstream to the 13th Street 30 yards downstream of cable 800 yards above T-662 Red Creek (Landingville) Bridge SR 0472 downstream to DELAYED HARVEST downstream to the downstream Upper Little Swatara Creek 230 yards upstream of the ARTIFICIAL LURES ONLY side of the bridge on T-676 CATCH AND RELEASE BERKS: Whipoorwill Dam second unnamed tributary Little Schuylkill River – 1.7 miles; ALL TACKLE Tulpehocken Creek– 3.8 miles; from SR 0895 in New Ringgold CHESTER/MONTGOMERY: downstream of SR 2010 (Puseyville Road) from the first deflector below downstream to the T-848 Bridge Valley Creek– at Valley Forge Blue Marsh Dam downstream near Rauschs to the covered bridge SOUTHCENTRAL REGION REGULATED TROUT WATERS Green Spring Creek REGIONAL OPENING = DAY OF TROUT Middle Spring Creek =OPENING DAY OF TROUT Mountain Creek OPENING DAY SEASON Yellow Breeches Creek OF TROUT MARCH 31 OPENING DAY: MIFFLIN DAUPHIN: APRIL 14 DAUPHIN MARCH 31 Armstrong Creek JUNIATA Clark Creek BLAIR APPROVED TROUT PERRY WATERS Mahantango Creek LEBANON ADAMS: Manada Creek HUNTINGDON Bermudian Creek Middletown Reservoir Carbaugh Run Pine Creek CUMBERLAND Conewago Creek (SR 0234 Powell Creek Bridge downstream to SR Rattling Creek BEDFORD 3001) South Fork Powell Creek FRANKLIN ADAMS Conococheague Creek Stony Creek FULTON YORK East Branch Antietam Creek West Branch Rattling Creek Latimore Creek Wiconisco Creek Little Marsh Creek FRANKLIN: Marsh Creek (SR 3011 Buck Run (Dickeys Run) Letterkenny Reservoir East Licking Creek from Mifflin An explanation of each downstream to SR 0030) Carbaugh Run Little Cove Creek County and Juniata County trout regulation is on Rowe Run Middle Creek Conococheague Creek (Birch line downstream pages 13 and 14. Opossum Creek Run Reservoir downstream West Branch Antietam Creek Horning Run Toms Creek (Mount Hope to Boyers Mill Road Bridge West Branch Conococheague Horse Valley Run Road Bridge (T-300) (T-481)) Creek (Amberson Road Laurel Run (Liberty Valley Run) West Branch Mahantango downstream to SR 0116) Conodoguinet Creek Bridge (SR 4005) downstream Lost Creek (SR 0035 Bridge Creek Waynesboro Reservoir (confluence with Bear to US 30 Bridge at Fort upstream of confluence with LEBANON: CUMBERLAND: Valley Run downstream Loudon) Little Lost Creek at Oakland Bachman Run Big Spring Creek to SR 0997) JUNIATA: Mills downstream to mouth) Conewago Creek (first bridge Childrens Lake (Boiling Springs) Dennis Creek Big Run Tuscarora Creek (county line upstream from Colebrook Doubling Gap Lake East Branch Antietam Creek Blacklog Creek downstream to confluence downstream to T-304 Eckert Fuller Lake Falling Spring Branch Cocolamus Creek with Horse Valley Run in Road) Delaware Creek East Waterford) Hammer Creek

16 www.fishandboat.com l =NEW 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws SOUTHCENTRAL REGION TROUT WATERS

Indiantown Run South Branch Little Brush Creek Meadow Creek CATCH AND RELEASE Lions Lake Codorus Creek Little Tonoloway Creek Musser Run FLY-FISHING ONLY Marquette Lake South Branch Muddy Creek (Moss Road Bridge Strodes Run ADAMS: Mill Creek Yellow Breeches Creek (T-318) downstream Swift Run Conewago Creek – 1.1 miles; Quittapahilla Creek to SR 0655 Bridge) Treaster Run from 0.1 mile downstream of Snitz Creek North Branch Little Aughwick West Licking Creek T-340 (Russel Tavern Rd.) Stoevers Dam APPROVED Creek downstream to SR 34 Trout Run TROUT WATERS Oregon Creek APPROVED TROUT BEDFORD: Tulpehocken Creek OPENING DAY: Sideling Hill Creek WATERS OPEN TO Yellow Creek – 0.9 mile from PERRY: APRIL 14 (confluence of Oregon YEAR-ROUND mouth of Maple Run (Jacks Bixler Run BEDFORD: Creek and Laurel FISHING Run) upstream to cable near Buffalo Creek (Heritage Beaver Creek Fork downstream to BEDFORD: Red Bank Hill Hills Road Bridge(T-326) Bobs Creek intersection of SR Koon Lake CUMBERLAND: downstream to SR 0849 Clear Creek 4013 and SR 0913) CUMBERLAND: Big Spring Creek – 1.1 Bridge downstream Cove Creek South Branch Little Aughwick l Laurel Lake miles; from 100 feet below of Walnut Grove) Evitts Creek Creek Mountain Creek (from Adams the source (Big Spring) Bull Run Gladdens Run Spring Run County line downstream to downstream to the Nealy Fishing Creek Little Wills Creek Wooden Bridge Creek the backwaters of Laurel Road Bridge Fowler Hollow Run Maple Run HUNTINGDON: Lake) Green Spring Creek – 1 mile; Horse Valley Run Raystown Branch Juniata River Blacklog Creek (from county DAUPHIN/LEBANON: from mouth upstream to near Laurel Run (Liberty Valley Run) (county line downstream to line downstream to mouth) Stony Creek (from .4-mile confluence with Bulls Head Little Buffalo Creek (Mannsville confluence with Shobers Globe Run upstream of Cold Spring Branch Road Bridge (SR 4003) Run) Great Trough Creek Road downstream to State Letort Spring Run – 1.7 miles; downstream to mouth) Sherman Valley Run (Newburg Park Game Lands #211 gate) from 300 yards upstream of Little Juniata Creek Shobers Run (upstream Road Bridge (T-370) LEBANON: bridge on T-481 (Bonnybrook McCabe Run boundary of Elks Country downstream to 200 yards Lakeside Quarry Road) downstream to the Montour Creek Club downstream downstream of dam) PERRY: Reading Railroad Bridge at Panther Creek to the mouth) Greenwood Lake Little Buffalo Lake (Holman the southern edge of Letort Raccoon Creek Town Creek Hares Valley Creek Lake) Spring Park Sherman Creek (lower Wills Creek (county line Laurel Run YORK: DAUPHIN: Tuscarora State Forest downstream to B & O North Branch Little Aughwick South Branch Codorus Clark Creek –2.4 miles; PGC rifle boundary downstream to Railroad Bridge about Creek (Nine Mile Creek) Creek (from SR range parking area on SR 325 Couchtown Road Bridge 1.0 mile downstream North Spring Branch 0616 in Centerville downstream to PGC access (SR 3008) at Cisna Run) of Hyndman) Saddler Creek downstream to T-527) road at the Iron Furnace Shultz Creek (Browns Run) Yellow Creek Shade Creek Glatco Lake FRANKLIN: YORK: BLAIR: Shaver Creek (Perez Lake Lake Marburg East Branch Antietam Creek – 1 Bald Eagle Creek Bald Eagle Creek downstream to SR 305 mile; from SR 16 downstream Beaver Creek Beaverdam Creek bridge at Bethel Church) CATCH AND RELEASE to T-365 (Welty Rd.) Blymire Hollow Run Bells Gap Run Standing Stone Creek CUMBERLAND: Falling Spring Branch – 2.5 Codorus Creek (Tannery Blair Gap Run (Penn Roosevelt Dam Yellow Breeches Creek– 1 miles; from the first private lane Road (T-399) downstream Canoe Creek downstream to powerline mile; from Boiling Springs located 672 feet upstream of to confluence with West Canoe Creek Lake crossing 400 yards downstream to the vicinity Briar Lane bridge downstream Branch Codorus Creek) Clover Creek (SR 2005 downstream of SR of Allenberry to a wire fence crossing the Deer Creek Bridge at Henrietta 0026 Black’s Bridge) HUNTINGDON: Thomas L. Geisel property East Branch Codorus Creek downstream to Larke Three Springs Creek Spruce Creek– 0.5 mile; YORK: Fishing Creek (trib to Road Bridge near Larke) Tuscarora Creek Penn State Experimental Muddy Creek – 1.6 miles; from Susquehanna River Frankstown Branch Juniata West Licking Creek Fisheries Area (about 0.6 300 yards downstream of near Craley) River (confluence with Whipple Lake mile above the village Bruce Road Bridge (T-628) Fishing Creek (trib to Pine Run near Claysburg MIFFLIN: of Spruce Creek) in Bruce downstream to 300 Susquehanna River downstream to confluence East Licking Creek MIFFLIN/UNION: yards upstream of Bridgeton near Goldsboro) with Halter Creek near Havice Creek Penns Creek– 3.9 miles; Road (SR 2032) Bridge in Leibs Creek East Freedom) Honey Creek (from the lower from approximately 650 Bridgeton Muddy Creek (confluence Poplar Run boundary of the Delayed yards downstream of of North Branch Muddy Riggles Gap Run Harvest Area downstream Swift Run downstream to Creek and South Branch South Poplar Run to SR 1002 Bridge 0.5 mile TROPHY TROUT approximately 550 yards Muddy Creek downstream Vanscoyoc Run downstream of confluence PROJECTS downstream of Cherry Run to powerline crossing FULTON: with Treaster Run) YORK: 1.6 miles downstream of Big Cove Creek Kishacoquillas Creek (Bunker Codorus Creek – 2.0 miles; from SR 0425 in Woodbine) Cowans Gap Lake Road Bridge (T-340) CATCH AND RELEASE the confluence of the West North Branch Muddy Creek Laurel Fork downstream to railroad ALL TACKLE Branch downstream to a point Otter Creek Licking Creek (SR 0522 Bridge at Yeagertown and BLAIR/HUNTINGDON: that is .4 mile downstream Bridge downstream to Mill Street Bridge downstream Little Juniata River– 13.7 miles from SR 3082 (Porters Road) confluence with Baby to mouth) from the railroad bridge at the Run at Soliam Church) Lingle Creek east (downstream) border of l=NEW Little Aughwick Creek Ironville downstream to mouth

TO2012 FIND Pennsylvania THE STOCKING Summary DAY ofOF Fishing TROUT Regulations STREAMS ANDand LawsLAKES NEAR YOU, VISIT www.fishandboat.com WWW.FISHANDBOAT.COM 17 SOUTHCENTRAL/SOUTHWEST REGIONS

DELAYED HARVEST Wiconisco Creek– .74 miles 0928 bridge downstream MIFFLIN: EARLY SEASON ARTIFICIAL LURES from the western edge of to the lower Buchanan Honey Creek – 1.75 miles; from TROUT- STOCKED ONLY the Ned Smith Center for State Forest boundary the upper Bald Eagle St. WATERS PROGRAM Forest boundary downstream BLAIR: Nature and Art Walking JUNIATA/MIFFLIN: BLAIR: 1.75 miles Little Juniata River– 0.7 Bridge downstream to East Licking Creek – 4.0 miles; Canoe Creek Lake miles; from the first bridge the power line crossing from the Texas Eastern gas FULTON: on SR 0220 just northeast located 1.7 miles pipeline crossing downstream WILD BROOK TROUT Cowans Gap Lake of Bellwood downstream upstream from the mouth to the upstream boundary ENHANCEMENT to the confluence with the FRANKLIN: of the Karl B. Guss State PROGRAM first unnamed tributary Falling Spring Branch– Forest Picnic Area PERRY: entering from the west 1.1 miles; from Walker LEBANON: Shaeffer Run– Tuscarora State just south of Fostoria Road downstream Quittapahilla Creek – 1.1 Forest upstream on Shaeffer An explanation DAUPHIN: to Fifth Avenue miles; from Spruce Run to its headwaters, a of each trout Manada Creek– 1.8 FULTON: Street Bridge on T-398 distance of 6.7 miles, and regulation is on miles; from Fogarty Big Cove Creek– 1.0 downstream to the all tributaries entering this Road downstream to mile; from 200 yards SR 0934 Bridge portion of Shaeffer Run pages 13 and 14. Furnace Road (T-616) downstream of the SR SOUTHWEST REGION REGULATED TROUT WATERS APPROVED TROUT Little Sandy Creek CAMBRIA: North Branch Blacklick downstream to McCormick WATERS North Fork Pine Creek Beaverdam Run Creek Road Bridge (SR 4018)) OPENING DAY: Patterson Creek Bens Creek North Branch Little Little Yellow Creek APRIL 14 Plum Creek Chest Creek Conemaugh River Mudlick Run ALLEGHENY: Redbank Creek (county line to Clearfield Creek (confluence Slate Lick Run South Branch Two Lick Creek Big Sewickley Creek confluence with Little Sandy with Beaverdam Run Stewart Run Toms Run Bull Creek Creek) downstream to 330 yards FAYETTE: Yellow Creek Deer Creek Scrubgrass Creek downstream of T-510 Bridge Back Creek SOMERSET: Flaugherty Run South Fork Pine Creek at Condron) Big Sandy Creek Allen Creek Long Run BEAVER: Duman Lake Chaney Run Beaverdam Creek Lower Deer Lake Big Sewickley Creek Elton Sportsmens Dam Dunbar Creek Beaverdam Run Middle Deer Lake Bradys Run Lake Hinckston Run Dunlap Creek Bens Creek Montour Run Brush Creek Park Pond Howells Run Dunlap Creek Lake Breastwork Run l North Park Lake Main Lake (Raccoon Lake) Killbuck Run Georges Creek Brush Creek Pine Creek Mill Creek Lake Rowena Indian Creek Casselman River (from MD - Turtle Creek North Fork Big Sewickley Creek Laurel Lick Run Meadow Run PA state line downstream to West Deer Lake (Upper Deer North Fork Little Beaver Creek Laurel Run (trib to Mill Run (tributary to Indian Moser Road (T-353) Bridge) Lake) (county line downstream to Conemaugh River) Creek) Clear Shade Creek ARMSTRONG: SR 551 Bridge) Laurel Run (trib to South Fork Mountain Creek Cub Run Buffalo Creek South Branch Brady Run Little Conemaugh River) Virgin Run Lake Elk Lick Creek Cherry Run Traverse Creek Little Killbuck Run Youghiogheny River (see Flaugherty Creek Cornplanter Run Little Paint Creek miscellaneous waters with Gladdens Run Cowanshannock Creek Noels Creek special regulations) Glade Run Glade Run GREENE: Jones Mill Run Huling Run Browns Creek (Bates Fork Kimberly Run “Sycamore” downstream Kooser Lake ARMSTRONG to mouth) Kooser Run Dunkard Fork Laurel Hill Creek BEAVER Enlow Fork Laurel Hill Lake INDIANA Lake Wilma Little Piney Creek CAMBRIA North Fork Dunkard Fork McClintock Run South Fork Dunkard Fork Middle Creek ALLEGHENY Whiteley Creek (headwaters Miller Run downstream to SR 0088) Piney Creek INDIANA: Piney Run WESTMORELAND Blacklegs Creek Raystown Branch Juniata River Brush Creek Shafer Run WASHINGTON Canoe Creek Shaffers Run Cush Creek South Fork Bens Creek Cush Cushion Creek Stonycreek River (from Laurel Run Yonai Road (T-515) Bridge SOMERSET Little Mahoning Creek downstream to railroad FAYETTE (intersection of T-836 and retaining wall 0.25 mile GREENE SR 1037 at Antioch Church downstream of Covered Bridge Road (T-565)

18 www.fishandboat.com l =NEW 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws SOUTHWEST/NORTHWEST REGIONS

Tub Mill Run APPROVED TROUT ALL TACKLE FAYETTE: WILD BROOK TROUT Whites Creek WATERS OPEN TO TROPHY TROUT Meadow Run–2.2 miles; from ENHANCEMENT Wills Creek YEAR-ROUND PROJECTS the SR 2011 bridge (Dinner PROGRAM Youghiogheny River lake FISHING FAYETTE/SOMERSET: Bell Road) adjacent to the WESTMORELAND: tailwaters ARMSTRONG: Youghiogheny River– 9 miles; Ohiopyle St. Park office Camp Run Watershed– 4.1 WASHINGTON: Mahoning Creek (Mahoning from the confluence with downstream to mouth miles; from the headwaters Aunt Clara Fork Creek Dam outflow Ramcat Run downstream SOMERSET: downstream to mouth Canonsburg Lake downstream to the to the Route 381 bridge at Laurel Hill Creek – 1.2 miles; and all intermittent Dutch Fork confluence of Pine Run) Ohiopyle from the footbridge on State flow tributaries Enlow Fork Game Lands #111 Road in INDIANA: EARLY SEASON Kings Creek Cummings Reservoir (Blue DELAYED HARVEST Humbert downstream to Little Chartiers Creek Paddytown Hollow Run TROUT- STOCKED Spruce Lake) ARTIFICIAL LURES WATERS PROGRAM Millers Run SOMERSET: Laurel Hill Creek – 2.2 Mingo Creek ONLY miles; from Laurel ALLEGHENY: Blue Hole Creek (from ALLEGHENY: North Park Lake Pike Run confluence with Garys Run Hill State Park at Templeton Fork Deer Creek – 2.1 miles; from Boy Scout Camp BEAVER: downstream to mouth) the SR 0910 Bridge at T-678 Bradys Run Lake Tenmile Creek (from SR 0018 Fall Creek (from confluence downstream to T-364 downstream to SR 0019) intersection downstream to WASHINGTON: Main Lake (Raccoon Lake) with Ansell Run downstream the lower boundary of Rose CAMBRIA: WESTMORELAND: to mouth) Dutch Fork – 1.8 miles; Donegal Lake Ridge Golf Course from the first bridge Duman Lake Fourmile Run Pine Creek – 1.4 miles; from the (SR 0070) upstream Lake Rowena CATCH AND RELEASE abandoned railroad bridge Hannas Run FLY-FISHING ONLY of the Columbia Gas FAYETTE: near the T-575 and Duncan Dunlap Creek Lake Hendricks Creek FAYETTE: Compressor Station Ave. intersection downstream Virgin Run Lake Indian Creek Dunbar Creek – 4.1 miles; from downstream to the Dutch to 150 yards downstream of FAYETTE/SOMERSET: Indian Lake the confluence of Glade Run Fork Lake backwaters the SR 4019 bridge Youghiogheny River (from Jacobs Creek downstream to the stone at T-487 bridge just off Bull Creek – 1.0 mile; from the lake downstream to Keystone Lake quarry along SR 1055 SR 3001 (Lake Road) the first bridge on T-721 the confluence of the Linn Run INDIANA: Pike Run – 1.1 miles; from (above the T-721 and T-719 Casselman River) Loyalhanna Creek Little Mahoning Creek – 4.1 the confluence with intersection) downstream SOMERSET: Mammoth Lake miles; from Oberlin Road the unnamed tributary to the T-721 bridge in Laurel Hill Lake Mill Creek Bridge abutments upstream upstream of the SR 2079 Millerstown WASHINGTON: Northmoreland Lake of SR 1041 Bridge upstream bridge downstream to ARMSTRONG/BUTLER: Canonsburg Lake Sewickley Creek to Cesna Run the powerline crossing Buffalo Creek– 3.7 miles; from WESTMORELAND: Shannon Run SOMERSET: downstream of the Little Buffalo Run downstream Donegal Lake Twin Lakes Number One Clear Shade Creek – 1 mile; SR 2036 bridge to 0.6 mile above SR 4035 Keystone Lake Reservoir (Lower Twin Lake) from the cable at Windber WESTMORELAND: in Craigsville Mammoth Lake Twin Lake Number Two Reservoir Water Dam upstream Indian Creek – 1.6 miles; from (Upper Twin Lake) CAMBRIA: the T-916 bridge downstream Northmoreland Lake Tubmill Creek Chest Creek – 1.8 miles; from to the SR 0381 bridge. Twin Lakes Number One Turtle Creek the northern Patton borough Loyalhanna Creek – 1.7 miles; Reservoir (Lower Twin Lake) line downstream to the SR from SR 711 downstream to Twin Lakes Number Two 4022 bridge at Thomas Mills SR 2045 Reservoir (Upper Twin Lake) NORTHWEST REGION REGULATED TROUT WATERS APPROVED TROUT Slippery Rock Creek Conneaut Creek Sugar Creek (Center Road Upper Gravel Pit WATERS Thorn Creek (Dicksonburg Road (T-549) downstream West Basin Pond CLARION: (SR 4004) downstream to county line) (Waterworks Ponds, OPENING DAY: to Missing Bridge Thompson Creek (SR 2031 Presque Isle State Park) APRIL 14 Beaver Creek Canoe Creek (Pennside Road)) downstream to mouth) FOREST: BUTLER: Cathers Run East Branch Oil Creek Woodcock Creek Beaver Run Bear Creek Coon Creek (Clear Lake outflow ERIE: Bluejay Creek Bonnie Brook East Sandy Creek downstream to mouth) Cascade Creek Coon Creek Buffalo Creek Leatherwood Creek Fivemile Creek Conneauttee Creek East Hickory Creek Connoquenessing Creek Mill Creek Little Sugar Creek Crooked Creek Little Hickory Run Cornplanter Run (county line Piney Creek McLaughlin Creek (T-890 Bridge East Basin Pond Maple Creek to Moorehead Road (T-658)) Redbank Creek (county downstream to mouth) (Waterworks Ponds, Queen Creek Harbar Acres Lake line to confluence with Muddy Creek (T-794 Presque Isle State Park) Ross Run Little Buffalo Run Little Sandy Creek) downstream to SR 1033) Elk Creek Salmon Creek Little Connoquenessing Richey Run North Deer Creek l French Creek (from the NY South Branch Creek Toms Run Oil Creek (confluence with state line to the confluence of Tionesta Creek North Branch Slippery Rock Turkey Run Mosey Run near Lincolnville the West Branch of French Spring Creek Creek CRAWFORD: downstream to county line) Creek) The Branch Silver Creek Caldwell Creek Pine Creek Lake Pleasant Tionesta Creek (county South Branch French Creek line downstream to Twentymile Creek Kelletville Bridge) 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws l =NEW www.fishandboat.com 19 NORTHWEST/NORTHCENTRAL REGIONS

West Branch Tionesta Creek LAWRENCE: An explanation of each West Hickory Creek Neshannock Creek – 2.7 miles; trout regulation is from the base of the Mill Dam APPROVED TROUT in Volant downstream to the on pages 13 ERIE WATERS OPEN TO covered bridge on T-476 and 14. YEAR-ROUND MERCER: FISHING Cool Spring Creek – 1.25 WARREN FOREST: miles; from SR 2014 Toms Run Tionesta Creek (from Tionesta bridge upstream to the West Branch CRAWFORD Dam outflow downstream) abandoned railroad grade Millstone Creek LAWRENCE: VENANGO: West Hickory Creek Cascade Quarry Oil Creek – 1.6 miles; from FOREST bridge at Petroleum LAWRENCE: CATCH AND RELEASE Center downstream Bessemer Lake VENANGO WARREN: to railroad bridge at Big Run West Branch Caldwell Creek– Columbia Farm Deer Creek MERCER 3.6 miles; West Branch Bridge Oil Creek – 1.0 mile; from Hickory Run upstream to Three Bridge Run the two green posts Honey Creek CLARION near the Drake Well Little Neshannock CATCH AND RELEASE Museum downstream Creek FLY-FISHING ONLY to Oil Creek State Park Neshannock Creek LAWRENCE LAWRENCE: hiking trail bridge North Fork Little Slippery Rock Creek – 0.5 mile; Beaver Creek BUTLER from Heinz Camp property WILD BROOK TROUT Slippery Rock Creek Two Mile Run Reservoir downstream to 0.25 mile ENHANCEMENT (county line (Justus Lake) below SR 2022 Bridge PROGRAM downstream to West Pithole Creek VENANGO: FOREST/WARREN: Heinz Camp lower WARREN: Little Sandy Creek – 1.3 Minister Creek– 5 miles; property line) Akeley Run miles; from the old bridge includes main stem Taylor Run VENANGO: Blue Eye Run at Polk Center Pump House and tributaries. East Branch Sugar Creek Brokenstraw Creek downstream to the bridge on MERCER: East Sandy Creek Browns Run Savannah Road (SR 3024) EARLY SEASON Cool Spring Creek Hemlock Creek Caldwell Creek WARREN: TROUT- STOCKED Little Neshannock Creek Horse Creek Chapman Dam Reservoir Caldwell Creek – 1.4 miles; WATERS PROGRAM Little Shenango River Little Sandy Creek East Branch Spring Creek from Selkirk highway bridge BUTLER: Mill Creek (trib to Cool Little Scrubgrass Creek East Branch Tionesta Creek downstream to approximately Harbar Acres Lake Spring Creek) Little Sugar Creek East Hickory Creek 0.5 miles upstream of the ERIE: Neshannock Creek Lower Twomile Run Farnsworth Branch Dotyville Bridge East Basin Pond (Waterworks (SR 0058 at Mercer Mill Creek Fourmile Run Pond, Presque Isle) downstream to Oil Creek (county line Hemlock Run DELAYED HARVEST Lake Pleasant county line) downstream to SR 0008 Jackson Run ARTIFICIAL LURES Upper Gravel Pit North Deer Creek Bridge at Rynd Farm) Little Brokenstraw Creek ONLY West Basin Pond (Waterworks Pine Run Pine Run Perry Magee Run CLARION: Pond, Presque Isle) Sandy Creek (SR 173 Bridge Pithole Creek Pine Creek Piney Creek – 1.2 miles; SR LAWRENCE: downstream to county line) Prather Creek Queen Creek 2016 bridge downstream Bessemer Lake Shenango River (outlet Richey Run Sixmile Run to 0.2 mile upstream of MERCER: of Shenango Dam Sandy Creek (county South Branch Tionesta Creek the SR 0066 bridge Shenango River tailwaters downstream to Buckeye line downstream to Spring Creek FOREST: VENANGO: Drive Bridge (SR 3025)) SR 3013 (old Route Thompson Run East Hickory Creek– 1.7 Two Mile Run Reservoir West Branch Little Neshannock 8) Bridge in Pecan) Tidioute Creek miles; from the Queen (Justus Lake) Creek Sugar Creek Tionesta Creek Creek Bridge downstream WARREN: Wolf Creek Twomile Run (Upper Twomile Run to the Otter Creek Bridge Chapman Dam Reservoir Yellow Creek Twomile Run) West Branch Caldwell Creek

NORTHCENTRAL REGION REGULATED TROUT WATERS

REGIONAL OPENING SNYDER Clear Creek Hicks Run CENTRE: DAY OF TROUT West Branch Mahantango Driftwood Branch Mix Run Bald Eagle Creek (T-305 near SEASON Creek Sinnemahoning Creek North Creek Port Matilda downstream to APPROVED APPROVED TROUT East Branch Cowley Run Sinnemahoning Portage Creek 0.5 mile downstream of Boggs- TROUT WATERS WATERS East Branch Hicks Run Upper Jerry Run Howard Township line) OPENING DAY: OPENING DAY: First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek West Branch Cowley Run Big Poe Creek MARCH 31 APRIL 14 George B. Stevenson West Branch Hicks Run Black Moshannon Creek NORTHUMBERLAND: CAMERON: Reservoir Wykoff Run Mahantango Creek Brooks Run

20 www.fishandboat.com 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws NORTHCENTRAL REGION TROUT WATERS

Upper Pine Bottom Run For the latest White Deer Hole Creek information and MCKEAN: regulation updates, McKEAN Allegheny River (county please consult POTTER TIOGA line downstream to the Fish & Boat confluence with Allegheny Commission’s Portage Creek) website: Bell Run www.fishandboat.com. Bradford City Number Three ELK CAMERON Reservoir Brewer Run LYCOMING Chappel Fork JEFFERSON CLINTON Combs Creek East Branch Tionesta Creek MONTOUR Hamlin Lake Havens Run Kinzua Creek CLEARFIELD UNION CENTRE Marvin Creek North Branch Sugar Run Cold Stream (from outflow Potato Creek (confluence of of Cold Stream Dam up- SNYDER East Branch Potato Creek stream 1.0 mile to the and Havens Run downstream power line crossing) Laurel Run (tributary to East Hicks Run NORTHUMBERLAND to confluence with Marvin Cold Stream Dam Branch Mahoning Creek) Hoffman Run Creek) Eddy Lick Run Rattlesnake Creek Little Clearfield Creek Laurel Run Reservoir Red Mill Brook Little Fishing Creek (SR 0064 Rattlesnake Run Little Muddy Run Little Toby Creek Sartwell Creek (county line Bridge near Hublersburg Redbank Creek Medix Run Maxwell Run to mouth) downstream to county line) Sandy Lick Creek Moose Creek Mead Run Sevenmile Run Marsh Creek Walburn Run North Witmer Run Medix Run Skinner Creek Mountain Branch Wolf Run Parker Lake Millstone Creek South Branch Kinzua Creek Penns Creek (SR 0045 Bridge LYCOMING: South Witmer Run Mix Run Sugar Run in Spring Mills downstream to Hoagland Run West Branch Susquehanna Powers Run Twomile Run confluence with Elk Creek) Larrys Creek (water company River (SR 1001 Bridge near Ridgway Reservoir West Branch Clarion River Pine Creek (Stony Run Road filtration plant downstream Hyde downstream to first Rocky Run West Branch Potato Creek Bridge downstream to first to 1 mile downstream Railroad Bridge downstream Spring Creek Willow Creek bridge on Pine Creek Road) of confluence with First of the confluence with Moose Twin Lakes MONTOUR: Poe Lake Fork Larrys Creek) Creek), Wilson Run, Wolf West Branch Clarion River Mahoning Creek (from SR Seven Mountains Boy Scout Little Bear Creek Run (county line to mouth) West Branch Hicks Run 0054 to the mouth) Pond Little Muncy Creek (SR 0118 CLINTON: West Branch Millstone Creek Mauses Creek Sinking Creek Bridge downstream to Baker Run Wilson Run Roaring Creek Sixmile Run confluence with Big Run) Cooks Run Wolf Run NORTHUMBERLAND: South Fork Beech Creek Little Pine Creek Fishing Creek (confluence with JEFFERSON: Little Shamokin Creek Wallace Run Little Pine Lake Cedar Run downstream to Big Run (trib to Little Sandy Schwaben Creek White Deer Creek Loyalsock Creek (county mouth) Creek) South Branch Roaring Creek Wolf Run line downstream Hyner Run Big Run (trib to Zerbe Run Rod & Gun Club CLEARFIELD: to SR 0973) Kettle Creek (county line Mahoning Creek) Pond Anderson Creek Lycoming Creek (confluence downstream to Owl Hollow) Callen Run POTTER: Beaver Run with Roaring Branch Kettle Creek Lake Canoe Creek Allegheny River Bennett Branch Sinnemahoning downstream to confluence Left Branch Young Womans Cathers Run Bailey Run Creek with Hoagland Run) Creek Clear Creek Bell Run Chest Creek Mill Creek (Warrensville) (0.5 Little Fishing Creek Clear Run Big Moores Run Curry Run mile upstream of T-846 Right Branch Hyner Run Cloe Lake Cowanesque River East Branch Mahoning Creek Bridge downstream to SR Young Womans Creek East Branch East Branch Cowley Run (confluence with Beech Run 2039 Bridge downstream ELK: Mahoning Creek East Branch Fishing Creek downstream to county line) of Warrensville) Bear Creek Fivemile Run East Fork Sinnemahoning Creek Gazzam Run Muncy Creek (county line Belmouth Run (trib to Sandy Lick Creek) Elevenmile Creek Gifford Run downstream to confluence Big Mill Creek Laurel Run (trib to East Branch First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek Goss Run Dam with Little Muncy Creek) Boggy Run Mahoning Creek) Fishing Creek Hockenberry Run Pine Creek (county line Byrnes Run Little Sandy Creek Freeman Run Jack Dent Branch downstream to confluence Crooked Creek Little Toby Creek Genesee River Janesville Dam with Little Pine Creek) East Branch Clarion River Mill Creek (trib to Clarion River) Kettle Creek Juniata Lake (Tannery Dam) Pleasant Stream East Branch Hicks Run Mill Creek (trib to Sandy Lick Little Kettle Creek Laborde Branch Rock Run (trib to Lycoming East Branch Millstone Creek Creek) Lyman Run l Laurel Run (tributary Creek) East Branch Spring Creek North Fork Redbank Creek Spring Creek Lyman Run Reservoir to Bennett Branch Elk Creek Pekin Run Sinnemahoning Creek) 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws l =NEW www.fishandboat.com 21 NORTHCENTRAL REGION TROUT WATERS

Middle Branch Genesee River APPROVED TROUT UNION: CATCH AND RELEASE DELAYED HARVEST Oswayo Creek (confluence WATERS OPEN TO Cherry Run– 2.7 miles; from the ALL TACKLE ARTIFICIAL LURES with Clara Creek YEAR-ROUND mouth upstream a distance CENTRE: ONLY downstream to Sharon FISHING of 2.7 miles Spring Creek– 16.5 miles; CENTRE: Center Bridge (T-372)) CAMERON: from the Boalsburg Road Black Moshannon Creek Pine Creek West Creek CATCH AND RELEASE Bridge (SR 3010) at Oak – 1.3 miles; from Dry Sartwell Creek ELK: FLY-FISHING ONLY Hall upstream of Hanson Hollow downstream to 0.3 South Branch Oswayo Creek Straight Creek CAMERON: Quarry (formerly HRI/ mile downstream of the South Woods Branch West Creek (SR 1008 at Driftwood Branch Sinnemahoning Neidig Bros. Quarry) Huckleberry Road bridge West Branch Cowley Run Rathbun downstream Creek – 1.4 miles; from the downstream to the mouth CLEARFIELD: West Branch Genesee River to SR 3001 at Shippen Township Building with the exception of Little Clearfield Creek– 1.1 West Branch Pine Creek Howard Siding) downstream to 330 yards special regulations area miles; from 0.4 miles SNYDER: MCKEAN: upstream of the SR 0120 at Fisherman’s Paradise downstream of the T-584 Kern Run Meade Run Bridge near Emporium and the Exhibition Bridge downstream to 0.2 Middle Creek (headwaters CENTRE: Area in Bellefonte miles upstream of the SR downstream to 0.5 mile CATCH AND RELEASE Spring Creek (Fisherman’s ELK: 2023 (Turkey Hill) Bridge downstream of SR 0522 CAMERON: Paradise) – 0.8 miles; from Clarion River– 8.6 miles; Sandy Lick Creek– 1.71 miles; Bridge at Middleburg) Hunts Run– 4.7 miles; from a point adjacent to the from the confluence from the mouth of Laborde North Branch Mahantango confluence with McNuff Stackhouse School Pistol of the East and West Branch downstream to the Creek Branch downstream Range downstream to the branches downstream SR 219 bridge North Branch Middle Creek to the mouth lower Bellefonte Hatchery to the Main St. Bridge ELK: South Branch Middle Creek CLINTON: grounds (SR 948) in Ridgway Big Mill Creek– 1.5 miles; from Swift Run Fishing Creek– 2.0 miles; from ELK: the confluence of Rocky TIOGA: State Game Lands #295 West Branch Clarion River – 0.5 TROPHY TROUT Run downstream to 0.3 mile Asaph Run, boundary (located 300 yards mile; from intersection of SR PROJECTS downstream of the Allegheny Beechwood Lake downstream of the upstream 219 and SR 4003 upstream to CENTRE: National Forest, Forest Road, Corey Creek SR 2002 bridge) downstream the former Texas Gulf Sulphur Lick Run – 2.5 miles; from the 135 Bridge Cowanesque River (county line to a point 1.3 miles upstream property line 0.6 miles upstream headwaters to the mouth East Branch Clarion River– downstream to confluence of the lower SR 2002 bridge of SR 4003 bridge CLINTON: 1.15 miles; from 110 yards with Troupes Creek) Rauchtown Creek– 1.2 JEFFERSON: Fishing Creek – 0.9 mile; from downstream of the outflow East Branch Stony Fork miles; from the confluence North Fork Redbank Creek – the private lane bridge at from East Branch Clarion Lake Hamilton of Rockey Run and Krape 1.9 miles; from SR 322 in the Tylersville State Fish River Lake downstream to Long Run (trib to Pine Creek) Run downstream to the SR Brookville upstream 1.9 miles, Hatchery downstream to the State Gameland boundary Marsh Creek (SR 3024 0880 crossing upstream of except a 110-yard section the State Game Lands #295 1.15 miles downstream of downstream to mouth) the Ravensburg St. Park from the Brookville Water boundary (located 300 yards the upstream limit Mill Creek Picnic Area. Authority Dam downstream downstream of the upstream LYCOMING: Pine Creek Young Womans Creek – 5.7 to the wire across the creek SR 2002 bridge) and 2.1 Little Pine Creek – 1.1 miles; from Seeley Creek miles; from the Beechwood LYCOMING/TIOGA: miles; from a point 1.3 miles the confluence of Otter Run Stony Fork Trail downstream to a point Slate Run – 7 miles; from the upstream of the lower SR downstream to the confluence Tioga River (county line .7 mile upstream of the confluence of the Cushman 2002 bridge downstream to of Schoolhouse Hollow downstream to confluence confluence with the Left and Francis branches Fleming’s Bridge (SR 2004) Loyalsock Creek – 1.5 miles; with Fall Brook) Branch Young Womans downstream to the mouth at the Lamar Fish Hatchery from the Lycoming - Sullivan UNION: Creek McKEAN: LYCOMING/TIOGA: County line downstream to Buffalo Creek (T-366 Bridge LYCOMING: Marvin Creek – 0.9 miles; Cedar Run – 7.2 miles; Sandy Bottom downstream to confluence Grays Run– 2.2 miles; from from the vicinity of the high from the confluence with Lycoming Creek – 1.3 miles; with Rapid Run) the Grays Run Hunting Club voltage line 3 miles south Buck Run downstream from the SR 0015 bridge Halfway Lake property line downstream to of Smethport downstream to the mouth (Old Route 15) near Haleeka Laurel Run the concrete bridge on T-842 for a distance of 0.9 miles McKEAN: upstream 1.3 miles to the first North Branch Buffalo Creek (Grays Run Road) at the old POTTER: East Branch Tunungwant overhead utility line crossing Penns Creek (0.3 mile CCC camp Kettle Creek – 1.7 miles; Creek – 3.0 miles; from upstream of Powys Curve downstream of confluence MIFFLIN/UNION: from a sign located 500 the confluence with Muncy Creek – 1.1 miles; with Cherry Run Penns Creek– 3.9 miles; from feet downstream of the SR Pigeon Run downstream from R. Sullivan property downstream to SR 0235 approximately 650 yards 0144 bridge to a sign located to the Main Street 600 yards upstream of Bridge in Glen Iron) downstream of Swift Run 1.7 miles upstream of the Bridge in Lewis Run T-650 bridge downstream Rapid Run (from outflow of downstream to approximately lower boundary to vicinity of confluence of Halfway Lake to mouth) 550 yards downstream of TIOGA: ALL TACKLE Big Run at Tivoli Spring Creek Cherry Run Francis Branch Tributary to Slate TROPHY TROUT Pine Creek – 1.2 miles; from Spruce Run POTTER: Run – 1.7 miles; from mouth PROJECTS the confluence with Slate White Deer Creek (from Cooper Cross Fork– 5.4 miles; upstream to Kramer Hollow CENTRE: Run downstream to a point Mill bridge to mouth) from Bear Trap Lodge UNION: Penns Creek– 7 miles from 150 meters upstream of the downstream to the White Deer Creek – 3.1 miles; from the confluence with Elk confluence with Naval Run Weed property Cooper Mill Road upstream Creek downstream to the McKEAN: to Union/Centre County line Catch and Release area Kinzua Creek– 2.3 miles; From SR 219 at Tallyho downstream to Camp Run

22 www.fishandboat.com 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws NORTHCENTRAL/NORTHEAST REGIONS

West Branch Tunungwant Creek SNYDER: WILD BROOK TROUT POTTER/TIOGA: CLINTON: – 1.2 miles; from T-499 bridge Middle Creek – 1.2 miles; ENHANCEMENT Upper Kettle Creek Basin– Kettle Creek Lake downstream to pipeline crossing from the bridge on SR PROGRAM 28.3 miles; from the main JEFFERSON: near confluence of Gates Hollow 4007 (Pine Swamp POTTER: stem of Kettle Creek from Cloe Lake POTTER: Road) to the down- Birch Run Watershed– Entire the headwaters downstream LYCOMING: Allegheny River – 2.7 miles; stream boundary of State watershed, which includes to the confluence with Long Little Pine Lake from Pond Road 0.3 mile Game Lands #188 5.3 miles of Birch Run and Run including Long Run and MCKEAN: downstream of Colesburg TIOGA: its tributaries all tributaries upstream to Bradford City Number Three downstream to ford 0.3 mile Pine Creek – 1.0 mile; from Lyman Run– Lyman Run ba- the headwaters Reservoir downstream of Prosser Hol- Darling Run to a point sin from the inflow to Lyman POTTER: low Bridge 150 meters downstream Lake upstream on Lyman EARLY SEASON Lyman Run Reservoir First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek of the confluence with Run to its headwaters, a TROUT- STOCKED TIOGA: – 2.1 miles; from mouth of Owassee Slide Hollow distance of 5.3 miles, and WATERS PROGRAM Beechwood Lake Bailey Run downstream to a including all tributaries to CAMERON: Hamilton Lake bend above Berge Run Bridge this portion of Lyman Run George B. Stevenson Reservoir NORTHEAST REGION REGULATED TROUT WATERS REGIONAL OPENING Drakes Creek DAY OF TROUT Francis E. Walter Reservoir SEASON (Bear Creek Reservoir) OPENING DAY: Hickory Run (outlet of Hickory MARCH 31 Run Lake downstream to SUSQUEHANNA Saylorsville Dam) BRADFORD APPROVED TROUT WAYNE WATERS Hickory Run Lake Lehigh Canal (Long Run Level *These Northeast Region LACKAWANNA waters flow beyond the near Weissport) counties designated as part Lehigh River (Carbon - WYOMING of the Regional Opening Day of Luzerne county line SULLIVAN Trout Season and are included from outlet of FE Walter as part of this trout program. Reservoir downstream PIKE CARBON: to confluence with Lizard Creek Sandy Run) Mahoning Creek Mauch Chunk Creek (outlet LUZERNE Mauch Chunk Lake MONROE downstream to Mauch COLUMBIA APPROVED TROUT An WATERS Chunk Reservoir) Nesquehoning Creek explanation OPENING DAY: CARBON APRIL 14 Pohopoco Creek (outlet of of each trout BRADFORD: Beltzville Lake downstream regulation is on Gaylord Creek to backwater of Parryville LACKAWANNA: Dam) pages 13 and 14. Little Schrader Creek Aylesworth Creek Lake Harvey’s Lake (see (confluence with Marsh Sand Spring Run Eston Wilson Lake miscellaneous special Buckwha Creek Creek downstream to mouth) COLUMBIA: Gardner Creek regulations on page 30) Bush Kill North Branch Sugar Creek Beaver Run (Moyers Farm Lackawanna Lake Kitchen Creek (Shedy Hill Hidden Lake (Alparon Park Fairgrounds downstream to mouth) Lackawanna River (from Road (T-559) downstream Lake Creek downstream to mouth) Briar Creek (confluence with Old Stillwater Reservoir to mouth) Lehigh River Schrader Creek West Branch Briar Creek downstream to Simpson) Lake Frances McMichael Creek Seeley Creek downstream to mouth) Lehigh River Lake Irena Pocono Creek South Branch Towanda Creek Briar Creek Lake Merli-Sarnoski Lake Took A While (Riverlands) Princess Run South Creek Fishing Creek (SR 4049 Park Lake Lehigh River (F. E. Walter Snow Hill Dam Sugar Creek (confluence with downstream to Light Street) Roaring Brook Dam downstream Tobyhanna Creek South Branch Sugar Creek Huntington Creek (Forks Farm South Branch to Sandy Run) Tobyhanna Lake downstream to SR 0006 in downstream to Twin Bridges Tunkhannock Creek Lily Lake PIKE: East Troy) Park) West Branch Wallenpaupack Moon Lake Bush Kill Sunfish Pond Little Fishing Creek (Talmar Creek Nescopeck Creek Decker Brook (SR 0006 Bridge Towanda Creek (South Ave., Road (SR 4032) downstream LUZERNE: Pine Creek downstream to lower SGL T-998 downstream to SR to Eyers Grove Road (SR Big Wapwallopen Creek Wapwallopen Creek #183 boundary) 3001 Bridge) 4021)) (powerline crossing Wright Creek Fairview Lake Tuscarora Creek Pine Creek upstream of Nuangola Road MONROE: Lackawaxen River (county Wysox Creek Mugser Run (SR 2042) downstream to Appenzell Creek line downstream to mouth) CARBON: Roaring Creek county road) Brodhead Creek (Cherry Lake Loch Lomond Aquashicola Creek Scotch Run Francis E. Walter Reservoir Lane Bridge (SR 1002) Lake Minisink Buckwha Creek South Branch Roaring Creek (Bear Creek Reservoir) downstream to SR 0080 Lily Pond West Branch Briar Creek Harvey’s Creek Bridge at Exit 52) West Creek

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws www.fishandboat.com 23 NORTHEAST REGION TROUT WATERS

Little Bush Kill (lower limit of Snake Creek CATCH AND RELEASE Lehman Lake club property Starrucca Creek CARBON: TAKE THE PLEDGE! downstream to upper limit South Branch Canawacta Creek Hickory Run– 2.9 miles; from WITH of Bushkill Rod & Gun Club Tunkhannock Creek the outlet of Saylorsville Dam property and Bushkill Falls West Branch Meshoppen Creek downstream to the mouth boundary downstream to WAYNE: LACKAWANNA: mouth) Dyberry Creek Roaring Brook– 3.9 miles; from Little Mud Pond East Branch Dyberry Creek Hollisterville Dam downstream TAKE SOMEONE YOU KNOW Lower Lake (Lower Promised Equinunk Creek to Elmhurst Reservoir OUT ON THE WATER. Land Lake, including outlet Hollister Creek PIKE: FISH-FOR-FREE DAYS from Upper Lake) Jones Creek Toms Creek– 2.1 miles; from the Masthope Creek (Upper SGL Lackawanna River Delaware Water Gap National ARE THE PERFECT #316 boundary downstream Lackawaxen River Recreation Area boundary OPPORTUNITY! to lower SGL #316 boundary) Long Pond downstream to the mouth Middle Branch Bush Kill Rose Pond Branch MEMORIAL DAY: MAY 28 Saw Creek (Bushkill Falls Road Shehawken Creek CATCH AND RELEASE LABOR DAY: SEPTEMBER 3 (SR 2003) downstream to Upper Woods Pond FLY-FISHING ONLY State Forest boundary Van Auken Creek MONROE: www.fishandboat.com downstream of Whitaker West Branch Dyberry Creek Bush Kill – 6.1 miles; on the Road (T-324)) West Branch Lackawaxen River Resica Falls Scout Reservation LUZERNE: State Game Lands #141 Shohola Creek (SR 0739 (Pleasant Mount State Fish property except 200 yards on Harveys Creek – 1.5 miles; upstream on Jeans Run to downstream to the SGL Hatchery downstream to 0.4 each side of the falls from Jackson Road (T-812) its headwaters, a distance of #180 ford crossing) mile downstream of third bridge WAYNE: downstream to Pavlick Road 2.5 miles, and all tributaries Shohola Creek (from the outlet of on Hatchery Road (T-611) Dyberry Creek – 0.8 mile; from (T-497) entering this portion of Jeans Shohola Lake downstream to and from outflow of Prompton 300m (.19 mile) downstream Nescopeck Creek – 2.4 miles; Run lower boundary of SGL #180) Dam to Seelyville) from the third bridge on Dug from the upstream boundary MONROE: SULLIVAN: West Branch Wallenpaupack Rd. (SR 4009) upstream of of State Game Lands #187 Kistler Run Watershed– Entire Double Run Creek the mouth, downstream to downstream to a cable across watershed, which includes Elk Creek WYOMING: the second bridge on Dug the stream 3.1 miles of Kistler Run and Hoagland Branch (confluence Bowman Creek Rd. (SR 4009) upstream from MONROE: its tributaries with Porter Creek downstream Horton Creek the mouth McMichaels Creek – 1.66 Wolf Swamp Run Watershed– to mouth) Lake Winola WYOMING: miles; from a point .71 mile Entire watershed, which Hunters Lake Leonard Creek Bowman Creek – 0.8 mile; downstream of the bridge includes 2.1 miles of Wolf Kings Creek (intersection of Martins Creek from SR 0292 downstream on Turkey Hill Road (T-416) Swamp Run and its tributaries Tall Maple Road (T-395) Mehoopany Creek to Marsh Creek downstream to Glen Brook and SR 4008 downstream Meshoppen Creek Road SR 2004 Bridge to mouth) North Branch Mehoopany Creek EARLY SEASON TROPHY TROUT Tobyhanna Creek – 1 mile; Little Loyalsock Creek (SR Oxbow Lake TROUT- STOCKED PROJECTS from the confluence of Still 0087 Bridge south of Dushore Riley Creek WATERS PROGRAM LACKAWANNA: Swamp Run, downstream COLUMBIA: downstream to the confluence South Branch Tunkhannock Lackawanna River – 5.2 miles; to the PPL service bridge Briar Creek Lake with Big Bottom Run) Creek from the Gilmartin Street Bridge PIKE: LACKAWANNA: Loyalsock Creek Tuscarora Creek in Archbald downstream to Dingmans Creek – 1.4 miles; Lackawanna Lake Mill Creek (Hillsgrove) West Branch Meshoppen Creek the Lackawanna Avenue LUZERNE: Muncy Creek from the base of Deer Bridge (SR 0347) in Olyphant. Leap Falls downstream to Lake Irena North Branch Mehoopany Creek APPROVED TROUT Excepted is a mid-section Lake Took-a-While Schrader Creek WATERS OPEN TO Dingmans Falls area extending .7 mile from SUSQUEHANNA: Lily Lake West Branch Fishing Creek YEAR-ROUND the Depot Street Bridge in Moon Lake SUSQUEHANNA: FISHING Salt Lick Creek – 1.45 miles; Jessup downstream to the foot from 90 yards downstream MONROE: Canawacta Creek BRADFORD: bridge in Robert Mellow Park from Beaver Creek Hidden Lake East Branch Tunkhannock Mountain Lake downstream to boundary SULLIVAN: Creek Sugar Run DELAYED HARVEST of State Game Lands #35 Hunters Lake East Branch Wyalusing Creek LUZERNE: ARTIFICIAL LURES WAYNE: SUSQUEHANNA: Fall Brook Frances Slocum Lake ONLY West Branch Wallenpaupack Quaker Lake Gaylord Creek Sylvan Lake BRADFORD: Creek – 1.6 miles; from 0.6 WAYNE: Horton Creek LUZERNE/SULLIVAN: Towanda Creek – 1.7 miles; miles downstream from the Upper Woods Pond Lackawanna River Lake Jean from SR 3001 downstream Jones Creek confluence Martins Creek WAYNE: to Con’s Road (T-350) downstream to the Callapoose Meshoppen Creek Duck Harbor Pond CARBON: Rd. (SR 3009) bridge North Branch Wyalusing Creek WYOMING: Mud Run – 2.5 miles; in Hickory An explanation Quaker Lake Mehoopany Creek (from Run State Park Riley Creek WILD BROOK TROUT of each trout confluence with Kasson Brook LACKAWANNA/WYOMING: ENHANCEMENT Salt Lick Creek downstream to confluence of South Branch Tunkhannock regulation is on Silver Creek North Fork Mehoopany Creek) PROGRAM Creek – 1.0 mile; from SR 6 CARBON: pages 13 and 14. downstream through Keystone Jeans Run– From border of College campus 24 www.fishandboat.com 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws SALTWATER ANGLER REGISTRY: DELAWARE RIVER AND ESTUARY l=NEW l Anglers who target or catch shad, striped bass Pennsylvania fishing license holders may choose to register for free with the ANG and river herring* from the Delaware River below WATER LER RE Fish and Boat Commission. Visit www.fishandboat.com/saltwater.htm ALT GIS A S TR Trenton Falls or in the Delaware Estuary are NI Y for registration details. A PR LV O Anglers may also register with the National Registry website at required to register through the Fish and Y G S R N A www.countmyfish.noaa.gov with NOAA by clicking on the Angler Boat Commission’s free on-line system (PA- N M E P Registry link or call the toll-free registration line SARP); register, for a fee, with the National

NATIONAL SALTWATER ANGLER REGISTRY: Saltwater Angler Registry administered

by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric DELAWARE RIVER AND ESTUARY at 1-888-

Administration (NOAA); or meet the P MRIP-411 (1-888-674-7411). Please note that E N saltwater angler registration requirements of N O registered anglers must still possess a valid state N SI another state. Anglers do not need to register SY IS fishing license. LV M AN OM Registration is a tool to help anglers and federal if they meet one of the following exceptions: IA F AT C • Are under the age of 16. ISH & BO policy makers work together to better account for the contributions and • Hold a Highly Migratory Species Angling Permit. impacts of saltwater anglers on ocean ecosystems and coastal economies. • Fish commercially under a valid license. Reliable, universally trusted data will in turn aid anglers, fisheries managers and • Possess a valid registration with the National Saltwater Angler other stakeholders in their combined efforts to effectively and fairly set the rules • Registry administered by NOAA or from another exempted state. that will ensure the long-term sustainability of recreational fishing. *River herring (also known as alewife and blueback herring) are regulated with closed fishing seasons, year-round, in the Delaware River, its tributaries (upstream to the limit of tidal influence) and estuary. Hickory shad (endangered species) has no open season. These species are not to be targeted. If caught, they are to be immediately released, unharmed.

Since 1931, PA’s official fishing and boating magazine. No matter what time of year, PA Angler & Boater magazine is your guide to better

 Read expert advice on hauling in the big ones. 6 BIG Issues per year!  And much more! SUBSCRIBE TO Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Payment must accompany orders. Use your credit card, check or money order made payable to the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Name Commission. Return this form with payment to: PA&B Circulation, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harris- burg, PA 17106-7000. Allow 45 days to receive the first issue. Address ❑ One year (6 issues) $12 ❑ Three years (18 issues) $30

City/State/Zip TOTAL ENCLOSED $

Phone/E-mail Credit Card Purchase: ❑ VISA ❑ Mastercard Credit Card # Exp. Date Acct. number (if renewing or extending) Signature

SAVE UP TO 44% OFF THE COVER PRICE! Phone E-mail (optional) Subscribe with this form today or online at www.fishandboat.com. SUM12

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws www.fishandboat.com 25 CATCH AND RELEASE FISHING

CATCH AND RELEASE LAKES PROGRAM

These lakes are regulated year-round as catch County Water Area and release for all fish species. This means fishing Allegheny Pine Township Park Pond is permitted on a catch and release/no harvest Beaver Raccoon Creek State Park basis. It is unlawful to take, kill or possess any fish from these lakes. Once caught, all fish shall Upper Pond be immediately returned unharmed. Columbia and Bear Gap Reservoir Additional catch and release regulations spe- Northumberland McWilliams Reservoir cifically for trout can be found onpage 14. These Columbia Klines Reservoir include: Catch and Release, Catch and Release Schuylkill Owl Creek Reservoir All Tackle and Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only. Westmoreland Lower Burrell Park Pond

HOW TO RELEASE FISH - Catch and Release Some waters are managed strictly as “Catch 1. Use barbless hooks. 8. Cut the line. and Release” waters. Every angler should expect When it is not possible to remove the hook and be prepared to release some portion of his 2. Play fish quickly. without harming the fish, cut the line. catch. Minimum size limits require that fish less Try to land your fish as quickly as possible than the minimum must be released. Creel limits and don’t play the fish to exhaustion. 9. Don’t touch the gills. Do not handle fish by placing your fingers in require that fish caught in excess of the limit must 3. Use a landing net. be released. Closed seasons require the release the gill slits. of fish species caught during a season when 4. Keep the fish in the water. 10. Hold the fish upright underwater after keeping them is not permitted. Just as important, The chance of a fish being injured increases hook removal and allow it to swim away un- catch and release has become a popular and the longer it is held out of water. der its own power. preferred method of angling. The idea for both 5. Wet your hands. If necessary, hold the fish out of the current voluntary catch and release and catch and release Wet your hands, your net and other until it revives. required by regulations is that the fish survive to materials that may come in contact with grow larger, and perhaps reproduce, and perhaps 11. Fish that are bleeding from the mouth or the fish. then can be caught again. The number of fish gills due to hook removal do not survive after that survive depends on several factors, including 6. Hold the fish upside down while removing being released back into the water. Anglers the length of the fight, where the fish is hooked, the hook. may be charged with violating the Fish and water temperature and how the fish is handled This can often pacify the fish and reduce Boat Code by failing to immediately release and released. handling time. the fish unharmed. If regulations permit, the To give fish released the best chance for survival, follow these recommended guidelines: 7. Remove hooks quickly. angler should keep the fish and have it count Hemostats or long-nose pliers are essential towards his or her daily limit. tools for quickly removing hooks.

l CATCH AND RELEASE REGULATIONS for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers now have a closed season and extend to tributary portions, see page 5.

CAST AND THROW NET PERMIT The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission is- The use of a cast net or throw net in any other net or throw net to take, catch, kill or possess any sues permits for use of cast nets or throw nets for Commonwealth waters is a violation of the Fish and fish species except gizzard shad 8 inches or less taking gizzard shad 8 inches or less in length and Boat Code and is punishable by a fine and may result in length and alewife; use gizzard shad or alewife alewife only in waters determined by the executive in the loss of fishing privileges. Cast nets or throw taken under the required permit as live bait in any director. The executive director has determined that nets shall not exceed 10 feet in radius or 20 feet in water other than the water from which it was taken; the Commission will issue cast net or throw net per- diameter and possess a mesh size of at least 3/8- use a cast net/throw net without possessing a valid mits only for the waterways listed below. A separate inch. The holder of the cast net or throw net permit fishing license. permit is required for each area. may take, catch, kill or possess a daily creel limit of Cast net and throw net permits are available 100 gizzard shad and alewife (combined species). on the Internet at: www.pa.wildlifelicense.com. County Water Area The holder of the permit shall carry the permit on Applications are also available online at: Berks Blue Marsh Lake his/her person while using the net or while possess- www.fishandboat.com/forms_fishing.htm. Bucks Nockamixon Lake ing more than 50 gizzard shad or alewife (combined Carbon Beltzville Lake species). The permit shall be available for inspec- Huntingdon Raystown Lake tion by a waterways conservation officer. Wayne/Pike Lake Wallenpaupack It is unlawful to: use a cast net or throw net in the Butler Lake Arthur waterways listed above without the required permit; Mercer Shenango River Lake use a cast net or throw net in any other Common- wealth waters except those listed above; use a cast

28 www.fishandboat.com l =NEW 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws MUSKELLUNGE, PIKE, PICKEREL & PANFISH

BROOD STOCK LAKES PROGRAM

These regulations are intended to restrict harvest County Water Area County Water Area and fish consumption from designated lakes during Crawford Conneaut Lake Wayne Belmont Lake the FDA-mandated withdrawal period. During this Lake Canadohta Duck Harbor Pond period, fish anesthetics are used during muskel- Sugar Lake Lake Wallenpaupack lunge, tiger muskellunge (hybrids), northern pike Tamarack Lake Lower Woods Pond and pickerel culture operations. From April 1 through May 31, fishing for these species is Woodcock Creek Lake Miller Pond permitted on a catch and release/no harvest Erie Edinboro Lake Prompton Dam basis. It is unlawful to take or possess any mus- Howard Eaton Reservoir For all other species, Commonwealth inland waters kellunge, tiger muskellunge (hybrids), northern Union City Reservoir seasons, sizes and creel limits apply. pike and pickerel from these lakes during this period. When caught, these fish species shall be immediately returned unharmed. PANFISH ENHANCEMENT SPECIAL REGULATIONS These regulations are intended to increase the number, quality and size of panfish through the use of minimum length limits on sunfish, crappies and yellow perch. For all other species, Commonwealth inland waters seasons, sizes and creel limits apply, unless listed in the Early Season Trout-Stocked Waters Program. It is unlawful to fish in the Panfish Enhancement Special Regulations waters listed below except in compliance with the following size and creel limits: Bluegill County Water Area Species Minimum Size Daily Limit Berks Blue Marsh Reservoir Crappie 9 inches 20 Cambria Beaverdam Run Reservoir Yellow Perch 9 inches Pumpkinseed Hinkston Run Reservoir Sunfish 7 inches When Panfish Crappie 9 inches Enhancement Wilmore Dam Sunfish 7 inches Regulations “Sunfish” Crappie 9 inches apply to more includes Yellow Perch 9 inches than one bluegills, Centre Colyer Lake Sunfish 7 inches species in the pumpkinseeds Yellow Perch 9 inches same water- and redear sunfish. Crappie 9 inches way, the com- Redear Sunfish Foster Joseph Sayers Lake Sunfish 7 inches bined creel Crappie 9 inches limit is 20 for Chester Chambers Lake Sunfish 7 inches each species Crappie 9 inches with the total Yellow Perch 9 inches creeled not Lancaster Speedwell Forge Lake Crappie 9 inches to exceed Montour Lake Chillisquaque Sunfish 7 inches 50 panfish 7 to 8 dorsal spines Black Crappie 9 inches combined. Crappie Monroe Bradys Lake Sunfish 7 inches Crappie 9 inches Yellow Perch 9 inches Gouldsboro Lake Sunfish 7 inches Crappie 9 inches “Crappie” Yellow Perch 9 inches includes both white and black crappies. Pike Lower Lake Sunfish 7 inches (Lower Promised Lake) Yellow Perch 9 inches 5 to 6 dorsal spines Promised Land Lake Sunfish 7 inches (Upper Promised Land Lake) Yellow Perch 9 inches Somerset High Point Lake Yellow Perch 9 inches Quemahoning Reservoir Sunfish 7 inches Crappie 9 inches White Yellow Perch 9 inches Crappie Washington Cross Creek Lake Sunfish 7 inches Yellow Perch Crappie 9 inches Westmoreland Lower Twin Lake Crappie 9 inches Northmoreland Lake Sunfish 7 inches Crappie 9 inches Upper Twin Lake Crappie 9 inches

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws www.fishandboat.com 29 SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY LOCATION

MISCELLANEOUS WATERS WITH SPECIAL REGULATIONS l=NEW

These special regulations apply to fish LACKAWANNA: Lake Scranton confluence with Ramcat Run and Youghiogheny species identified for each location and • It is unlawful for any person to fish from the River from the PA Route 381 bridge at Ohiopyle regulation. Fish species not covered by a fishing pier designated for use by persons with downstream to the mouth of the river. special regulation in these locales – inland disabilities unless such person is: • No closed season on trout. Daily limit – regulations apply unless otherwise desig- -totally blind, Opening day of the trout season through Labor nated for these species. -so severely disabled that he or she is unable to Day – 5 trout; the day after Labor Day through cast or retrieve a line or bait hooks and remove fish, the opening day of the trout season of the follow- BEAVER: Hopewell Township Park Lake -deprived of the use of both legs, or ing year – 3 trout. For all other species, inland • Bass – 15-inch minimum size, creel limit 2 -participating in a special fishing event for per- regulations apply. See All-Tackle Trophy- Trout per day. Panfish – Creel limit 10 combined spe- sons with disabilities under conditions approved by regulations on page 14. cies per day. Use of live fish for bait is prohibited. the owner of the lake. WARREN: Allegheny River – 8.75 miles from Refer to Big Bass Program for NO HARVEST Such person may fish with only one legal device the outflow of the Allegheny Reservoir down- dates (see page 9). and must be within 10 feet of the device used. A stream to the confluence of Conewango Creek. BLAIR/HUNTINGDON/JUNIATA/MIFFLIN/ person authorized to fish from the fishing pier • From 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular PERRY: Juniata River and tributaries under the above rules may be attended by another trout season through Labor Day, the minimum • The daily creel limit of rock bass is 10; open individual who may assist the person with the dis- size for trout is 14 inches and the daily limit is 2 season year-round; no minimum size limit. ability in using the fishing device. (combined species). CHESTER: Elk Creek (Big Elk Creek) – Maxi- l LEHIGH: Leaser Lake • From Sept. 4 until 8 a.m. of the opening day mum size limit of 8 inches applies to taking or • All species, except trout–catch and release/no of the trout season of the following year, no trout possessing blueback herring and alewife. harvest; it is unlawful to take, kill or possess any may be killed or had in possession. CLARION: Beaver Creek Ponds fish, except trout. All fish caught other than trout WASHINGTON: Little Chartiers Creek – From • Closed to fishing from Jan. 1 through opening must immediately returned unharmed. For trout, Canonsburg Lake Dam approximately 0.25 mile day of bass season. inland regulations apply. This regulation will remain downstream to the mouth. • Bass – 15-inch minimum size, creel limit 2 in effect until June 18, 2016. • No fishing from March 1 until 8 a.m. opening per day on entire project area. Panfish – Creel LUZERNE: Harveys Lake day of the trout season. limit 10 per day combined species on entire area. • The daily limit is 3 trout (combined species) WAYNE: West Branch Delaware River – From COLUMBIA AND NORTHUMBERLAND: during the period from 8 a.m. on the opening day the Pennsylvania/New York border downstream South Branch of Roaring Creek – from the bridge of trout season through March 31. Only one of the to the confluence with the East Branch of the on State Route 3008 at Bear Gap upstream to 3 trout daily limit may exceed 18 inches in length. Delaware River. Artificial-Lures-Only season the bridge on State Route 42 – This is a catch The lake is closed to fishing from April 1 until 8 runs from October 16 until 8 a.m. on the opening and release/no harvest fishery for all species. a.m. on the opening day of trout season. Inland day of the trout season. It is unlawful to take, kill or possess any fish. regulations apply to warmwater/coolwater species. • Fishing may be done with artificial lures only, All fish caught must be immediately returned MERCER: Shenango River – From dam down- constructed of metal, plastic, rubber or wood, or unharmed. stream 1.5 miles to SR 3025. with flies and streamers constructed of natural or CRAWFORD: Paden Creek and Linesville • Closed season on trout – April 1 until 8 a.m. on synthetic materials. All lures may be used with Creek the opening day of regular trout season. Daily limit spinning or fly fishing gear. • Nursery waters closed to all fishing March – Opening day of the trout season to Labor Day – 5 • The use or possession of natural bait, bait- 1 through May 6. Waters involved are Paden trout; the day after Labor Day through March 31 of fish, fishbait, bait paste and similar substances, Creek (Finley Creek) from the mouth upstream the following year – 3 trout. fish eggs (natural or molded), or any other edible to “Finley Bridge” on U.S. Route 6 and Linesville MONROE/NORTHAMPTON/PIKE: Delaware substance is prohibited. Creek from the mouth (Pymatuning Sanctuary) Water Gap National Recreation Area-The use of • The daily creel limit of trout is zero (0) during upstream to the Conrail Railroad bridge north of eel chutes, eelpots and fyke nets is prohibited. the artificial-lures-only season. U.S. Route 6 in Linesville. The taking of the following fishbait is prohibited: WESTMORELAND: Indian Lake (North CRAWFORD/ERIE: Conneaut Creek Crayfish or crabs, mussels, clams and the nymphs, Huntingdon Township) • Lake Erie Tributary Regulations apply (see larvae and pupae of all insects spending any part • Bass – 15-inch minimum size limit. Daily limit page 11) for entire stream in Crawford and Erie of their life cycle in the water. The taking, catching, 2 per day. Refer to Big Bass Program for NO counties. killing and possession of any species of amphibian HARVEST dates (see page 9). Panfish (com- HUNTINGDON: Raystown Lake and Ray- or reptile within the boundaries of the Delaware bined species) – Daily limit 10 per day. stown Branch – From dam downstream to Water Gap National Recreation Area is prohibited. WYOMING: Lake Winola – Only bass less than Juniata River. SOMERSET/FAYETTE/WESTMORELAND/AL- 12 inches and over 18 inches in length may be • Trout (all species) no closed season. Creel LEGHENY: Youghiogheny River – (1 mile) From lake harvested. Refer to Big Bass Program for NO limit 5 per day during regular season; 3 per day downstream to confluence with Casselman River. HARVEST dates (see page 9). The daily creel from the day after Labor Day to 8 a.m. on the • Closed season on trout – April 1 until 8 a.m. on limit is 6, but only one of those bass may be over opening day of the next regular season, mini- the opening day of trout season. Daily limit-8 a.m. 18 inches in length. mum size – 7 inches. on the opening day of trout season to Labor Day – • Raystown Lake and Tributaries – Smelt may 5 trout; the day after Labor Day through March 31 For the latest information and be taken with a dip net from the shore or by wad- of the following year – 3 trout. regulation updates, please consult the ing only. Dip net may not exceed 20 inches in Youghiogheny River – From the confluence Fish & Boat Commission’s website: diameter or square. Daily limit – 200 smelt or one with the Casselman River downstream to the www.fishandboat.com. gallon by volume, whichever is greater.

l CATCH AND RELEASE REGULATIONS for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers now have a closed season and extend to tributary portions, see page 5.

30 www.fishandboat.com l =NEW 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws REPTILES, AMPHIBIANS, ENDANGERED SPECIES

REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS - SEASONS AND LIMITS

Species Season Daily Limit Possession Limit ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS for Bullfrog July 1 through October 31 10 (combined species) 20 (combined species) ALL Reptiles and Amphibians: Northern Green Frog July 1 through October 31 10 (combined species) 20 (combined species) • A fishing license is required to catch or take Snapping Turtle July 1 through October 31 15 30 reptiles and amphibians from the waters of the Amphibian Eggs No closed season 15 (combined species) 15 (combined species) Commonwealth. and Tadpoles • A fishing license is not required to take reptiles Timber Rattlesnake* June 9 through July 31 1 annual limit** (must be at least 42 inches in or amphibians from lands of the Commonwealth. length, measured lengthwise along the dorsal • Unless otherwise indicated, reptiles and surface from the snout to the tail, excluding the rattle, amphibians may only be taken by hand, hook, and must possess 21 or more subcaudal scales.***) snake tongs, turtle hooks, traps and nets less Northern Copperhead June 9 through July 31 1 annual limit** than four feet square or four feet in diameter. * It is unlawful to hunt, take, catch or kill timber rattlesnakes permits). It is unlawful to possess more than one timber • It is unlawful to take, catch or kill a reptile or west of Route 15 and south of Interstate 81 to the Maryland rattlesnake or northern copperhead at any time except as amphibian through the use of firearms, chemicals, line where there is no open season. provided in Chapter 79.7 (f) (Fish & Boat Code). explosives, winches, jacks or other devices. ** It is unlawful to possess, take, catch or kill more than one *** Subcaudal scales are large flat scales located on the • It is unlawful to damage or disrupt the nest timber rattlesnake or northern copperhead per calendar underside of a timber ratt lesnake between the vent (anal or eggs of a reptile or to gather, take or possess year except as provided in Chapter 79.7(f) (Fish & Boat scale) and the base of the tail rattle. Code) relating to organized reptile and amphibian hunt the eggs of any reptile in the natural environment See page 41 for snapping turtle consumption advice. of this Commonwealth. The following ENDANGERED and THREATENED native species have NO OPEN • It is unlawful to take, catch, kill or possess for the purposes of selling or offering for sale, SEASON. The DAILY LIMIT is 0 (zero) and POSSESSION LIMIT is 0 (zero). importing or exporting for consideration, trading The Commission has SALAMANDERS: New Jersey Chorus Kirtland’s Snake or bartering or purchasing an amphibian or reptile identified some species of Eastern Mud Salamander Frog (Endangered) (Endangered) whether dead or alive, in whole or in parts, includ- reptiles, amphibians, fish (Endangered) Northern Cricket Frog Rough Green Snake ing the eggs or any life stage that was taken from and aquatic organisms as Green Salamander (Endangered) (Endangered) lands or waters within this Commonwealth. (Threatened) Southern Leopard Frog • It is unlawful to transport or import into or endangered, threatened TURTLES: Blue-spotted Salamander (Endangered) within this Commonwealth a native species or candidate species. Bog Turtle Endangered and (Endangered) from another jurisdiction. It is also unlawful to SNAKES: (Endangered) receive a native species that was transported or threatened species face FROGS and TOADS: Eastern Massasauga Redbelly Turtle imported into or within this Commonwealth from extirpation and have Eastern Spadefoot (Endangered) (Threatened) another jurisdiction. NO OPEN SEASON. (Endangered) • Taking, catching and possessing amphibians and reptiles in Department of Conservation and FOR A LIST OF ALL ENDANGERED, THREATENED AND CANDIDATE FISH SPECIES visit www.fishandboat.com. Natural Resources natural areas designated by The following native reptile and amphibian species have NO OPEN SEASON. posters is prohibited. The DAILY LIMIT is 0 (zero) and POSSESSION LIMIT is 0 (zero). Frogs: • The use of artificial light to take frogs at night SALAMANDERS: FROGS and TOADS: Eastern Smooth TURTLES: is illegal. Eastern Hellbender Mountain Chorus Frog Earth Snake Blanding’s Turtle • Frogs may be taken with long bow and arrow, Four-toed Salamander Upland Chorus Frog Eastern Smooth Eastern Box Turtle including compound bows, crossbows, spears or Jefferson Salamander Western Chorus Frog Green Snake Spotted Turtle gigs. Spears or gigs may not have more than five Marbled Salamander SNAKES: Eastern Worm Snake Wood Turtle barbs and cannot be used in approved trout waters. Mudpuppy Eastern Hognose Snake Mountain Earth Snake SKINKS/LIZARDS: Turtles: Northern Ravine Salamander Eastern Ribbon Snake Northern Ribbon Snake Broadhead Skink • Set-lines, turtle traps or other devices for catch- Queen Snake Eastern Fence Lizard ing turtles must include a tag indicating the name, Shorthead Garter Snake Northern Coal Skink address and phone number of the owner or user. Traps, nets or other devices must be of a floating The following native reptile and amphibian species have NO CLOSED SEASON. or partially submerged design so as to allow for The DAILY LIMIT is 1 (one) and POSSESSION LIMIT is 1 (one). the release of untargeted turtles. Hooks must be at least 3.5 inches long with not less than one inch SALAMANDERS: Northern Two-lined Pickerel Frog TURTLES: space between the point and shank of the hook. Allegheny Mountain Salamander Spring Peeper Eastern Mud Turtle The number of lines or hooks per line is unlimited. Dusky Salamander Seal Salamander Wood Frog Eastern Musk Turtle Eastern Redback Spotted Salamander SNAKES: Eastern Painted Turtle Salamander Wehrle's Salamander Eastern Spiny Softshell PERMITS: Eastern Garter Snake • A permit is required to hunt, take, catch, kill Eastern Red-Spotted Newt Valley and Ridge Eastern Milksnake Map Turtle Longtail Salamander Salamander Midland Painted Turtle or possess timber rattlesnakes and nothern cop- Eastern Ratsnake perhead snakes. Northern Dusky Salamander FROGS and TOADS: Northern Black Racer SKINKS/LIZARDS: Northern Red Salamander • A permit is required to hunt, take, catch or kill Eastern American Toad Northern Brown Snake Five-lined Skink common snapping turtles for the purpose of sale, Northern Slimy Salamander Eastern Gray Treefrog Northern Redbelly Snake Northern Spring Salamander barter or trade. Fowler's Toad Northern Ringneck Snake Permit applications for these two species per- Northern Leopard Frog Northern Water Snake mits can be found online at: http://fishandboat. The practice of catch and release of amphibians and reptiles is encouraged. com/forms_nongame.htm.

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws www.fishandboat.com 31 Licenses, Pricing, Proof of residency

Disabled Veterans Licenses – Any disabled FISHING LICENSES veteran who has a disability incurred in any war or Fishing licenses are sold by license issuing agents through an electronic point-of-sale (P.O.S.) armed conflict that consists of the loss of one or system. This system brings increased efficiency, more options, and easier upgrades for anglers. more limbs or the loss of use of one or more limbs, Internet fishing licenses are sold online at: www.pa.wildlifelicense.com. or total blindness, or who is 100 percent disabled as A current license, signed in ink, is required of persons age 16 and over to fish or angle for any spe- certified by the United States Veterans Administration cies of fish and to take fishbait, baitfish and species of amphibians and reptiles from Commonwealth and is a resident of this Commonwealth may obtain waters by those legal methods described in this booklet. a free resident fishing license upon application to the FISHING is defined as the act of angling, or to catch, take, kill or remove, or the attempt to catch, Commission or county treasurer. take, kill or remove, from any waters or other areas within or bordering this Commonwealth any fish Military personnel are required to purchase a fish- by any means or method for any purpose whatsoever. CASTING and/or RETRIEVING, whether by ing license. Those who are stationed in Pennsylvania rod, reel and line, or by handline, for oneself or for others, requires a current license, unless specifically under permanent change of station orders (PCS) exempted by law. See “Assistance to Children” on page 33 for specifics on when a license is required for a duration of 6 months or more, who produce when assisting a child (12 years of age and under). documentation proving same, qualify for a resident fishing license. All others must obtain a tourist or non-resident license. Certain active duty military personnel are exempt 2012 FISHING LICENSES from Pennsylvania’s fishing license requirement. Type of Fishing License or Permit Age Cost* To be eligible for the military waiver, an angler must LICENSE YEAR be a bona fide Pennsylvania resident, be on active Annual licenses are Resident (Annual) 16-64 $22.70 duty, be stationed outside Pennsylvania and be here valid from December 1, 2011, through Senior Resident (Annual) 65 & up $11.70 on authorized leave. While in the act of fishing, the military personnel must carry proof of each of these December 31, 2012. Senior Resident (Lifetime) 65 & up $51.70 WHILE FISHING, your requirements, such as a PA driver’s license, a military 1-Day Resident (not valid March 15 - April 30) 16 & up $11.70 license must be signed ID and valid military orders showing the place of as- in ink and must be Non-Resident (Annual) 16 & up $52.70 signment and leave status. displayed on an outer garment. In addition, 1-Day Tourist (includes all privileges, not valid March 15 - April 30) 16 & up $26.70 Under the law, a qualifying soldier, sailor, airman or anglers must be 3-Day Tourist 16 & up $26.70 marine does not receive a free Pennsylvania fishing prepared to furnish 7-Day Tourist 16 & up $34.70 license. Instead, eligible active duty military person- positive proof of nel can legally fish without a license under the limited identification. Trout-Salmon Permit 16 & up $ 9.70 circumstances outlined in the law. The Pennsylvania * Includes issuing agent Lake Erie Permit 16 & up $ 9.70 fee of $1.00 and $0.70 Fish & Boat Commission recommends that anyone electronic processing fee. Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie Permit 16 & up $15.70 taking advantage of this provision display a military ID while in the act of fishing in much the same way as one would display a conventional fishing license. OBTAIN YOUR LICENSE: National Guard & Armed Forces Reserve li- The law does not exempt military personnel on leave a) at more than 900 license-issuing agents censes are available to those persons who provide from any other requirements of fishing or boating laws b) at county treasurers offices documentation that within the previous 24 months the and regulations. c) at Fish & Boat Commission offices person was deployed overseas as a member of the Students from out of state who are attending d) on the Internet at www.pa.wildlifelicense.com. reserve component of the armed forces for a period school in Pennsylvania but who have not become A lost fishing license or replacements – Re- of 180 consecutive days or more or was released residents of Pennsylvania are not eligible to purchase placement licenses include all permits or privileges early from service because of an injury or disease a resident fishing license and must obtain a tourist or previously purchased by the customer. The total incurred in the line of duty. non-resident license. cost for a replacement license and all previously Prisoner of War (POW) licenses are available to Social Security Number Requirements – Since purchased permits or privileges is $6.70. Customers persons who provide military documentation stating 1998, federal and state laws require purchasers may purchase additional permits. the person is a former prisoner of war. of a Pennsylvania fishing license to provide their You qualify for a RESIDENT fishing license if you Senior resident and senior lifetime licenses are social security number when applying to purchase are a bona fide resident of Pennsylvania. When available to those persons at anytime during the year a fishing license. purchasing a resident fishing license, you must show in which they will become age 65. positive proof of permanent residency by presenting • Persons who possess a RESIDENT SENIOR LIFE- Vouchers - A voucher may be purchased as a one of the following documents: TIME license dated before January 1, 1991, are not gift for another individual that can be redeemed a) valid PA driver’s license required to purchase a trout/salmon permit. for a license and/or b) a valid non-driver photo identification card • RESIDENT SENIOR LIFETIME stamp or privilege. c) a previous year’s PA state income tax return license holders are required to SENIOR RESIDENT A voucher may be showing proof of payment of personal income tax as purchase only one permit for LIFETIME LICENSE redeemed at any a resident of PA a lifetime. The Resident Senior UPGRADE issuing agent. The voucher is non-re- d) a previous year’s local earned income tax return Lifetime license is valid as long A durable plastic card version of the Se- fundable and expires showing tax paid to a PA municipality as the license holder remains a nior Resident Lifetime license is available. as noted. A voucher e) a current PA voter registration card. resident of Pennsylvania. Resident This upgrade is available for $6.70. Complete is not a fishing license National Guard & Armed Forces Reserve licenses Senior Lifetime license holders form PFBC-L-166S and send to the address and individuals us- and Prisoner of War (POW) licenses are available that move out of state and are no indicated. Forms are available from the Com- ing a voucher to fish only at Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission and longer residents of Pennsylvania mission’s website at: www.fishandboat.com/ are in violation of the county treasurer offices. are required to obtain a nonresi- forms_fishing.htm. Upgrades can also be Fish and Boat Code dent or tourist license if they return purchased through issuing agents. to fish in Pennsylvania. and may be subject

32 www.fishandboat.com 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws PERMITS, ASSISTING CHILDREN, ADA to legal action. Individu- • Fishes in streams and rivers designated as ap- als wishing to purchase proved trout waters on March 1 through May 31. CHARTER BOAT/FISHING vouchers for Christmas GUIDE PERMITS presents need to wait until December 1 of that Lake Erie Permit Charter boat operators and fishing guides are year before purchasing All anglers fishing in the waters of Lake Erie, required to obtain a permit when conducting a voucher. Presque Isle Bay and their tributaries, includ- business on the waters of the Commonwealth One-Day Tourist and ing waters that flow into those tributaries are including the boundary waters. The annual One Day Resident Li- required to possess a valid Lake Erie permit fee for the permit is $100.00 for residents and cense - One-Day Tourist or Combination Trout/Salmon/Lake Erie permit. $400.00 for non-residents. Permit applica- and One-Day Resident See page 11 for a list of main tributaries that tions are available from the Harrisburg office, Licenses are not valid for point-of-sale require a permit. regional headquarters, or the PFBC website: license www.fishandboat.com/chboat_app.pdf. fishing during the period Permits are printed on from March 15th to April the license. For additional information 30th of any year. One- COMBINATION TROUT/ about Charter Boat/ Day Tourist or One-Day Resident licenses issued SALMON/Lake Erie Fishing Guide permits, to be used on March 14 will expire at 11:59 p.m. on Permit contact the Bureau of Law Enforcement at March 14 regardless of what time the license begins. In many cases an angler may need both a 717-705-7861. trout/salmon permit and a Lake Erie permit to fish TROUT/ in waters in the Erie area. Rather than purchasing ANGLERS: SALMON these individually, a Combination Trout-Salmon/ To find a charter boat operator or fishing PERMIT Lake Erie permit may be purchased. guide for a fish species or location you wish to fish, go to the Commission’s website: A current Pennsylvania trout/salmon permit is www.fishandboat.com/chboat.htm. required to fish for trout or salmon in Pennsylva- EXEMPTIONS: The following persons are NOT nia waters. An angler “fishes for trout or salmon” required to possess a trout/salmon permit or Lake when he or she: Erie permit: • Takes, kills or possesses, while in the act of • Persons under 16 years of age. fishing, a trout or salmon from any PA or bound- • Disabled persons and other individuals who are ary waters. exempt from fishing license requirements, or who • Fishes in waters under special trout/salmon are authorized to fish using an institutional license. regulations. • Persons who possess a 1-day tourist license. • Fishes in any Class A Wild Trout Waters or Wilder- ness Trout Streams or their tributaries. ASSISTANCE ACCOMMODATIONS for Persons with Disabilities TO CHILDREN The PA Fish & Boat Commission facilities listed here have fishing piers or other accommodations to provide angling opportunities for persons with disabilities. All areas may not be suitable for all disabilities. An adult who assists a child (12 years of age and under) by casting or retrieving a fishing line County Facilities County Facilities or fishing rod is not required to possess a valid Carbon Mauch Chunk Lake Lackawanna Fords Lake fishing license provided that thechild remains Crawford Tamarack Lake Lancaster Speedwell Forge Lake within arms’ reach of the assisting adult and is Erie North East Marina Northampton Minsi Lake actively involved in the fishing activity. (shoreline fishing) Philadelphia Frankford Arsenal Access - An adult may assist a child by baiting hooks, Erie Walnut Creek Delaware River removing fish from the line, netting fish, prepar- (shoreline fishing) (railed shoreline fishing area) ing the fishing rod for use and untangling the line Fayette Dunlap Creek Lake Somerset Lake Somerset Fayette Youghiogheny River Washington Canonsburg Lake without possessing a valid fishing license. Lake Outflow Washington Cross Creek Lake An adult is required to possess a fishing license Jefferson Kyle Lake Wyoming Lake Winola if they intend to set the hook for the child. Jefferson Cloe Lake Wyoming Oxbow Lake For an up-to-date listing of exclusive areas for children and persons with dis- abilities, go to the Commission’s website: PERSONS with DISABILITIES www.fishandboat.com. A copy of the Pennsylvania Fishing Summary is available on our website at Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of www.fishandboat.com and may be obtained as a computer file (alternative accessible format). race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex or Persons using a TTY should dial Pennsylvania Relay telephone number 711 to contact us. disability. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission is an equal Persons who are deprived of the use of a leg or both legs or who are disabled in a manner that opportunity employer, and it complies with applicable federal and Pennsylvania nondiscrimination laws and regulations. In addition, significantly limits their mobility may apply for a permit to use an off-road motorized vehicle to access the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission receives federal aid in fishing and boating opportunities on Fish & Boat Commission property. Permit applications may be sport fish restoration and boating enhancement. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requested in writing from the PA Fish & Boat Commission, Bureau of Law Enforcement, P.O. Box 67000, of 1973 prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. origin or disability in federally assisted programs. If you believe For a listing of waters available exclusively for children 12 years of age and that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, younger and persons with disabilities, please contact a regional office or visit contact the Human Resources Office, PA Fish & Boat Commission, www.fishandboat.com. P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, or the U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20420.

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws www.fishandboat.com 33 GENERAL REGULATIONS, TACKLE AND BAIT

GENERAL REGULATIONS BAIT BOATING – Coast Guard-approved wearable life jackets or personal flotation devices (PFDs) are required BAITFISH includes all forms of minnows; for each occupant on all types of boats in all waters. Children 12 years of age and younger must wear an suckers, chubs, fallfish, lampreys, eels be- approved Type I, II, III or V PFD while underway on Commonwealth waters in any boat 20 feet or less in tween 6 and 8 inches in length; gizzard shad length and in all canoes and kayaks. See PFD (life jacket) Requirements on page 35. 8 inches or less; and all forms of darters, kil- Motorboats (including boats powered by electric motors) must be registered. Boat operators of boats lifishes and stonecats (except those listed as with greater than 25 horsepower and born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, may not operate unless they threatened or endangered species). Legally have obtained and have in possession a Boating Safety Education Certificate. taken gamefish may be used as bait. It is un- Owners of unregistered, unpowered boats (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, etc.) that launch their boats at lawful to use or possess goldfish, comets, koi Commission lakes, access areas and properties, and at PA state parks and forests must display the Com- and common carp as baitfish while fishing. mission’s launch use permit. PA state park launching and mooring decals are also recognized. FISHBAIT includes crayfish or crabs, mus- NURSERY WATERS are closed to fishing at all times. sels, clams, and the nymphs, larvae and pupae REFUGE AREAS on streams are CLOSED TO ALL ENTRY AND FISHING during the period March of all insects spending any part of their life 1 through June 14. cycle in the water. FIELD DRESSING AND DISPOSAL OF FISH – It is unlawful to possess a fish in any form or condition SEASON, SIZE, LIMIT: No closed season other than in the whole or having the entrails removed while on shore, along the waters of the Com- (except as noted below) and no minimum monwealth, onboard a boat or on a dock, pier, launch area or parking lot adjacent thereto. Fish may be size. The daily limit and possession limit is 50 processed fully if they are being prepared for immediate consumption on site. This does not apply to fish combined species. When purchasing bait, be processed at a fish cleaning station officially recognized by the Commission or by a permitted charter sure to obtain and keep the sales slip or receipt. boat/fishing guide operation. The receipt authorizes the possession of the It is unlawful to discard any fish carcass or parts thereof into the waters of the Commonwealth or upon fishbait or baitfish so purchased for a period any public or private lands contiguous to the waters unless disposal is on lands with permission from the of 15 days after its date of issue. Fishbait or landowner or it is where fish are properly disposed into suitable garbage or refuse collection systems or baitfish purchased from a licensed dealer do at an officially recognized fish cleaning station. not have a possession limit and do not count TAGGED FISH – The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission and agencies in adjacent states apply tags toward your daily limit of fishbait and baitfish to fish for special research purposes. If an angler catches a tagged fish and wishes to keep the fish, the tag taken from Commonwealth waterways. Ap- number and location of the catch should be reported to the address or phone number on the tag or to the proved trout waters are closed for taking fish- Fish & Boat Commission. If the angler doesn’t wish to keep the fish, no attempt should be made to remove bait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening the tag unless special instructions have been posted at access areas, by the media or elsewhere. For ex- day of trout season. Most specially regulated ample, sometimes the Fish & Boat Commission uses two-part tags and parts of or all of the tags should be trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and removed in some cases with scissors or a knife. This type of tag typically resembles rubber spaghetti and baitfish at all times. information such as tag numbers and toll-free phone numbers can be easily read. Tagged fish that are not TAKING AND KEEPING BAIT is permit- kept should be returned to the water immediately after removing the tag or recording the information from ted using rod and reel or handline, dip net the tag. In no case should tags be pulled from a fish as this will cause significant injuries. or minnow seine not over 4 feet square or It is unlawful for a person to implant tracking devices in or to tag, brand, mark or fin clip any fish taken in diameter, or a minnow trap with no more from Commonwealth waters, unless the fish are purchased from an authorized commercial aquaculture than two openings that shall not exceed 1 facility, are part of a Commission-recognized and sanctioned stocking by a cooperative nursery, are inch in diameter. All devices must be under authorized by a scientific collector’s permit issued by the Commission or are part of a tagged fish contest the immediate control of the person using in a boundary lake for which the Commission has issued a permit. them. Unattended minnow traps or baitfish TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT containers left in Commonwealth waters must be identified with the owner’s or user’s name, l RODS, LINES AND HOOKS. An angler may use a maximum of three lines fished either by rod or hand address and telephone number. If fishing in when fishing for gamefish, baitfish or both. It is unlawful for a person to fish with more than three fishing rods at a a group and the total number of fishbait or time. No more than three hooks shall be attached to a line used in fishing (one hook having two or three points is baitfish taken exceeds the possession limit considered a “single hook”). All rods, lines and hooks shall be under the immediate control of the person using them. (50), separate containers must be provided SNAGGING HOOKS may not be used or possessed while in the act of fishing. A snagging hook is a device for the fishbait and baitfish. Total possession designed or modified to facilitate the snagging of fish and may be a hook with a single barb, weighted on a shank limit in any one container may not exceed 50 below the eye and above the barbs; or a hook otherwise designed or modified to make the snagging of fish more baitfish or fishbait combined. likely than it would be with a normal hook. MUDBUGS (dragonfly nymphs): No daily ICE FISHING EQUIPMENT. It is unlawful while ice fishing to use more than five fishing devices, which may limit from lakes, ponds, swamps or adjacent consist of rods, hand lines, tip-ups or any combination. Each device shall contain a single fishing line with no more areas; the daily limit from rivers and streams than three hooks attached to each line. Holes cut in ice may not exceed 10 inches between the farthest points as is 50. measured in any direction. All lines, rods or tip-ups shall be under the immediate control of the person using them. FROGS AS BAIT: Except for those listed On Fish & Boat Commission lakes, shelters or shanties must be removed when through fishing for the day. as endangered or threatened or those with GAFF OR LANDING NET. A gaff or landing net is permitted to assist in landing fish caught using a lawful device. zero possession limit, frogs may be used Nets of all types can be no larger (excluding the handle) than 4 feet square or 4 feet in diameter. It is unlawful to as bait. Certain seasons and possession use any type of net or seine to catch or take gamefish. limits apply. SPEARS OR GIGS. Spears or gigs may be used to take ONLY carp, suckers and catfish. Spears or gigs may Releasing fish from another state, province not be mechanically propelled, may not have more than five barbed points and may not be used in approved trout or country into Commonwealth waters is illegal waters. without written permission from the Commis- BOW AND ARROW (including compound bows and crossbows) may be used for taking ONLY carp, suckers sion. Transferring fish from one Pennsylvania and catfish on all Commonwealth waters, day or night, except in approved trout waters during the closed season watershed to another where that species is not and in special regulation waters. always present is also illegal without written consent from the Commission.

34 www.fishandboat.com l =NEW 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws UNLAWFUL ACTS, BUI AND LIFE JACKETS

IT IS UNLAWFUL . . . • To sell, offer for sale, purchase or barter any fish parts or fish eggs obtained from fish taken from waters BOATING AND • To possess, to introduce or import, transport, of this Commonwealth including boundary waters. ALCOHOL DO NOT MIX! sell, purchase, offer for sale or barter the following This prohibition does not apply to fish parts or fish Alcohol use increases the chances of live species in the Commonwealth: snakehead eggs (1) lawfully taken or sold or offered for sale by having an accident. Alcohol affects balance, (all species), black carp, bighead carp, silver holders of Lake Erie commercial fishing licenses if coordination and judgment. It is illegal to carp, zebra mussel, quagga mussel, European the particular species of fish is authorized for tak- operate a boat while under the influence of rudd, rusty crayfish, ruffe, round goby and ing by commercial licensees, or (2) those obtained alcohol or a controlled substance. Penalties tubenose goby. from fish taken lawfully from waters outside of this include loss of boating privileges, significant l To fish with more than three fishing lines at Commonwealth. fines and imprisonment. any time when fishing for gamefish, baitfish or both. • To release any species of fish, except those • To fish (includes taking baitfish and fishbait) from listed as approved by the Fish & Boat Commission, March 1 to 8:00 a.m. on the opening day of trout in Commonwealth waters without written permission PERSONAL FLOTATION season in any approved trout water. Excepted are from the executive director of the Pennsylvania Fish DEVICE (Life Jacket) certain specially regulated waters and “in-season & Boat Commission. only” stocked waters. • To place an obstruction in any waterway that Requirements • To take or attempt to take fish, or keep fish ac- blocks the free movement of fish. • All boats must have a USCG-approved wearable cidentally caught, by snatch-fishing, foul hooking or • To use or have in possession while on or along (Type I, II, III or V) life jacket on board for each person. snag fishing. Handfishing is not permitted. Commonwealth waters, nets larger than 4 feet square • In addition to wearable life jackets, boats 16 feet • To catch, kill or possess more than one day’s or in diameter except with a special permit issued and over must have a throwable device (Type IV) limit of any fish, except: (a) at your residence and by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. on board. Canoes and kayaks, regardless of length, (b) you may possess two days’ limit while traveling • To conduct an organized fishing tournament are not required to carry a throwable device. to your residence from an overnight fishing trip of in which there are 10 or more participants without • Type V life jackets must be used in accordance two or more consecutive days. a permit issued by the Commission. Applications with any requirements on the approval label. • To have on a stringer or in a container or otherwise must be submitted 60 days before the date of the • All life jackets must be in good and serviceable in possession, while in or along waters of the Com- proposed tournament. Fishing tournaments may condition and legibly marked showing the USCG monwealth or immediately returning therefrom, more not be conducted for a species of fish during the approval number. This means the life jacket must than the daily creel limit of any fish for one person. closed season for that species. Unless a special be fully functional, free of tears or defects in the • To fail to immediately return unharmed to the exemption is granted, fishing tournaments may not be material. All buckles, straps, zippers and other conducted on the opening day of the season for any waters from which it was taken, any fish caught closures must be operable. out of season, or undersize, or over the daily creel species of game fish. Contact the nearest regional • Wearable life jackets must be “readily accessible,” limit. Any fish placed on a stringer, in any container headquarters (page 4) for further information and which means that the PFDs (personal flotation de- or given away, counts toward the possession limit of permit applications. Applications are also available the person having caught it, and the person to whom online: www.fishandboat.com. vices) are stowed where they can be easily reached it was given. • To conduct an organized fishing tournament and or that they are out in the open ready to wear. Type IV • To kill any fish and fail to make a reasonable fail to submit an accurate fishing tournament catch flotation devices (throwables) must be “immediately effort to lawfully dispose of it. report when required. available,” which means that the device cannot be in • To fish in, or within 100 feet of, the entrance or • To conduct a tagged fishing tournament in a protective covering and shall be within arm’s reach exit points of any fishway, including fish ladders and boundary waters without a permit issued by the of the operator or passenger while the boat is oper- other fish passage facilities. Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. ated. A PFD that is sealed in its original packaging • To use gamefish as bait except when taken by rod • To throw, leave, discard or deposit litter, debris or is not readily accessible or immediately available. and reel or handline in conformance with seasons, trash of any kind in or along waters or lands adjacent • Life jackets must be the appropriate size for the sizes and creel limits or when purchased from an to or contiguous to waters of the Commonwealth. person intended and adjusted to wear. authorized bait dealer. • To obstruct the ingress, egress or regress to a • To sell baitfish or fishbait taken from waters of the person’s property, cattleways or fields. WHO MUST WEAR Commonwealth, except that licensed and authorized • To dig in or drive upon any lands. A LIFE JACKET? commercial fishermen may take and sell baitfish from • To cut or damage trees or shrubs. • Children 12 years of age and younger on Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay. • To build or tend open fires without permission. Commonwealth waters when underway in any • To sell baitfish or fishbait within the Common- • To run any vehicle, except fording in the most wealth, or transport same out of the state, except by direct manner, in any stream. boat 20 feet or less in length and in all canoes authorized and licensed commercial bait dealers. • To interfere with officers authorized to enforce and kayaks. • To sell any species of fish, reptile (with the excep- the Fish and Boat Code in the performance of their • On Pittsburgh District U.S. Army Corps of tion of snapping turtles) or amphibian taken from the duties or to refuse to accompany any officer after Engineers lakes (only), everyone in boats under Commonwealth. having been arrested for a violation of the Fish and 16 feet and in all canoes and kayaks. Boat Code. • All water skiers and anyone towed behind boats, in addition to personal watercraft operators IF A VIOLATION OCCURS . . . and passengers, and sailboarders (windsurfers) and paddleboarders are required to wear a life Persons accused of violating the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Code or rules and regulations may be jacket. Inflatable life jackets are not acceptable issued a citation and have a right to a hearing before a district justice. Law enforcement personnel have for these activities. the authority to confiscate or seize as evidence fish and fishing equipment that are illegal or used to • Beginning November 1, 2012, boaters are violate fishing laws or regulations. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission may, upon proper notice, required, by law, to wear life jackets on boats suspend or revoke the fishing privileges, boating privileges or other permits of any person convicted (or less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak acknowledging guilt) of a violation of the Fish and Boat Code or Fish & Boat Commission regulations. during the cold weather months from November If you have been convicted of or plead guilty to a second or subsequent violation within a 12-month period, 1 through April 30 (see next page for details). you may be assessed an additional fine of $200 for those offenses classified as summary offenses.

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws l =NEW www.fishandboat.com 35 LIFE JACKET WEAR/LOW-HEAD DAMS

Smartphone MAKE SURE YOUR Resources LIFE JACKET FITS! Use your smartphone (with For a life jacket to work properly, not only a QR code app) and the QR does it need to be on your body, it should codes below to access fit properly as well. A properly fitting life PFBC web pages. jacket is more comfortable (meaning you are more likely to wear it) but more important, it functions better. Life jackets that are too Fishing FAQ small or large can ride up or even come off when you are in the water. It’s easy to check a conventional life jacket for proper fit–just put it on. The jacket should fit you snugly with all zippers, straps, ties and snaps correctly secured. With a partner behind you, raise your arms like you are signaling a touchdown in a football game. Have the part- ner lift the jacket by the shoulders. The jacket should come no higher than your chin. If the jacket covers your face or comes off—that’s http://fishandboat.com/faqfish.htm PENNSYLVANIA! what would happen in the water. In this case, tighten the straps or use a smaller size. Fishing Fundamentals LIFE JACKET WEAR REQUIRED BY LAW NOVEMBER 1 TO APRIL 30 l Beginning November 1, 2012, boaters are required, by law, to wear life jackets on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak during the cold weather months from November 1 through April 30. This change is intended to protect boaters from the dangers of cold water shock if they fall into the water. The risk of an accident being fatal is significantly higher when the air and water temperatures are colder in late fall through spring. Over the last 15 years, cold water incidents represented only eight percent http://fishandboat.com/fish_fundamentals.htm of the boating-related accidents, but they resulted in 24 percent of the fatalities. Victims who are wearing a life jacket when exposed to cold iFish water have potentially life-saving advantages. a menu of fishing resources from PFBC

RUN OF THE RIVER DAMS: “DROWNING MACHINES” The most dangerous hazard on a river is a low- State law requires that many low-head dams in head dam. These dams are on rivers and streams the Commonwealth be marked with signs and, when throughout Pennsylvania, and they are true “drowning practical, buoys upstream and downstream from these machines.” dangerous structures. The signs detail restrictions for Water going over a dam creates a back current or boating, swimming and wading, and hazards posed undertow that can pull a boat into the turbulence and by the dam. Restrictions are enforced by PFBC Wa- capsize it. This hydraulic can trap and hold a person terways Conservation Officers. These dams must be or boat. Many dams are not marked and are almost avoided and can be located by checking maps and on http://fishandboat.com/ifish.htm impossible to see from upstream. PFBC’s website: www.fishandboat.com/rrdam.htm. iBoat a menu of boating resources from PFBC LOW-HEAD DAM SECONDARY HYDRAULIC BOIL HYDRAULIC

http://fishandboat.com/iboat.htm

36 www.fishandboat.com l =NEW 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws PROPERTY AND DOG REGULATIONS

REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF FISH & BOAT COMMISSION-OWNED OR COMMISSION-CONTROLLED PROPERTY

• A powerboat using a Commission lake • On Fish & Boat Commission lakes, inflatable • Trespassing on Fish & Boat Commission or access area shall be registered and shall boats must be seven or more feet in length, be property is prohibited where posted. display the official registration number and constructed of durable corded fabric reinforced with • Float tubes or similar devices are permit- current validation stickers. Unpowered boats cloth and coated and have at least two separate ted while fishing on Fish & Boat Commission lakes using a Commission lake or access area must buoyancy chambers, excluding inflatable flooring so long as the device contains two air bladder either be properly registered, display an official or bottom. systems. It may not be propelled by a mechanical and valid Commission use permit or display an • Vehicles must be parked in designated areas device. The user must wear a Coast Guard-ap- official and valid watercraft launch or mooring only. Blocking or obstructing driveways, access proved personal flotation device. permit issued by DCNR. Fees for Commission roads or launch ramps is prohibited. • Tagged fish contests are prohibited on Fish use permits are $10 for a one-year permit and • No person may construct, place or maintain & Boat Commission lakes or access areas where $18 for a two-year permit. any structure, fixture or any other tangible property prizes are awarded for catching tagged fish and Overnight mooring of boats is permitted at on or in Commission-owned or Commission-con- where an entry fee is required to participate. designated mooring areas from April 1 through trolled property or waters without a permit from the • Please see bulletin boards at Commission November 30. A boat utilizing mooring areas executive director or his designee. Persons are properties for any additional restrictions that shall be registered and display the official reg- further prohibited from encroaching upon Com- may apply. istration number and current validation sticker. mission property in any manner incompatible with Mooring is at the sole risk of the boat owner. public use. • Boats have the right of way over fishing from • A vehicle properly registered and operated in boat launch areas or boat docks. It is unlawful for FISH & BOAT conformance with the Vehicle Code (except all-ter- COMMISSION PROPERTY persons fishing from a boat launch area or boat rain vehicles) is permitted on Commission-owned dock to permit their fishing activity to interfere with or Commission-controlled property on those areas DOG REGULATIONS boat traffic into and out of the boat launch area or that are open to vehicular traffic such as road- Dogs are permitted on Commission prop- boat dock. ways, driveways, launch ramps and designated • Overnight camping, building or maintaining erty if they are licensed and otherwise in parking areas. It is unlawful to operate a vehicle compliance with all other provisions of the open fires, swimming and picking, cutting or dig- on Commission property on (a) roads not open to ging flowers, plants, shrubs and trees is prohib- Dog Law. the public, (b) in a negligent or reckless manner, • The maximum number of dogs that an ited. (c) in a manner that obstructs or impedes public • The leaving or disposal of any rubbish on Com- owner or handler is permitted to have on access to driveways, access roads and launch Commission property at one time is two. mission property is prohibited unless placed in ramps, (d) in a manner not in conformance with containers, if provided for this purpose. Disposal of • The owner or handler shall keep the dogs the posted traffic control signs or devices, (e) on under his or her supervision and control by any refuse accumulated off Commission property forested areas, grasslands, wetlands and lands is prohibited. keeping the dogs on a leash not exceeding six under cultivation and (f) on frozen lakes, ponds, feet in length while on Commission property. • Any personal, organizational or commercial rivers or streams. The use of off-road motorized use other than normally intended fishing and boat- Mechanically retractable leashes of any length vehicles, including trail bikes, Tote Gotes, all-ter- may also be used. Dogs on board boats are ing activities is prohibited, except that the execu- rain vehicles (ATVs), air-cushioned vehicles, track tive director or his designee may issue permits exempt from leash requirements. The owner vehicles, hydrofoils and the like, is prohibited. or handler shall immediately scoop, contain, to organizations for the use of Pennsylvania Fish • Snowmobiles may be used on Commission- & Boat Commission properties, when it is deter- and retain droppings of the dog and may not owned or Commission-controlled property that dispose of dog droppings on Commission mined that such use will not damage Commission has been designated for such use by the execu- property and will not interfere with normal usage property. tive director and is so posted. The operation of • The leash requirements do not apply when by others. Launching or retrieving swimming aids snowmobiles on frozen lakes, ponds and streams at Commission access areas is prohibited. an owner is training a dog for water retrieval is prohibited. Parking areas on Commission-owned purposes and when the following apply: • The removal or defacing of any sign, poster or or Commission-controlled property shall not be property is prohibited, and it shall be unlawful to 1. The dog is actually performing customary used for general snowmobile operation. water retrieval functions. damage in any manner any lands or to interfere with • Walnut Creek Access, Channel and Basin- any device or structure, or to alter or interfere with 2. The dog remains within 10 feet of the Boats have the right of way over shore fishermen. owner or handler while on land. the flow of water over or through any structure. Fishing from boats is prohibited in channel and • Legal hunting and trapping is permitted on 3. The dog is under the immediate control Commission property unless otherwise posted. of the owner or handler at all times. • The carrying or use of firearms on Fish & Boat 4. The dog does not interfere with anglers Commission properties is prohibited except while or boaters engaged in fishing, boating or other lawfully hunting or trapping. This does not apply to lawful activities. those individuals licensed to carry firearms under • An owner or handler of a hunting dog 18 Pa. C.S. 6109 (licenses) or those individuals is exempt from the leash requirements and authorized to do so in conformance with 18 Pa. removal of dog droppings requirements when C.S. 6106 (firearms not to be carried without a he or she keeps the dog off lawn areas, trails license). and parking lots and when he or she is en- basin. Shore fishing is allowed in the basin ONLY at gaged in legal hunting or training during the • The use of electric motors for boat propulsion places and times designated. Shoreline fishing on is permitted on all Commission lakes. The use of seasons established by the Pennsylvania the west bank and wading is prohibited in Walnut Game Commission. internal combustion engines is not permitted. Creek, from the mouth to the posted sign.

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws www.fishandboat.com 37 FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY 2012 FISH CONSUMPTION

HEALTH BENEFITS OF EATING FISH Spacing the meals out helps prevent the contaminants from building up to harmful levels Fish are nutritious and good to eat. Fish are low in fat, high in protein and provide in the body. For example, if the fish you eat is in the “One Meal a Month Group”, wait substantial human health benefits. Fish provide valuable vitamins and minerals and a month before eating another meal of fish from any restricted category. beneficial oils that are low in saturated fat. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are also Women beyond their childbearing years and men generally face fewer health risks beneficial, particularly in terms of cardiovascular health. The Federal Food and Drug from these contaminants. However, it is recommended that you also follow the advisory Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers eat a balanced diet, choosing a to reduce your total exposure to contaminants. For these groups, it is the total number variety of foods including fruits and vegetables, foods that are low in trans fat and of meals that you eat during the year that becomes important and many of those meals saturated fat, as well as foods rich in high fiber grains and nutrients. A diet that includes can be eaten during a few months of the year. If most of the fish you eat are from the a variety of fish and shellfish can be an important part of a balanced healthy diet. The “One Meal a Month” category, you should not exceed 12 meals per year. U.S. FDA, EPA, the American Heart Association and other nutrition experts recommend Sometimes, anglers catch fish with external growths, sores or other lesions. Such eating two meals (12 oz) of fish per week. Following these advisories means that you abnormalities generally result from viral or bacterial infections and may occasionally should feel comfortable making one of those meals (up to 8 oz) a recreationally caught be caused by exposure to certain chemical contaminants. The appearance of viral or Pennsylvania sport fish. bacterial infections in fish may be unsightly, but there is no evidence to suggest that these infections pose a threat to consumers of these fish. Whether or not to eat such CONTAMINANTS IN FISH fish is a matter of personal choice. While most recreationally caught sport fish in Pennsylvania are safe to eat, chemicals such as mercury and PCBs have been found in some fish from certain waters. While the CLEANING AND COOKING YOUR FISH levels of these unavoidable chemical contaminants are usually low, they could potentially PCBs and most other organic contaminants usually build up in a fish’s fat deposits be a health concern to pregnant and breast-feeding women, women of childbearing age, and just underneath the skin. By removing the skin and fat before cooking, you can children and individuals whose diet consists of a high percentage of fish. reduce the levels of these chemicals. Mercury, however, collects in the fish’s muscle Long lasting contaminants such as PCBs, chlordane and mercury build up in your and cannot be reduced by cleaning and cooking methods. To reduce PCBs and other body over time. It may take months or years of regularly eating contaminated fish to organics: build up amounts that are a health concern. Health problems that may result from the • Remove all skin. contaminants found in fish range from small changes in health that are hard to detect • Slice off fat belly meat along the bottom of the fish. to birth defects and cancer. Mothers who eat highly contaminated fish for many years • Cut away any fat above the fish’s backbone. before becoming pregnant may have children who are slower to develop and learn. • Cut away the V-shaped wedge of fat along the lateral line on each side of the fish. The meal advice in this advisory is intended to protect children from these potential • Bake or broil trimmed fish on a rack or grill so some of the remaining fat drips developmental problems. Adults are less likely to have health problems at the low levels away. that affect children. If you follow this advisory over your lifetime, you will minimize your • Discard any drippings. Do not eat them or use them for cooking other foods or in exposure and reduce health risks associated with contaminants in fish preparing other sauces.

INTRODUCTION TO FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES It is important to note that we are not recommending that you stop eating sport caught fish, except where “Do Not Eat” is shown in the advisory listing. When properly prepared, eating fish regularly offers important health benefits as a good choice to replace high FATTY fat foods. You will gain those benefits if you follow the sport fish consumption advisory AREAS TRIM AWAY DOTTED AREAS carefully to: choose safer places to fish; pick safer species to eat; trim and cook your catch correctly; and follow the recommended meal frequencies. Using this advice, you will reduce your exposure to possible contaminants. Consumption advisories provide guidance to individuals or segments of the popu- IMPORTANT: You must follow these cleaning and lation that are at greater risk from exposure to contaminants in fish. Advisories are cooking directions. The meal advice is for eating not regulatory standards, but are recommendations intended to provide additional skinned and trimmed fish. information of particular interest to high-risk groups. These advisories apply only to Also remember that larger and older fish tend to collect more contaminants, and recreationally caught sport fish in Pennsylvania, not commercial fish. The federal Food fatty fish (such as channel catfish, carp and eels) tend to collect PCBs and other and Drug Administration establishes the legal standards for contaminants in food sold organic chemicals. Therefore, eating smaller, younger fish and avoiding fatty species commercially, including fish. can help limit your exposure. Your exposure depends not only on levels in the fish, STATEWIDE ADVISORY but also the amount of fish you eat. The consumption of any fish from contaminated Pennsylvania has issued a general, statewide health advisory for recreationally waters is a matter of personal choice. caught sport fish. That advice is that you eat no more than one meal (one-half pound) Trout stocked from Fish & Boat Commission state fish hatcheries are per week of sport fish caught in the state’s waterways. This general advice was issued subject to the blanket one-meal-per-week consumption advisory that applies to protect against eating large amounts of fish that have not been tested or that may to recreationally caught sport fish in Pennsylvania. If additional consumption contain unidentified contaminants. advisories for state hatchery trout are appropriate for 2012, they will be an- nounced in February or March 2012. HOW TO USE THIS ADVISORY Follow the general, statewide one meal per week advisory to limit your exposure to FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION contaminants. To determine if more protective advice applies to the fish you have caught, The advisory listing was current at the time this summary went to press. Fish find the locations and species of fish you’ve caught in the tables that follow. Find the consumption advisories may have been issued or lifted since that time. Notice of meal advice for the fish you’ve caught. “Do Not Eat” means no one should eat those fish such actions has been released to the public through press releases. because of very high contamination. The other groups (“Two meals a Month”, “One Meal For further information or the most current advice, contact: a Month”, “One Meal Every Two Months”) are advice for how often to eat a fish meal. Dept. of Environmental Protection: 717-787-9637, website: One meal is assumed to be one-half pound of fish (8 oz before cooking) for a 150- www.depweb.state.pa.us. Questions concerning current advisory listings, waters pound person. The meal advice is equally protective for larger people who eat larger sampled, sampling methods. meals and smaller people who eat smaller meals. Dept. of Health: 717-787-1708, website: www.health.state.pa.us. People who regularly eat sport fish, women of childbearing age and children are Questions about effects of chemicals on human health. particularly susceptible to contaminants that build up over time. If you fall into one of these categories, you should be especially careful to space fish meals out according to Fish & Boat Commission: 814-359-5147, website: www.fishandboat.com. the advisory tables that follow. Your body can get rid of some contaminants over time. Questions about effects of chemicals on fisheries, current advisory listings.

3838 TO FINDwww.fishandboat.com THE STOCKING DAY OF TROUT STREAMS 2012 PennsylvaniaAND LAKES NEARSummary YOU, of VISIT Fishing WWW.FISHANDBOAT.COM Regulations and Laws 2012 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES DELAWARE RIVER BASIN Water Body Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant Beltzville Lake (Beltzville State Park) (Carbon Co.) Entire lake Walleye 2 meals/month Mercury Bush Kill (Monroe & Pike Co.) Confluenceof Saw Creek to mouth American eel 2 meals/month Mercury Delaware River Source to Interstate 80 Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Delaware River Source to Trenton, NJ-Morrisville, PA bridge American eel 2 meals/month Mercury Delaware Estuary, including the tidal portion of all Trenton, NJ-Morrisville, PA Bridge White perch, Channel catfish, 1 meal/month PCB PA tributaries and the Schuylkill River to the Fair- to PA/DE border Flathead catfish, Striped bass mount Dam (Bucks, Philadelphia & Delaware Co.) American eel, Carp Do Not Eat PCB Lake Wallenpaupack (Pike & Wayne Co.) Entire lake Walleye 1 meal/month Mercury Lehigh River (Northampton Co.) Confluenceof Saucon Creek to mouth Carp, American eel 1 meal/month PCB Levittown Lake (Bucks Co.) Entire lake White perch 1 meal/month PCB Little Neshaminy Creek (Bucks Co.) Entire basin Carp 1 meal/month PCB Promised Land Lake Entire lake Largemouth bass 1 meal/month Mercury (Promised Land State Park) (Pike Co.) Prompton Reservoir Entire lake Largemouth bass 1 meal/month Mercury (West Branch Lackawaxen River) (Wayne Co.) Walleye 2 meals/month Mercury Red Clay Creek (Chester Co.) l Entire basin (except East Branch Red Clay Creek) American eel 1 meal/month PCB Schuylkill River (Schuylkill Co.) Confluence of Mill Creek at Port Carbon Trout 1 meal/month PCB to Auburn Dam Schuylkill River (Schuylkill & Berks Co.) Confluenceof Mahannon Creek at Landingville Bluegill, Brown bullhead 1 meal/month PCB to Kernsville Dam Schuylkill River l Confluence of Maiden Creek to Black Rock Dam Carp, Channel catfish 6 meals/year PCB (Berks, Chester & Montgomery Co.) above Phoenixville Schuylkill River Black Rock Dam to Fairmount Dam Carp Do Not Eat PCB (Chester, Montgomery & Phila. Co.) in Philadelphia Channel catfish, Flathead catfish, 1 meal/month PCB Corbicula (Asiatic clam*) Schuylkill River l Confluence of Maiden Creek to Fairmount Dam American eel Do Not Eat PCB (Berks, Chester, Montgomery & Philadelphia Co.) All suckers 1 meal/mouth PCB Shohola Lake (Pike Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 1 meal/month Mercury Stairway Pond (Pike Co.) Entire pond Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Tobyhanna Creek (Carbon & Monroe Co.) Pocono Lake Dam to mouth Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Valley Creek at Valley Forge (Chester Co.) Entire basin Brown trout 1 meal/month PCB *No Harvest–PFBC Catch and Release All Tackle Regulation West Branch Brandywine Creek (Chester Co.) From business Rt. 30 (Lincoln Highway) American eel l 1 meal/month PCB in Coatesville to confluence of Buck Run West Branch Schuylkill River (Schuylkill Co.) Entire basin Brook trout 1 meal/month PCB * l The harvest of live mussels and clams in Pennsylvania is prohibited. SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN Water Body Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant Black Moshannon State Park Lake (Centre Co.) Entire lake Chain pickerel 1 meal/month Mercury Chemung River (Bradford Co.) NY/PA border to mouth Channel catfish 2 meals/month Mercury Smallmouth bass 1 meal/month Mercury Conestoga River (Lancaster Co.) Slackwater to mouth Rock bass 2 meals/month Mercury Cowanesque Reservoir (Tioga Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 1 meal/month Mercury Cowanesque River (Tioga Co.) Cowanesque Reservoir Dam to PA/NY border Black crappie 2 meals/month Mercury First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek-George B. Entire lake Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Stevenson Dam (Sinnemahoning State Park) (Cameron & Potter Co.) First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek (Cameron Co.) George B. Stevenson Dam to mouth Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Hammond Reservoir (Tioga Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 1 meal/month Mercury Hunters Lake (Sullivan Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Jacks Creek (Mifflin Co.) Paintersville Bridge to mouth Bluegill, Rock bass, 1 meal/month PCB Fallfish Kettle Creek Lake (Kettle Creek State Park) (Clinton Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Kettle Creek (Clinton Co.) Alvin R. Bush Dam to mouth Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Lackawanna Lake Entire lake Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury (Lackawanna State Park) (Lackawanna Co.) Lake Jean (UNT Kitchen Cr.) Entire lake Chain pickerel, Largemouth bass 1 meal/month Mercury (Ricketts Glen State Park) (Sullivan and Luzerne Co.) Yellow perch 2 meals/month Mercury Lake Makoma (Mill Cr.) (Sullivan Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Lake Winola (Wyoming Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Laurel Lake (Cumberland Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Lily Lake (Luzerne Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Logan Branch (Centre Co.) Axemann to mouth Brown trout 1 meal/month PCB McWilliams Reservoir (Northumberland and Entire reservoir Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Columbia Co.)

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws l =CHANGE www.fishandboat.com 39 Water Body Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant Middle Creek (Snyder Co.) SR 0035 bridge to mouth Rock bass 2 meals/month Mercury Penns Creek (Snyder and Union Co.) Confluenceof Laurel Run to SR 0204 at New Berlin Rock bass 2 meals/month Mercury Pine Creek (Tioga Co.) Confluenceof Painter Run to confluence of Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Fourmile Run near Colton Point State Park l Shumans Lake (Loyalsock Cr) (Sullivan Co.) Entire lake Chain Pickerel 2 meals/month Mercury Steven Foster Lake (Bradford Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Sugar Creek (Bradford Co.) Confluenceof Bailey Run to mouth Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury SunfishPond (Bradford Co.) Entire pond Largemouth bass, Yellow perch 2 meals/month Mercury Susquehanna River (Susquehanna Co.) Entire section in PA from the NY border above Smallmouth bass, Fallfish 2 meals/month Mercury Starrucca Creek to the NY border below Great Bend Susquehanna River (Bradford and Wyoming Co.) NY border above Sayre to PA Route 92 bridge at Falls Walleye, Smallmouth bass 1 meal/month Mercury Channel catfish 1 meal/month PCB Susquehanna River (Wyoming, Lackawanna, PA Route 92 bridge at Falls to confluence with West Br. Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Luzerne, Columbia, Northumberland All suckers Do Not Eat PCB and Montour Co.) Channel catfish, Quillback, 1 meal/month PCB Carp and Walleye Tioga River (Tioga Co.) Confluenceof Crooked Creek to PA/NY border Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Tioga Reservior (Tioga Co.) Entire Reservior Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Towanda Creek (Bradford Co.) Confluenceof Schrader Creek to mouth Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Trindle Spring Run (locally Silver Spring Run) Silver Spring Meeting House to mouth (approx. 1 mile) Rainbow trout 1 meal/month PCB (Cumberland Co.) Tunkhannock Creek (Wyoming Co.) Confluenceof South Branch to mouth Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Tuscarora Creek (Juniata Co.) SR 3008 bridge above Port Royal to mouth Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury West Branch Susquehanna River (Clinton, Bald Eagle Creek to I-80 bridge Channel catfish 1 meal/month PCB Lycoming, Union and Northumberland Co.) White Deer Creek (Union Co.) I-80 bridge to mouth Brown trout 2 meals/month Mercury Wyalusing Creek (Bradford Co.) SR 0706 bridge at Camptown to mouth Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Yellow Breeches Creek (Cumberland Co.) SR 3017 bridge at Huntsdale to confluence of Spruce Run All suckers, Brown trout 1 meal/month PCB

OHIO RIVER BASIN l=NEW ADDITION l=CHANGE Water Body Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant Allegheny River (McKean Co.) Confluenceof Potato Creek to PA/NY border Smallmouth bass 1 meal/month Mercury Allegheny Res. (Warren and McKean Co.) Entire lake Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Allegheny River (Warren, Forest & Venango Co.) Kinzua Dam to confluence of Witherup Run at St. George Smallmouth bass, Walleye 2 meals/month Mercury Allegheny River (Armstrong Co.) Pool 6 - Lock & Dam 7 to Lock & Dam 6 Carp 1 meal/month PCB l Allegheny River (Armstrong Co.) Pool 5 - Lock & Dam 6 to Lock & Dam 5 Carp 1 meal/month PCB l Allegheny River (Armstrong & Allegheny Co.) Pool 4 - Lock & Dam 5 to Lock & Dam 4 Carp 1 meal/month PCB l Allegheny River (Allegheny Co.) Pool 3 - Lock & Dam 4 to Lock & Dam 3 Carp 1 meal/month PCB Allegheny River (Allegheny Co.) Pool 2 - Lock & Dam 3 to Lock & Dam 2 Carp, Channel catfish 1 meal/month PCB Allegheny River (Allegheny Co.) Lock & Dam 2 to Montgomery Lock & Dam on the Ohio River Carp, Channel catfish, 1 meal/month PCB White bass, Sauger, Walleye Beaver River (Lawrence & Beaver Co.) Confl.ofMahoning and Shenango Rivers to New Brighton Dam Carp, Channel catfish l Do Not Eat PCB Smallmouth bass 1 meal/month PCB Beaver River (Beaver Co.) New Brighton Dam to mouth Carp, Channel catfish Do Not Eat PCB Beaver Run Reservoir (Westmoreland Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Brokenstraw Creek (Warren Co.) l Confluence of Hare Creek to mouth All suckers 2 meals/month Mercury Chartiers Creek and Little Chartiers Creek Chartiers Creek - Canonsburg to mouth Largemouth bass 1 meal/month PCB (Allegheny & Washington Co.) L. Chartiers Creek - Canonsburg Lake Dam to mouth Carp Do Not Eat PCB Smallmouth bass 6 meals/year PCB Clarion River (Clarion Co.) Confl.ofCanoe Creek above Callensburg to confl. of Turkey Run Walleye 2 meals/month Mercury Conemaugh R. (Indiana & Westmoreland Co.) Conemaugh Lake Dam to mouth Carp 1 meal/month PCB Conewango Creek (Warren Co.) NY/PA border to mouth Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Conneaut Lake (Crawford Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Northern pike 1 meal/month Mercury Crystal Lake (Crawford Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 1 meal/month Mercury Dunkard Creek (Greene Co.) Confluenceof Toms Run to confluence of Roberts Run Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Dunkard Creek (Greene Co.) SR 2021 bridge to mouth Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury East Branch Lake (E. Br. Clarion R.) (Elk Co.) Entire lake Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Eaton Reservoir (Erie Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass, 2 meals/month Mercury Walleye Edinboro Lake (Erie Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury French Creek (Erie, Crawford, Mercer & Venango Co.) Entire mainstem Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury l French Creek (Venango Co.) Confluenceof Mill Creek at Utica to mouth Walleye 2 meals/month Mercury Lake Canadohta (Crawford Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Lake LeBoeuf (Erie Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass, 1 meal/month Mercury Muskellunge, Carp Lake Pleasant (Erie Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 1 meal/month Mercury Mahoning River (Lawrence Co.) Entire portion in PA Carp 6 meals/year PCB Channel catfish Do Not Eat PCB Monongahela River (Fayette & Greene Co.) l Point Marion Lock & Dam to Maxwell Lock & Dam Carp 1 meal/month PCB Monongahela River (Fayette & Washington Co.) Pool 4 - Maxwell Lock & Dam to Lock & Dam 4 Carp 1 meal/month PCB

40 TO www.fishandboat.comFIND THE STOCKING DAY OF TROUT STREAMS 2012 Pennsylvania AND LAKES SummaryNEAR YOU, of VISITFishing WWW.FISHANDBOAT.COM. Regulations and Laws FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY Water Body Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant Monongahela River Pool 3 - Lock & Dam 4 to Lock & Dam 3 Carp 1 meal/month PCB (Allegheny, Washington & Westmoreland Co.) Monongahela River (Allegheny Co.) Pool 2 - Lock & Dam 3 to Lock & Dam 2 Carp 1 meal/month PCB Monongahela River (Allegheny Co.) From Lock & Dam 2 to the Montgomery Lock & Dam Carp, Channel catfish, White bass, 1 meal/month PCB on the Ohio River Sauger, Walleye Ohio River (Allegheny and Beaver Co.) From the Lock & Dam 2 on the Monongahela River and Carp, Channel catfish, White bass, 1 meal/month PCB Lock & Dam 2 on the Allegheny River to the Montgomery Sauger, Walleye Lock & Dam Ohio River From Montgomery Lock & Dam to the state border. White bass, Hybrid-striped 1 meal/month PCB Based on advisory issued by Ohio and West Virginia bass, Freshwater drum, Walleye 17” and over Flathead catfish, 6 meals/year PCB Channel catfish under 17” Channel catfish over 17”, Do Not Eat PCB Carp Oil Creek (Venango Co.) SR 1004 bridge at Petroleum Center to mouth Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Shenango River (Mercer & Lawrence Co.) Shenango Lake Dam to mouth Muskellunge, Carp Do Not Eat PCB Largemouth bass, Smallmouth 1 meal/month PCB bass, Walleye, Bluegill, Crappie, Sunfish,Channel catfish, All suckers Sugar Lake (Crawford Co.) Entire lake Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Tamarack Lake (Crawford Co.) Entire lake Muskellunge 1 meal/month Mercury Walleye 2 meals/month Mercury Tionesta Creek (Warren and Forest Co.) SR 0666 bridge at Henrys Mills to Tionesta Res.Dam Smallmouth bass, All suckers 2 meals/month Mercury Traverse Creek (Beaver Co.) Source to dam in Raccoon State Park Largemouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury Tunungwant Creek (McKean Co.) Confluenceof East and West branches to PA/NY border l Carp, All suckers 2 meals/month Mercury West Branch Caldwell Creek (Warren Co.) Entire basin Brown trout 2 meals/month Mercury Youghiogheny Lake (Fayette/Somerset Co.) Entire lake Smallmouth bass, Walleye 2 meals/month Mercury Youghiogheny River (Fayette and Somerset Co.) Youghiogheny Lake Dam to confluence of Lick Run Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury LAKE ERIE BASIN Water Body Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant Lake Erie (Erie Co.) Open waters Walleye, Coho salmon*, Steelhead* (Rainbow trout), Smallmouth bass, 1 meal/month PCB White perch, White bass, Lake whitefish, Carp under 20”, Freshwater drum, Lake trout and Channel catfish Carp over 20” Do Not Eat PCB Lake Erie (Erie Co.) Presque Isle Bay Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, White perch, Freshwater drum, Bowfin, Carp, 1 meal/month PCB Coho salmon* and Steelhead* (Rainbow Trout) Conneaut Creek (Erie Co.) SR 0215 bridge to PA/OH border Smallmouth bass 2 meals/month Mercury * Salmon and trout are migratory. They may be found seasonally in Presque Isle Bay or Lake Erie tributary streams. Trout, salmon and other fish, whether caught in the lake or elsewhere, should be treated as Lake Erie fish. POTOMAC RIVER BASIN Water Body Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant Meadow Grounds Lake (Fulton Co.) Entire lake Walleye 2 meals/month Mercury

WATER POLLUTION? REPORT IT! Recognizing and Reporting POLLUTION or PFBC TOLL-FREE DISTURBANCE of Waterways HOTLINE 855-FISH-KIL POLLUTION or DISTURBANCE of any waterway DISTURBANCE of waterways or watersheds in- or watershed is a serious violation of the Pennsylvania cludes any alteration of a waterway, its banks, bed or Fish and Boat Code that must be recognized and fish habitat that “might” cause damage to or kill fish. reported to a PFBC Regional Law Enforcement Office. Common disturbance indicators are: Removal of gravel The law provides for criminal penalties for pollution or from stream beds; earth-moving in or along a waterway; disturbances. dragging logs across stream banks and through stream POLLUTION is an introduction into any waterway beds; installing pipes or culverts; building or installing of anything that “might” harm or kill fish. Examples bridges; making roadways through or along a stream; of “pollutants” are: Electricity, explosives, sediment draining a waterway, wetland or watershed; or changing runoff, sewage, insecticides, poisons, high volumes the channel flow of a waterway. Various types of permits of extremely hot water, liquid concrete or cement, are required for any such work. Snapping Turtle Consumption Advice paint, chemicals, petroleum products like gasoline If you see anything suspected to be a pollution or Snapping turtle meat has been found to contain or oil, brine runoff from gas or water well drilling and disturbance of any waterway, regardless of how seem- only small amounts of PCBs and is safe to eat manufacturing waste. Common pollution indicators ingly insignificant, report it immediately by calling the without restrictions. Snapping turtles do retain PCBs in their fat and internal organs. If you are: Dead fish including crayfish, frogs and any other local Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission regional choose to eat snapping turtles, you can reduce types of aquatic life; strange odors like manure, sew- law enforcement office listed onpage 4 of this publica- your exposure by carefully trimming away all fat age or chemicals; muddy, cloudy or discolored water; tion or the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental and internal organs and discarding them before shiny, oily sheen on water’s surface; foamy material Protection at 1-800-541-2050 (24 hours a day, 7 days cooking the meat or making soup. floating on the surface; and extremely muddy water. a week).

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws www.fishandboat.com 41 STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS! Help reduce the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are plants and animals that have been intro- duced into new ecosystems and have environmental, recreational, economic or health impacts. These invaders may damage equipment and compete with native species. Anglers and boaters may unknowingly introduce AIS into new waters. Go to www.fishandboat.comfor more information. Stop aquatic hitchhikers by following these simple steps. Check your equipment before leaving any body of water. Inspect every inch of your boat, trailer and fish- STOP ASIAN CARP! ing gear. Remove and leave behind Bighead, silver and black carp are Asian carp* that plants, mud and aquatic life. are Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). It is unlawful to Check your boat: possess, introduce or import, transport, sell, purchase, • Anchor and line Many AIS can’t be seen and are offer for sale or barter these species in Pennsylvania. • Motor lower unit microscopic. It’s important to clean These species pose a significant threat to the • Hull your gear even if it doesn’t appear to biodiversity of native species and habitat, along with • Trailer hitch, rollers, lights and have anything on it. Follow the clean- imposing safety risks to boaters. axle ing instructions below after the water Bighead Carp No scales on head has been removed. No barbels on nose • Life jackets Dark blotches Low set eyes • Swimming floats, water skis, Before going to another body of along back wakeboards or tubes water, clean anything that came in Check your fishing gear: contact with the water. • Shoes or boots • Use hot (140°F) water to clean your equipment. No scales on head • Clothing Silver Carp No barbels on nose • Fishing vests • Spray equipment with a high- Low set eyes pressure washer. If hot water is Small scales • Fishing rod, reel and line not available, a commercial hot • Hooks and lures water car wash also makes an • Tackle boxes ideal location to wash your boat, Remove: motor and trailer. Pointed, shaped face • Visible plants Black Carp No barbels on nose The following recipes are recom- Large scales • Fish or other aquatic animals mended for cleaning hard-to-treat No scales on head • Mud and dirt equipment that cannot be exposed to Do not transport any potential hitch- hot water: hiker, even back to your home. Remove • Dipping equipment into 100% vin- and leave them at the site you visited. egar for 20 minutes will kill harm- Drain water from all equipment before ful aquatic hitchhiker species. Asian carp have had a devastating impact in the leaving the area you are visiting. Some Or, dry everything before entering Mississippi River system and now pose this threat to the species may live for months in water new waters. Allow equipment to dry Great Lakes basin. As AIS species, these fish do not naturally that has not been removed. to the touch, and then allow it to dry occur in Pennsylvania waters and would only occur if another 48 hours. Thick and dense transported and released. Drain: material like life jackets will hold mois- These carp species are a threat due to there large size • Motors • Bait buckets ture longer, take longer to dry and be (some can grow to more than 100 pounds and five feet in • Jet drives • Life jackets more difficult to clean. length), reproductive success, habitat damage and large, • Live wells • Swimming year-round food consumption. In additon, silver carp, when • Compartments floats, STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS. Do not transport any plants, fish or other aquatic startled, can jump up to 10 feet out of the water striking • Boat hulls water skis, boaters, causing severe injury. • Bilge wakeboards life from one body of water to another. Do not release unused bait into the For more information and to report sightings or • Shoes, boots or tubes catches of these fish species and other AIS, visit PFBC’s and waders waters you are fishing. Dump unused bait in a trash can. AIS web page at: www.fishandboat.com/ais.htm. REPORT AIS SIGHTINGS: http://fishandboat.com/ais-reporting.htm *Grass carp are also known as Asian carp. Diploid grass carp are banned from stocking in Pennsylvania, but triploid (sterile) grass carp are allowed to be stocked in lakes and ponds with a PFBC-approved permit. WATER POLLUTION? REPORT IT! photos provided by USGS PFBC Rusty Crayfish Quagga Mussel Round Goby TOLL-FREE HOTLINE THESE ARE SOME OF THE AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS THAT ARE INVASIVE. 855-FISH-KIL

42 www.fishandboat.com 2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws A Call to Action! In response to the growing threat of non-native aquatic species, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has developed a series of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Action Plans. These plans address the growing concerns of non-native species introductions Didymo Water Chestnut into Pennsylvania’s waters. These invading species have a direct effect on our environment, economy and, sometimes, our health. Once these non-native species are introduced, they exploit their surrounding resources and directly affect the recreational sportfish populations, which then affect anglers and the recreational fishing industry. For example, once silver carp enter a river, they are schooling fish that voraciously feed on plankton, thereby removing the bottom of the food chain. This invasion, in turn, upsets the aquatic ecosystem and sportfish populations. Silver Carp Prevention is the key! As a responsible angler, read these plans and learn to identify these species. The plans provide AIS Action Plans: the blueprint for actions required to attain goals for the Asian Carp Complex: http://fishandboat.com/ais/ais-action-asian-carp.pdf management of seven AIS in Pennsylvania. The action Didymo: http://fishandboat.com/ais/ais-action-didymo.pdf plans are living documents and will be updated to reflect progress toward those goals and to incorporate new Golden Alga: http://fishandboat.com/ais/ais-action-golden-alga.pdf information. If anglers or boaters see these invaders in Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS): http://fishandboat.com/ais/ais-action1-vhs.pdf Pennsylvania waters, report them to the Commission Water Chestnut: http://fishandboat.com/ais/ais-action-water-chestnut.pdf immediately, so we can respond rapidly and effectively. For more information, please visit the PFBC If you see Aquatic Invasive Species in Pennsylvania waterways, report them here: “Aquatic Invasive Species” web page at: http://fishandboat.com/ais-reporting.htm http://fishandboat.com/ais.htm

snails and midges. In addition, introduced Pennsylvania’s Crayfish Problem crayfish tend to be less vulnerable to fish Pro blem: Seven species of crayfish have predation than native crayfish, because many been introduced into Pennsylvania waters. introduced crayfish quickly grow to a size Some are native to parts of Pennsylvania that reduces their susceptibility to predation, but have been moved to areas of the state possess very large claws and are very

that are outside of their native range; Rusty Crayfish aggressive. Introduced crayfish also consume others are not naturally found anywhere in photo by M. Sell fish eggs and can have negative effects on the state. Most species are difficult to tell crayfish from many Pennsylvania waters. fish reproduction. The result for affected fish apart and can only be reliably identified Non-native crayfish represent a significant populations is often less food, decreased by crayfish experts. Human introductions, threat because densities of these species can recruitment and reduced population sizes. including the release or escape of fishing exceed 18 individuals per square foot and Prevention: Many Pennsylvania waters bait, aquarium pets, and classroom, population sizes are often 10 times higher have not been invaded by introduced laboratory and aquaculture species are than their native counterparts. At such high crayfish. To protect our waters and native responsible for most non-native invasions. densities, introduced crayfish often eliminate crayfish, people are strongly encouraged Impact: Crayfish introductions have aquatic plants and consume large numbers not to transport any crayfish away from resulted in the disappearance of native of invertebrates such as mayflies, caddisflies, the water where they were collected.

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws www.fishandboat.com 43 Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Products

WALL CHARTS (17" x 22" - Full Color) Price Quantity Subtotal A Set of: Coldwater Fishes, Coolwater/ A C Warmwater Fishes, Migratory Fishes, Miscellaneous Fishes, Panfishes, Forage Fishes (6 posters) $9.43 B Set of: Frogs, Salamanders, Snakes, Turtles (4 posters) $7.55 EDUCATIONAL BOOKS 2008 C Pennsylvania Amphibians & Reptiles $9.43 E D Pennsylvania Fishes $9.43

NORTHERN FENCE LIZARD ©PENNSYLVANIA COLLECTIBLE PATCHES (fully embroidered) FISH & BOAT COMMISSION D E 2008 Northern Fence Lizard $4.72 G F 2008 PLAY Patch-Muskellunge $2.83 G 2007 Green Salamander $4.72 H 2007 Northern Red Salamander $4.72 B H I 2007 PLAY Patch-Smallmouth Bass $2.83 J 2006 PLAY Patch-Yellow Perch $2.83 K 2006 Red-bellied Turtle $4.72 L 2006 Wood Turtle $4.72 K M 2005 PLAY Patch-Bluegill (25th Anniversary) $2.83 N “I’m a Pennsylvania Angler” Patch $2.83

O “I’m a Pennsylvania Boater” Patch $2.83 L N P OTHER PRODUCTS P “Resource First” Short 16 oz. Mug $4.72 O Q “Go Fish” Game Cards $4.72 2008 F SINCE MUSKELLUNGE 1980 R PFBC Safety Whistle $5.66

S “Wear It!” Safety Whistle $5.66 S PENNSYLVANIA LEAGUE OF ANGLING YOUTH $ 0.00 – $ 6.00 $ 1.25 I $ 6.01 – $ 20.00 $ 2.95 Products and Publications Total $ 20.01 – $ 35.00 $ 4.95 Q R $ 35.01 – $ 60.00 $ 6.95 Shipping & Handling - see chart at left $ 60.01 – $100.00 $ 8.95 $100.01 – $150.00 $10.95 PA Residents Add 6% State Sales Tax $150.01 – $200.00 $12.95 M J HANDLING SHIPPING & $200.01 – $250.00 $14.95 Subtotal $ 250.01 and above $16.95 PA Angler & Boater Subscriptions and Renewals - Subscribe Today! YES! Enter my subscription for □ ONE YEAR (6 issues) $12.00 □ THREE YEARS (18 issues) $30.00 NEW RENEWAL Account # (if renewing) SUM12

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $ Credit Card Purchase: □ VISA □ Mastercard □ Discover (please print clearly) Credit Card # Exp. Date Name Signature E-mail (optional) Phone E-mail (optional) Address For more products, order online at: City State Zip www.fishandboat.com. Please mail entire form to: PA Fish & Boat Commission, Media Production Services, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. Use check or money order for remittance made payable to: PA Fish & Boat Commission. Prices subject to change without notice. 44Allow www.fishandboat.com 4-6www.fishandboat.com weeks for delivery. Pennsylvania 2012 Angler Pennsylvania & Boater • September/October Summary of Fishing 2011 Regulations and Laws1 INDEX

2013 FISHING DATES* Commonwealth Inland Waters INDEX Regional Opening Day of Trout**: March 30, 2013 *Dates subject to change REFERENCE by regulation until Statewide Opening Day of Trout: April 13, 2013 publication of the 2013 Catch and Release Guidelines 28 Opening Day of Walleye/Sauger: May 4, 2013 PA Fishing Summary. Fish Consumption Advisory 38 Fish Identification Opening Day of Bass: June 15, 2013 **18 southeastern Extended Trout Season: September 3, 2013 counties Trout 13 Panfish 29 Family Fishing Programs are educational programs designed for Information Contacts, PFBC 4 families with little or no fishing experience. Families will learn basic Pollution, Recognizing and Reporting 41 PA Saltwater Angler Registry 25 fishing skills and have an opportunity to practice those skills while What’s New for 2012 3 fishing together during the program. In addition to family fishing, there are specialized programs for family ice fishing, family fly-fishing and a REGULATIONS BY LOCATION SMART angler program for youth between the ages of 8 and 12. Boundary Waters 12 For a current listing of scheduled programs, visit www.fishandboat.com. Catch and Release Lakes Program 28 Conowingo Reservoir 12 Delaware River and estuary 10 What unfolds to 22” by 37” and reveals NEWLY Inland Waters 8 EXPANDED Lake Erie and tributary streams 11 regional fishing and boating opportunities? Misc. Waters with Special Regulations 30 Northeast Region 23-24 N ew Guides to Pennsylvania’s Northcentral Region 20-23 Northwest Region 19-20 Regional Fishing and Boating Opportunities Pymatuning Reservoir 12 Southcentral Region 16-18 Southeast Region 15-16 Each of these six tacklebox-sized guides Southwest Region 18-19 (northwest, southwest, northcentral, REGULATIONS BY SPECIES southcentral, northeast and southeast) Big Bass Program 9 show approved trout waters, Class A Blue Crabs, Delaware River 10 wild trout waters, boating access areas, Brood Stock Lakes Program 29 flowing and impoundment special Catch and Release Bass 5 regulation areas, and the region’s water Trout Fishing 13 Approved Trout Waters 13 trails and access points. Approved Trout Waters Open Year-Round 13 These updated publications Catch and Release 14 merge the PFBC water trail guides with Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only 14 the smaller, prior versions of the PFBC Catch and Release All Tackle 14 Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only 14 region guides. The result is a more Early Season Trout-Stocked Waters comprehensive regional reference. Program 14 To order your individual copies, Regional Opening Day of Trout Season 13 specify which region and mail to: Trophy Trout, All Tackle 14 PA Fish & Boat Commission Trophy Trout Projects 14 Wild Brook Trout Enhancement Program 14 Media Production Services Visit Panfish Enhancement Special Regulations 29 P.O. Box 67000 www.fishandboat.com Reptiles and Amphibians 31 Harrisburg PA 17106-7000 for up-to-date mapping information. REQUIREMENTS & LAW Alcohol, Boating Under the Influence 35 Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) 42-43 Celebrate more than 80 years of Bait 34 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater magazine. Charter Boat/Fishing Guide Permit 33 Children, Assistance to 33 Pennsylvania Angler legacy issues are now available online Endangered Species 31 including the December 1931 inaugural issue. Fishing License Display 4 Fishing Licenses, Types, Requirements Visit www.fishandboat.com/PaAnglerLegacyIssues.htm. and Pricing 32 General Regulations 34 Since 1931, it’s been the Keystone State’s Life Jacket Requirements 35 official fishing and boating magazine. Permits (Trout, Lake Erie and Combo) 33 Persons with Disabilities 33 Take it wherever you fish, and it fits PFBC Property and Dog Regulations 37 great in your tacklebox! Tackle and Equipment 34 Great savings on subscriptions on page 25. Unlawful Acts 35

2012 Pennsylvania Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws www.fishandboat.com 45