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Home , Aylesworth Creek, Bearwallow Creek, Bear Run, Big Wapwallopen Creek, Blacklog Creek, Black Moshannon Creek

2021 Summary/ Boating Handbook

MENTORED YOUTH DAY March 27 (statewide) -FOR-FREE DAYS May 30 and July 4

Multi-Year Fishing Licenses–page 5

TROUT OPENER April 3 Statewide Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbookwww.fishandboat.com www.fishandboat.com 1 2 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook PFBC LOCATIONS/TABLE OF CONTENTS For More Information: The mission of the Pennsylvania State Headquarters Centre Region Office Fishing Licenses: Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) 1601 Elmerton Avenue 595 East Rolling Ridge Drive Phone: (877) 707-4085 is to protect, conserve, and enhance P.O. Box 67000 Bellefonte, PA 16823 Boat Registration/Titling: the Commonwealth’s aquatic Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000 Lobby Phone: (814) 359-5124 resources, and provide fishing and Phone: (866) 262-8734 Phone: (717) 705-7800 Admin. Phone: boating opportunities. Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (814) 359-5110 Publications: Monday through Friday Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Phone: (717) 705-7835 Monday through Friday Contents Boating Safety Regulations by Location Education Courses The PFBC Website: (All fish species) Phone: (888) 723-4741 www.fishandboat.com www.fishandboat.com/socialmedia Inland Waters...... 10 Pymatuning ...... 12 Region Offices: Law Enforcement/Education Conowingo Reservoir...... 12 Contact Law Enforcement for information about regulations and fishing and boating and Estuary...... 13 opportunities. Contact Outreach & Education for information about fishing and boating Erie and ...... 14 programs and boating safety education. ...... 15 Northwest Region Southcentral Region Miscellaneous Waters...... 16 11528 State Highway 98, Meadville, PA 16335 1704 Pine Road, Newville, PA 17241 Law Enforcement: Outreach & Education: Law Enforcement: Outreach & Education: Regulations by Species (814) 337-0444 (814) 336-2426 (717) 486-7087 (717) 486-7352 Big Program...... 11 Fax (814) 337-0579 Fax (814) 337-0579 Fax (717) 486-8227 Fax (717) 486-8227 Catch and Release Bass...... 11 Counties: Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Counties: Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, , Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Warren Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Brood Stock Lakes...... 15 Juniata, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, York Enhancement...... 15 Southwest Region Reptiles and Amphibians...... 17 236 Lake Road, Somerset, PA 15501 Northeast Region Law Enforcement: Outreach & Education: 5566 Main Road, Sweet , PA 18656 Trout Fishing Regulations (814) 445-8974 (814) 443-9841 Law Enforcement: Outreach & Education: Trout Fishing Regulations...... 20 Fax (814) 445-3497 Fax (814) 445-3497 (570) 477-5717 (570) 477-2206 Southeast Region...... 22 Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Fax (570) 477-3221 Fax (570) 477-2621 Southcentral Region...... 23 Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Counties: Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Washington, Westmoreland Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Southwest Region...... 24 Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming Northwest Region...... 25 Northcentral Region Northcentral Region...... 26 595 East Rolling Ridge Drive Southeast Region Northeast Region...... 28 Bellefonte, PA 16823 P.O. Box 9, Elm, PA 17521 Law Enforcement: Outreach & Education: Law Enforcement: Outreach & Education: Requirements and Law (814) 359-5250 (814) 359-5127 (717) 626-0228 (215) 968-3631 Fishing Licenses...... 4 Fax (814) 359-5254 Fax (814) 359-5153 Fax (717) 626-0486 Fax (215) 968-1610 Permits...... 4 Counties: Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Counties: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Clinton, , Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, General Fishing Regulations...... 8 Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Northampton, , Schuylkill Tackle, Equipment, and Bait...... 8 Tioga, Union Unlawful Acts...... 9 Office hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you see anything suspected to be a pollution, ADA Accommodations...... 9 disturbance, or poaching on any waterway, regardless of how seemingly insignificant, report it immediately by calling Boundary Waters...... 12 the local PFBC Region Law Enforcement office listed above during business hours or call the PFBC toll-free hotline: 855-FISH-KIL to leave a message. A pollution or disturbance may also be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Saltwater Angler Registry...... 12 Environmental Protection at 1-800-541-2050 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Endangered/Threatened Species...... 17 Aquatic Invasive Species...... 18 State Fish Hatcheries Boating, BUI, and Life Jackets...... 19 • Bellefonte* • Benner Spring • Oswayo* • Reynoldsdale* Fish Consumption Advisory...... 30 1115 Spring Creek Road 1735 Shiloh Road 96 State Route 244 East 162 Road Bellefonte, PA 16823 State College, PA 16801 Coudersport, PA 16915 New Paris, PA 15554 Reporting Pollution...... 33 (814) 355-3371 (814) 355-4837 (814) 698-2102 (814) 839-2211 • Corry* • Huntsdale* • Pleasant * • Tionesta* Boating Handbook...... 36 13365 Route 6 195 Lebo Road 450 Robinson Lane 172 Fish Hatchery Lane Corry, PA 16407 Carlisle, PA 17013 Bellefonte, PA 16823 Tionesta, PA 16353 (814) 664-2122 (717) 486-3419 (814) 359-5132 (814) 755-3524 • Fairview • Linesville* • Pleasant Mount* • Tylersville 2000 Lohrer Road 13300 Hartstown Road 229 Great Bend Turnpike 43 Hatchery Lane P.O. Box 531 Linesville, PA 16424 Pleasant Mount, PA 18453 Loganton, PA 17747 Fairview, PA 16415 (814) 683-4451 (570) 448-2101 (570) 725-3965 (814) 474-1514 • Union City * Includes visitor center. Visitors are welcome from 9450 Route 6 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Union City, PA 16438 © Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Groups should make advance arrangements. (814) 438-2222

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/BoatingTo find the Handbookstocking day of trout streams and lakes near your, visit www.fishandboat.com www.fishandboat.com. 3 LICENSES, PRICING, PROOF OF RESIDENCY

duty, be stationed outside Pennsylvania, and be here Fishing Licenses on authorized leave. While in the act of fishing, the Fishing licenses are sold by 2021 FISHING LICENSES military personnel must carry proof of each of these license issuing agents through an Code Type of Fishing License or Permit Age Cost* requirements, such as a PA driver’s license, a military electronic point-of-sale (P.O.S.) 101 Resident (Annual) 16-64 $22.97 ID, and valid military orders showing the place of system. This system brings in- 104 Senior Resident (Annual) 65 & up $11.97 assignment and leave status. 105 Senior Resident (Lifetime) 65 & up $51.97 creased efficiency, more options, 108 1-Day Resident (not valid March 15–April 30) 16 & up $11.97 Under the law, a qualifying soldier, sailor, airman, and easier upgrades for anglers. 102 Non-Resident (Annual) 16 & up $52.97 or Marine does not receive a free Pennsylvania fishing The $0.97 PALS transaction fee 113 Non-Resident PA Student (Annual)*** 16 & up $22.97 license. Instead, eligible active duty military personnel 106 1-Day Tourist **(not valid March 15–April 30) 16 & up $26.97 can legally fish without a license under the limited does not go into effect until after 103 3-Day Tourist 16 & up $26.97 the week of January 11, 2021. 107 7-Day Tourist 16 & up $34.97 circumstances outlined in the law. Have on their person while fishing evidence of Commonwealth Internet fishing licenses are sold 110 Voluntary Youth Fishing License (Annual) Less than 16 $2.97 online at: www.fishandboat.com. 109 Mentored Youth Permit Less than 16 $0.00 residency, proof of their assignment to a facility 150 Trout Permit 16 & up $9.97 outside this Commonwealth, and a copy of their

A current license, signed in ink, is 033 3-Year Senior Lifetime Trout Permit 65 & up $25.97 orders assigning them to temporary leave. required of persons age 16 and over 053 5-Year Senior Lifetime Trout Permit 65 & up $41.97 063 10-Year Senior Lifetime Trout Permit 65 & up $81.97 The law does not exempt military personnel on to fish or angle for any species of fish 151 Lake Erie Permit 16 & up $9.97 leave from any other requirements of fishing or and to take fishbait, baitfish, and spe- 152 Combination Trout Lake Erie Permit 16 & up $15.97 boating laws and regulations. cies of amphibians and reptiles from * Includes issuing agent fee of $1.00 and $0.97 PALS transaction fee. Excludes the 109 Mentored Youth Permit. Students from out of state who are attending school Commonwealth waters by those legal **Includes Trout and Lake Erie permits, not valid March 15–April 30. *** Available after mid-January. in Pennsylvania but who have not become residents methods described in this booklet. of Pennsylvania are not eligible to purchase a resident FISHING is defined as the act of license and must obtain a tourist or Non-Resident PA , or to catch, take, kill, or remove, or the attempt to catch, take, kill, or remove, from any waters or other Student fishing license, which will be available after areas within or bordering this Commonwealth any fish by any means or method for any purpose whatsoever. January 15, 2021. Social Security Number requirements – Since and/or RETRIEVING, whether by rod, reel, and line, or by handline, for oneself or for oth- 1998, federal and state laws require purchasers of a ers, requires a current license, unless specifically exempted by law. See “Assistance to Children” on page 8 for Pennsylvania fishing license to provide their Social specifics on when a license is required when assisting a child (15 years of age and under). Security Number when applying to purchase a fish- OBTAIN YOUR LICENSE: POW licenses are available to persons who provide ing license. a) at more than 700 license-issuing agents military documentation stating the person is a former Vouchers - A voucher may be purchased as a gift b) at treasurers offices Prisoner Of War. for another individual that can be redeemed for a c) at Fish and Boat Commission offices Senior resident and senior lifetime licenses are license and/or stamp or privilege. A voucher may d) on the Internet at www.fishandboat.com available to those persons at anytime during the year be redeemed at any issuing agent. The voucher is A lost fishing license or replacements – All re- in which they will become age 65. non-refundable and expires as noted. A voucher is not a fishing license and individuals using a voucher placement licenses include permits or privileges • Persons who possess a SENIOR RESIDENT LIFETIME license dated before Jan. 1, 1991 are to fish are in violation of the Fish and Boat Code and previously purchased by the customer. The total cost may be subject to legal action. Individuals wishing for a replacement license and previously purchased not required to purchase a trout permit. However, a Senior Resident Lifetime license holder who purchased to purchase vouchers for Christmas presents need to permits or privileges that were printed on the base wait until December 1 of that year before purchasing license is $6.97. a trout permit or a Combination trout/Lake Erie permit before Jan. 1, 2015, remains exempt from the requirement a voucher. You qualify for a RESIDENT fishing license if 1-Day Tourist and 1-Day Resident licenses you are a bona fide resident of Pennsylvania. When to purchase a trout permit annually. Disabled Veterans Licenses – Any disabled veteran - 1-Day Tourist and 1-Day Resident licenses are not purchasing a resident fishing license, you must show valid for fishing during the period from March 15th positive proof of permanent residency by presenting who has a disability incurred in any war or armed conflict that consists of the loss of one or more limbs to April 30th of any year. 1-Day Tourist or 1-Day one of the following documents: Resident licenses issued to be used on March 14 will a) valid PA driver’s license or the loss of use of one or more limbs, or total blind- ness, or who is 100 percent disabled as certified by expire at 11:59 p.m. on March 14, regardless of what b) a valid non-driver photo identification card time the license begins. the Veterans Administration and is a c) a previous year’s PA state income tax return resident of this Commonwealth may obtain a free showing proof of payment of personal income tax POSSESSION AND DISPLAY OF LICENSES resident fishing license upon application to the Com- as a resident of PA The license shall be kept about the person while mission or county treasurer. fishing and shown upon the request of any waterways d) a previous year’s local earned income tax Reduced Disabled Veterans Licenses – Any return showing tax paid to a PA municipality patrolman or other officer designated by the Commis- disabled veteran who has a disability incurred in sion. In addition to showing the license to the officer, e) a current PA voter registration card any war or armed conflict who is between 60 and the holder thereof shall, upon demand, establish fur- All issued resident fishing licenses will remain 99 percent disabled as certified by the United States ther identification to the satisfaction of the officer by valid for the year or years for which they are issued, Veterans Administration and is a resident of this producing some other positive means of identification. regardless of whether the license holder is no longer Commonwealth may obtain a reduced fee resident a bona fide Pennsylvania resident. fishing license upon application to the Fish & Boat TROUT PERMIT National Guard & Armed Forces Reserve licenses Commission or county treasurer. A current Pennsylvania trout and Prisoner of War (POW) licenses are available Military personnel are required to purchase a fish- permit is required to fish for trout only at Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission and ing license. Those who are stationed in Pennsylvania in Pennsylvania waters. Permits county treasurer offices. under permanent change of station orders (PCS) are printed on the license. An National Guard & Armed Forces Reserve licenses for a duration of 6 months or more, who produce angler “ for trout” when he or she: are available to those persons who provide documenta- documentation proving same, qualify for a resident • Takes, kills, or possesses, while in the act of fishing, tion that within the previous 24 months the person fishing license. All others must obtain a tourist or a trout from any PA or boundary waters. was deployed overseas as a member of the reserve non-resident license. • Fishes in waters under special trout regulations. component of the armed forces for a period of 60 Certain active duty military personnel are exempt • Fishes in any Class A Wild Trout Waters or Wil- consecutive days or more or was released early from from Pennsylvania’s fishing license requirement. To derness Trout Streams or their . service because of an injury or disease incurred in be eligible for the military waiver, an angler must • Fishes in streams and rivers designated as stocked the line of duty. be a bona fide Pennsylvania resident, be on active trout waters on March 1 through May 31.

4 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook PERMITS, MULTI-YEAR LICENSES

MULTI-YEAR PERMIT EXEMPTIONS: The following 2021 MULTI-YEAR FISHING LICENSES FISHING LICENSES persons are NOT required to possess a trout Code Type of Fishing License or Permit Age Cost* permit or Lake Erie permit: A 3-year fishing license is 150 1-Year Trout Permit 16 & up $9.97 • Persons under 16 years of age. valid through 2023, a 5-year 151 1-Year Lake Erie Permit 16 & up $9.97 152 1-Year Combo Trout Lake Erie Permit 16 & up $15.97 • Disabled persons and other individuals who fishing license is valid through 030 3-Year Resident 16-64 $64.97 are exempt from fishing license requirements, 2025, and a 10-year fishing 031 3-Year Non-Resident 16 & up $154.97 or who are authorized to fish using an 032 3-Year Senior Resident 65 & up $31.97 license is valid through 2030. 033 3-Year Trout Permit 16 & up $25.97 institutional license. Customers who buy multi- 034 3-Year Lake Erie Permit 16 & up $25.97 • Persons who possess a 1-Day Tourist license. 035 3-Year Combo Trout Lake Erie Permit 16 & up $43.97 year licenses save money 050 5-Year Resident 16-64 $106.97 by not having to pay agent/ 051 5-Year Non-Resident 16 & up $256.97 052 5-Year Senior Resident 65 & up $51.97 transaction fees each year. 053 5-Year Trout Permit 16 & up $41.97 Anglers can also purchase 054 5-Year Lake Erie Permit 16 & up $41.97 LAKE ERIE PERMIT 055 5-Year Combo Trout Lake Erie Permit 16 & up $71.97 All anglers fishing in the multi-year trout, Lake Erie, 060 10-Year Resident 16 & up $211.97 and combo permits and 061 10-Year Non-Resident 16 & up $511.97 waters of Lake Erie, Presque 063 10-Year Trout Permit 16 & up $81.97 Isle Bay, and their tributaries experience similar savings 064 10-Year Lake Erie Permit 16 & up $81.97 including waters that flow into those tributaries or purchase single year trout, 065 10-Year Combo Trout Lake Erie Permit 16 & up $141.97 are required to possess a valid Lake Erie permit or Lake Erie, and combo permits. * Includes issuing agent fee of $1.00 and $0.97 PALS transaction fee. Combination trout/Lake Erie permit. See page 14 for a list of main tributaries that require a permit. VOLUNTARY PERMITS 2021 VOLUNTARY PERMITS COMBINATION Voluntary Permits are Code Type of Voluntary Permits Age Cost* TROUT LAKE ERIE 073 Voluntary Bass Permit Any $11.97 designed to help maintain 077 3-Year Voluntary Bass Permit Any $31.97 PERMIT funding levels for several key 081 5-Year Voluntary Bass Permit Any $51.97 fishing-related programs. 085 10-Year Voluntary Bass Permit Any $101.97 In many cases, an angler may need both a trout 071 Voluntary Musky Permit Any $11.97 permit and a Lake Erie permit to fish in waters in Revenues generated from the 075 3-Year Voluntary Musky Permit Any $31.97 the Erie area. Rather than purchasing these indi- sale of these permits will be 079 5-Year Voluntary Musky Permit Any $51.97 reinvested into the / 083 10-Year Voluntary Musky Permit Any $101.97 vidually, a combination Trout Lake Erie permit 070 Voluntary Habitat/Waterways Conservation Permit Any $11.97 may be purchased. Waterways Conservation, 074 3-Year Voluntary Habitat/Waterways Conservation Permit Any $31.97 Musky, Wild Trout & Enhanced 078 5-Year Voluntary Habitat/Waterways Conservation Permit Any $51.97 Waters, or Bass programs. The 082 10-Year Voluntary Habitat/Waterways Conservation Permit Any $101.97 072 Voluntary Wild Trout & Enhanced Waters Permit Any $26.97 CHARTER BOAT/ Wild Trout & Enhanced Wa- 076 3-Year Voluntary Wild Trout & Enhanced Waters Permit Any $76.97 FISHING GUIDE PERMITS ters Permit does not meet the 080 5-Year Voluntary Wild Trout & Enhanced Waters Permit Any $126.97 requirement to fish for trout in 084 10-Year Voluntary Wild Trout & Enhanced Waters Permit Any $251.97 Charter boat operators and fishing guides are re- * Includes issuing agent fee of $1.00 and $0.97 PALS transaction fee. Pennsylvania waters. quired to obtain a permit when conducting business on the waters of the Commonwealth including the boundary waters. The annual fee for the permit is VOLUNTARY YOUTH FISHING LICENSE $100.00 for residents and $400.00 for non-residents. To participate in a Mentored Youth Fishing Day, anglers 16 years of age or older (adult anglers) must Permit application and issuance of Charter Boat/ possess a valid Pennsylvania fishing license and be accompanied by a youth (less than 16 years of age) who Fishing Guide permits online are exclusively through has obtained a Mentored Youth Permit OR a Voluntary Youth Fishing License. In addition to a valid fishing The Outdoor Shop at www.fishandboat.com. For license, the adult angler (mentor) must posses a valid trout permit when the Mentored Youth Fishing Day additional information about Charter Boat/Fishing relates to trout. While mentors will be permitted to fish for trout, they are not permitted to harvest trout Guide permits, contact the Bureau of Law Enforcement and must release them unharmed. Youth may harvest up to two trout (combined species) with a minimum at 717-705-7861. size of 7 inches. All other Commonwealth Inland Water Regulations apply. ANGLERS: • The Mentored Youth Permit is free, and the Voluntary Youth Fishing License is $2.97 ($1.00 cost plus To find a charter boat operator or fishing guide for a fish $1.97 in agent/transaction fee). The $0.97 PALS transaction fee does not go into effect until after the week species or location you wish to fish, go to the Commission’s of January 11, 2021. website: www.fishandboat.com/chboat.htm. • While both the permit and the Voluntary Youth Fishing License provide the opportunity for youth to fish on Mentored Youth Fishing Days, the Voluntary Youth Fishing License provides an extended return for both Pennsylvania’s youth and the Commission. For each license purchased for $2.97 as of January 11, 2021, the Commission receives $5 back in funding as a federal reimbursement. The same applies for each Voluntary Youth Fishing License Voucher, once it is redeemed. The Commission receives no federal reimbursement for Mentored Youth Permits. • The funds received from the sales of the license reimbursement are then dedicated toward investment in youth outreach and education programs. • While both the permit and the license provide the opportunity to participate in Mentored Youth Fish- ing Days, the Commission encourages anglers to purchase either a Voluntary Youth Fishing License or a Voluntary Youth Fishing License Voucher—for the future of fishing!

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 5 2021 MENTORED YOUTH TROUT DAY: MARCH 27 (Statewide)

Mentored Youth Trout Day Regulations: • Youth anglers must obtain a current year Mentored Youth Permit OR a Voluntary Youth Fishing License from the Commission and be accompanied by a licensed adult angler in order to participate. • Anglers 16 years of age or older must possess a valid Pennsylvania fishing license and current trout permit and be accompanied by a youth (less than 16 years of age) who has obtained a Mentored Youth Permit OR a Voluntary Youth Fishing License from the Commission. • Only youth anglers with a current year Voluntary Youth Fishing License OR Mentored Youth Permit may possess a total of two trout (combined species) with a minimum length of 7 inches. Adult anglers are prohibited from possessing trout. • All other Commonwealth inland regulations apply. • It is unlawful to fish in waters designated as part of the Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program except when participating in the program. • The waters included in the Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program on March 27, 2021 are the Stocked Trout Waters statewide. • Other waters may be added to the list of waters available for Mentored Youth Trout opportunities. For more information visit: www.fishandboat.com/mentoredyouth.htm. • Special regulation areas are not included in the program.

The PFBC is providing this opportunity for youth to fish with their mentors and is not intended as a way for mentors to get an early start to trout season. Mentors fishing with youth on this date should follow these guidelines: • The youth should be capable of fishing on their own, with limited assistance from the mentor. • The mentor should be fishing within a reasonable distance of actively fishing youth. • The PFBC is discouraging youth organizations to use this as an opportunity to get a large group of youth fishing with minimal adult supervision.

6 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook Take Part in the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

Winning entries will appear in a feature article in a future issue of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater and on the Commission’s Facebook page. The contest will run from November 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021. Entries must be e-mailed to [email protected]. The following information must be included in the e-mail. DOWNLOAD THE FREE • Entrant’s Name • Entrant’s Address FISHBOATPA APP TODAY! • Entrant’s Phone Number • Entrant’s E-mail • Photo Description (location, county, species, etc.) • Date of Photo

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 7 GENERAL REGULATIONS, TACKLE, AND BAIT

General Fishing Regulations BAIT NURSERY WATERS are closed to fishing at all times. BAITFISH includes all forms of ; suckers, REFUGE AREAS on streams are CLOSED TO ALL ENTRY AND FISHING during the period March 1 chubs, Fallfish, lampreys; Gizzard Shad 8 inches or through June 14. less taken from inland ponds, lakes, or ; FIELD DRESSING AND DISPOSAL OF FISH – It is unlawful to possess a fish in any form or condition other and all forms of darters, killifishes, and stonecats than in the whole or having the entrails removed while on shore, along the waters of the Commonwealth, onboard (except those listed as threatened or endangered a boat or on a dock, pier, launch area, or parking lot adjacent thereto. Fish may be processed fully if they are being species). Legally taken gamefish may be used as prepared for immediate consumption on site. This does not apply to fish processed at a fish cleaning station officially bait. It is unlawful to use or possess Round Gobies, recognized by the Commission or by a permitted charter boat/fishing guide operation. Tubenose Gobies, goldfish, comets, koi, and Com- It is unlawful to discard any fish carcass or parts thereof into the waters of the Commonwealth or upon any public mon as baitfish while fishing. or private lands contiguous to the waters unless disposal is on lands with permission from the landowner or it is FISHBAIT includes , crabs, and the where fish are properly disposed into suitable garbage or refuse collection systems or at an officially recognized nymphs, larvae, and pupae of all spending fish cleaning station. T any part of their life cycle in the water. TAGGED FISH – he Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and agencies in adjacent states apply tags to fish for special research purposes. If an angler catches a tagged fish and wishes to keep the fish, the tag number and loca- For all crayfish species, the head must be im- tion of the catch should be reported to the address or phone number on the tag or to the Fish & Boat Commission. mediately removed behind the eyes upon capture If the angler doesn’t wish to keep the fish, no attempt should be made to remove the tag unless special instructions unless used as bait in the water from which taken. have been posted at access areas, by the media, or elsewhere. For example, sometimes the Pennsylvania Fish and SEASON, SIZE, LIMIT: No closed season (except Boat Commission uses two-part tags and parts of or all of the tags should be removed in some cases with scissors as noted below) and no minimum size. The daily or a knife. This type of tag typically resembles rubber spaghetti, and information such as tag numbers and toll-free limit and possession limit is 50 combined species. phone numbers can be easily read. Tagged fish that are not kept should be returned to the water immediately after When purchasing bait, be sure to obtain and keep removing the tag or recording the information from the tag. In no case should tags be pulled from a fish as this the sales slip or receipt. The receipt authorizes the will cause significant injuries. possession of the fishbait or baitfish so purchased It is unlawful for a person to implant tracking devices in or to tag, brand, mark, or fin clip any fish taken from for a period of 15 days after its date of issue. Fishbait Commonwealth waters unless the fish are purchased from an authorized commercial facility, are or baitfish purchased from a licensed dealer do not part of a Commission-recognized and sanctioned stocking by a cooperative nursery, are authorized by a scientific have a possession limit and do not count toward collector’s permit issued by the Commission, are part of a tagged fish contest in a boundary lake for which the your daily limit of fishbait and baitfish taken from Commission has issued a permit, or are part of a Commission-partnered tagged fish contest. Commonwealth waterways. Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March Tackle and Equipment 1 to the opening day of trout season. Most specially RODS, LINES, AND HOOKS. An angler may use a maximum of three lines fished either by rod or hand when regulated trout waters are closed to taking fishbait fishing for gamefish, baitfish, or both. An exception to this rule exists for those fishing through ice in winter (see and baitfish at all times. Equipment below). On open water (not covered by ice), it is unlawful for a person to fish with more TAKING AND KEEPING BAIT is permitted using than three fishing rods at a time. There is no restriction on the number of hooks used on each . All rods, rod and reel or handline, dip net, or seine lines, and hooks shall be under the immediate control of the person using them. not over 4 feet square or in diameter, or a minnow HOOKS may not be used or possessed while in the act of fishing. A snagging hook is a device trap with no more than two openings that shall not designed or modified to facilitate the snagging of fish and may be a hook with a single barb, weighted on a shank exceed 1 inch in diameter. All devices must be under below the eye and above the barbs, or a hook otherwise designed or modified to make the snagging of fish more the immediate control of the person using them. likely than it would be with a normal hook. Unattended minnow traps or baitfish containers left ICE FISHING EQUIPMENT. It is unlawful while ice fishing to use more than five fishing devices, which in Commonwealth waters must be identified with may consist of rods, hand lines, tip-ups, or any combination. Each device shall contain a single fishing line with the owner’s or user’s name, address, and telephone no restriction on the number of hooks used for fishing, except when fishing in the Pymatuning Reservoir where number. If fishing in a group and the total number no more than three hooks shall be attached to each line. Holes cut in ice may not exceed 10 inches between the of fishbait or baitfish taken exceeds the possession farthest points as measured in any direction. All lines, rods, or tip-ups shall be under the immediate control of limit (50), separate containers must be provided the person using them. On Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission lakes, shelters or shanties must be removed when through fishing for the day. for the fishbait and baitfish. Total possession limit GAFF OR LANDING NET. A gaff or landing net is permitted to assist in landing fish caught using a lawful in any one container may not exceed 50 baitfish or device. Nets of all types can be no larger (excluding the handle) than 4 feet square or 4 feet in diameter. The use of fishbait combined. a or throw net in any Commonwealth waters except waters listed at www.fishandboat.com/Transact/ MUDBUGS (dragonfly nymphs): No daily limit Forms/CommercialPropertyWater/Documents/pfbc168r.pdf are a violation of the Fish and Boat Code. These from lakes, ponds, , or adjacent areas; the waterways require permits. Cast net and throw net permits are available online at www.fishandboat.com or at daily limit from rivers and streams is 50. any license-issuing agent. It is unlawful to use any type of net or seine to catch or take gamefish. AS BAIT: Except for those listed as en- SPEARS OR GIGS. Spears or gigs may be used to take ONLY carp, suckers, and . Spears or gigs may not dangered or threatened or those with zero possession be mechanically propelled, may not have more than five barbed points, and may not be used in stocked trout waters. limit, frogs may be used as bait. Certain seasons and BOW AND ARROW (including compound bows and crossbows) may be used for taking ONLY carp, suckers, possession limits apply. and catfish on all Commonwealth waters, day or night, with the following exceptions: (1) bow fishing is strictly Releasing fish from another state, province, or prohibited in stocked trout waters during the closed season and (2) is strictly prohibited in special country into Commonwealth waters is illegal without regulations trout waters. written permission from the Commission. Transfer- ring fish from one Pennsylvania watershed to another ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN where that species is not always present is also illegal An adult who assists a child (15 years of age and under) by casting or retrieving a fishing line or is not without written consent from the Commission. required to possess a valid fishing license provided that the child remains within arms’ reach of the assisting adult and is actively involved in the fishing activity. An adult may assist a child by baiting hooks, removing fish from the line, netting fish, preparing the fishing rod for use, and untangling the line without possessing a valid fishing license. An adult is required to possess a fishing license if they intend to set the hook for the child. An adult may not fish or set the hook for their child in a designated Children/Special Population Area.

8 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook UNLAWFUL ACTS AND ADA RESOURCES

It is Unlawful . . . • To sell, offer for sale, purchase, or barter any fish Persons with Disabilities parts or fish eggs obtained from fish taken from waters A copy of the Pennsylvania Fishing • To possess, to introduce, or import, transport, sell, of this Commonwealth including boundary waters. purchase, offer for sale, or barter the following live This prohibition does not apply to fish parts or fish Summary is available on our website at species in the Commonwealth: snakehead (all spe- eggs (1) lawfully taken or sold or offered for sale by www.fishandboat.com and may be obtained as cies), Black Carp, Bighead Carp, Carp, Zebra holders of Lake Erie licenses if a computer file (alternative accessible format). Mussel, Quagga Mussel, European Rudd, Ruffe, the particular species of fish is authorized for tak- Persons using a TTY should dial Pennsylvania Rusty Crayfish, Round Goby, and Tubenose Goby. ing by commercial licensees, or (2) those obtained Relay telephone number 711 to contact us. • To fish with more than three fishing lines at any from fish taken lawfully from waters outside of this Persons who are deprived of the use of a leg or time when fishing for gamefish, baitfish, or both. Commonwealth. both legs or who are disabled in a manner that • To not have immediate control of all rods, lines, • To release any species of fish, except those listed significantly limits their mobility may apply for and hooks. as approved by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Com- a permit to use an off-road motorized vehicle • To fish (includes taking baitfish and fishbait) mission, in Commonwealth waters without written to access fishing and boating opportunities from March 1 to 8:00 a.m. on the opening day of permission from the executive director of the Penn- on Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission trout season in any stocked trout water. Excepted are sylvania Fish and Boat Commission. property. Permit applications may be requested certain specially regulated waters and Stocked Trout • To place an obstruction in any waterway that Waters Open to Year-round Fishing. in writing from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat blocks the free movement of fish. Commission, Bureau of Law Enforcement, P.O. Box • To take or attempt to take fish, or keep fish ac- • To use or have in possession while on or along cidentally caught, by snatch-fishing, foul hooking, 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000 or by visiting Commonwealth waters, nets larger than 4 feet square www.fishandboat.com/Transact/Forms/ or snag fishing. Handfishing is not permitted. or in diameter except with a special permit issued by • To catch, kill, or possess more than one day’s limit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. CommercialPropertyWater/Documents/pfbc- of any fish, except: (a) at your residence and (b) you • To conduct an organized ble-001-MobilityDeviceonPFBCProperty.pdf. may possess two days’ limit while traveling to your in which there are 10 or more participants without For a listing of waters available exclusively for residence from an overnight fishing trip of two or a permit issued by the Commission. Applications children 15 years of age and younger and persons more consecutive days. must be submitted 60 days before the date of the with disabilities, please contact a region office or • To have on a stringer or in a container or otherwise proposed tournament. Fishing tournaments may visit www.fishandboat.com. in possession, while in or along waters of the Com- not be conducted for a species of fish during the monwealth or immediately returning therefrom, more closed season for that species. Unless a special ex- ACCOMMODATIONS FOR than the daily limit of any fish for one person. emption is granted, fishing tournaments may not PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES • To fail to immediately return unharmed to the be conducted on the opening day of the season for waters from which it was taken, any fish caught out any species of gamefish. Contact the nearest region The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission of season, or undersize, or over the daily creel limit. office (page 3) for further information and permit facilities listed here have fishing piers or other Any fish placed on a stringer, in any container or applications. Applications are also available online: accommodations to provide fishing opportunities given away, counts toward the possession limit of the www.fishandboat.com. for people with disabilities. All areas may not be person having caught it, and the person to whom it • To conduct an organized fishing tournament and suitable for all disabilities. was given. fail to submit an accurate fishing tournament catch

• To kill any fish and fail to make a reasonable report when required. County Facilities effort to lawfully dispose of it. • To conduct a tagged fishing tournament in bound- Bedford Lake Koon • To fish in, or within 100 feet of, the entrance or ary waters without a permit issued by the Pennsylvania Butler Glade Run Lake exit points of any fishway, including fish ladders and Fish and Boat Commission. Carbon Mauch Chunk Lake other fish passage facilities. • To throw, leave, discard, or deposit litter, debris, or Centre Spring Creek ( fishing pier) Columbia Briar Creek Lake • To use gamefish as bait except when taken by rod trash of any kind in or along waters or lands adjacent Erie North East Marina and reel or handline in conformance with seasons, to or contiguous to waters of the Commonwealth. (shoreline fishing) sizes and creel limits or when purchased from an • To obstruct the ingress, egress, or regress to a Erie Walnut Creek authorized bait dealer. person’s property, cattleways, or fields. (shoreline fishing) • To sell baitfish or fishbait taken from waters of the • To dig in or drive upon any lands. Fayette Dunlap Creek Lake Commonwealth, except that licensed and authorized • To cut or damage or . commercial fishermen may take and sell baitfish from Fayette • To build or tend open fires without permission. Lake Outflow Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay. • To run any vehicle, except fording in the most Forest Toms Run • To sell baitfish or fishbait within the Common- direct manner, in any . Jefferson Cloe Lake wealth, or transport same out of the state, except by • To interfere with officers authorized to enforce Lackawanna Fords Lake authorized and licensed commercial bait dealers. the Fish and Boat Code in the performance of their Lancaster Speedwell Forge Lake • To sell any species of fish, reptile (with the excep- duties or to refuse to accompany any officer after Lehigh Leaser Lake tion of Snapping Turtles), or amphibian taken from having been arrested for a violation of the Fish and Luzerne Harveys Lake the Commonwealth. Boat Code. Luzerne Lily Lake Sullivan Hunters Lake If a Violation Occurs . . . Washington Canonsburg Lake Persons accused of violating the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Code or rules and regulations may be issued a citation Washington Cross Creek Lake and have a right to a hearing before a district justice. Law enforcement personnel have the authority to confiscate Wayne or seize as evidence fish and fishing equipment that are illegal or used to violate fishing laws or regulations. The Mangan Cove Access Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission may, upon proper notice, suspend or revoke the fishing privileges, boating Wyoming Lake Winola privileges, or other permits of any person convicted (or acknowledging guilt) of a violation of the Fish and Boat Wyoming Oxbow Lake Code or Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations. If you have been convicted of or plead guilty to a second or subsequent violation within a 12-month period, you may be assessed an additional fine of $200 for those offenses classified as summary offenses.

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 9 ALL FISH SPECIES–INLAND WATERS COMMONWEALTH INLAND WATERS-2021 (includes the Youghiogheny River Lake and does not include special regulation areas) Species Seasons Minimum Size Daily Limit ALL SPECIES OF TROUT Statewide Opening Day of Trout Season - April 3 at 7 inches 5-streams, lakes, and ponds 8 a.m. through Sept. 6 (combined species)

Extended Season: Stocked trout waters and all 7 inches 3 (combined species) waters downstream of stocked trout waters. Additional regulations may apply- Jan. 1 through Feb. 15 and Sept. 7 through Dec. 31 see Trout Regulations-pages 20-29. See page 20 Extended Season: Class A wild trout stream sections. for stream sections that are both Stocked Trout NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only Waters and Class A Wild Trout Waters. Jan. 1 through Feb. 15 and Sept. 7 through Dec. 31 Class A stream listing: www.fishandboat.com/classa.pdf BASS-LAKES Jan. 1 through April 16 and Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 15 inches 4 (combined species) Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted April 17 through June 11 NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted) Additional regulations may apply- See catch-and-release guidelines on page 15. see page 11 June 12 through Oct. 31 12 inches 6 (combined species) BASS-RIVERS AND STREAMS Jan. 1 through April 16 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 15 inches 4 (combined species) Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted April 17 through June 11 NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted) Additional regulations may apply- see page 11 June 12 through Sept. 30 12 inches 6 (combined species) and Tiger Muskellunge** Open year-round 40 inches 1 (combined species) Pickerel** 18 inches 4 ** 24 inches 2 and Saugeye (Hybrids) Jan. 1 through March 14 and May 1 through Dec. 31 15 inches 6 Sauger Jan. 1 through March 14 and May 1 through Dec. 31 12 inches 6 American Shad*** Open year-round No minimum 3 American Shad Open year-round - , **** and tributaries NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only American Shad CLOSED YEAR-ROUND River *** and tributaries Hickory Shad*** CLOSED YEAR-ROUND Herring, Gizzard Shad Open year-round No minimum 50 (combined species) American Open year-round 9 inches 25 Striped Bass and Striped Bass/ Open year-round 20 inches 2 (combined species) White Bass Hybrids Sunfish, Yellow , , Crappies, Open year-round No minimum 50 (combined species) Catfish, , Suckers, Carp, White Bass, Bowfin, and other gamefish not otherwise listed Additional regulations may apply- see Panfish Enhancement Special Regulations-page 15 Baitfish/Fishbait*****(except Mudbugs/includes Crayfish) Open year-round No minimum 50 (combined species) 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, Spotted Gar, and other threatened and endangered species CLOSED YEAR-ROUND SEASONS, SIZES, AND CREEL LIMITS – Except for trout season, NOTE: It is not a violation of the bass regulations if a bass is immediately NOTE: It is legal to fish for trout in Class A trout streams year-round, which begins at 8 a.m., all regulatory periods in the fishing regulations returned unharmed to the waters from which it was taken. It is unlawful with no harvest beginning the day after Labor Day through the open- are based on the calendar day, one of which ends at midnight and the for an angler to cast repeatedly into a clearly visible bass spawning nest ing day of trout season the following year. The exception is those next of which begins immediately thereafter. or redd in an effort to catch or take bass. stream sections designated as both Class A Wild Trout Streams and ** Except those species in waters listed in the Brood Stock Lakes NOTE: For bass regulations, power pools and recreational dam Stocked Trout Waters. These stream sections are closed to fishing Program. Tiger Muskellunge is a muskellunge hybrid. pools on the Susquehanna River and navigational dam pools on the from February 15 until 8 a.m. on the opening day of trout season. *** Unlawful to take, catch, or kill American Shad in the Susquehanna River River drainage are “rivers.” It is unlawful to conduct a fishing tournament ***** BAITFISH includes all forms of minnows; suckers, chubs, and all its tributaries. River Herring (Alewife and Blueback Herring) has a on the North Branch, West Branch, or of the Susquehanna Fallfish, lampreys; Gizzard Shad 8 inches or less; and all forms of closed year-round season with zero daily limit applied to Susquehanna River that allows a tournament angler to harvest bass. darters, killifishes, and stonecats (except those listed as threatened River and tributaries, Lehigh River and tributaries, Schuylkill River and NOTE: Stocked trout waters are closed to fishing from February 15 to or endangered species). Legally taken gamefish may be used as bait. tributaries, West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River, Delaware the opening day of the regular trout season in April, unless included in It is unlawful to use or possess goldfish, comets, koi, and Common estuary, Delaware River tributaries upstream to the limit of the tidal the Stocked Trout Waters open to Year-Round Fishing Program. Carp as baitfish while fishing. FISHBAIT includes crayfish, crabs, influence, and Conowingo Reservoir. NOTE: Landlocked Alewife less than 8 inches in length taken from inland and the nymphs, larvae, and pupae of all insects spending any part **** Lehigh River upstream of the first dam in Easton, Pennsylvania ponds, lakes, or reservoirs that are collected by legal means may of their life cycle in the water. and its tributaries and the Schuylkill River upstream of the I-95 Bridge be harvested for use as baitfish. For all crayfish species, the head must be immediately removed and its tributaries. behind the eyes upon capture unless used as bait in the water from which taken.

10 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook LARGEMOUTH, SMALLMOUTH, SPOTTED BASS

Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass

Big Bass Program LAKES Special Regulations Season Minimum Size Daily Limit Jan. 1 through 15 inches 4 (combined species) These special regulations apply to Largemouth, Smallmouth, April 16 and and Spotted bass in the waters listed below. Stocked trout waters June 12 through (lakes) that are in the Big Bass Program are closed to all fishing Dec. 31 from March 1 until the opening day of the trout season. This April 17 through NO HARVEST- Catch and immediate release closure does not pertain to stocked trout waters (lakes) open to June 11 only (no tournaments permitted) year-round fishing. For all other species, inland regulations apply. For the latest information and regulation updates, please consult the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s website: www.fishandboat.com. WATERS GOVERNED BY THESE REGULATIONS County Water County Water County Water Allegheny Upper, Middle, and Lower Deer Cambria Wilmore Dam Montour Lake Chillisquaque Lakes Closed to fishing from March 1 Carbon Mauch Chunk Lake Perry Little Buffalo Lake (Holman Lake) until 8 a.m. on opening day of trout. Chester Chambers Lake Somerset Somerset Lake (lake drained) Allegheny Marshall Lake Chester Creek Lake Somerset Quemahoning Reservoir Allegheny North Park Lake (State Park) Venango Two Mile Run Reservoir Armstrong Keystone Lake Clarion/Venango Kahle Lake (Justus Lake) Beaver Bradys Run Lake Crawford Sugar Lake Washington Cross Creek Lake Berks Blue Marsh Lake ● Cumberland Opossum Lake Washington Peters Twp. Lake (Res. #2) Berks Carsonia Lake Fayette Indian Creek Reservoir Wayne Lower Woods Pond (partial drawdown) Berks Hopewell Lake (Mill Run Reservoir) Westmoreland Indian Lake Berks Kaercher Creek Dam Fayette/ Bridgeport Reservoir Westmoreland Keystone Lake (State Park) Bedford Lake (State Park) Westmoreland Westmoreland Twin Lakes Number One Blair Canoe Creek Lake (State Park) Indiana Yellow Creek Lake Reservoir (lower) to include two small ponds (State Park) Westmoreland Mammoth Dam and adjacent to Lackawanna Lackawanna Lake Westmoreland Northmoreland Lake Canoe Lake (State Park) Westmoreland Twin Lake Number Two Bucks Lake Towhee Luzerne Frances Slocum Lake Reservoir (upper) Bucks Nockamixon Lake (State Park) (State Park) Wyoming Stevens Lake Butler Lake Arthur Luzerne Harris Pond York Lake Marburg () Luzerne Lily Lake () Cambria Beaverdam Run Reservoir Lycoming Rose Valley Lake York Lake Redman Cambria Duman Dam Mercer Lake York Lake Williams Cambria Hinckston Run Reservoir Monroe/Wayne Gouldsboro Lake York Pinchot Lake (State Park)

SMALLMOUTH BASS AND –CATCH AND RELEASE Counties Waters Season/Special Regulations Cumberland, Dauphin, Susquehanna River (98.0 miles) from the January 1 to December 31: NO HARVEST CATCH AND IMMEDIATE Juniata, Lancaster, in atable dam near Sunbury downstream to RELEASE ONLY. It is unlawful for an angler to cast repeatedly into a Northumberland, Holtwood Dam, including all tributaries to a point ½ clearly visible bass spawning nest or redd in an effort to catch or take Perry mile upstream from the con uence. bass as with Commonwealth Inland Waters fishing regulations. From January 1 to April 16 and June 12 to December 31: Dauphin, (31.7 miles) from SR0075 bridge at Port Catch-measure-immediate release tournaments permitted

Juniata, Perry Royal downstream to the mouth, including all tributaries (see www.fishandboat.com for tournament requirement details).

FOR MOREto B a pointOA TING½ mile upstream INFORM from the .ATION: From April 17 to June 11: No tournaments permitted.

See catch-and-release guidelines on page 15.

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook ●=NEW ADDITION www.fishandboat.com 11 PYMATUNING AND CONOWINGO RESERVOIRS

PYMATUNING RESERVOIR Fishing Privileges in Species Seasons Minimum Size Daily Limit Boundary Waters Walleye and Saugeye (Hybrids) Open year-round 15 inches 6 (combined species) The following fishing license agreements apply to Bass: Largemouth, Smallmouth Open year-round 12 inches 5 boundary waters. You must abide by all other rules Muskellunge and Open year-round 30 inches 2 (combined species) and regulations of the state in which fishing and Tiger Muskellunge (Hybrids) where you launch or retrieve your boat. Crappie** Open year-round 9 inches 20 A PENNSYLVANIA or LICENSE is All Other Species Open year-round No minimum None valid on the Conowingo Reservoir or Youghiogheny Baitfish/Fishbait* Open year-round No minimum None River Lake when fishing from a boat (excluding coves and See page 8 for definitions tributaries). DOES NOT INCLUDE SHORE FISHING. Frogs and Tadpoles July 1 through Oct. 31 No minimum 15 A PENNSYLVANIA or LICENSE is Snapping Turtles July 1 through Oct. 31 No minimum 15 daily limit valid on the Delaware River (including West Branch) 30 possession limit between New York and Pennsylvania when FISHING Turtles (all species other Open year-round No minimum 2 FROM A BOAT OR FROM EITHER SHORE. than Snapping Turtles) A PENNSYLVANIA or LICENSE Mussels/Clams CLOSED YEAR-ROUND is valid on the Delaware River between New Jersey Threatened and endangered and Pennsylvania when FISHING FROM A BOAT species CLOSED YEAR-ROUND OR FROM EITHER SHORE. A Pennsylvania fishing license is required to fish in all other waters identified ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS consist of rods, hand lines, tip-ups, or any combination. on page 13 as being part of the Delaware Estuary. FOR PYMATUNING RESERVOIR Each device shall contain a single fishing line with no more A PENNSYLVANIA or OHIO LICENSE is valid on than three hooks attached to each line. Holes cut in ice the Pymatuning Reservoir when fishing from a boat. • Lights or firearms may not be used to take frogs. may not exceed 10 inches between the farthest points as • Hooks used to take turtles shall be at least 3.5 inches long measured in any direction. All lines, rods, or tip-ups shall DOES NOT INCLUDE SHORE FISHING. with at least 1 inch space between the point and shank. be under the immediate control of the person using them. A PENNSYLVANIA LICENSE is required to fish • Spears, longbows, compound bows, and crossbows may Kinzua Reservoir in McKean and Warren counties. ONLY be used to take carp and suckers. NOTE: See this page for reciprocal fishing privileges between Pennsylvania and Ohio. No agreement has been established with New York. • Minnow seines and dip nets are restricted to 4 feet in size; NO FISHING AGREEMENTS have been made on mesh must measure not less than 1/8 inch, nor larger than *For all crayfish species, the head must be immediately any other boundary waters. 1/2 inch on a side. removed behind the eyes upon capture unless used as bait • ICE FISHING – An Ohio or Pennsylvania fishing license is in the water from which taken. recognized anywhere on the lake. It is unlawful while ice fishing to use more than five fishing devices, which may ** As per Panfish Enhancement Special Regulations-page 15 Saltwater Angler Registry: ANG WATER LER RE Delaware River ALT GIS A S TR NI Y A PR LV O CONOWINGO RESERVOIR up to Holtwood Dam Y G S R and Estuary N A N M E P

Anglers who target or catch Daily Limit Seasons Minimum Size Species

shad, striped bass, and river P Open year-round No minimum 2 (combined species) E N All Species of N O N SI herring from the Delaware SY IS Trout LV M ANI COM River below Trenton Falls A FISH & BOAT Bass: Jan. 1 through Feb. 12 inches 5 (combined species) or in the Delaware Estuary Largemouth, 28 and June 16 are required to register through the Pennsylvania Fish Smallmouth through Dec. 31 and Boat Commission’s free online system (PA-SARP); Northern Pike Open year-round 30 inches 2 register, for a fee, with the National Saltwater Angler Walleye Open year-round 15 inches 5 Registry administered by the National Oceanic and Muskellunge and Open year-round 36 inches 1 Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); or meet the Tiger Muskellunge (Hybrids) saltwater angler registration requirements of another Pickerel Open year-round 14 inches 5 state. Anglers do not need to register if they meet one of Striped Bass and Striped Bass/ Open year-round 18 inches 2 (combined species) the following exceptions: White Bass Hybrids only one of which may • Are under the age of 16. exceed 30 inches • Hold a Highly Migratory Species Angling Permit. Sunfish, , Rock Bass Open year-round No minimum 15 (combined species) • Fish commercially under a valid license. Crappies Open year-round No minimum 15 • Possess a valid registration with the National Carp Open year-round No minimum 15 Saltwater Angler. Open year-round No minimum 5 • Registry administered by NOAA or from another Suckers Open year-round No minimum 30 exempted state. American Eel Open year-round 9 inches 25 Pennsylvania fishing license holders may choose Open year-round No minimum No daily limit to register for free with the Pennsylvania Fish & Baitfish/Fishbait* See page 8 Open year-round No minimum 35 Boat Commission. Visit www.pa-sarp.pa.gov for All Other Fish Species Open year-round No minimum No daily limit registration details. Anglers may also register with the National Registry American Shad and Hickory Shad, website at www.countmyfish.noaa.gov with NOAA by River Herring (Alewife and clicking on the Angler Registry link or call the toll-free Blueback Herring) CLOSED YEAR-ROUND registration line NATIONAL SALTWATER ANGLER Bivalves/Shellfish includes all threatened and endangered species REGISTRY: DELAWARE RIVER AND ESTUARY at (Mussels/Clams) 1-888-MRIP-411 (1-888-674-7411). Please note that *It is illegal to: catch or process any species of crayfish unless the head is immediately removed behind the eyes registered anglers must still possess a valid state upon capture; use any species of crayfish as bait unless the head is removed behind the eyes; catch and possess fishing license. a female crayfish with eggs attached to the underside of the abdomen. 12 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook DELAWARE RIVER FISHING

DELAWARE RIVER AND ESTUARY (including tributaries to limits of tidal influence) The following seasons, sizes, and creel daily limits apply to the Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, and Delaware River tributaries, from the mouths of the tributaries upstream to the limit of the tidal influence and the Lehigh River from its mouth upstream to the first dam in Easton, Pennsylvania. The Delaware River estuary waters are listed at the right. ● ATTENTION: Non-offset (inline) circle hooks are required when fishing with bait for any species of fish in the Tidal Delaware Estuary including tributaries from the mouths of the tributaries upstream to the limit of the tidal influence. The definition of a non-offset (inline) is a non-offset hook where the point is pointed perpendicularly back towards the shank. The term 'non-offset' means the point and the barb are in the same plane as the shank. Species Seasons Minimum Size Daily Limit The Delaware River estuary consists of the water areas listed below to their upper tidal limits: Trout April 17 at 8 a.m. North of I-84: 1 (combined species) through Oct. 15 14 inches Water Area Upper Tidal Limit South of I-84: 5 (combined species) Chester Creek Kerlin Street No minimum (Chester-city) Crum Creek U.S. Route 13 West Branch 2 (combined species) Delaware River * (Eddystone) 12 inches Darby Creek Pine Street Bass Jan. 1 through April 16 and 12 inches 5 (combined species) (Darby-borough) Largemouth June 12 through Dec. 31 Delaware River From the PA state line Smallmouth upstream to the U.S. Route 1 bridge Frankford Creek U.S. Route 13 April 17 through June 11 (Frankford Avenue) NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only Marcus Hook Creek U.S. Route 13 Muskellunge and Open year-round 40 inches 1 (Marcus Hook-borough) Tiger Muskellunge Neshaminy Creek Hulmeville Falls (Hybrids) Pennypack Creek U.S. Route 13 (Frankford Avenue) Northern Pike Open year-round 24 inches 2 Poquessing Creek State Road Pickerel Open year-round 12 inches 5 Ridley Creek MacDade Boulevard Walleye The portion of the Delaware 18 inches 3 (Chester-city) River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania - open year-round. Schuylkill River Fairmount Dam The portion of the Delaware River between New York and Pennsylvania Delaware River and Estuary Anglers: - Jan. 1 until midnight, March 14 and Saltwater Angler Registry-see page 12 May 1 until midnight, Dec. 31 Delaware River Blue Crabs Open year-round No minimum American Shad** 3 Female Blue Crabs bearing eggs or from which American Eel Open year-round 9 inches 25 the egg pouch or bunion has been removed may not ● † Striped Bass and From the Pennsylvania state line 1 be possessed. Hybrid Striped Bass† upstream to Calhoun Street Bridge; 28 to less than 35 Crab Pots are limited to no more than two pots per Jan. 1 through March 31 and inches† June 1 through Dec. 31† person when taking crabs. In addition, two handlines may be used. April 1 through May 31† 21 to less than 24 inches† 2† Unattended Crab Pots must be labeled with the From Calhoun Street Bridge 28 to less than 35 inches† 1† upstream - open year-round † name and address of the owner or user. † It is unlawful to fish with bait for any species of fish in the tidal Delaware Estuary including tributaries from the mouths of the tributaries upstream to the limit of tidal influence using any hook Disturbing Unattended Crab Pots is unlawful, type other than non-offset (inline) circle hooks. The definition of a non-offset (inline) circle hook is a non-offset hook where the point is pointed perpendicularly back towards the shank. The term "non-offset" means the point and the barb are in the same plane as the shank. For more information consult: www.fishandboat.com/Fish/Fishing/Pages/CircleHooksTidalDelaware.aspx. except by the owner, user or members of the im- Baitfish/Fishbait* Open year-round No minimum 50 (combined species) mediate family, and officers or representatives of the See page 8 for definitions Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. River Herring*** CLOSED YEAR-ROUND Horseshoe Crabs are unlawful to sell, offer for Hickory Shad, sale, or purchase. It is unlawful to import into or Sturgeon, and other CLOSED YEAR-ROUND transport in this Commonwealth horseshoe crabs for threatened and endangered species the purpose of sale. Mussels/Clams CLOSED YEAR-ROUND Other Species Inland seasons, sizes, and creel limits apply except for waters under special regs. * Measured point to point * A special no-kill season with the use of artificial lures only year-round season with zero daily limit applied to Susquehanna River and has been established on the West Branch Delaware River tributaries, Lehigh River and tributaries, Schuylkill River and tributaries, (see page 16 for details). West Branch Delaware River, Delaware River, Delaware estuary, and ** American Shad is catch and release in the Schuylkill River from Delaware River tributaries upstream to the limit of the tidal influence. Harvesting blue crabs from the Delaware River and I-95 upstream including all tributaries and three (3) American Shad *For all crayfish species, the head must be immediately removed its estuary waters is permitted pursuant to the regula- in all other Delaware River tributaries, including those above tide. behind the eyes upon capture unless used as bait in the water from tions below. *** River Herring (Alewife and Blueback Herring) has a closed which taken. See fish consumption advisory for Delaware Estuary Striped Bass over 28”–see page 31. Season Minimum Size Daily Limit WHEN FISHING WITH BAIT FOR ANY SPECIES OF FISH IN THE Open 4 inches * (hard shell) One (1) bushel year-round 3.5 inches * (soft shell) (combined - hard TIDAL DELAWARE ESTUARY, THE USE OF A NON-OFFSET shell and soft shell) (INLINE) CIRCLE HOOK IS REQUIRED. Circle hook J-hook Treble hook

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook ●=NEW ADDITION www.fishandboat.com 13 LAKE ERIE FISHING

Because of diseases and invasive species, the LAKE ERIE Commission recommends as a good conservation The following seasons, sizes, and daily limits apply to Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and peninsular waters, practice that anglers not transport any live fish out of all Lake Erie tributaries in their entirety which include Cascade Creek, Conneaut Creek, Crooked Creek, the Lake Erie Watershed and introduce those fish into East Branch Conneaut Creek, Eightmile Creek, Elk Creek, Fourmile Creek, Middle Branch Conneaut other watersheds. For more information on invasive Creek, Marsh Run, Mill Creek, Mud Run, Raccoon Creek, Sevenmile Creek, Sixmile Creek, Sixteenmile Creek, Stone Run, Temple Run, Turkey Creek, Twelvemile Creek, Twentymile Creek, Walnut Creek, West species, please see “Aquatic Invasive Species” on Branch Conneaut Creek, and all waters that flow into these tributaries. page 18. For more information on VHS, please contact the Commission’s Northwest Region Office (page 3) or Species Seasons Minimum Size Daily Limit 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 tourna- (Hybrids) ment for bass on Lake Erie or Presque Isle Bay during the period from opening day of the trout season in April until Northern Pike Open year-round 24 inches 2 midnight the first Saturday after June 11. ** It is unlawful to fish or possess trout in or along any Walleye Jan. 1 through March 14 15 inches 6*** Lake Erie tributary stream from 12:01 a.m. on April 16 and May 1 through Dec. 31 until 8 a.m. on April 17 (32 hours total). *** Adaptive management for daily limits: After the PFBC Bass* Jan. 1 through April 16 and 15 inches 4 (combined species) Executive Director establishes the daily limit for the year, Largemouth June 12 through Dec. 31 the information will be available from any PFBC office and Smallmouth April 17 through June 11* 20 inches 1 posted at www.fishandboat.com. Yellow Perch Dec. 1 through April 30 7 inches 30*** May 1 through Nov. 30 None Special Regulations–Lake Erie Sunfish, Crappies, Catfish, Open year-round No minimum 50 (combined species) Tributary Streams Rock Bass, Suckers, , Carp, White Bass, Bowfin, • Designated as Nursery Waters are Trout Run and and other gamefish not its tributaries, Godfrey Run, Orchard Beach Run, otherwise listed and Crooked Creek (where posted). It is unlawful to fish, wade, or possess fishing equipment while in Burbot (when taken by scuba June 1 through Sept. 30 No minimum 5 divers by use of nonmechanical or along Lake Erie tributary streams designated as spears or gigs at a depth of at Nursery Waters. least 60 feet) • Archery fishing or spear fishing is prohibited in or Burbot (when taken by Open year-round No minimum 5 hook and line) along Lake Erie tributary streams. • From September 7 until the opening day of trout Smelt (when taken by hook Open year-round No minimum None and line) season in April, all Lake Erie tributary streams are closed to fishing from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. on the following day Trout ** Jan. 1 through 15 inches 3 (combined species), only except for Walnut Creek north of Manchester Bridge April 1 two (2) of which may be Road and Elk Creek north of Route 5. Lake Trout. • It is unlawful to fish from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. on 8 a.m. April 3 through 9 inches 5 (combined species), only the following day within 50 yards of the mouth of Sept. 6 two (2) of which may be both Trout Run and Godfrey Run while fishing the Lake Trout. Lake Erie shoreline. Sept. 7 through 15 inches 3 (combined species), only April 14, 2022 two (2) of which may be Lake Erie Permit Lake Trout. All anglers fishing in the waters of Lake Erie, Baitfish/Fishbait* Open year-round No minimum 50 (combined species) Presque Isle Bay, and their tributaries including See page 8 for definitions waters that flow into those tributaries are required American Eel Open year-round 9 inches 25 to possess a valid Lake Erie permit or Combination Trout Lake Erie permit. Mussels/Clams CLOSED YEAR-ROUND The main tributaries where a permit is required Sturgeon, Spotted Gar, are: Cascade Creek, Conneaut Creek, Crooked Creek, and other threatened and CLOSED YEAR-ROUND endangered species Eightmile Creek, Elk Creek, Fourmile Creek, Mill Creek, Raccoon Creek, Sevenmile Creek, Sixmile For regulations and information about “Cast and Throw Net Permits,” visit www.fishinpa.com. Creek, Sixteenmile Creek, Turkey Creek, Twelvemile Creek, Twentymile Creek, and Walnut Creek. A Transportation of VHS-Susceptible Fish Out of the Lake Erie Watershed permit is also required for all of those waters that flow An infectious fish disease, caused by a variant of It is unlawful to transport or cause the transportation into these main tributaries. Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS), has caused of VHS-susceptible species of fish out of the portion of the Anglers fishing the East and West Basin ponds fish mortalities in the . The initial list of Lake Erie Watershed in this Commonwealth into other (Waterworks Ponds, ) are not fish species that are susceptible to VHS includes Black watersheds of this Commonwealth except when certain required to possess a Lake Erie Permit. Crappie, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Brown Bullhead, conditions are met. It is illegal to use VHS-susceptible Anglers fishing inland ponds, lakes, and reservoirs , Burbot, Channel Catfish, Chinook , fish species, fish parts, and eggs taken from the Lake in Erie County are not required to possess a Lake , Emerald Shiner, Freshwater Drum, Gizzard Erie Watershed as fishbait in Commonwealth waters Erie Permit. Shad, Herring, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Northern outside the Lake Erie Watershed except when the fish Pike, Pink Salmon, Pumpkinseed, , are certified as VHS-negative. It is legal to transport dead For all crayfish species, the head must be Redhorse Sucker, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, recreationally caught fish out of the Lake Erie Watershed immediately removed behind the eyes upon capture White Bass, White Perch, Whitefish, and Yellow Perch. solely for the purpose of human consumption. unless used as bait in the water from which taken. 14 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook MUSKELLUNGE, PIKE, PICKEREL, AND PANFISH

BROOD STOCK LAKES PROGRAM These regulations are intended to restrict harvest and fish consump- tion from designated lakes during the FDA-mandated withdrawal County Water Area County Water Area period. During this period, fish anesthetics are used during Muskel- Crawford Conneaut Lake Mercer Lake Wilhelm lunge, Tiger Muskellunge (hybrids), Northern Pike, and pickerel culture Lake Canadohta Wayne Belmont Lake operations. From April 1 through May 31, fishing for these species Sugar Lake is permitted on a catch and release/no harvest basis. It is unlawful Prompton Dam Woodcock Creek Lake to take or possess any Muskellunge, Tiger Muskellunge (hybrids), For all other species, Commonwealth inland Northern Pike, and pickerel from these lakes during this period. When Erie Edinboro Lake waters seasons, sizes, and creel limits apply. caught, these fish species shall be immediately returned unharmed. Howard Eaton Reservoir CATCH AND RELEASE LAKES PANFISH ENHANCEMENT SPECIAL REGULATIONS These lakes are regulated year-round as catch and These regulations are intended to increase the number, quality, and size of panfish through the use of release for all fish species. This means fishing is permitted minimum length limits on sunfish, crappies, and Yellow Perch. For all other species, Commonwealth on a catch and release/no harvest basis. It is unlawful inland waters seasons, sizes, and creel limits apply, unless listed in other special regulation programs. It is to take, kill, or possess any fish from these lakes. Once unlawful to fish in the Panfish Enhancement Special Regulations waters listed below except in compliance caught, all fish shall be immediately returned unharmed. with the following size and creel limits: Additional catch and release regulations specifically for trout can be found on page 21. These include: Catch County Water Area Species Minimum Size Daily Limit and Release Artificial Lures Only, Catch and Release Berks Blue Marsh Reservoir Crappie 9 inches 20 All Tackle, and Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only. Cambria Beaverdam Run Reservoir Yellow Perch 9 inches When Panfish Hinckston Run Reservoir Sunfish 7 inches County Water Area Enhancement Crappie 9 inches Regulations Allegheny Pine Township Park Pond Wilmore Dam Sunfish 7 inches Beaver apply to more Crappie 9 inches than one Upper Pond Yellow Perch 9 inches species in the Centre Colyer Lake Centre Foster Joseph Sayers Lake* Sunfish 7 inches same water- Crawford Tamarack Lake Chester Chambers Lake Sunfish 7 inches way, the creel Columbia and Bear Gap Reservoir Crappie 9 inches limit is 20 for Northumberland McWilliams Reservoir Yellow Perch 9 inches each species Columbia Klines Reservoir Crawford Pymatuning Reservoir Crappie 9 inches with the total creel not Jefferson Kyle Lake ● Cumberland Opossum Lake Crappie 9 inches to exceed Lancaster Speedwell Forge Fayette/ Bridgeport Reservoir Crappie 9 inches McKean Bradford City 50 panfish Westmoreland Sunfish 7 inches combined. Number Two Reservoir ● Huntingdon Lake Perez Crappie 9 inches Pike Pecks Pond Sunfish 7 inches “Sunfish” Schuylkill Lower Owl Creek Reservoir Mercer Shenango River Lake Crappie 9 inches includes Schuylkill Owl Creek Reservoir Monroe Gouldsboro Lake Sunfish 7 inches , Tioga Lake Nessmuk Crappie 9 inches Pumpkin- Westmoreland Lower Burrell Park Pond Yellow Perch 9 inches seeds, Pike Lower Lake Sunfish 7 inches and Redear HOW TO RELEASE FISH (Lower Promised Lake) Sunfish. CATCH AND RELEASE Yellow Perch 9 inches Promised Land Lake Sunfish 7 inches “Crappie” Some waters are managed strictly as “Catch and Release” (Upper Promised Land Lake) Yellow Perch 9 inches includes waters. Minimum size limits require that fish less than Somerset Quemahoning Reservoir Sunfish 7 inches both Black the minimum must be released. Creel limits require that fish caught in excess of the limit must be released. Closed Crappie 9 inches Crappies seasons require the release of fish species caught during a Yellow Perch 9 inches and White season when keeping them is not permitted. The number Washington Cross Creek Lake Sunfish 7 inches Crappies. of fish that survive depends on several factors, including Crappie 9 inches * see Misc. the length of the fight, where the fish is hooked, water Peters Twp. Lake (Reservoir #2) 9 inches Special Regu- temperature, and how the fish is handled and released. Crappie Westmoreland Indian Lake 9 inches lations for To give fish released the best chance for survival, follow Crappie Crappies at these recommended guidelines: Sunfish 7 inches Foster Joseph 1. Use barbless hooks. Lower Twin Lake Crappie 9 inches Sayers Lake. 2. Play fish quickly. Northmoreland Lake Sunfish 7 inches Try to land your fish as quickly as possible, and don’t play the fish to exhaustion. Crappie 9 inches 3. Use a landing net. Upper Twin Lake Crappie 9 inches 4. Keep the fish in the water. The chance of a fish being injured increases the longer it is held out of water. 8. Cut the line. When it is not possible to remove the 11. Fish that are bleeding from the mouth or gills 5. Wet your hands, your net, and other materials hook without harming the fish, cut the line. due to hook removal do not survive after being that may come in contact with the fish. 9. Don’t touch the gills. Do not handle fish by placing released back into the water. Anglers may be charged 6. Hold the fish upside down while removing the your fingers in the gill slits. with violating the Fish and Boat Code by failing to hook. This can often pacify the fish and reduce 10. Hold the fish upright underwater after hook immediately release the fish unharmed. If regulations handling time. removal and allow it to swim away under its own permit, the angler should keep the fish and have it 7. Remove hooks quickly. Hemostats or long-nose power. If necessary, hold the fish out of the current count towards his or her daily limit. pliers are essential tools for quickly removing hooks. until it revives.

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook ●=NEW ADDITION www.fishandboat.com 15 SPECIAL REGULATIONS BY LOCATION

Miscellaneous Waters with Special Regulations These special regulations apply to fish species CRAWFORD: Paden Creek, Linesville Creek, and as fishbait is prohibited, unless it is a commercially identified for each location and regulation. Fish Shenango River produced, preserved and packaged product.” – Duration species not covered by a special regulation in these • Nursery waters closed to all fishing March 1 through until further notice within Delaware National locales – inland regulations apply unless otherwise May 1. Waters involved are Paden Creek (Finley Creek) Recreation Area. designated for these species. from the mouth upstream to “Finley Bridge” on U.S. NORTHAMPTON: Minsi Lake • All species, except trout – catch and release/no BEAVER: Hopewell Township Park Lake Route 6, Linesville Creek from the mouth (Pymatuning harvest; it is unlawful to take, kill, or possess any fish, • Bass – 15-inch minimum size, creel limit 2 per day. Sanctuary) upstream to the Conrail Railroad bridge except trout. All fish caught other than trout must be Panfish – Creel limit 10 combined species per day. Use of north of U.S. Route 6 in Linesville, and the Shenango immediately returned unharmed. For trout, inland live fish for bait is prohibited. Refer to Big Bass Program River, from the Pymatuning Lake Sanctuary boundary regulations apply. This regulation will remain in effect for NO HARVEST dates (see page 11). at the Route 285 bridge, locally known as Blair Bridge, until further notice. BLAIR/HUNTINGDON/JUNIATA/MIFFLIN/PERRY: upstream 100 yards. SOMERSET/FAYETTE/WESTMORELAND/ Juniata River and tributaries CRAWFORD/ERIE: Conneaut Creek ALLEGHENY: Youghiogheny River – From the • The daily creel limit of Rock Bass is 10; open season • Lake Erie Tributary Regulations apply (see page 14) confluence with the downstream to the year-round; no minimum size limit. for entire stream in Crawford and Erie counties. ● confluence with Ramcat Run and Youghiogheny River BUTLER: Glade Run Lake ERIE: Lake Pleasant from the PA Route 381 bridge at Ohiopyle downstream • All species except trout – catch and release/no har- • It is unlawful to use any fish, live or dead, as bait while to the mouth of the river. vest; it is unlawful to take, kill, or possess any fish except fishing at Lake Pleasant except for "salted minnows." Fur- • No closed season on trout. Daily limit – Opening trout. All fish caught other than trout must be imme- ther, it is unlawful to release any fish into Lake Pleasant day of the trout season through Labor Day – 5 trout; diately returned unharmed. This miscellaneous special except for those caught while fishing. the day after Labor Day through the opening day of the regulation will remain in effect until further notice. HUNTINGDON: and Raystown trout season of the following year – 3 trout. For all other Trout – inland regulations apply. Branch – From dam downstream to Juniata River. • Trout (all species) no closed season. Creel limit 5 per species, inland regulations apply. See All Tackle Trophy ● CENTRE: Creek – from 0.38 miles upstream of day during regular season; 3 per day from the day after Trout regulations on page 21. Steel Hollow Run to 0.48 miles downstream of Steel Hollow Run. Labor Day to 8 a.m. on the opening day of the next regular WARREN: – 8.75 miles from the outflow • Trout (all species), all other species, inland regulations season, minimum size – 7 inches. of the downstream to the confluence apply. Open to fishing year-round. • Raystown Lake and Tributaries – Smelt may be taken of Conewango Creek. • From June 15 through Labor Day - the daily creel limit with a dip net from the shore or by wading only. Dip net • From 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular trout for trout is 3 (combined species). Trout must be at least 9 may not exceed 20 inches in diameter or square. Daily season through Labor Day, the minimum size for trout inches in length to be killed or possessed. limit – 200 smelt or one gallon by volume, whichever is 14 inches and the daily limit is 2 (combined species). • From the day after Labor Day through June 14, no trout is greater. • From the day after Labor Day until 8 a.m. of the open- may be killed or possessed. ● HUNTINGDON: Whipple Lake ing day of the trout season of the following year, no trout • All tackle types are permitted. • All species, except trout–catch and release/no harvest; may be killed or had in possession. CENTRE: Foster Joseph Sayers Lake it is unlawful to take, kill, or possess any fish, except trout. WARREN: Chapman Dam Reservoir • Black and : Daily creel limit is 10 All fish caught other than trout must be immediately • All species, except trout–catch and release/no harvest; (combined crappie species). No more than 5 may be returned unharmed. For trout, inland regulations apply. it is unlawful to take, kill, or possess any fish, except trout. greater than 9 inches in size. Total panfish daily creel limit This regulation will remain in effect until further notice. All fish caught other than trout must be immediately may not exceed 50 when other panfish species are in the LEHIGH: Leaser Lake returned unharmed. For trout, inland regulations apply. creel (see page 10 and 15 applicable to other panfish). • All species, except trout – catch and release/no har- This regulation will remain in effect until further notice. CENTRE: – 7 miles from the confluence vest; it is unlawful to take, kill or possess any fish, except WASHINGTON: Little Chartiers Creek – From Canon- with Elk Creek downstream to the Catch and Release area trout. All fish caught other than trout must be immediate- sburg Lake Dam approximately 0.25 mile downstream located 600 meters downstream of Swift Run. ly returned unharmed. For trout, inland regulations apply. to the mouth. • Trout (all species), all other species, inland regulations This regulation will remain in effect until further notice. • No fishing from March 1 until 8 a.m. opening day of apply. Open to fishing year-round. LUZERNE: Harveys Lake the trout season. • From 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular trout • Open year-round to fishing. The daily limit is 3 trout WAYNE: West Branch Delaware River – From the season through Labor Day, the slot limit for trout is at least (combined species) during the period from 8 a.m. on the Pennsylvania/New York border downstream to the 7 inches and less than 12 inches in length, caught on, or opening day of trout season through the last day in Febru- confluence with the East Branch of the Delaware River. in possession, and the daily limit is 2 (combined species). ary. Only 1 of the 3 trout daily limit may exceed 18 inches • Artificial Lures Only season runs from October 16 • From the day after Labor Day until 8 a.m. of the open- in length. No trout may be killed or had in possession until 8 a.m. on the opening day of the trout season. ing day of the trout season of the following year, no trout from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. Inland • Fishing may be done with artificial lures only, con- may be killed or had in possession. regulations apply for other fish species. structed of , plastic, rubber, or wood, or with • Fishing may be done with artificial lures, flies or MONROE/NORTHAMPTON/PIKE: Delaware and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic materi- streamers, natural bait, baitfish, and fish bait. Spinning Water Gap National Recreation Area -The use of eel als. All lures may be used with spinning or gear. or fly fishing gear may be used on this water. chutes, eel pots, and fyke nets is prohibited. The taking • The daily creel limit of trout is zero (0) during the CLARION: Beaver Creek Ponds of the following fishbait is prohibited: Crayfish or crabs, artificial-lures-only season. • Closed to fishing from Jan. 1 through opening day mussels, clams and the nymphs, larvae and pupae of all (see page 13 for additional regulation for the of bass season. insects spending any part of their life cycle in the water. Delaware River) • Bass – 15-inch minimum size, creel limit 2 per day The taking, catching, killing, and possession of any WESTMORELAND: Donegal Lake on entire project area. Panfish – Creel limit 10 per day species of amphibian or reptile within the boundaries • All species, except trout–catch and release/no combined species on entire area. of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area harvest; it is unlawful to take, kill, or possess any fish, COLUMBIA AND NORTHUMBERLAND: South is prohibited. except trout. All fish caught other than trout must be Branch of Roaring Creek – from the bridge on State Route NOTICE FOR INFORMATION ONLY: Anglers immediately returned unharmed. For trout, inland 3008 at Bear Gap upstream to the bridge on State Route are advised that the 2016’s regulations apply. This regulation will remain in effect 42 – This is a catch and release/no harvest for all Superintendent’s Compendium of Designations, Closures, until further notice. species. It is unlawful to take, kill, or possess any fish. All Permit Requirements, and Other Restrictions states: “The fish caught must be immediately returned unharmed. use of crayfish, clams, mussels, reptiles, or amphibians

16 www.fishandboat.com ● =NEW ADDITION Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook REPTILES, AMPHIBIANS, ENDANGERED SPECIES

REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS - SEASONS AND LIMITS

Species Season Daily Limit Possession Limit ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS American Bullfrog July 1 through October 31 10 (combined species) 20 (combined species) Green July 1 through October 31 10 (combined species) 20 (combined species) for ALL Reptiles and Amphibians: Snapping Turtle July 1 through October 31 15 30 • A fishing license is required to catch or take Amphibian Eggs No closed season 15 (combined species) 15 (combined species) reptiles and amphibians from the lands and waters of the Commonwealth. and Tadpoles • Unless otherwise indicated, reptiles and amphib-

Timber Rattlesnake* June 12 through July 31 1 annual limit** (must be at least 42 inches in length, ians may only be taken by hand, hook, snake tongs, measured lengthwise along the dorsal surface from the snout to the tail, excluding the rattle, and must turtle hooks, traps, and nets less than four feet square possess 21 or more subcaudal scales.***) or four feet in diameter. • It is unlawful to take, catch, or kill a reptile or Eastern Copperhead June 12 through July 31 1 annual limit** amphibian through the use of firearms, chemicals, * It is unlawful to hunt, take, catch, or kill Timber Rattle- permits). It is unlawful to possess more than one Timber explosives, winches, jacks, or other devices. snakes west of Route 15 and south of to the Rattlesnake or Eastern Copperhead at any time except as • It is unlawful to damage or disrupt the nest or Maryland line where there is no open season. provided in Chapter 79.7 (f) (Fish & Boat Code). eggs of a reptile or to gather, take, or possess the ** It is unlawful to possess, take, catch, or kill more than one *** Subcaudal scales are large flat scales located on the Timber Rattlesnake or Eastern Copperhead per calendar underside of a Timber Rattlesnake between the vent (anal eggs of any reptile in the natural environment of year except as provided in Chapter 79.7(f) (Fish & Boat scale) and the base of the tail rattle. this Commonwealth. Code) relating to organized reptile and amphibian hunt See page 30 for Snapping Turtle consumption advice. • It is unlawful to damage or destroy habitat in the pursuit of a reptile or amphibian. 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, importing or SEASON. The DAILY LIMIT is 0 (zero) and POSSESSION LIMIT is 0 (zero). exporting for consideration, trading or bartering, or purchasing an amphibian or reptile whether dead or The Commission has SALAMANDERS: New Jersey Chorus Frog Northern Rough alive, in whole or in parts, including the eggs or any (Endangered) Greensnake identified some species Eastern Mud Salamander life stage that was taken from lands or waters within Eastern Cricket Frog (Endangered) of reptiles, amphibians, (Endangered) this Commonwealth. (Endangered) fish, and aquatic Green Salamander TURTLES: • It is unlawful to transport or import into or within Coastal Plains Leopard organisms as endangered, (Threatened) Bog Turtle (Endangered) this Commonwealth a native species from another ju- Frog (Endangered) threatened, or candidate Blue-spotted Salamander Southeastern Mud Turtle risdiction. It is also unlawful to receive a native species species. Endangered and (Endangered) SNAKES: (Endangered) that was transported or imported into or within this threatened species face FROGS and TOADS: Eastern Massasauga Northern Red-bellied Commonwealth from another jurisdiction. extirpation and have Eastern Spadefoot (Endangered) Cooter (Threatened) • Taking, catching, and possessing amphibians and NO OPEN SEASON. (Threatened) Kirtland’s Snake reptiles in Department of Conservation and Natural Re- (Endangered) sources natural areas designated by posters is prohibited. Frogs: FOR A LIST OF ALL ENDANGERED, THREATENED, AND CANDIDATE FISH SPECIES, visit www.fishandboat.com. • The use of artificial light to take frogs at night is illegal. The following native reptile and amphibian species have NO OPEN SEASON. • Frogs may be taken with long bow and arrow, The DAILY LIMIT is 0 (zero) and POSSESSION LIMIT is 0 (zero). including compound bows, crossbows, spears, or gigs. Spears or gigs may not have more than five barbs and SALAMANDERS: FROGS and TOADS: Eastern Smooth TURTLES: cannot be used in stocked trout waters. Eastern Hellbender Chorus Frog Earthsnake Blanding’s Turtle Turtles: Four-toed Salamander Upland Chorus Frog Eastern Wormsnake Woodland Box Turtle • Set-lines, turtle traps, or other devices for catching Jefferson Salamander Western Chorus Frog Mountain Earthsnake Spotted Turtle turtles must include a tag indicating the name, address, Queensnake Marbled Salamander SNAKES: Wood Turtle and phone number of the owner or user. Traps, nets, Common Mudpuppy Short-headed Eastern Hog-nosed Snake SKINKS/LIZARDS: or other devices must be of a floating or partially Northern Salamander Garter Snake Eastern Ribbonsnake Eastern Fence Lizard submerged design so as to allow for the release of Smooth Greensnake Northern Skink untargeted turtles. Hooks must be at least 3.5 inches long with not less than 1 inch space between the point The following native reptile and amphibian species have NO CLOSED SEASON. and shank of the hook. The number of lines or hooks The DAILY LIMIT is 1 (one) and POSSESSION LIMIT is 1 (one). per line is unlimited. SALAMANDERS: Northern Two-lined Northern Leopard Frog Northern Ring-necked Permits: Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander Pickerel Frog Snake • A permit is required to hunt, take, catch, kill, or possess Salamander Seal Salamander Spring Peeper Northern Watersnake Timber Rattlesnakes and Eastern Copperhead snakes. Eastern Red-backed Spotted Salamander Wood Frog TURTLES: • A permit is required to hunt, take, catch, or kill Salamander Wehrle's Salamander SNAKES: Eastern Musk Turtle Snapping Turtles for the purpose of sale, barter, or trade. Valley and Ridge Red-spotted Newt Eastern Gartersnake Eastern Painted Turtle • The venomous snake permit fee for residents is $30.00 Salamander Eastern Long-tailed Eastern Milksnake Eastern Spiny Softshell per year; the fee for non-residents is $60.00 per year. Salamander FROGS and TOADS: Eastern Ratsnake Northern Map Turtle • The Snapping Turtle permit fee for residents is $60.00 Northern Dusky Salamander Eastern American Toad Northern Black Racer Midland Painted Turtle per year; the fee for non-residents is $120.00 per year. Northern Red Salamander To purchase Venomous Snake and Commercial Gray Treefrog Red-bellied Snake SKINKS/LIZARDS: Northern Slimy Salamander Fowler's Toad DeKay's Brownsnake Turtle permits, visit your license issuing agent. Northern Spring Salamander Common Five-lined Skink Commercial Turtle Permits can also be purchased The practice of catch and release of amphibians and reptiles is encouraged. online at www.fishandboat.com.

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 17 AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES Aquatic Invasive Species Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) may be microscopic and can be plants or . AIS have the potential to cause significant economic and ecologic harm to our waterways by competing with native and game species for space and food. Anglers, boaters, swimmers, and others who contact waterways can unknowingly spread AIS. • Do not move or release animals or plants to other waterways. • Dispose of unwanted in the trash. STOP ASIAN CARP! Clean Your Gear! Bighead, Silver, and Black Carp are Asian carp* that are Before leaving waterways, check for and remove any aquatic life (plants and animals), mud, and other organic debris. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). It is unlawful to possess, introduce or import, transport, sell, purchase, offer for sale, or barter these species in Pennsylvania. These species Use the following AIS Small Gear pose a significant threat to the biodiversity of native species disinfection methods • For a minimum of 20 minutes, soak gear and habitat, along with imposing safety risks to boaters. before using your gear in hot water (120°-140° F) (may damage Gor-tex®) containing 1 cup of regular dish Asian carp have had a devastating impact in the or equipment at a new detergent per gallon of water OR freeze system and now pose this threat to the waterway: gear for at least 8 hours. Great Lakes Basin. As AIS species, these fish do not • After cleaning or freezing, allow gear to naturally occur in Pennsylvania waters and would only Check these areas dry for a minimum of 48 hours before occur if transported and released. next use. These carp species are a threat due to their large size Fishing rod, • Consider using your gear in only one (some can grow to more than 100 pounds and 5 feet in Clothing reel, and line waterway, thus eliminating the need length), reproductive success, habitat damage, and large, to disinfect. year-round food consumption. In addition, , Boats and Heavy Equipment when startled, can jump up to 10 feet out of the water Fishing • Before leaving this waterway, drain striking boaters, causing severe injury. vests water from boat, motor, bilges, bladder For more information and to report sightings or tanks, live bait wells, any other wet catches of these fish species and other AIS, visit PFBC’s compartments, and portable bait containers. AIS web page at: www.fishandboat.com/AIS.htm. • Use a steam spray unit to thoroughly *Grass Carp are also known as Asian carp. Diploid Grass clean all parts of the boat or Nets and heavy equipment (including all wet Carp are banned from stocking in Pennsylvania, but Triploid tackle compartments such as the bilge, bait (sterile) Grass Carp are allowed to be stocked in lakes and Shoes compartments, and storage bunkers). If ponds with a PFBC-approved permit. or boots steam cleaning is not available, use a high pressure hot water sprayer. If these cleaning options are not available, put your boat through a hot water car wash. STOP THE • Thoroughly spray all parts of a boat trailer and towing vehicle that contact the water. • Thoroughly flush the cooling system of all SPOTTED LANTERNFLY boat motors. The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF),Lycorma delicatula (White), is • After cleaning, allow equipment to dry for an invasive planthopper native to China, India, and Vietnam. at least 48 hours. It was first discovered in Pennsylvania in Berks County and has spread to other counties in the southeast portion of the Commonwealth. This has the potential to greatly impact agricultural crops such as grapes, hops, and . It For more information, visit www.fishandboat.com/AIS.htm is also reducing the quality of life for people living in heavily infested areas. If you are in the quarantine area, please “Look Before You REPORT AIS SIGHTINGS: https://fishandboat.com/ais-reporting.htm Leave.” Inspecting your vehicles, trailers, or any outdoor items THESE ARE SOME OF THE AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES IN PENNSYLVANIA. before you move around or out of the quarantine is important. If possible, don’t park in lines, and keep windows rolled up when you park your vehicle. Know the life stages of the insect and when to look for it. For more information, www.. pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/Entomology/ photos provided by USGS spotted_lanternfly/Pages/default.aspx. Rusty Crayfish Quagga Mussel Round Goby

18 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook LIFE JACKET WEAR/BUI

General Boating Regulations WHO MUST WEAR A LIFE JACKET? BOATING – A Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) is required for • Children 12 years of age and younger on Com- each occupant on all types of boats in all waters. See additional PFD (life jacket) requirements on this page. monwealth waters when underway in any boat 20 Motorboats (including boats powered by electric motors) must be registered, and they must be registered feet or less in length and in all canoes and kayaks. in their state of principal use. Boat operators of boats with greater than 25 horsepower and born on or after • On District U.S. Army Corps of Engi- Jan. 1, 1982, may not operate unless they have obtained and have in possession a Boating Safety Education neers lakes (only), everyone in boats under 16 feet Certificate. All PWC (personal watercraft) operators must have obtained and have in possession a Boating and in all canoes and kayaks. Safety Education Certificate. Persons 11 years of age or younger may NOT operate a boat with greater than • All water skiers and anyone towed behind boats, 25 horsepower or a PWC. Persons 12–15 years of age may not operate a PWC with any passengers on board in addition to personal watercraft operators and 15 years of age or younger or rent a PWC. passengers, and sailboarders (windsurfers) are Owners of unpowered boats (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, stand-up paddleboards, etc.) can launch their required to wear a life jacket. Inflatable life jackets boats at Commission lakes, access areas and properties, and at PA state parks and if their boats display are not acceptable for these activities. the Commission’s launch use permit OR boat registration, OR PA state parks launch permit, OR mooring • Boaters are required, by law, to wear life jackets permit. An unpowered boat may have a registration OR launch permit, but it is not required to have both. on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe The Commission does NOT recognize launch permits from other states. or kayak during the cold weather months from November 1 through April 30. LIFE JACKET WEAR REQUIRED BY LAW NOVEMBER 1 TO APRIL 30 Boaters are required, by law, to wear life jackets on boats less than 16 PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE feet in length or any canoe or kayak during the cold weather months (LIFE JACKET) REQUIREMENTS from November 1 through April 30. This requirement is intended to protect boaters from the dangers of cold water shock if they fall into the water. • All boats must have a USCG-approved wearable The risk of an accident being fatal is significantly higher when the air and life jacket on board for each person. water temperatures are colder in late fall through spring. Over the last 15 • In addition to wearable life jackets, boats 16 feet and over must have a USCG-approved throwable years, cold water incidents represented only eight percent of the boating- device (ring buoy, life ring, or buoyant seat cushion) related accidents, but they resulted in 24 percent of the fatalities. Victims on board. Canoes and kayaks, regardless of length, who are wearing a life jacket when exposed to cold water have potentially are not required to carry a throwable device. life-saving advantages. • Life jackets must be used in accordance with any requirements on the approval label. MAKE SURE YOUR LIFE JACKET FITS! • All life jackets must be in good and serviceable For a life jacket to work properly, not only does it need to be condition and legibly marked showing the USCG on your body, it should fit properly as well. A properly fitting approval number. This means the life jacket must life jacket is more comfortable (meaning you are more likely be fully functional, free of tears or defects in the to wear it) but more important, it functions better. Life jackets material. All buckles, straps, zippers, and other that are too small or large can ride up or even come off when closures must be operable. you are in the water. • Wearable life jackets must be “readily acces- It’s easy to check a conventional life jacket for proper fit–just put sible,” which means that they are stowed where it on. The jacket should fit you snugly with all zippers, straps, ties, they can be easily reached or that they are out in and snaps correctly secured. With a partner behind you, raise your the open ready to wear. Throwables devices must arms like you are signaling a touchdown in a football game. Have be “immediately available,” which means that the the partner lift the jacket by the shoulders. The jacket should come no higher than your chin. If the jacket covers your face or comes device cannot be in a protective covering and shall off—that’s what would happen in the water. In this case, tighten be within arm’s reach of the operator or passenger the straps or use a smaller size. while the boat is operated. A PFD that is sealed in its original packaging is not readily accessible or immediately available. Subscribe today! • Life jackets must be the appropriate size for the person intended and adjusted to wear. • A throwable device may not be used as a substi- tute for a wearable device.

BOATING AND ALCOHOL DO NOT MIX! Pennsylvania Angler & Boater is your guide to Alcohol use increases the chances of having an great fishing and boating in Pennsylvania. Get the informative and entertaining magazine that readers accident. Alcohol affects balance, coordination, and have enjoyed since 1931. judgment. It is illegal to operate a boat while under Full-color magazine, six times a year. the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. One-Year Subscription (6 issues) $20.00 Penalties include loss of boating privileges, Three-Year Subscription (18 issues) $48.00 significant fines, and imprisonment. www.fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 19 TROUT FISHING REGULATIONS

Find the Regulation that Applies to Where You Want to Fish. 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 22 through 29, each region contains a listing of its counties separated by specific trout regulation. An explanation of each regulation and its requirements is on this page and the next page.

STREAMS DESIGNATED AS BOTH CLASS A WILD TROUT • STREAMS AND STOCKED TROUT WATERS Stream sections that are designated as both Stocked Trout Waters and Class A Wild Trout Streams located within the Regional Opening Day of Trout Season area are closed to fishing from March 1 to 8 a.m. on the Regional Opening Day of Trout Season. Stream sections that are designated as both Stocked Trout Waters and Class A Wild Trout Streams located within the Regular Opening Day of Trout Season area are closed to fishing from March 1 to 8 a.m. on the Regular Opening Day of Trout Season. Stream Sections Governed by These Regulations - Closed to fishing from March 1 until 8 a.m. on Opening Day of Trout Season. Extended Season: September 7, 2021 through February 28, 2022–No Harvest–Catch and Immediate Release Only. Water Name County Sect. Miles Limits Bald Eagle Creek Centre 06 5.71 Confluence with Spring Creek near SR 144 bridge downstream to the inlet of Sayers Lake near Boggs/Howard Township line Stocked Trout Waters Fishing Creek Clinton 13 1.49 Confluence with Cedar Run downstream to Axe Factory Hollow Many streams, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs Fishing Creek Clinton 14 1.60 Axe Factory Hollow downstream to Country are officially classified as “stocked trout waters.” Club Road Bridge (SR 2015) in Mill Hall This means that these waters contain significant Mifflin 05 3.70 1.5 miles upstream from confluence with Tea portions that are open to public fishing and are Creek downstream to Penn Central Railroad Bridge stocked with trout. The waters listed here are open Lehigh 04 4.89 Confluence with Spring Creek downstream to to trout harvest during the “extended season” (see Wild Cherry Lane Bridge (T-508) page 10). Unlisted tributary streams (those not Little Lehigh Creek Lehigh 07 2.06 0.4 km upstream of Country Club Road Bridge included in this list of “stocked trout waters”) are (T-473) downstream to Fish Hatchery Road not open to harvest of trout during the “extended Bridge (SR 2010) season.” Only stocked trout waters and all waters Martins Creek Northampton 01 4.72 Confluence of East Branch & West Branch downstream of stocked trout waters are open to Martins Creek downstream to the harvest during this period with the exception from Bangor Treatment Plant of Class A wild trout streams where harvest is Monocacy Creek Northampton 08 0.99 Illicks Mill Dam downstream to the prohibited during the extended season. Spearing Schoenersville Road Bridge (SR 3017) fish is not permitted in any of these waters at any Monocacy Creek Lehigh/ 09 2.11 Schoenersville Road Bridge (SR 3017) time of the year. Northampton downstream to the mouth These waters are closed to all fishing (including Penns Creek Centre 02 8.10 SR 0045 downstream to the confluence taking of minnows) from March 1 to 8 a.m. on the with Elk Creek opening day of the trout season. A person shall be Pohopoco Creek Carbon 04 2.90 Outlet of Beltzville Lake downstream to deemed to be fishing if he or she has in possession cable across creek at Hideaway & any fishing line, rod, or other device that can be Fishing Club Yellow Creek Bedford 04 1.67 Confluence with Beaver Creek downstream used for fishing while on or in any water or on the to Red Bank Hill banks within 25 feet of any water where fishing is prohibited. Unless geographically designated in the Region Regulated Trout Waters section, the term trout-stocked waters includes the entire stream Stocked Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing from headwaters to mouth. Waters with this designation are considered “stocked trout waters.” From 8 a.m. opening day of trout Special note: Although the list was up to date at the through Sept. 6, Commonwealth inland sizes and creel limits apply. From Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, and time this booklet was printed, it is possible that some from Sept. 7 through Dec. 31, “extended season” sizes and creel limits apply. These waters are open to streams may later be deleted or added as “stocked trout fishing from March 1 to opening day of trout season; however, no trout may be taken or possessed on these waters” because of last-minute changes in waters during this period. It is unlawful to fish in rivers and streams designated as stocked trout waters conditions. Check with the nearest Pennsylvania Fish open to year-round fishing without a current trout permit. A trout permit is not required to fish in lakes and Boat Commission office (see page 3) if there is any and ponds that have been designated as stocked trout waters open to year-round fishing unless the person question about whether or not a water area is “stocked.” takes, kills, or possesses, while in the act of fishing, a trout on or in these waters.

20 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook TROUT FISHING REGULATIONS SPECIAL REGULATION AREAS

Special Regulation Areas CATCH AND RELEASE ALL TACKLE The Commission establishes specially regulated ARTIFICIAL LURES ONLY TROPHY TROUT areas on some trout waters. These specially regulated • Open to fishing year-round. • Open to fishing year-round. areas are assigned to one of the programs on this • Fishing is permitted on a 24-hour basis. • Fishing is permitted on a 24-hour basis. page with the regulations for each program included. • Use or possession of any other lures or substance • Minimum size – 14 inches, caught on, or in These program regulations apply only to those waters is prohibited. possession on, the waters under these regulations designated by the Commission as being part of that • No trout may be killed or had in possession. from 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular trout program, not to all trout waters. When applicable, a list • Fishing may be done with artificial lures only season through Labor Day. of specially regulated waters appears at the end of the constructed of metal, plastic, rubber, or wood, or with • The daily creel limit is two trout – combined stocked trout waters section for each region of the state. flies or streamers constructed of natural or synthetic species except for the period from the day after Labor materials. All such lures may be used with spinning Day to 8 a.m. of the first Saturday after April 11 of DELAYED HARVEST or fly fishing gear. the following year, when no trout may be killed or ARTIFICIAL LURES ONLY • Wading is permitted unless otherwise posted. had in possession. • Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited. • There are no tackle restrictions. • Open to fishing year-round. • An angler in a boat may possess bait and fish • An angler in a boat may possess bait and fish • Fishing is permitted on a 24-hour basis. caught in compliance with the seasons, sizes, and caught in compliance with the seasons, sizes, and • Minimum size – 9 inches, caught on or in possession creel limits in effect for a water from which it was on, the waters under these regulations from June 15 taken, provided that the boat angler floats through the creel limits in effect for a water from which it was through Labor Day. Catch and Release area without stopping or engaging taken, provided that the boat angler floats through • The daily creel limit is three trout (combined in the act of fishing or the boat angler puts in or takes the All Tackle Trophy Trout area without stopping or species) from June 15 through Labor Day, caught on out his boat at an access point within the Catch and engaging in the act of fishing or the boat angler puts or in possession on the waters under these regulations. Release area. in or takes out his boat at an access point within the From the day after Labor Day until June 15, the daily • A current trout permit is required. All Tackle Trophy Trout area. creel limit is zero. • A current trout permit is required. • Fishing may be done with artificial lures only constructed • The regulations apply to trout only; all other of metal, plastic, rubber, or wood, or with flies and streamers CATCH AND RELEASE species, inland regulations apply. constructed of natural or synthetic materials. All such lures FLY-FISHING ONLY may be used with spinning or fly fishing gear. • Open to fishing year-round. TROPHY TROUT • The use or possession of any natural bait, baitfish, • Fishing is permitted on a 24-hour basis. fishbait, bait paste, and similar substances, fish eggs (natural • No trout may be killed or had in possession. ARTIFICIAL LURES ONLY or molded) or any other edible substance is prohibited. • Fishing may be done with artificial flies and • Open to fishing year-round. • Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited. streamers constructed of natural or synthetic • Fishing is permitted on a 24-hour basis. • An angler in a boat may possess bait and fish caught in materials, so long as all flies are constructed in a • Minimum size – 14 inches, caught on, or in compliance with the seasons, sizes, and creel limits in effect normal fashion with components wound on or about possession on, the waters under these regulations for a water from which it was taken, provided that the boat the hook. Fishing must be done with tackle limited to from 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular trout angler floats through the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures fly rods, fly reels, and fly line with leader material of season through Labor Day. Only area without stopping or engaging in the act of fishing monofilament line attached. Anything other than • The daily creel limit is two trout – combined or the boat angler puts in or takes out his boat at an access these items is prohibited. species except for the period from the day after Labor point within the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area. • Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited. Day to 8 a.m. of the first Saturday after April 11 of • A current trout permit is required. • Wading is permitted unless otherwise posted. the following year, when no trout may be killed or • An angler in a boat may possess bait and fish had in possession. The Keystone Select Stocked caught in compliance with the seasons, sizes, and creel • Fishing may be done with artificial lures only, Trout Waters program limits in effect for a water from which it was taken, provides anglers with an constructed of metal, plastic, rubber, or wood, or with provided that the boat angler floats through the Catch flies and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic exciting opportunity to fish for and Release Fly-Fishing Only area without stopping or larger trout. Under the program, materials. All lures may be used with spinning or fly engaging in the act of fishing or the boat angler puts fishing gear. approximately 10,000 large trout, in or takes out his boat at an access point within the 2- to 3-years old and measuring • Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited. Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only area. • An angler in a boat may possess bait and fish caught between 14 to 20 inches, are • A current trout permit is required. distributed among these select waters in compliance with the seasons, sizes, and creel limits under the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Special in effect for a water from which it was taken, provided Regulations and one water managed with Miscellaneous CATCH AND RELEASE that the boat angler floats through the Trophy Trout Special Regulations. These larger trout are stocked only ALL TACKLE area without stopping or engaging in the act of fishing during the spring stocking periods to coincide with • Open to fishing year-round. or the boat angler puts in or takes out his boat at an the period of peak angler use. As with many waters • Fishing is permitted on a 24-hour basis. access point within the Trophy Trout area. managed with Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only • No trout may be killed or had in possession. • A current trout permit is required. and Miscellaneous Special Regulations, not all waters • Fishing may be done with artificial lures, flies or in the Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters program streamers, natural bait, baitfish, and fishbait. Spinning receive a fall stocking. Fall stocking is limited to stream or fly fishing gear may be used in these areas. sections that are considered destination fisheries and • An angler in a boat may possess bait and fish caught provide relatively high angler use during fall. Currently, in compliance with the seasons, sizes, and creel limits in 13 of the 24 stream sections in this program receive a effect for a water from which it was taken, provided that Special regulation waters fall stocking. In the stocked trout water listings and the the boat angler floats through the Catch and Release All appear on pages 22 through 29 miscellaneous waters with special regulations sections, Tackle area without stopping or engaging in the act of

look for the red keystone,which indicates that fishing or the boat angler puts in or takes out his boat at an after each region’s section of this water is a Keystone Select Stocked access point within the Catch and Release All Tackle area. stocked trout waters. Trout Water.* • A current trout permit is required.

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 21 SOUTHEAST REGION TROUT WATERS

Southeast Region Regulated Trout Waters Regional Opening Valley Road to Mill Road near (Saegerville Rd. East Branch Perkiomen Day of Trout Season Jamison and from the dam at downstream to mouth) Creek (from near Salfordville Mahoning Creek the causeway in Tyler State East Branch Rd. downstream to Bergey’s Pine Creek (trib to Little Stocked Trout Waters Park downstream to the bridge (Steelville Rd. downstream Mill Rd. - inseason only) Schuylkill River) OPENING DAY: on SR 332) to Knight Run confluence - Kepner Creek Pine Creek (trib to Mahantango APRIL 3 Tohickon Creek (Dark Hollow inseason only) Loch Alsh Reservoir Creek) BERKS: Rd. to mouth) Fishing Creek Manatawny Creek Pine Creek (trib to Schuylkill Unami Creek (Milford Pennypack Creek River) Antietam Reservoir Township Park downstream Indian Run (Lorimer Park) Run Reservoir (off East Furnace Creek (Robesonia) to Trumbauersville Road Little Beaver Creek Perkiomen Creek (county line Valley Rd. SW of Tamaqua) Hay Creek (SR 4051)) Little downstream to first unnamed Upper Little Kistler Creek CHESTER: Little trib downstream of Fruitville Whipoorwill Dam Little Lehigh Creek Beaver Creek (at Downingtown) (powerline Road (T-414)) Big Elk Creek upstream of Miller Road (T- Skippack Creek Stocked Trout Waters 707) downstream to Harrisburg Stony Creek Maiden Creek (confluence with Buck Run (Compass Rd. Open to Year-Round Pike (SR 4020)) Unami Creek Kistler Creek in Kempton downstream to SR 372) Fishing Little Muddy Creek Wissahickon Creek (from BERKS: downstream to dam in East Branch Brandywine Creek (Bowmansville Rd. Lafayette Ave. downstream Tulpehocken Creek (from covered Lenhartsville) (SR 4031 in Glenmoore downstream to 150 yards, to Stenton Ave.) bridge at T-921 downstream Manatawny Creek downstream to U.S. Business Mill Creek (trib. to Sacony Creek) below SR 897) NORTHAMPTON: to the mouth) Route 30 in Downingtown) Meetinghouse Creek Bushkill Creek Kaercher Creek Dam Mill Creek (trib. to Schuylkill East Branch Elk Creek River) Middle Creek (PGC’s Middle Hokendauqua Creek BUCKS: East Branch White Clay Creek Creek Dam downstream to Indian Creek Lake Luxembourg Mill Creek (trib. to Tulpehocken French Creek Creek) W. Lime Rock Rd.) Jacoby Creek LANCASTER: Middle Branch White Clay Creek Muddy Creek (Pleasant Valley Northkill Creek Lehigh (0.6 mile Muddy Run Rec Lake Pickering Creek Road downstream to SR 897) Ontelaunee Creek (Spring downstream of Carbon County SCHUYLKILL: Pocopson Creek Muddy Run (most northern line downstream to confluence House Road Bridge (SR 4024 Sweet Arrow Lake West Branch Brandywine SR 772 crossing Intercourse with Bertsch Creek, and first downstream to mouth) Tuscarora Lake (fall stocking) Creek (SR 4005 Cedar Knoll downstream to powerline lock upstream of Monocacy Perkiomen Creek downstream to SR 0340) above Monterey Rd.) Creek crossing downstream Catch and Release Pine Creek (trib to Maiden West Valley Creek (Wanner Drive to confluence with Nancy NORTHAMPTON: Creek) White Clay Creek (T-515) downstream to 110 Run Crossing) Bushkill Creek– 1.19 miles; Sacony Creek (Bowers Road DELAWARE: yards downstream of School Little Bushkill Creek from the dam at Binney and (T-616) downstream to SR Chester Creek (confluence of Lane (T-948)) ● Martins Creek Smith downstream to the 222 Kutztown By-pass) West Branch Chester Creek Rock Run (Bowmansville) Minsi Lake 13th Street Bridge Scotts Run Lake downstream to Bridgewater Stewart Run ● Monocacy Creek Spring Creek Road (SR 3018)) Swarr Run (Yellow Goose Road Catch and Release Tulpehocken Creek (Marion Chester Creek (upstream from (T-802) downstream to SR 0741) PHILADELPHIA: All Tackle Twp R&G Club downstream confluence with West Branch West Branch Little Conestoga Pennypack Creek (county line CHESTER/MONTGOMERY: to vicinity of Charming Forge - inseason only) Creek downstream to Frankford Valley Creek– at Valley Forge Rd.) Darby Creek (0.5 mile upstream West Branch Octoraro Creek Avenue (SR 0013)) and tributaries including West Branch LEHIGH: Wissahickon Creek Little Valley Creek. Be aware (approximately 350 yards confluence with Little Darby Creek downstream to Hill- Cedar Creek (Lake Muhlenburg (Germantown Pike that Valley Forge National above powerline, downstream outflow downstream to mouth) downstream to tributary at Historic Park has imposed to mouth in Morgantown) dale Road) Ithan Creek Coplay Creek intersection of Forbidden special bait restrictions. Check Willow Creek Jordan Creek Little Darby Creek Drive and Lincoln Drive) local posters. Wyomissing Creek (throughout Kistler Creek SCHUYLKILL: Ridley Creek (Two sections: Mohnton downstream to Laurel Run (South Branch Saucon Bear Creek Catch and Release 1.25 miles upstream from SR 0222) Creek) Deep Creek Fly-Fishing Only Gradyville Rd. downstream BUCKS: Leaser Lake Little CHESTER: Delaware Canal (Two Sections- to falls in Ridley Creek State (from first lock Little French Creek – 0.9 mile; from the Upper Washington Crossing Park and Brookhaven Rd. upstream of Monocacy Little Schuylkill River (Two dam at Camp Sleepy Hollow State Park and Lower downstream to Creek downstream to sections: from confluence with downstream to Hollow Road Washington Crossing State Street) Monocacy Creek Crossing) Locust Creek downstream DELAWARE: Park downstream to Ferry West Branch Chester Creek ● Little Lehigh Creek to confluence with Panther Ridley Creek – 0.6 mile; from Road in Morrisville) LANCASTER: ● Monocacy Creek Creek, preseason and inseason; the falls in Ridley Creek State East Branch Perkiomen Creek Big Beaver Creek Ontelaunee Creek from mouth upstream 1.1 Park downstream to the mouth (Branch Road Bridge (T- Bowery Run Swabia Creek miles within Port Clinton, of Dismal Run 431) downstream through Switzer Creek inseason only) LANCASTER: Sellersville) (T-341 Black Bear Rd. Trout Creek (Big Trout Creek - Lizard Creek – 2.21 miles; Levittown Lake downstream to Black Slatington) Locust Creek from 275 yards below SR 772 Neshaminy Creek (Two sections: Barron Rd.) MONTGOMERY: Locust Lake downstream to T-334 Deep Creek Dam Lower Little Swatara Creek

22 www.fishandboat.com ● =Section(s) of this Stocked Trout Trout Water Water is is also also a a Class PennsylvaniaClass A AWild Wild Trout Trout Fishing Stream-see Stream-see Summary/Boating chart chart on on page page 20 Handbook 20 for for listing. listing. SOUTHEAST/SOUTHCENTRAL REGIONS

West Branch Octoraro Creek Little Lehigh Creek – 0.83 mile; downstream to the SR 0412 Pickering Creek – 1.5 miles; Road) downstream to 0.25 – 2.0 miles; From 30 yards from the upstream face of bridge from SR 1019 (Charlestown miles of the Railroad Tunnel downstream of SR 0472 Fish Hatchery Road bridge Delayed Harvest Road) downstream to 330 SCHUYLKILL: downstream to 230 yards downstream to near the Oxford yards upstream of the railroad Bear Creek – 1.74 miles; from upstream of the second Artificial Lures Only bridge Dr. Bridge BERKS: a cable 800 yards above unnamed tributary Middle Branch White Clay Tulpehocken Creek– 3.8 miles; T-662 downstream to the downstream of SR 2010 Trophy Trout Creek – 1.67 miles; from from the first deflector below downstream side of the bridge (Puseyville Road) Artificial Lures Only SR 3009 (Good Hope Road) on T-676 NORTHAMPTON: Blue Marsh Dam downstream LEHIGH: downstream to the confluence Little Schuylkill River – 1.7 Monocacy Creek – 2.21 miles; to the T-921 covered bridge Little Lehigh Creek – 1.54 miles; with the East Branch miles; from SR 0895 in New from Illick’s Mill Dam upstream : from the downstream face of CHESTER West Valley Creek – 1.2 miles Ringgold downstream to the to and including the Gertrude East Branch Brandywine the bridge on T-508 (Wild from the confluence with the T-848 Bridge near Rauschs Cherry Lane) downstream to Fox Conservation Area Creek – 1.2 miles; from SR unnamed tributary (locally the upstream face of the bridge Saucon Creek – 2.1 miles; from 4019 (Dorlan’s Mill Road) known as Colebrook Run) downstream to SR 4004 on T-510 (Millrace Road) the upstream boundary of the upstream of SR 2020 (Boot city of Bethlehem property (Dowlin Forge Road) Southcentral Region Regulated Trout Waters Regional Opening South Fork Powell Creek LEBANON: (Tannery Road (T- Bells Gap Run Day of Trout Season Stony Creek Bachman Run 399) downstream to Sinsheim Blair Gap Run Stocked Trout Waters West Branch Rattling Creek (first SR 241 bridge NE of Road) Canoe Creek OPENING DAY: (Lykens Road bridge Lawn to Little Conewago) Clover Creek (SR 2005 Bridge APRIL 3 downstream to mouth) Hammer Creek East Branch Codorus Creek at Henrietta downstream to Indiantown Run Larke Road Bridge near Larke) ADAMS: Fishing Creek (trib to FRANKLIN: Lions Lake Frankstown Branch Juniata Susquehanna River near Buck Run (Dickeys Run) Marquette Lake River (confluence with Carbaugh Run Craley) Carbaugh Run Pine Run near Claysburg Conewago Creek (SR 0234 Bridge Mill Creek Fishing Creek (trib to downstream to SR 3001) Susquehanna River near downstream to confluence Conococheague Creek (former Snitz Creek Goldsboro) with near East dam at Run Reservoir (confluence with Bear Stovers Lake Muddy Creek (confluence of Freedom) downstream to county line) Valley Run downstream to Trout Run North Branch Muddy Creek Poplar Run East Branch Antietam Creek SR 0997) Tulpehocken Creek and South Branch Muddy Riggles Gap Run Dennis Creek PERRY: Creek downstream to powerline South Poplar Run Little Marsh Creek East Branch Antietam Creek Bixler Run crossing 1.6 miles downstream Vanscoyoc Run Marsh Creek (SR 3011 Falling Spring Branch Buffalo Creek (Heritage of SR 0425 in Woodbine) FULTON: downstream to SR 0030) Letterkenny Reservoir Hills Road Bridge (T-326) North Branch Muddy Creek Big Cove Creek Middle Creek Little Cove Creek downstream to SR 0849 Otter Creek Cowans Gap Lake Opossum Creek Rowe Run Bridge downstream of South Branch Codorus Creek Laurel Fork Orrtanna Pond West Branch Antietam Creek Walnut Grove) South Branch Muddy Creek Licking Creek (SR 0522 Bridge Toms Creek (Mount Hope Road West Branch Conococheague Bull Run downstream to confluence Bridge (T-300) downstream Creek (Amberson Road Bridge Fishing Creek BEDFORD: with Baby Run at Soliam to SR 0116) (SR 4005) downstream to U.S. Fowler Hollow Run Beaver Creek Church) Waynesboro Reservoir 30 Bridge at Fort Loudon) Horse Valley Run Bobs Creek Little CUMBERLAND: JUNIATA: Laurel Run (Liberty Valley Run) Clear Creek Little Brush Creek Big Spring Creek Big Run Little Buffalo Creek (Mannsville Cove Creek Little Childrens Lake (Boiling Springs) Road Bridge (SR 4003) Evitts Creek (Moss Road Bridge (T- Doubling Gap Lake downstream to mouth) Gladdens Run 318) downstream to SR Fuller Lake Delaware Creek Little Juniata Creek 0655 Bridge) Green Spring Creek from Mifflin McCabe Run Maple Run North Branch Little Aughwick Laurel Lake County and Juniata County Montour Creek Raystown Branch Juniata River Creek line downstream Panther Creek (county line downstream to Oregon Creek Mountain Creek Horning Run Raccoon Creek confluence with Shobers Run) Sideling Hill Creek (confluence of Opossum Lake Horse Valley Run Sherman Creek (lower Tuscarora Sherman Valley Run Oregon Creek and Laurel Fork Yellow Breeches Creek Laurel Run (Liberty Valley Run) State Forest boundary Town Creek downstream to intersection of DAUPHIN: Lost Creek (SR 0035 Bridge downstream to Couchtown Wills Creek (county line SR 4013 and SR 0913) Armstrong Creek upstream of confluence with Road Bridge (SR 3008) at downstream to B & O Clark Creek Little Lost Creek at Oakland Cisna Run) Railroad Bridge about Mahantango Creek Mills downstream to mouth) Shultz Creek (Browns Run) 1.0 mile downstream of Tuscarora Creek (county line YORK: Hyndman) Middletown Reservoir downstream to confluence Bald Eagle Creek ● Yellow Creek Pine Creek with Horse Valley Run in East Beaver Creek BLAIR: Powell Creek Waterford) Bald Eagle Creek Rattling Creek West Branch Mahantango Creek Beaverdam Creek

●Pennsylvania=Section(s) of Fishingthis Stocked Summary/Boating Trout Trout Water Water is is also also Handbook a a Class Class A AWild Wild Trout Trout Stream-see Stream-see chart chart on on page page 20 20 for for listing. listing. www.fishandboat.com 23 SOUTHCENTRAL/SOUTHWEST REGIONS South Branch Little Aughwick Lingle Creek downstream to the vicinity Letort Spring Run – 1.7 miles; Delayed Harvest Creek (spring above Richmond Creek of Allenberry from 300 yards upstream of Artificial Lures Only Spring downstream to mouth) Strodes Run HUNTINGDON: bridge on T-481 (Bonnybrook DAUPHIN: Spring Run Spruce Creek– 0.5 mile; Penn Road) downstream to the Manada Creek – 1.8 miles; from Wooden Bridge Creek West Licking Creek State Experimental Fisheries Reading Railroad Bridge at Fogarty Road downstream HUNTINGDON: Stocked Trout Area (about 0.6 mile above the southern edge of Letort to Furnace Road (T-616) Blacklog Creek (from county Waters Open to the village of Spruce Creek) Spring Park Wiconisco Creek– 0.74 mile: line downstream to mouth) Spruce Creek–0.15 mile; PFBC DAUPHIN: from the western edge of Globe Run Year-Round Fishing property at Indian Caverns Clark Creek –2.4 miles; PGC BEDFORD: the Ned Smith Center for (Newburg near Franklinsville rifle range parking area on Nature and Art Walking Park Road Bridge (T-370) Koon Lake MIFFLIN/UNION: SR 325 downstream to PGC BLAIR: Bridge downstream to the downstream to 200 yards Penns Creek–7.45 miles; from access road at the Furnace power line crossing located downstream of former dam) Canoe Creek Lake approximately 600 meters FRANKLIN: CUMBERLAND: 1.7 miles upstream from Greenwood Lake downstream of Swift Run East Branch Antietam Creek the mouth Mountain Creek (from Adams Laurel Run downstream to the downstream – 0.88 mile; from SR 16 County line downstream to FRANKLIN: Lake Perez extent of the island near the downstream to T-365 Falling Spring Branch– 1.02 the backwaters of Laurel Lake) North Branch Little Aughwick end of Jolly Grove Lane (Welty Rd.) miles; from Walker Road DAUPHIN/LEBANON: Creek (Nine Mile Creek) Falling Spring Branch – downstream to Fifth Avenue Stony Creek (from .4-mile Catch and Release North Spring Branch 2.5 miles; from the first FULTON: Saddler Creek upstream of Cold Spring All Tackle private lane located 672 Big Cove Creek– 0.93 Shade Creek Road downstream to State BLAIR/HUNTINGDON: feet upstream of Briar mile; from 200 yards Shaver Creek (Perez Lake Game Lands #211 gate) – 13.7 miles Lane bridge downstream downstream of the SR downstream to SR 305 bridge LEBANON: from the railroad bridge at the to a wire fence crossing the 0928 bridge downstream at Bethel Church) Lakeside east (downstream) border of Thomas L. Geisel property to the lower Buchanan (Penn Ironville downstream to mouth PERRY: YORK: State Forest boundary Roosevelt Dam downstream Little Buffalo Lake (Holman Catch and Release Muddy Creek – 1.6 miles; from JUNIATA/MIFFLIN: to powerline crossing 400 Lake) Fly-Fishing Only 300 yards downstream of East Licking Creek – 4.0 miles; yards downstream of SR 0026 YORK: ADAMS: Bruce Road Bridge (T-628) from the Texas Eastern gas Black’s Bridge) South Branch Codorus Creek Conewago Creek – 1.1 miles; in Bruce downstream to 300 pipeline crossing downstream Three Springs Creek (from SR 0616 in Centerville from 0.1 mile downstream yards upstream of Bridgeton to the upstream boundary of Tuscarora Creek downstream to T-527) of T-340 (Russel Tavern Rd.) Road (SR 2032) Bridge in the Karl B. Guss State Forest West Licking Creek downstream to SR 34 Bridgeton Picnic Area MIFFLIN: Catch and Release BEDFORD: LEBANON: East Licking Creek Artificial Lures Only Trophy Trout Yellow Creek – 0.9 mile from Quittapahilla Creek – 1.1 Havice Creek CUMBERLAND: Artificial Lures Only mouth of Maple Run (Jacks miles; from Spruce Street Honey Creek (from the lower Yellow Breeches Creek– 1.17 YORK: Run) upstream to cable near Bridge on T-398 downstream boundary of the Delayed miles; 0.17 miles of the Red Bank Hill Codorus Creek – 2.0 miles; from to the SR 0934 Bridge Harvest Area downstream Unnamed Tributary to Yellow CUMBERLAND: the confluence of the West MIFFLIN: to SR 1002 Bridge 0.5 mile Breeches Creek (from the Big Spring Creek – 1.52 miles; Branch downstream to a point Honey Creek – 1.75 miles; downstream of confluence outfall of Children’s Lake to from 100 feet below the source that is .4 mile downstream from the upper Bald Eagle St. with Treaster Run) the confluence with Yellow (Big Spring) downstream to from SR 3082 (Porters Road) Forest boundary downstream ● Kishacoquillas Creek Breeches Creek at Boiling the Nealy Road Bridge 1.75 miles (Bunker Road Bridge (T-340) Springs) and 1.0 mile of Yellow Green Spring Creek – 1.2 mile; downstream to railroad Bridge Breeches Creek from the from mouth upstream to near at Yeagertown and Mill Street confluence with the Unnamed confluence with Bulls Head Bridge downstream to mouth) Tributary at Boiling Springs Branch Southwest Region Regulated Trout Waters Stocked Trout ● Peters Creek Huling Run North Fork Big Sewickley Creek Elton Sportsmens Dam Waters Pine Creek (from headwaters Little Sandy Creek North Fork Little Beaver Creek Hinckston Run OPENING DAY: downstream to East Pennview North Fork Pine Creek (county line downstream to Howells Run APRIL 3 Avenue) 100 meters downstream of Killbuck Run Turtle Creek (from headwaters Plum Creek SR 551 Bridge) Lake Rowena ALLEGHENY: downstream to SR 48 on Redbank Creek (county line to South Branch Brady Run Laurel Lick Run Big Sewickley Creek (from Mosside Blvd) confluence with Little Sandy Traverse Creek Laurel Run (tributary to headwaters downstream to West Deer Lake (Upper Deer Lake) Creek) CAMBRIA: Conemaugh River) Merriman Avenue) ARMSTRONG: Scrubgrass Creek Beaverdam Run Laurel Run (tributary to South Bull Creek Buffalo Creek (from headwaters South Fork Pine Creek Bens Creek Fork Little Conemaugh River) Deer Creek downstream to Little Buffalo BEAVER: Little Paint Creek Flaugherty Run Creek) Big Sewickley Creek (from (confluence with Noels Creek Long Run headwaters downstream to Beaverdam Run downstream North Branch Blacklick Creek Lower Deer Lake Cornplanter Run Merriman Avenue) to 330 yards downstream of North Branch Little Conemaugh Middle Deer Lake Cowanshannock Creek Brush Creek Park Pond T-510 Bridge at Condron) River Montour Run Glade Run Mill Creek Duman Lake Stewart Run

24 www.fishandboat.com ● =NEW ADDITION ● =Section(s) of this Stocked Trout Trout Water Water is is also also Pennsylvania a a Class Class A AWild Wild Fishing Trout Trout Stream-see Stream-see Summary/Boating chart chart on on page page Handbook 20 20 for for listing. listing. SOUTHWEST/NORTHWEST REGIONS FAYETTE: Casselman River (from MD - Jacobs Creek (from Acme Dam Northmoreland Lake Bull Creek – 1.0 mile; from the Back Creek PA state line downstream to downstream to Bridgeport Twin Lakes Number One first bridge on T-721 (above the Big Sandy Creek Moser Road (T-353) Bridge) Dam) Reservoir (Lower Twin Lake) T-721 and T-719 intersection) Chaney Run Clear Shade Creek Linn Run Twin Lakes Number Two downstream to the T-721 bridge Dunbar Creek Cub Run (from Reservoir (Upper Twin Lake) in Millerstown Dunlap Creek (from headwaters Elk Lick Creek Zimmerman Run ARMSTRONG/BUTLER: downstream to Mon-Fayette Flaugherty Creek downstream to SR 981) Catch and Release Buffalo Creek– 3.7 miles; from Expressway) Gladdens Run except in Keystone Select Fly-Fishing Only Little Buffalo Run downstream Georges Creek (headwaters Glade Run Stocked Trout Waters FAYETTE: to 0.6 mile above SR 4035 in downstream to York Run) Jones Mill Run program or Delayed Dunbar Creek – 4.22 miles; Craigsville Indian Creek (from county Kimberly Run Harvest portions from the confluence of Glade CAMBRIA: line downstream to Mill Run Kooser Lake Mammoth Lake Run downstream to the stone Chest Creek – 2.5 miles; Reservoir) Kooser Run Mill Creek quarry along SR 1055 Ridge Avenue downstream Meadow Run Laurel Hill Creek Sewickley Creek (from Fair INDIANA: to Thomas Mills Road Mill Run (tributary to Indian Little Piney Creek Grounds Road bridge Little Mahoning Creek – 3.6 FAYETTE: Creek) McClintock Run downstream to Sewickley miles; from Oberlin Road Meadow Run–2.2 miles; from Mountain Creek Middle Creek Road bridge) Bridge abutments upstream the SR 2011 bridge (Dinner Bell Virgin Run Lake Miller Run Shannon Run of SR 1041 Bridge upstream Road) adjacent to the Ohiopyle GREENE: Piney Creek Tubmill Creek to Cesna Run St. Park office downstream

Browns Creek (Bates Fork Turtle Creek SOMERSET: to mouth “Sycamore” downstream to Raystown Branch Juniata River Stocked Trout Clear Shade Creek – 1 mile; SOMERSET: mouth) Shafer Run from the cable at Windber Laurel Hill Creek – 2.33 miles; Waters Open to Water Dam upstream Dunkard Fork Shaffers Run from 200 yards downstream Enlow Fork South Fork Bens Creek Year-Round Fishing of the T-364 (Countryman Stonycreek River (from ALLEGHENY: Catch and Release Bridge) downstream to the Lake Wilma North Park Lake All Tackle North Fork Dunkard Fork Yonai Road (T-515) Bridge T-364 Bridge upstream of downstream to railroad ARMSTRONG: CAMBRIA/INDIANA: Laurel Hill Lake South Fork Dunkard Fork retaining wall 0.25 mile Mahoning Creek (Mahoning West Branch Susquehanna River Laurel Hill Creek – 1.26 miles; Whiteley Creek (headwaters downstream of Covered Creek Dam outflow – 26.1 miles; (from outflow from the footbridge on State downstream to SR 0088) Bridge Road (T-565) downstream to the of AMD treatment plant Game Lands #111 Road in INDIANA: Tub Mill Run confluence of Pine Run) near Watkins downstream Humbert downstream to Blacklegs Creek Whites Creek BEAVER: to confluence of Cush Creek Paddytown Hollow Run Brush Creek Wills Creek Bradys Run Lake near Dowler Junction) WASHINGTON: Canoe Creek WASHINGTON: Main Lake (Raccoon Lake) All Tackle Trophy Dutch Fork – 1.59 miles; from Cush Creek Aunt Clara Fork FAYETTE: the first bridge (SR 0070) Cush Cushion Creek Trout Projects Dutch Fork Dunlap Creek Lake FAYETTE/SOMERSET: upstream of the Columbia Laurel Run Dutch Fork Lake FAYETTE/SOMERSET: Gas Compressor Station Little Mahoning Creek Youghiogheny River– 9.16 miles; Enlow Fork Youghiogheny River (from the lake from the confluence with downstream to the Dutch (intersection of T-836 and Kings Creek downstream to the confluence Fork Lake backwaters at SR 1037 at Antioch Church Ramcat Run downstream to Little Chartiers Creek of the Casselman River) the Route 381 bridge at Ohiopyle T-487 bridge just off SR 3001 to 700 meters downstream Millers Run INDIANA: (Lake Road) West Mahoning and North Mingo Creek Cummings Reservoir (Blue Delayed Harvest Pike Run – 1.1 miles; from Mahoning Township Line) Pike Run Spruce Lake) Artificial Lures Only the confluence with the Little Yellow Creek Templeton Fork SOMERSET: ALLEGHENY: unnamed tributary upstream Mudlick Run (from SR 0018 Blue Hole Creek (from confluence Deer Creek – 1.9 miles; from of the SR 2079 bridge South Branch Two Lick Creek downstream to SR 0019) with Garys Run downstream the SR 0910 Bridge at T-678 downstream to the powerline Toms Run WESTMORELAND: to mouth) intersection downstream to crossing downstream of the Yellow Creek Donegal Lake Fall Creek (from confluence the lower boundary of Rose SR 2036 bridge SOMERSET: Fourmile Run with Ansell Run downstream Ridge Golf Course WESTMORELAND: Allen Creek Hannas Run to mouth) Pine Creek – 1.4 miles; from the Indian Creek – 1.6 miles; from Beaverdam Creek Hendricks Creek Laurel Hill Lake abandoned railroad bridge the T-916 bridge downstream Beaverdam Run Indian Creek (from the SR 381 WASHINGTON: near the T-575 and Duncan to the SR 0381 bridge. Bens Creek bridge in Jones Mill downstream Canonsburg Lake Ave. intersection downstream Loyalhanna Creek – 1.67 miles; Breastwork Run to county line) WESTMORELAND: to 150 yards downstream of from SR 711 downstream to Brush Creek Indian Lake Keystone Lake the SR 4019 bridge SR 2045 (Two Mile Run Road) Northwest Region Regulated Trout Waters Stocked Trout Glade Run Lake Cathers Run Turkey Run Little Sugar Creek Waters Harbar Acres Lake Coon Creek CRAWFORD: McLaughlin Creek (T-890 Bridge OPENING DAY: Little Buffalo Run East Sandy Creek Caldwell Creek downstream to mouth) Little Connoquenessing Creek Leatherwood Creek Conneaut Creek (Dicksonburg Muddy Creek (T-794 downstream APRIL 3 North Branch Slippery Rock Creek Mill Creek Road (SR 4004) downstream to SR 1033) BUTLER: Silver Creek Piney Creek to Missing Bridge (Pennside North Deer Creek Bear Creek Bonnie Brook Slippery Rock Creek Redbank Creek (county line Road)) Oil Creek (confluence with Buffalo Creek Thorn Creek to confluence with Little East Branch Oil Creek (Clear Mosey Run near Lincolnville Connoquenessing Creek CLARION: Sandy Creek) Lake outflow downstream downstream to county line) Cornplanter Run (county line Beaver Creek Richey Run to mouth) Pine Creek to Moorehead Road (T-658)) Canoe Creek Toms Run Fivemile Creek

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 25 NORTHWEST/NORTHCENTRAL REGIONS Sugar Creek (Center Road West Branch Little Scrubgrass Creek WARREN: (T-549) downstream to Millstone Creek Little Sugar Creek West Branch Caldwell Creek Caldwell Creek – 1.49 miles; county line) West Hickory Creek Lower Twomile Run West Branch Tionesta Creek from Selkirk highway bridge Thompson Creek (SR 2031 LAWRENCE: Mill Creek West Hickory Creek downstream to approximately downstream to mouth) Bessemer Lake Oil Creek (county line Stocked Trout 0.5 miles upstream of the Woodcock Creek Big Run downstream to SR 0008 Waters Open to Dotyville Bridge ERIE: Deer Creek Bridge at Rynd Farm) Year-Round Fishing Cascade Creek Hickory Run Pine Run Delayed Harvest FOREST: Conneauttee Creek Honey Creek Pithole Creek Artificial Lures Only Tionesta Creek (from Tionesta Crooked Creek Little Prather Creek CLARION: Richey Run Dam outflow downstream) Piney Creek – 1.2 miles; SR East Basin Pond (Waterworks Neshannock Creek LAWRENCE: Ponds, Presque Isle State Park) North Fork Little Sandy Creek (county line 2016 bridge downstream to downstream to SR 3013 Cascade Quarry 0.2 mile upstream of the SR Elk Creek Beaver Creek MERCER: French Creek (from the state line Slippery Rock Creek (county line (old Route 8) Bridge in 0066 bridge Pecan) Shenango River (Hamburg Road FOREST: downstream to the confluence downstream to Heinz Camp Bridge in New Hamburg to with West Branch French lower property line) Sugar Creek East Hickory Creek– 1.7 miles; pipeline crossing upstream of from the Queen Creek Bridge Creek) Taylor Run Twomile Run (Upper Big Bend access area) downstream to the Otter Creek Lake Pleasant MERCER: Twomile Run) VENANGO: Bridge South Branch French Creek Buhl Lake West Pithole Creek Two Mile Run Reservoir LAWRENCE: Twentymile Creek Cool Spring Creek WARREN: (Justus Lake) Neshannock Creek – 2.67 Upper Pit Little Neshannock Creek Blue Eye Run miles; from the base of the Mill West Basin Pond (Waterworks Little Shenango River Catch and Release Browns Run Dam in Volant downstream to Ponds, Presque Isle State Park) Mill Creek (trib to Cool Spring Artificial Lures Only Caldwell Creek WARREN: the covered bridge on T-476 FOREST: Creek) East Branch Spring Creek West Branch Caldwell Creek– MERCER: Beaver Run Neshannock Creek (SR 0058 Cool Spring Creek – 1.18 miles; East Branch Tionesta Creek 2.75 miles; West Branch Bridge Bluejay Creek at Mercer downstream to from SR 2014 bridge upstream East Hickory Creek upstream to Three Bridge Run Coon Creek county line) Farnsworth Branch to the abandoned railroad East Hickory Creek North Deer Creek Fourmile Run Catch and Release grade Little Hickory Run Pine Run Hemlock Run Fly-Fishing Only VENANGO: Maple Creek Sandy Creek (SR 173 Bridge Jackson Run LAWRENCE: Oil Creek – 1.55 miles; from Queen Creek downstream to county line) Little Brokenstraw Creek Slippery Rock Creek – 0.5 mile; bridge at Petroleum Center Ross Run West Branch Little Neshannock Perry Magee Run from Heinz Camp property downstream to railroad bridge Salmon Creek Creek Pine Creek downstream to 0.25 mile below at Columbia Farm South Branch Tionesta Creek Creek Queen Creek SR 2022 Bridge Oil Creek – 1.0 mile; from the Spring Creek VENANGO: Sixmile Run VENANGO: two green posts near the Drake The Branch East Branch Sugar Creek South Branch Tionesta Creek Little Sandy Creek – 1.3 Well Museum downstream to Tionesta Creek (county line East Sandy Creek Spring Creek miles; from the old bridge hiking downstream to Kellettville Hemlock Creek Thompson Run at Polk Center Pump House bridge Bridge) Horse Creek Tidioute Creek downstream to the bridge on Toms Run Little Sandy Creek Tionesta Creek Savannah Road (SR 3024)

Northcentral Region Regulated Trout Waters Regional Opening Day CAMERON: ●Bald Eagle Creek (from the ● Penns Creek (SR 0045 Bridge Curry Run of Trout Season Clear Creek confluence with Spring Creek in Spring Mills downstream East Branch Mahoning Creek Driftwood Branch near SR 144 bridge down- to confluence with Elk Creek) (confluence with Run Stocked Trout Pine Creek (Stony Run Road downstream to county line) Waters stream to the inlet of Sayers East Branch Cowley Run Lake near the Boggs-Howard Bridge downstream to first OPENING DAY: First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek Township line) bridge on Pine Creek Road) Gifford Run APRIL 3 Hicks Run Big Poe Creek Poe Lake Goss Run Dam These waters flow beyond the Mix Run Black Seven Boy Scout Pond Janesville Dam counties designated as part of the Sinking Creek Juniata Lake (Tannery Dam) Regional Opening Day of Trout North Creek Cold Stream (from outflow of Sixmile Run Laborde Branch and are included as part of this Sinnemahoning Portage Creek Cold Stream Dam upstream South Fork Beech Creek Laurel Run (tributary to Bennett trout program. West Branch Cowley Run 1.0 mile to the power line Wallace Run Branch Sinnemahoning Creek) NORTHUMBERLAND: West Branch Hicks Run crossing) Mahantango Creek Laurel Run (tributary to East Wykoff Run Cold Stream Dam SNYDER: Wolf Run Branch Mahoning Creek) CENTRE: Eddy Lick Run West Branch Mahantango Creek CLEARFIELD: Bald Eagle Creek (T-305 near (SR 0064 Anderson Creek Little Muddy Run Stocked Trout Port Matilda downstream to Bridge near Hublersburg Bennett Branch Medix Run Waters the confluence with Spring downstream to county line) Sinnemahoning Creek Moose Creek OPENING DAY: Creek) Marsh Creek Chest Creek North Witmer Run APRILAPRIL 173

26 www.fishandboat.com ● =Section(s) of this Stocked Trout Trout Water Water is is also also a a Class PennsylvaniaClass A AWild Wild Trout Trout Fishing Stream-see Stream-see Summary/Boating chart chart on on page page 20 Handbook 20 for for listing. listing. NORTHCENTRAL REGION TROUT WATERS Parker Lake Fivemile Run Potato Creek (confluence of TIOGA: with Bonnell Run at Shaggers Inn Pond (trib to Sandy Lick Creek) East Branch Potato Creek and ● Charleston Creek DCNR Clark Farm Access South Witmer Run Laurel Run (trib to East Branch Havens Run downstream to Corey Creek Area downstream to the Wilson Run Mahoning Creek) confluence with Marvin Creek) (county line confluence with Little Wolf Run (county line to mouth) Little Sandy Creek Red Mill Brook downstream to confluence Pine Creek) CLINTON: Little Sevenmile Run with Troupes Creek) LYCOMING/TIOGA: Baker Run Mill Creek (trib to Clarion River) Skinner Creek Crooked Creek Pine Creek (from SR 0414 Cooks Run Mill Creek (trib to Sandy Lick South Branch Kinzua Creek East Branch Stony Fork bridge in Blackwell ● Fishing Creek (confluence Creek) Sugar Run Long Run (trib to Pine Creek) downstream to the with Cedar Run downstream North Fork Redbank Creek Twomile Run Marsh Creek (SR 3024 confluence with ) to mouth) Pekin Run West Branch Clarion River downstream to mouth) MCKEAN: Hyner Run Rattlesnake Creek West Branch Potato Creek Mill Creek Meade Run Kettle Creek (county line Rattlesnake Run Willow Creek Pine Creek TIOGA: downstream to Owl Hollow) Redbank Creek MONTOUR: Stony Fork Beechwood Lake Left Branch Young Womans Sandy Lick Creek Mahoning Creek (from SR 0054 Tioga River (county line Hamilton Lake Creek Walburn Run to the mouth) downstream to confluence Catch and Release Little Fishing Creek Wolf Run Mauses Creek with Fall Brook) Artificial Lures Only LYCOMING: Roaring Creek UNION: CAMERON: ELK: Hoagland Run NORTHUMBERLAND: Buffalo Creek (T-366 Bridge Hunts Run– 4.7 miles; from Bear Creek (first SR Little Creek downstream to confluence confluence with McNuff Belmouth Run 973 bridge upstream of with Rapid Run) Branch downstream to the Bennett Branch Salladasburg downstream South Branch Roaring Creek Halfway Lake mouth Sinnemahoning Creek to 0.2 miles downstream Rod & Gun Club Pond Laurel Run CLINTON: Big Mill Creek Old Forge Road) POTTER: North Branch Buffalo Creek Fishing Creek– 2.0 miles; from Boggy Run Little Bear Creek Allegheny River Penns Creek (downstream State Game Lands #295 Byrnes Run Little (SR 0118 Bailey Run extent of the island near boundary (located 300 yards Crooked Creek Bridge downstream to Bell Run the end of Jolly Grove downstream of the upstream Dents Run (Hodag Trail crossing confluence with Big Run) Cowanesque River Lane downstream to Creek SR 2002 bridge) downstream downstream to mouth) East Branch Cowley Run Road near the intersection to a point 1.3 miles upstream East Branch Clarion River (county line East Branch Fishing Creek of Libby Road) of the lower SR 2002 bridge East Branch Millstone Creek downstream to SR 0973) East Fork Sinnemahoning Creek Rapid Run Rauchtown Creek– 1.12 East Branch Spring Creek (confluence with (Mud Lick Run downstream Spring Creek miles; from the confluence Elk Creek Roaring Branch downstream to mouth) Spruce Run of Rockey Run and Krape Hicks Run to confluence with Hoagland Elevenmile Creek White Deer Creek (from Cooper Run downstream to the SR Hoffman Run Run) First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek Mill bridge to mouth) 0880 crossing upstream of Laurel Run Reservoir Mill Creek (Warrensville) (0.5 Fishing Creek the Ravensburg St. Park Little Toby Creek mile upstream of T-846 Stocked Trout Picnic Area. Maxwell Run Bridge downstream to SR Kettle Creek Waters Open to Young Womans Creek – 5.7 miles; Mead Run 2039 Bridge downstream of Little Kettle Creek from the Beechwood Trail Year-Round Fishing downstream to a point .7 mile Medix Run Warrensville) Lyman Run CAMERON: upstream of the confluence Millstone Creek Muncy Creek (county line Lyman Run Reservoir George B. Stevenson Reservoir with the Left Branch Young Mix Run downstream to confluence Middle Branch Genesee River West Creek Womans Creek Powers Run with ) Oswayo Creek (confluence with CLEARFIELD: LYCOMING: Ridgway Reservoir Pleasant Stream Clara Creek downstream to West Branch Susquehanna Grays Run– 2.2 miles; from Rocky Run Rock Run (trib to Lycoming Sharon Center Bridge (T-372)) River (SR 1001 Bridge near the Grays Run Hunting Club Spring Creek Creek) Pine Creek Hyde to first Railroad Bridge property line downstream to Twin Lakes Spring Creek South Branch Oswayo Creek downstream of the confluence the bridge on T-842 West Branch Clarion River South Woods Branch with Moose Creek) (Grays Run Road) at the old West Branch Hicks Run MCKEAN: West Branch Cowley Run West Branch Susquehanna River CCC camp West Branch Millstone Creek Allegheny River (county line West Branch Genesee River (confluence with Anderson MIFFLIN/UNION: Wilson Run downstream to confluence Creek to SR 2024 crossing Penns Creek– 7.45 miles; from Wolf Run with Allegheny Portage Creek) SNYDER: at Porters Bridge) approximately 600 meters JEFFERSON: Bell Run ● Beaver Creek CLINTON: downstream of Swift Run Big Run (trib to Little Sandy Bradford City Number Three Kern Run Kettle Creek Lake downstream to the downstream Creek) Reservoir Middle Creek (headwaters ELK: extent of the island near the end Big Run (trib to Mahoning Creek) Chappel Fork downstream to 0.5 mile West Creek (SR 1008 at Rathbun of Jolly Grove Lane Callen Run Combs Creek downstream of SR 0522 downstream to SR 3001 at POTTER: Canoe Creek East Branch Tionesta Creek Bridge at Middleburg) Howard Siding) – 5.02 miles; from Cathers Run Hamlin Lake North Branch Mahantango LYCOMING: Bear Trap Lodge downstream Clear Creek Havens Run Creek Little Pine Lake to the Weed property located Clear Run Kinzua Creek North Branch Middle Creek Pine Creek (from confluence 0.2 miles downstream of the Cloe Lake Marvin Creek South Branch Middle Creek T-416 bridge East Branch Mahoning Creek North Branch Sugar Run Swift Run

●Pennsylvania=Section(s) of Fishing this Stocked Summary/Boating Trout Trout Water Water is is also also Handbook a a Class Class A A Wild Wild Trout Trout Stream-see Stream-see chart chart on on page page 20 20 for for listing. listing. ● =NEW ADDITION www.fishandboat.com 27 NORTHCENTRAL/NORTHEAST REGIONS UNION: McKEAN: ELK: McKEAN: Loyalsock Creek – 3.8 Cherry Run– 2.7 miles; from the Marvin Creek – 0.9 miles; from Clarion River– 8.48 miles; East Branch Tunungwant miles; 1.0 mile upstream mouth upstream a distance the vicinity of the high voltage from the confluence of the Creek – 3.0 miles; from Sullivan County line of 2.7 miles line 3 miles south of Smethport East and West branches the confluence with downstream to unnamed Pigeon Run downstream tributary located 0.9 mile Catch and Release downstream for a distance of downstream to the Main St. 0.9 miles Bridge (SR 948) in Ridgway to the Main Street Bridge upstream of Plunketts Creek Fly-Fishing Only POTTER: LYCOMING: in Lewis Run Lycoming Creek – 3.0 miles; CAMERON: Kettle Creek – 1.7 miles; Pine Creek – 2.88 miles; from Delayed Harvest 0.5 mile upstream Daugherty Driftwood Branch Run downstream to 0.1 mile from a sign located 500 feet the confluence with Slate Run Sinnemahoning Creek Artificial Lures Only downstream of the SR 0015 downstream of the SR 0144 downstream to the confluence CENTRE: – 1.55 miles; from the with Bonnell Run at DCNR bridge (Old Route 15) near bridge to a sign located Haleeka Shippen Township Building Clark Farm Access Area – 1.3 miles; from Dry 1.7 miles upstream of the Muncy Creek – 1.1 miles; 0.3 downstream to 330 yards Hollow downstream to 0.3 lower boundary POTTER/TIOGA: mile upstream T-650 bridge upstream of the SR 0120 mile downstream of the TIOGA: Upper Kettle Creek basin – 28.3 downstream to Big Run Bridge near Emporium Huckleberry Road bridge Francis Branch Tributary to Slate miles; Kettle Creek from the CENTRE: CLEARFIELD: McKEAN: Run – 1.7 miles; from mouth headwaters downstream to the Spring Creek (’s Little Clearfield Creek– 1.1 miles; Kinzua Creek– 4.77 miles; upstream to Kramer Hollow confluence with Long Run Paradise) – 1.3 miles; from from 0.4 miles downstream of from Guffey Road Bridge UNION: and all tributaries including (Rocky Road) downstream a point adjacent to the Long Run upstream to the the T-584 Bridge downstream White Deer Creek – 3.16 miles; to 0.2 miles upstream of the to Allegheny National Forest Stackhouse School Pistol headwaters Boundary near Westline Range downstream to the from Cooper Mill Road SR 2023 (Turkey Hill) Bridge upstream to Union/Centre Trophy Trout Sandy Lick Creek– 1.71 miles; West Branch Tunungwant lower Bellefonte Hatchery Creek – 1.2 miles; from grounds County line Artificial Lures Only from the mouth of Laborde Branch downstream to the T-499 bridge downstream ELK: CENTRE: Catch and Release SR 219 bridge to pipeline crossing near West Branch Clarion All Tackle Lick Run – 2.5 miles; from the confluence of Gates Hollow headwaters to the mouth ELK: River – 0.68 mile; from CLEARFIELD: Big Mill Creek– 1.5 miles; from POTTER: CLINTON: intersection of SR 219 and West Branch Susquehanna River the confluence of Rocky Run Allegheny River – 2.7 miles; SR 4003 upstream to the – 26.1 miles; from outflow Fishing Creek – 1.18 miles; from downstream to 0.3 mile from Pond Road 0.3 mile former Texas Gulf Sulphur of AMD treatment plant the private lane bridge at the downstream of the Allegheny downstream of Colesburg property line 0.6 miles near Watkins downstream Tylersville State Fish Hatchery National Forest, Forest Road, downstream to 0.3 mile upstream of SR 4003 bridge to confluence of Cush Creek downstream to the State Game 135 Bridge downstream of Prosser Hol- JEFFERSON: near Dowler Junction Lands #295 boundary (located East Branch Clarion River– low Bridge 300 yards downstream of the North Fork Redbank Creek – CENTRE: 1.15 miles; from 110 First Fork Sinnemahoning upstream SR 2002 bridge) and Creek – 3.9 miles; Rt 872 1.9 miles; from SR 322 in Spring Creek– 16.22 miles; yards downstream of 2.1 miles; from a point 1.3 the outflow from East bridge at Schoolhouse Run Brookville upstream 1.9 miles, from the Boalsburg Road except a 110-yard section from miles upstream of the lower Branch Clarion River Lake downstream to Berge Run Bridge (SR 3010) at Oak Hall downstream to the State SNYDER: the Brookville Water Authority SR 2002 bridge downstream upstream of Hanson Quarry Gameland boundary 1.15 Middle Creek – 2.0 miles; Dam downstream to the wire to Fleming’s Bridge (SR 2004) (formerly HRI/Neidig Bros. miles downstream of the 0.3 mile upstream of Pine across the creek at the Lamar Fish Hatchery Quarry) downstream to the LYCOMING/TIOGA: upstream limit Road downstream to LYCOMING/TIOGA: mouth with the exception LYCOMING: 0.6 miles upstream Covered Slate Run – 7.13 miles; Cedar Run – 7.44 miles; from of special regulations area the confluence with Buck Run Little Pine Creek – 3.9 miles; Bridge Road from the confluence of Little Pine Creek Road bridge at Fisherman’s Paradise downstream to the mouth TIOGA: the Cushman and Francis and the Exhibition Area located 1.0 mile upstream Otter Pine Creek – 3.3 miles; branches downstream to in Bellefonte Run downstream to inflow of Marsh Creek downstream the mouth Little Pine Lake to Northeast Region Regulated Trout Waters Regional Opening Day Stocked Trout Sugar Creek (confluence with Hickory Run Lake COLUMBIA: Waters South Branch Sugar Creek Lehigh Canal (Long Run Level Beaver Run (Moyers Farm of Trout Season downstream to SR 0006 in downstream to mouth) Stocked Trout OPENING DAY: near Weissport) East Troy) (outlet Briar Creek Waters APRIL 17 Sunfish Pond Mauch Chunk Lake Fishing Creek (SR 4049 OPENING DAY: BRADFORD: (South Ave., downstream to upstream downstream to Light Street) T-998 downstream to SR 3001 Huntington Creek (Forks Farm APRIL 3 Gaylord Creek face of Lentz Trail (SR 3012) *These Northeast Region waters Little (confluence Bridge) downstream to Twin Bridges Tuscarora Creek bridge Park) flow beyond the counties des- with Marsh Creek downstream ignated as part of the Regional to mouth) Little Fishing Creek ● Pohopoco Creek (outlet of (Talmar Road (SR 4032) Opening Day of Trout Season North Branch Sugar Creek CARBON: Aquashicola Creek Beltzville Lake downstream downstream to Eyers Grove and are included as part of this (Alparon Park Fairgrounds Buckwha Creek to Hideaway Hunting and Road (SR 4021)) trout program. downstream to mouth) Drakes Creek Fishing Club cable across Schrader Creek CARBON: Hickory Run (outlet of Hickory the creek) Pine Creek Lizard Creek South Branch Towanda Creek Run Lake downstream to Roaring Creek South Creek Spring Run Mahoning Creek Saylorsville Dam) Scotch Run

28 www.fishandboat.com ● =Section(s) of this Stocked Trout Trout WaterWater is is also also a a Class ClassPennsylvania A AWild Wild Trout Trout Fishing Stream-see Stream-see Summary/Boating chart chart on on page page 20 Handbook20 for for listing. listing. NORTHEAST REGION TROUT WATERS South Branch Roaring Creek Lower Lake (Lower Promised Van Auken Creek SUSQUEHANNA: Delayed Harvest West Branch Briar Creek Land Lake, including outlet West Branch Dyberry Creek Quaker Lake Artificial Lures Only West Creek from Upper Lake) West Branch WAYNE: BRADFORD: LACKAWANNA: Masthope Creek (Upper SGL (from outflow of Prompton Harbor Pond Towanda Creek – 1.7 miles; Aylesworth Creek Lake #316 boundary downstream Reservoir to mouth) Upper Woods Pond from SR 3001 downstream to lower SGL #316 boundary) Desandis Pond West Branch Wallenpaupack WYOMING: to Con’s Road (T-350) Middle Branch Bush Kill Eston Wilson Lake Creek Lake Winola CARBON: Saw Creek (Bushkill Falls Road Gardner Creek WYOMING: (from Mud Run – 2.5 miles; in Hickory (from (SR 2003) downstream to State confluence with Kasson Forest boundary downstream Run State Park Old Stillwater Reservoir Horton Creek Brook downstream to LACKAWANNA/WYOMING: downstream to Simpson) of Whitaker Road (T-324)) Leonard Creek confluence of North Fork South Branch Tunkhannock Lehigh River Shohola Creek (SR 0739 Martins Creek Mehoopany Creek) Creek – .99 mile; from SR 6 Merli-Sarnoski downstream to the SGL Mehoopany Creek downstream through Keystone Park Lake #180 ford crossing) Catch and Release College campus Roaring Brook Shohola Creek (from the outlet of North Branch Mehoopany Creek Artificial Lures Only CARBON: LUZERNE: South Branch Shohola Lake downstream to Oxbow Lake Hickory Run– 3.12 miles; from – 1.7 miles; Tunkhannock Creek lower boundary of SGL #180) Riley Creek the outlet of Saylorsville Dam from Jackson Road (T-812) West Branch Wallenpaupack SULLIVAN: South Branch Tunkhannock Elk Creek downstream to the mouth downstream to Pavlick Road Creek Creek Hoagland Branch (confluence LACKAWANNA: (T-497) LUZERNE: Tuscarora Creek with Porter Creek downstream Roaring Brook– 3.84 miles; from – 2.24 miles; West Branch Meshoppen Creek to mouth) Hollisterville Dam downstream from the upstream boundary (Nuangola Road (SR (White Creek) 2042) downstream to Kings Creek (intersection of Tall to Elmhurst Reservoir of State Game Lands #187 county road) Maple Road (T-395) and SR Stocked Trout PIKE: downstream to a cable across Harvey’s Creek 4008 downstream to mouth) Waters Open to Toms Creek– 2.17 miles; from the the stream (SR 0087 Kitchen Creek (Shady Hill Year-Round Fishing Delaware Water Gap National MONROE: Bridge south of Dushore Road (T-559) downstream BRADFORD: Recreation Area boundary McMichael Creek – 2.42 downstream to the confluence to mouth) Cooks Pond downstream to the mouth miles; 0.13 km downstream with Big Bottom Run) Lake Frances Mountain Lake from theTurkey Hill Road Loyalsock Creek Catch and Release Nescopeck Creek Sugar Run (T-416) Bridge downstream Mill Creek (Hillsgrove) Fly-Fishing Only to Glenbrook Rd. (SR 2004) Pine Creek CARBON: MONROE: Muncy Creek Bridge MONROE: Lehigh River (0.33 miles upriver Bush Kill – 6.1 miles; on the North Branch Mehoopany Creek Tobyhanna Creek – 1 mile; Brodhead Creek (0.57 mile from railroad bridge at Glenn Resica Falls Scout Reservation Schrader Creek Onoko downriver to Mauch from the confluence of Still upstream North 5th Street West Branch Fishing Creek property except 200 yards on Chunk Creek) Swamp Run, downstream to Bridge downstream to SR SUSQUEHANNA: each side of the falls CARBON/LUZERNE: the PPL service bridge 0080 Bridge east of Exit 309) Canawacta Creek WAYNE: Francis E. Walter Reservoir (Bear PIKE: Buckwha Creek East Branch Tunkhannock Creek Dyberry Creek – 0.87 mile; Creek Reservoir) Dingmans Creek – 1.56 miles; Bush Kill East Branch from 300 meters (.19 mile) from the base of Deer Lehigh River Fall Brook Lehigh River (Carbon/Luzerne downstream from the third Leap Falls downstream to McMichael Creek Gaylord Creek county line from outlet of F. E. bridge on Dug Rd. (SR 4009) Pocono Creek (Flagler Run Horton Creek Walter Reservoir downstream upstream of the mouth, Dingmans Falls downstream to McMichael Lackawanna River to confluence with Sandy Run) downstream to the second SUSQUEHANNA: Creek) Martins Creek COLUMBIA: bridge on Dug Rd. (SR 4009) Salt Lick Creek – 1.45 miles; from Princess Run Meshoppen Creek Briar Creek Lake upstream from the mouth 90 yards downstream from Snow Hill Dam North Branch Wyalusing Creek LACKAWANNA: WYOMING: Beaver Creek downstream Tobyhanna Creek Riley Creek Lackawanna Lake Bowman Creek – 0.8 mile; to boundary of State Game Tobyhanna Lake Salt Lick Creek LUZERNE: from SR 0292 downstream Lands #35 PIKE: Silver Creek Frances Slocum Lake to Marsh Creek WAYNE: Bush Kill Snake Creek Harvey’s Lake (see West Branch Wallenpaupack Decker Brook (SR 0006 Bridge South Branch Canawacta Creek miscellaneous special Trophy Trout Creek – 1.74 miles; from downstream to lower SGL regulations on page 16) Artificial Lures Only 0.6 miles downstream from #183 boundary) Tunkhannock Creek Lake Irena LACKAWANNA: the Jones Creek confluence Fairview Lake West Branch Meshoppen Creek Lake Took A While (Riverlands) Lackawanna River – 4.9 downstream to the Callapoose Lackawaxen River (county line (White Creek) Lily Lake miles; from the Gilmartin Rd. (SR 3009) bridge downstream to mouth) WAYNE: Moon Lake Street Bridge in Archbald Lake Loch Lomond Dyberry Creek Sylvan Lake downstream to the Lake Minisink East Branch Dyberry Creek MONROE: Lackawanna Avenue Bridge Little Bush Kill (lower limit of Equinunk Creek Hidden Lake (SR 0347) in Olyphant. Lehman Lake club property Jones Creek PIKE: Excepted is a mid-section downstream to upper limit Lackawanna River Lily Pond area extending .7 mile from An explanation of Bushkill Rod & Gun Club Lackawaxen River Little Mud Pond the Depot Street Bridge of each trout property and Bushkill Falls Long Pond SULLIVAN: in Jessup downstream to regulation is on boundary downstream to Rose Pond Branch Hunters Lake the foot bridge in Robert mouth) Shehawken Creek Mellow Park pages 20 and 21.

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 29 FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public Health Advisory 2021 Fish Consumption HEALTH BENEFITS OF EATING FISH is that you eat no more than one meal (1/2 pound) per Fish are nutritious and good to eat. Fish are low in fat, week of sport fish caught in the state’s waterways. This high in protein, and provide substantial human health general advice was issued to protect against eating large FATTY benefits. Fish provide valuable vitamins and amounts of fish that have not been tested or that may AREAS and beneficial oils that are low in saturated fat. Omega-3 contain unidentified contaminants. fatty acids found in fish are also beneficial, particularly in terms of cardiovascular health. The Federal Food and Drug HOW TO USE THIS ADVISORY Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers eat a Follow the general, statewide one meal per week balanced diet, choosing a variety of foods including fruits advisory to limit your exposure to contaminants. To and vegetables, foods that are low in trans fat and saturated determine if more protective advice applies to the fish you fat, as well as foods rich in high fiber grains and nutrients. have caught, find the locations and species of fish you’ve A diet that includes a variety of fish and shellfish can be an caught in the tables that follow. Find the meal advice for the fish you’ve caught. “Do Not Eat” means no one should TRIM AWAY important part of a balanced healthy diet. The U.S. FDA, DOTTED AREAS EPA, the American Heart Association, and other nutrition eat those fish because of very high contamination. The experts recommend eating two meals (12 oz.) of fish per other groups (“Two meals a Month”, “One Meal a Month”, week. Following these advisories means that you should “One Meal Every Two Months”) are advice for how often feel comfortable making one of those meals (up to 8 oz.) a to eat a . recreationally caught Pennsylvania sport fish. One meal is assumed to be 1/2 pound of fish (8 oz. before cooking) for a 150-pound person. The meal advice CONTAMINANTS IN FISH is equally protective for larger people who eat larger meals While most recreationally caught sport fish in Pennsyl- and smaller people who eat smaller meals. IMPORTANT: You must follow these cleaning and vania are safe to eat, chemicals such as mercury and PCBs People who regularly eat sport fish, women of child- cooking directions. The meal advice is for eating have been found in some fish from certain waters. While bearing age, and children are particularly susceptible to skinned and trimmed fish. the levels of these unavoidable chemical contaminants are contaminants that build up over time. If you fall into one Also, remember that larger and older fish tend to usually low, they could potentially be a health concern to of these categories, you should be especially careful to collect more contaminants, and fatty fish (such as pregnant and breast-feeding women, women of childbear- space fish meals out according to the advisory tables that Channel Catfish, carp, and eels) tend to collect PCBs ing age, children, and individuals whose diet consists of a follow. Your body can get rid of some contaminants over and other organic chemicals. Therefore, eating smaller, high percentage of fish. time. Spacing the meals out helps prevent the contami- younger fish and avoiding fatty species can help limit Long lasting contaminants such as PCBs, chlordane, nants from building up to harmful levels in the body. For your exposure. Your exposure depends not only on and mercury build up in your body over time. It may take example, if the fish you eat is in the “One Meal a Month levels in the fish, but also the amount of fish you eat. months or years of regularly eating contaminated fish to Group”, wait a month before eating another meal of fish The consumption of any fish from contaminated waters build up amounts that are a health concern. Health problems from any restricted category. is a matter of personal choice. that may result from the contaminants found in fish range Women beyond their childbearing years and men Trout stocked from Pennsylvania Fish and Boat from small changes in health that are hard to detect to birth generally face fewer health risks from these contaminants. Commission state fish hatcheries are subject to defects and cancer. Mothers who eat highly contaminated However, it is recommended that you also follow the the blanket one-meal-per-week consumption fish for many years before becoming pregnant may have advisory to reduce your total exposure to contaminants. advisory that applies to recreationally caught children who are slower to develop and learn. The meal For these groups, it is the total number of meals that you sport fish in Pennsylvania. advice in this advisory is intended to protect children from eat during the year that becomes important and many Snapping Turtle Consumption Advice: Snapping these potential developmental problems. Adults are less of those meals can be eaten during a few months of the Turtle meat has been found to contain only small likely to have health problems at the low levels that affect year. If most of the fish you eat are from the “One Meal a amounts of PCBs and is safe to eat without restric- children. If you follow this advisory over your lifetime, Month” category, you should not exceed 12 meals per year. tions. Snapping Turtles do retain PCBs in their fat and you will minimize your exposure and reduce health risks Sometimes, anglers catch fish with external growths, internal organs. If you choose to eat Snapping Turtles, associated with contaminants in fish sores, or other lesions. Such abnormalities generally result you can reduce your exposure by carefully trimming INTRODUCTION TO FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES from viral or bacterial infections and may occasionally be away all fat and internal organs and discarding them It is important to note that we are not recommending that caused by exposure to certain chemical contaminants. The before cooking the meat or making soup. you stop eating sport caught fish, except where “Do Not Eat” appearance of viral or bacterial infections in fish may be FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION is shown in the advisory listing. When properly prepared, unsightly, but there is no evidence to suggest that these The advisory listing was current at the time this eating fish regularly offers important health benefits as a infections pose a threat to consumers of these fish. Whether summary went to press. Fish consumption advisories good choice to replace high fat foods. You will gain those or not to eat such fish is a matter of personal choice. may have been issued or lifted since that time. Notice benefits if you follow the sport fish consumption advisory CLEANING AND COOKING YOUR FISH of such actions has been released to the public through carefully to: choose safer places to fish; pick safer species PCBs and most other organic contaminants usually press releases. to eat; trim and cook your catch correctly; and follow the build up in a fish’s fat deposits and just underneath the For further information or the most current advice, recommended meal frequencies. Using this advice, you will skin. By removing the skin and fat before cooking, you contact: reduce your exposure to possible contaminants. can reduce the levels of these chemicals. Mercury, how- PA Department of Environmental Protection: Consumption advisories provide guidance to individu- ever, collects in the fish’s muscle and cannot be reduced 717-787-9637, website: www.dep.pa.gov. Questions als or segments of the population that are at greater risk by cleaning and cooking methods. To reduce PCBs and concerning current advisory listings, waters sampled, from exposure to contaminants in fish. Advisories are not other organics: sampling methods. regulatory standards but are recommendations intended • Remove all skin. PA Department of Health: 717-787-3550, to provide additional information of particular interest to • Slice off fat belly meat along the bottom of the fish. website: www.health.pa.gov. high-risk groups. These advisories apply only to recreation- • Cut away any fat above the fish’s backbone. Questions about effects of chemicals on human health. ally caught sport fish in Pennsylvania, not commercial fish. • Cut away the V-shaped wedge of fat along the lateral The FDA establishes the legal standards for contaminants line on each side of the fish. Fish & Boat Commission: 814-359-5147,

in food sold commercially, including fish. • Bake or broil trimmed fish on a rack or grill so some website: www.fishandboat.com. of the remaining fat drips away. Questions about effects of chemicals on fisheries, STATEWIDE ADVISORY • Discard any drippings. Do not eat them or use them current advisory listings. Pennsylvania has issued a general, statewide health for cooking other foods or in preparing other sauces. advisory for recreationally caught sport fish. That advice

30 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook 2021 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES ●=NEW ADDITION ●=CHANGE DELAWARE RIVER BASIN Water Body Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant Belmont Lake (Wayne Co.) Entire lake Rock Bass 1 meal/month Mercury Beltzville Lake () (Carbon Co.) Entire lake Walleye 2 meals/month Mercury Brady’s Lake (Monroe Co.) Entire lake Chain Pickerel 6 meals/year Mercury Yellow Perch 1 meal/month Mercury Broadhead Creek (Monroe Co.) Entire basin Rock Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Bushkill Creek (Monroe and Pike Co.) Entire basin American Eel, All suckers 2 meals/month Mercury Chester Creek (Delaware and Chester Co.) Confluence of West Branch Chester Ck. to mouth Channel Catfish, American Eel 2 meals/month Mercury Darby Creek (Delaware and Philadelphia Co.) Entire basin Channel Catfish 1 meal/month PCB Delaware River Source to Trenton, NJ-Morrisville, PA bridge Rock Bass, Walleye over 17” 2 meals/month Mercury Smallmouth Bass 1 meal/month Mercury Delaware Estuary, including the tidal portion of all Trenton, NJ-Morrisville, PA Bridge White Perch, 1 meal/month PCB PA tributaries and the Schuylkill River to the Fair- to PA/DE border Flathead Catfish, mount Dam (Bucks, Philadelphia, and Delaware Co.) Channel Catfish Striped Bass: over 28” 1 meal/month PCB Carp 6 meals/year PCB American Eel Do Not Eat PCB Hickory Lake (Wayne Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Lake Maskenozha (Pike Co.) Entire lake Yellow Perch 2 meals/month Mercury Lake Towhee (Bucks Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Lake Wallenpaupack (Pike and Wayne Co.) Entire lake Walleye 1 meal/month Mercury Lehigh River (Northampton Co.) Confluence of Saucon Creek to mouth Carp, American Eel 1 meal/month PCB Little Bushkill Creek (Pike Co.) Lake Maskenozha to mouth American Eel 2 meals/month Mercury Little Neshaminy Creek (Bucks Co.) Entire basin Carp 1 meal/month PCB Long Pond (Wayne Co.) Entire lake Walleye 1 meal/month Mercury Marsh Creek Lake (Chester Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Miller Pond (Wayne Co.) Entire lake Chain Pickerel, Largemouth Bass 1 meal/month Mercury Yellow Perch 2 meals/month Mercury ● Pennypack Creek (Montgomery and Philadelphia Co.) Entire basin American Eel 1 meal/month PCB Promised Land Lake () (Pike Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury 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.) Entire basin All species 3 meals/year PCB, DDT, Dioxins, Chlorinated- Pesticides Schuylkill River (Schuylkill Co.) Confluence of Mill Creek at Port Carbon Trout 1 meal/month PCB to Auburn Dam Schuylkill River (Schuylkill and Berks Co.) Confluence of Mahannon Creek at Landingville Brown Bullhead, All suckers 1 meal/month PCB to Kernsville Dam Schuylkill River (Berks Co.) Kernsville Dam to Maiden Creek All suckers 1 meal/month PCB Schuylkill River Confluence of Maiden Creek to Black Rock Dam All suckers 1 meal/month PCB (Berks, Chester, and Montgomery Co.) above Phoenixville Carp, Channel Catfish 6 meals/year PCB Schuylkill River Black Rock Dam to Fairmount Dam Carp, American Eel, Do Not Eat PCB (Chester, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Co.) in Philadelphia All suckers, Channel Catfish, 1 meal/month PCB Flathead Catfish, Corbicula (Asiatic clam*) Schuylkill River Confluence of Maiden Creek to Fairmount Dam American Eel Do Not Eat PCB (Berks, Chester, Montgomery, and 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 and Monroe Co.) Pocono Lake Dam to mouth Smallmouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury West Branch Brandywine Creek (Chester Co.) From business Rt. 30 (Lincoln Highway) American Eel 1 meal/month PCB in Coatesville to confluence of Buck Run West Branch Schuylkill River (Schuylkill Co.) Entire basin 1 meal/month PCB White Clay Creek (Chester Co.) Entire basin American Eel 2 meals/month Mercury White Oak Pond Lake (Wayne Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury * The harvest of live mussels and clams in Pennsylvania is prohibited. ●=NEW ADDITION ●=CHANGE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN Water Body Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant Beechwood Lake (Tioga Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass ● 1 meals/month Mercury Black Moshannon State Park Lake (Centre Co.) Entire lake Chain Pickerel, Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Bearwallow Pond (Sullivan Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel 2 meals/month Mercury (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 River and Reservoir (Tioga Co.) Cowanesque to PA/NY border Smallmouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury , Yellow Perch, 1 meal/month Mercury Largemouth Bass Elk Lake (Sullivan Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel 2 meals/month Mercury First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek-George B. Stevenson Entire lake Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Dam () (Cameron and Potter Co.) First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek (Cameron Co.) George B. Stevenson Dam to mouth Smallmouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Francis Slocum Lake (Luzerne Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury ●Hamilton Lake (Tioga Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury ●Hammond Lake (Tioga Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass 1 meals/month Mercury Hunters Lake (Sullivan Co.) Entire lake All species 2 meals/month Mercury Jacks Creek (Mifflin Co.) Paintersville Bridge to mouth Bluegill, Rock Bass, Fallfish 1 meal/month PCB Kettle Creek Lake () (Clinton Co.) Entire lake Black Crappie, Yellow Perch 2 meals/month Mercury Largemouth Bass ● 1 meal/month Mercury Kettle Creek (Clinton Co.) Alvin R. Bush Dam to mouth Smallmouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Lackawanna Lake () (Lackawanna Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Lake Jean (UNT Kitchen Cr.) Entire lake Chain Pickerel, Largemouth Bass 1 meal/month Mercury () (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 Little Pine Creek (Clinton Co.) Entire basin Yellow Perch 2 meals/month Mercury Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 31 FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY Water Body Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant Logan Branch (Centre Co.) Axemann to mouth Brown Trout 1 meal/month PCB Lopez Pond (Sullivan Co.) Entire lake Yellow Perch 2 meals/month Mercury Lyman Run Reservoir (Potter Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass 1 meal/month Mercury Maple Lake (Lackawanna Co.) Entire lake Chain Pickerel 2 meals/month Mercury McWilliams Reservoir (Northumberland and Columbia Co.) Entire reservoir Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Mountain Mud Pond (Merli-Sarnoski Park)(Lackawanna Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Pine Creek (Tioga Co.) Confluence of Painter Run to confluence of Smallmouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Fourmile Run near Colton Shumans Lake (Loyalsock Creek) (Sullivan Co.) Entire lake Chain Pickerel 2 meals/month Mercury Silver Lake (Susquehanna Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Steven Foster Lake (Bradford Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Sugar Creek (Bradford Co.) Confluence of Bailey Run to mouth Smallmouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Sunfish Pond(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, Carp 1 meal/month PCB Susquehanna River (Wyoming, Lackawanna, PA Route 92 bridge at Falls to confluence Smallmouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Luzerne, Columbia, Northumberland, and Montour Co.) with West Branch Channel Catfish, Quillback, 1 meal/month PCB Carp, Walleye Susquehanna River (Snyder, Northumberland, Juniata, West Branch to PA/MD border Channel Catfish over 20”, 1 meal/month PCB Perry, Dauphin, Cumberland, York, and Lancaster Co.) Flathead Catfish over 30” Mercury, PCB Tioga Reservoir (Tioga Co.) Entire Reservoir Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Towanda Creek (Bradford Co.) Confluence of 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) All trout 1 meal/month PCB (Cumberland Co.) Tunkhannock Creek (Wyoming Co.) Confluence of 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 confluence with Walleye 2 meals/month Mercury Lycoming, Union, and Northumberland Co.) Susquehanna River White Deer Creek (Clinton, Centre, and Union Co.) Entire basin 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 Brown Trout 1 meal/month PCB

●=NEW ADDITION ●=CHANGE BASIN ●=NEW ADDITION ●=CHANGE Water Body Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant Allegheny River (McKean Co.) Confluence of 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, ● to Lock & Dam 7 Smallmouth Bass, Walleye 2 meals/month Mercury Clarion, and Armstrong Co.) Allegheny River (Armstrong Co.) Pool 6 - Lock & Dam 7 to Lock & Dam 6 Carp 1 meal/month PCB Allegheny River (Armstrong Co.) Pool 5 - Lock & Dam 6 to Lock & Dam 5 Carp, Channel Catfish 1 meal/month PCB Allegheny River (Armstrong and Allegheny Co.) Pool 4 - Lock & Dam 5 to Lock & Dam 4 Carp, Channel Catfish 1 meal/month PCB Allegheny River (Allegheny Co.) Pool 3 - Lock & Dam 4 to Lock & Dam 3 Carp, Channel Catfish 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 See Ohio River (Allegheny & Beaver Co.) Beaver River (Lawrence and Beaver Co.) Confl. of Mahoning and Shenango Rivers to mouth Carp Do Not Eat PCB Smallmouth Bass, 1 meal/month PCB Channel Catfish Beaver Run Reservoir (Westmoreland Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Brokenstraw Creek (Warren Co.) Confluence of Hare Creek to mouth All suckers, 2 meals/month Mercury Smallmouth Bass Chapman Dam Reservoir (Warren Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Chartiers Creek and Little Chartiers Creek Chartiers Creek - Canonsburg to mouth Largemouth Bass 1 meal/month PCB (Allegheny and 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. of Canoe Creek above Callensburg to confl. of Turkey Run Walleye 2 meals/month Mercury Clarion River (Clarion, Clearfield, and Elk Co.) Entire basin upstream of Piney Dam ● Smallmouth Bass, 2 meals/month Mercury Largemouth Bass Conemaugh R. (Indiana and 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.) Confluence of 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, and Venango Co.) Entire mainstem Smallmouth Bass, 2 meals/month Mercury Walleye ● Geneva Swamp (Crawford Co.) Entire marsh Bowfin 1 meal/month Mercury Justus Lake (Venango Co.) Entire lake Smallmouth Bass, 2 meals/month Mercury Largemouth Bass 32 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY Water Body Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant Lake Canadohta (Crawford Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass, Walleye 2 meals/month Mercury Lake LeBoeuf (Erie Co.) Entire lake Muskellunge 1 meal/month Mercury Largemouth Bass, Carp 2 meals/month Mercury Lake Pleasant (Erie Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass ● 2 meals/month Mercury Mahoning River (Lawrence Co.) Entire portion in PA Carp 6 meals/year PCB Channel Catfish Do Not Eat PCB (Fayette and Greene Co.) Point Marion Lock & Dam to Maxwell Locks & Dam Carp 1 meal/month PCB Monongahela River (Fayette and Washington Co.) Pool 4 - Maxwell Locks & Dam to Locks & Dam 4 Carp 1 meal/month PCB Monongahela River Pool 3 - Locks & Dam 4 to Locks & Dam 3 Carp 1 meal/month PCB (Allegheny, Washington, and Westmoreland Co.) Monongahela River (Allegheny Co.) Pool 2 (Braddock Pool)- Locks & Dam 3 to Locks & Dam 2 Carp 1 meal/month PCB Monongahela River (Allegheny Co.) From Locks & Dam 2 to the Montgomery Locks & Dam See Ohio River on the Ohio River (Allegheny & Beaver Co.) Ohio River (Allegheny and Beaver Co.) From Lock & Dam 2 on the Monongahela River and Lock Freshwater Drum, Spotted Bass, 1 meal/month PCB & Dam 2 on the Allegheny River to the Montgomery Lock & Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Dam Smallmouth Bass, White Crappie, Based on advisories issued by Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission Sauger, Walleye All suckers, Flathead Catfish, 6 meals/year PCB Hybrid-Striped Bass, White Bass, Channel Catfish Carp Do Not Eat PCB Ohio River (Beaver Co.) From Montgomery Locks & Dam to the state border. All suckers, Flathead Catfish, 1 meal/month PCB Based on recommendation from the Ohio River Consumption Advisory Workgroup Black Crappie, White Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Sauger, Walleye, Freshwater Drum Channel Catfish under 18”, Carp, 6 meals/year PCB Hybrid Striped Bass, White Bass Channel Catfish over 18” Do Not Eat PCB Oil Creek (Venango Co.) SR 1004 bridge at Petroleum Center to mouth Smallmouth Bass 2 meals/month Mercury Shenango River (Mercer and Lawrence Co.) Pymatuning Dam to Shenango Reservoir Channel Catfish 2 meals/month Mercury Shenango River (Mercer and Lawrence Co.) Shenango Reservoir Dam to mouth All species Do Not Eat PCB Sugar Lake (Crawford Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel 2 meals/month Mercury Tamarack Lake (Crawford Co.) Entire lake Muskellunge 1 meal/month Mercury Walleye 2 meals/month Mercury Tenmile Creek (Washington and Greene Co.) Entire basin Freshwater Drum 1 meal/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 Tionesta Reservoir (Forest Co.) Entire lake Smallmouth Bass 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.) Confluence of East and West branches to PA/NY border Carp, All suckers 2 meals/month Mercury Union City Reservoir (Erie Co.) Entire lake Largemouth Bass 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 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), Brown Trout*, 1 meal/month PCB Smallmouth Bass, White Perch, White Bass, Lake Whitefish, Carp under 20”, Freshwater Drum, Lake Trout under 30”, and Channel Catfish Carp over 20”, Lake Trout over 30”. 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*, Steelhead* (Rainbow Trout), Brown 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 tributaries, should be treated as Lake Erie fish. BASIN There are currently no advisories for the Potomac River Basin. However, the statewide advisory of 1 meal per week does apply to all waters throughout the Commonwealth including the Potomac River Basin. Recognizing and Reporting POLLUTION or DISTURBANCE of Waterways POLLUTION or DISTURBANCE of any waterway or crayfish, frogs, and any other types of aquatic life; strange the channel flow of a waterway. Various types of permits watershed is a serious violation of the Pennsylvania Fish odors like manure, sewage, or chemicals; muddy, cloudy, are required for any such work. and Boat Code that must be recognized and reported or discolored water; shiny, oily sheen on water’s surface; If you see anything suspected to be a pollution or dis- to a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission region foamy material floating on the surface; and extremely turbance of any waterway, regardless of how seemingly law enforcement office. The law provides for criminal muddy water. insignificant, report it immediately by calling the local penalties for pollution or disturbances. DISTURBANCE of waterways or watersheds in- Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission region law en- POLLUTION is an introduction into any waterway cludes any alteration of a waterway, its banks, bed, or forcement office listed on page 3 of this publication or the of anything that “might” harm or kill fish. Examples of fish habitat that “might” cause damage to or kill fish. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection at “pollutants” are: Electricity, explosives, runoff, Common disturbance indicators are: Removal of gravel 1-800-541-2050 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). sewage, insecticides, poisons, high volumes of extremely from stream beds; earth-moving in or along a waterway; hot water, liquid concrete or cement, paint, chemicals, dragging logs across stream banks and through stream See WATER POLLUTION petroleum products like gasoline or oil, brine runoff beds; installing pipes or culverts; building or installing or POACHING? REPORT IT! from gas or water well drilling, and waste. bridges; making roadways through or along a stream; Common pollution indicators are: Dead fish including draining a waterway, , or watershed; or changing PFBC TOLL-FREE HOTLINE 855-FISH-KIL Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 33 RESOURCES/SPECIAL DATES

CALLING ALL 2022 FISHING DATES* Commonwealth Inland Waters PENNSYLVANIA ANGLERS! Regional Opening Day of Trout**: April 2, 2022 *Dates subject to change Statewide Opening Day of Trout: April 16, 2022 by regulation until We need your help. Pennsylvania is home to publication of the 2022 two giant salamanders, the Eastern Hellbender Opening Day of Walleye/Sauger: May 7, 2022 PA Fishing Summary. Opening Day of Bass: June 18, 2022 and the Common Mudpuppy. Both species **18 southeastern are regularly found by anglers, often caught Extended Trout Season: September 6, 2022 counties accidentally on fishing hooks or in minnow traps. Anglers have a great opportunity to help Pennsylvania’s Best Fishing Waters is a herpetologists figure out the distribution and program established by the Commission, using status of these species by simply taking a the expertise and knowledge of its fisheries picture of any specimens encountered and biologists, to highlight statewide locations for e-mailing the picture, date, time, and location different categories of fish to assist anglers in of the observation to [email protected]. knowing the prime fishing hotspots. Confirmed by survey catch rates and the availability of public The Common Mudpuppy is found in the Ohio access, the program waters offered are provided River and Lake Erie Drainages, in the western to help increase anglers’ success and convenient third of Pennsylvania. Mudpuppies have large, access to this information. You deserve the best! www.PaBestFishing.com feathery gills on either side of the head. Adults grow to 19 inches in length. 2021 FISH-FOR-FREE DAYS! Fish-For-Free Days The Eastern Hellbender was historically found in May 30 and July 4 the Susquehanna and Ohio Drainages, covering two-thirds of Pennsylvania. Hellbenders do not No fishing license is needed to fish on either of these have external gills as adults and look wrinkled days. It’s a great way to introduce someone to the world due to skin folds used for respiration. Adults grow of fishing. Check the Commission’s website for more to 29 inches in length. information. Remember that all other regulations apply. May 30 & July 4, 2021

HOW TO MEASURE A FISH Tail slightly compressed Common Mudpuppy Eastern Hellbender Tail in natural position

Close mouth to measure

Family Fishing Programs are educational programs designed for families with little or no fishing experience. Families will learn basic fishing skills and have an opportunity to practice those skills while fishing together during the program. In addition to family fishing, there are specialized programs Fork length: Not used in Pennsylvania. for family ice fishing, family fly fishing, and a SMART angler program for youth between Total length: This is the measurement Commission biologists and law the ages of 8 and 12. For a current listing of enforcement personnel use. Compress tail slightly to obtain this measurement. scheduled programs, visit: www.fishandboat.com This booklet is a summary of the laws and regulations applicable to fish and fishing in Pennsylvania in effect or proposed as of October 1, 2020. 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 in this book are subject to changes, which, as made, are printed in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Official text is found in 58 Pa. Code and online at: www.pacodeandbulletin.gov. For detailed and up-to-date information, contact the nearest office of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. This publication is partially paid for through the sale of advertising. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Com- mission neither endorses products or services listed nor accepts any liability arising from the use of listed products or services.

Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, or disability. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is an equal opportunity employer, and it complies with applicable federal and Pennsylvania nondiscrimi- nation laws and regulations. In addition, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission receives federal aid in sport fish restoration and boating enhancement. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, or disability in federally assisted programs. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, contact the Human Resources Office, PA Fish and Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, or the U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20420.

34 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook 2021 VOLUNTARY PERMITS Voluntary Permits are designed to help maintain The Wild Trout & Enhanced Waters Permit funding levels for several key fishing-related does not meet the requirement to fish for trout in programs. Revenues generated from the sale of Pennsylvania waters. these permits will be reinvested into the Habitat/Waterways Conservation, Musky, Wild Trout & Enhanced Waters, or Bass programs (see page 5). www.fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 35 36 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook APPLICATION FOR A PERMANENT BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE To obtain a Boating Safety Certificate, complete and mail the form below or complete and mail the online form at www.fishandboat.com. Please check the appropriate box. TEMPORARY to PERMANENT: If you were issued a temporary certificate, and wish to obtain a permanent certificate, submit this form, a copy of your temporary certificate and payment of $10.00.

DUPLICATE or REPLACEMENT: If you already have a Permanent PA Boating Safety Education Certificate and are applying for a duplicate certificate, submit this form and payment of $5.00.

OTHER CERTIFICATIONS: If you have a certificate from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the U.S. Power Squadron, or have taken a NASBLA (National As- sociation of State Boating Law Administrators) Approved Course but do not have a PA Boating Safety Education Certificate, submit this form, the certificate, and payment of $10.00. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want your original certificate returned. CURRENT INFORMATION Please PRINT PA Certificate No. (If Known) # NAME (Last) (First) (Middle Initial) MAILING ADDRESS (Street or P.O. Box No.)

CITY/STATE/ZIP

BIRTH DATE (Mo.) / (Day) / (Yr.) PHONE (Daytime)

PLACE A “” IN THE BLOCK BEHIND THE APPROPRIATE SELECTIONS. Hair Color  Eye Color  Gender  Brown Black Brown Gray Male Blond Red Green Other Female Gray Other Blue

Number of Certificates Ordered: ______Amount Enclosed: $______Check or Money Order #______Make Check Payable to: PA Fish and Boat Commission Type of Credit Card ______Credit Card # ______Exp. Date (ex. 05/2021) ______Please allow 4 to 6 weeks to receive your permanent certificate. Send to: PA Fish and Boat Commission • Bureau of Outreach, Education, and Marketing • PO Box 67000 • Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000 I hereby certify, under penalty of law, that the foregoing information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. I understand that submission of false information in connection with this official application may be subject to criminal penalties under 18 Pa. C.S. Ch. 49 and 30 PA. C.S. Ch. 9.

Applicant’s Signature or Parental Signature if Applicant is Younger than 18 Years of Age

• Commission Boating Course Hotline • Law Enforcement (717) 705-7861 1-888-PAFISH-1 (1-888-723-4741) • Boat Registration (866) 262-8734 Visit the Commission’s website for more information: www.fishandboat.com PLEASE NOTE: This information was prepared to provide boaters with information they need to know when operating watercraft on Pennsylvania waterways. It reviews the Commission’s boating regulations and includes information and tips to follow while boating. It does not present the actual laws and regulations. This handbook is the text for the Commission’s Pennsylvania Basic Boating eight-hour boating course. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission receives federal aid in sport fish restoration and boating enhancement. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 509 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin or handicap. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any Commission program, activity, or at a Commission facility, please write to: PA Fish and Boat Commis- sion, Human Resource Office, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, or Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. Persons with disabilities who wish to participate in a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission program and who anticipate the need for special accommodations should telephone (717) 705-7833. This publication is available on our website at www.fishandboat.com and may also be obtained as a computer file (alternate acces- sible format) by contacting the phone number above. Persons using a TTY should dial Pennsylvania Relay telephone number 711 to contact us.

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 37 PFBC Law Enforcement Boaters who have a need to communicate with a Pennsylvania Region Offices Fish and Boat Commission Waterways Conservation Officer should contact the appropriate region office. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Contents Boating in Pennsylvania Sound Signals...... 50 39 Other Important Rules of the Road...... 51 Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission/ VHF Radio...... 51 Pennsylvania’s Boating Opportunities...... 39 Anchoring...... 51 P Pennsylvania Water ...... 39 Northwest Region Locks and ...... 52 11528 State Highway 98 • Meadville, PA 16335 Boat Motors and Hull Types...... 39 Boat Theft...... 52 Ph. 814-337-0444 Fax 814-337-0579 Boat Terminology...... 39 Counties: Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Warren. Legal Requirements 40 Other Water Activities 53 Personal Watercraft...... 53 Southwest Region Boat Operator Responsibilities...... 40 Boat Classification...... 40 Paddlesports...... 53 236 Lake Road • Somerset, PA 15501 Water-skiing and Similar Activities...... 54 Ph. 814-445-8974 Fax 814-445-3497 Boat Operation Requirements...... 40 Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Homeland Security...... 40 Swimming and Diving...... 54 Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, Minimum Age of Operation/Mandatory Sailing...... 54 Boating Education...... 41 Hunters and Anglers...... 54 Westmoreland. Personal Flotation Devices...... 41 Northcentral Region Boat Numbering and Registration...... 42 Safety and Rescue 55 595 East Rolling Ridge Drive • Bellefonte, PA 16823 Launch Permits/Boat Titling...... 43 Ventilation and Fueling/Carbon Ph. 814-359-5250 Fax 814-359-5254 Monoxide...... 55 Counties: Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Capacity Plates/Hull Identification Elk, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Montour, Number(HIN)...... 44 Fire Extinguisher Use ...... 55 Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Tioga, Union. Night Operation and Lights...... 44 Running Aground...... 55 Sound-producing Devices/ Water Hazards...... 55 Southcentral Region Visual Distress Signals (VDS)...... 45 Dams/Weather...... 55 1704 Pine Road • Newville, PA 17241 Minimum Required Equipment/ Capsizing and Falls Overboard...... 56 Ph. 717-486-7087 Fax 717-486-8227 Recommended Equipment...... 46 Counties: Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, Propeller Strikes...... 56 Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Fire Extinguishers...... 46 Rescue and Survival...... 56 Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, York. Carburetor Backfire Flame Control/Noise Cold Water Shock/Hypothermia...... 57 Restrictions and Muffling Devices...... 46 Alcohol and Boating...... 57 Northeast Region Courtesy Vessel Safety Checks...... 57 5566 Main Road • Sweet Valley, PA 18656 Boat Operation 47 Boating Accidents...... 57 Ph. 570-477-5717 Fax 570-477-3221 Pre-departure Checklist/Preventative Counties: Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Boat Maintenance...... 47 Resource Protection Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, 58 Leave a Float Plan/Trailering...... 47 Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming. Law Enforcement...... 58 Launching and Retrieving/Boarding/ PFBC Lakes and Access Areas...... 58 Southeast Region Boat Trim/Boat Handling/Docking...... 48 Permits...... 58 P.O. Box 9 • Elm, PA 17521 Departing/Boat Navigation Rules...... 49 Marine Sanitation Devices (MSD)...... 58 Ph. 717-626-0228 Fax 717-626-0486 Rules for Power-driven Vessels Littering and Pollution...... 58 Counties: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Underway...... 50 Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Aquatic Invasive Species...... 59 Philadelphia, Schuylkill. For More Information: INTERACTIVE MAPS UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY: www.cgaux.org/boatinged UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS: Purchase fishing licenses, trout stamps, subscriptions, boat ONLINE! www.americasboatingcourse.com The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat registration renewals, launch permits, and more– All Online! Commission maintains AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION: up-to-date maps at www.asa.com www.fishandboat.com www.fishandboat.com AMERICAN RED CROSS: MORE DETAILS www.redcross.org MORE INFORMATION AMERICAN CANOE ASSOCIATION: www.americancanoe.org 11/2020

38 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook BOATING IN PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat the boat. The boat turns in the opposite Draft- the vertical distance from the water- direction that the tiller arm is pushed. line to the lowest point of the keel; it is the Commission Electric motors are outboards. minimum depth of water in which a vessel The PFBC is responsible for promoting fishing 2. Inboard/outboard (or sterndrive) motors will float. and boating, and regulating and enforcing fishing are bolted inboard, at the stern, with the Forward- aboard a boat, the direction to the and boating laws and regulations in Pennsylvania. drive unit through the transom. front, to the bow. Established in 1866, the PFBC is primarily funded 3. Inboard motors are mounted lower in the Freeboard- the vertical distance from the by Pennsylvania’s boaters and anglers through boat boat and farther forward than an inboard/ waterline to the gunwale. registration fees and fishing license revenues. outboard. A rudder is used to steer. Gunwale- the upper edge of the side of a boat. Pennsylvania's Boating 4. Jet motors use an engine to pump water Hull- the structural body of the boat; does not through a nozzle at the stern, which pivots include superstructure, masts or rigging. Opportunities to steer the boat. Keel- the main structural member of a boat; its Pennsylvania provides nearly unlimited backbone; the lateral area beneath the hull opportunities for the recreational boater. The Many Pennsylvania lakes have specific motor- that helps to provide stability and reduce the Commonwealth has over 85,000 miles of rivers type and horsepower limitations. sideways drift of a boat. and streams ranging from headwaters to major Life Jacket- also known as a personal flotation river systems. It has 76 natural lakes that provide BOAT HULL TYPES device, vest, or preserver. 5,266 acres of flat water. An additional 2,300 con- There are two basic types of boat hulls: Port- looking toward the bow, the left side of structed impoundments provide another 200,000 1. Planing hulls are flat-bottomed and skim the boat. acres of boatable waters. Lake Erie has 63 plus across the water. Starboard- looking toward the bow, the right miles of shoreline and 735 square miles of waters 2. Displacement hulls have round bottoms side of the boat. within Pennsylvania’s boundaries. The Delaware and plow through the water. TheyHULLS are more River provides 56 miles of tidal waters within Stern- the aft (back or rear) portion of the boat. stable but not as fast as planing hull boats. Pennsylvania and access to the Atlantic Ocean. Transom- the transverse part of the stern The number of recreational boats on (where an outboard motor is attached). Pennsylvania waters continues to increase. In Waterline- the intersection of a boat’s hull and 1982, fewer than 200,000 boats were registered. the water’s surface. In 2011, there were more than 332,000 registered USCG- United States Coast Guard boats. Over half of the registered boats in the Flat Bottom Round Bottom DeepUSPS --V-Hull United States Power Cathedral Squadrons Hull Commonwealth are less than 16 feet in length. Pennsylvania is primarily a small-boat state. Most boats are a compromise between plan- However, all kinds of boating are popular, from ing and displacement hulls (deep-V, modified-V, rafting on the Youghiogheny River to cathedral, etc.). There are also multiple-hulled powerboating on the lower Delaware River. boats such as catamarans and pontoons. HULL Pennsylvania Boating Terminology STARBOARD Water Trails Aft- near or at the stern of the boat. PORT Pennsylvania Water Beam- the width of a boat, also the direction Trails are boat routes at right angles to the centerline of a vessel. suitable for canoes, kay- Bilge- the lowest point of a boat’s interior hull. aks, and some motorized watercraft. Like conven- Bow- the forward part (toward the front) of tional trails, water trails are recreational corridors a boat. between specific locations. Water trails are comprised KEEL of access points, boat launches, day use sites, and, in some cases, overnight camping areas. From ripples BEAM to , paddling these aquatic highways can be a great adventure. To view maps for the statewide network of water trails, visit www.fishandboat.com. TRANSOM

Boat Motors and Hull Types STERN BOW MOTORS There are four primary types of boat motors: 1. Outboard motors vary in size and clamp onto the transom. The whole motor pivots

on its mounting to aim the wash and steer FREEBOARD

WATERLINE GUNWALE DRAFT

OVERALL LENGTH AFT FORWARD

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 39 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Boat Operator Responsibilities Boat Classification is riding on the bow decking, gunwales, tran- som, or motor covers. Boat operators are responsible for: Boats are classified according to length, which • Operate a pontoon boat at any speed while • Knowing the rules and regulations in the is the horizontal distance from bow (front) to stern a person is riding outside the passenger- areas where they boat. (back) along the centerline. It excludes any projec- carrying area. • Knowing the waters where they are boating. tions that are not part of the boat’s hull, such as an • Cause a boat to become airborne or to leave • Having the required safety equipment for outboard motor or swim platform. the water completely while crossing another their watercraft. Classification determines the minimum required boat’s wake when within 100 feet of the boat • The actions of all persons on board their boats. equipment. See page 46. creating the wake. • Weave through congested traffic. Boat Operation Requirements • Operate faster than slow, no-wake when within 100 feet to the rear or 50 feet to the In Pennsylvania, it side of another boat that is underway, unless is illegal to... in a narrow channel. • Operate a water- • Operate within 100 feet of anyone towed craft in a reckless, negligent, or dan- behind another boat. gerous manner. • Operate a motorboat with anyone sitting, rid- Boats must be ing, or hanging on a swim platform or swim operated at a rate ladder attached to the boat. of speed that does Many waterways in Pennsylvania have special RULE OF RESPONSIBILITY not endanger the regulations such as electric only or horsepower DEFINED life or property of any person. restrictions. NAVIGATION RULES United States Coast Guard • Operate a boat at greater than slow, no-wake speed within 100 feet of the shoreline, docks, (USCG), RULE 2, “RESPONSIBILITY” 500 Y “2(a) Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any launch ramps, swimmers, or downed ski- ards vessel, or the owner, master, or crew thereof, ers, persons wading in the water, anchored, moored, or drifting boats, and floats. Slow, DO NOT ENTER from the consequences of any neglect to no-wake speed is the slowest possible speed aa comply with these Rules or of the neglect of 100 of a motorboat required to maintain maneu- Yards any precaution which may be required by the verability, so that the wake or wash created by ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special the motorboat on the surface is minimal. The OPERATE AT MINIMUM SPEED circumstances of the case.” slow, no-wake zone for wake surfing activity “2(b) In construing and complying with these is 200 feet. See page 54. Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers • Operate a motorboat less than 20 feet in of navigation and collision and to any special length at greater than slow no-wake while a Homeland Security circumstances, including the limitations person is standing on or in the boat. Strict regulations have been issued relating of the vessels involved, which may make • Operate a motorboat at greater than slow, no- to waterways for national security. Boaters must a departure from these Rules necessary to wake speed with a person riding outside of follow these regulations or be exposed to serious avoid immediate danger.” the passenger carrying area or while a person penalties. Our mutual security, in part, depends on your diligence in reporting suspicious activities that you may encounter on the water. REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL WATERCRAFT: • Stay at least 100 yards from all military, cruise line, or commercial shipping vessels. Violating the Naval Vessel Protection Zone is a felony offense, punishable by up to six years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines. • You must operate at slow, no-wake speed within 500 yards of U.S. Naval vessels. • Check with local authorities and refer to cur- rent charts to identify and stay away from security zones and port operation areas. Less than 16 feet 16 feet to less 26 feet to less 40 feet to • Generally, stay at least 100 yards from than 26 feet than 40 feet not more than military areas, cruise lines, and petroleum 65 feet facilities. Also, stay away from dams and power plants. Less than 16 feet (Class A) 26 feet to less than 40 feet (Class 2) Includes jonboats, small runabouts, and Large boats that usually include enclosed cabins. At the request of the Captain of the Port, personal watercraft. or District Commander, an area may also be 40 feet to not more than 65 feet (Class 3) designated a Security Zone. This zone may be 16 feet to less than 26 feet (Class 1) Large, expensive boats with advanced features. highlighted in magenta (pink-red coloration) on Boats used for skiing, fishing, and day trips. charts to better stand out and warn the public

40 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook LEGAL REQUIREMENTS to stay clear. Unauthorized vessels, without spe- Boating Safety Education Certificates are required: Information on these providers and their courses cific permission to enter, must stay out of these • To operate a personal watercraft is available on the PFBC’s website. In some cases, marked areas. Armed military, harbor police, • For persons born on or after January 1, 1982, there are fees for these courses in addition to the or civilian authorities, securing these areas, will to operate boats powered by motors greater permanent Boating Safety Education Certificate confront violators. than 25 horsepower. fee of $10. Approved permanent Boating Safety Education GUIDELINES: Certificates for Pennsylvania residents must be Personal Flotation Devices • Do not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in issued by the PFBC. Out of state boaters must Personal flotation devices a channel. If you do stop, be prepared to be have a certificate issued for a course approved (PFDs, life jackets, life preserv- boarded by patrolling authorities. by the National Association of State Boating Law ers, life vests, and throwable • Be observant and report any suspicious activ- Administrators (NASBLA). devices) are the most important ity to USCG or local authorities. piece of equipment on a boat; • Always secure and lock your boat when not CERTIFICATE PFDs are the best defense against National Safe Boating Council on board. CARDS drowning. Each person in the boat must have a wearable, USCG-approved life The PFBC-issued Boating jacket! It is highly advisable to wear life jackets at Minimum Age of Operation Safety Education Certificate is a durable, waterproof all times, especially in dangerous conditions. plastic card. The card has a hole in it to make it handy The following age restrictions and boating Since boating conditions can change quickly to attach to your life jacket, boat keys, or the lanyard and without warning (increasing your chance of education requirements apply to the operation on your PWC. unexpectedly falling into the water), boating with- of motorboats. • If you already have your Pennsylvania Boating out wearing a properly fitted life jacket is danger- Safety Education Certificate from the PFBC ous. Trying to put on a life jacket while in the water HP OF MOTOR RESTRICTIONS OF USE is difficult and nearly impossible in moving water.

PWC All PWC (personal watercraft) operators, regardless of age, LIFE JACKET AND THROWABLE must have a Boating Safety Education Certificate. Persons 11 years of age or younger may NOT operate. DEVICE REQUIREMENTS: Persons 12 through 15 years of age may NOT operate with any • All boats, including stand-up paddleboards, passengers on board 15 years of age or younger or rent a PWC. must have a USCG-approved wearable life jacket on board for each person. 0-25hp None • While operating a paddleboard outside of a swim area, a USCG-approved life jacket is Greater Persons 11 years of age or younger may NOT operate. required. than 25hp Persons born on or after January 1, 1982, may not operate unless • Life jackets must be the appropriate size for they have obtained and have in possession a Boating Safety the person intended. Check the life jacket Education Certificate. label to ensure it’s the appropriate size for the person wearing it. Also, make sure the jacket fits. See page 42 to learn how to check for proper fit. and you are applying for a duplicate or replace- Mandatory Boating Education • Life jackets must be appropriate for the activ- ment card, you can get a new one for $5 each. ity for which they are worn. See the USCG Boating safety education is important, even for To obtain one (or more), download an applica- approval label for information. experienced boaters. Knowledgeable boaters are tion from our website. Fill out the application, • Wearable life jackets must be “readily safer boaters. Boating courses are fun for the entire and send it to the PFBC with your fee. accessible.” This means life jackets should family and are offered at many locations through- • If you do NOT have a Pennsylvania Boating be stowed where they can be easily reached out the state and in your own home. Safe boating Safety Education Certificate, but you have or in the open, ready for wear. Throwable education provides the groundwork for safe recre- earned a certificate from the U.S. Coast devices must be “immediately available,” ational boating and should be considered only as Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons, or which means that the PFD shall be within an introduction to safe boating practices. Boating another approved course, you must mail to arm’s reach of the operator or passenger the PFBC the original certificate issued to regulations and conditions can be expected to while the boat is operated. A PFD that is you for successfully completing that course. change, therefore, the PFBC encourages boaters sealed in its original packaging is not read- If you want your original certificate returned, ily accessible or immediately available. to take additional boating safety courses through please include a self-addressed, stamped organizations such as the U.S. Coast Guard • All life jackets must be in good and service- envelope. The cost for your new, permanent able condition and legibly marked showing Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons, American Sailing Pennsylvania Boating Safety Education the USCG approval number. This means the Association, U.S. Sailing Association, American Certificate is $10. life jacket must be functional, free of tears or Red Cross, and American Canoe Association. defects in the material, and all buckles, straps, CLASSROOM COURSES AND zippers, and other closures must be operable. BOATING COURSES AND SAFETY DISTANCE LEARNING • In addition to wearable life jackets, boats 16 feet CERTIFICATES and over must have a throwable device (ring Approved classroom boating courses are avail- buoy, life ring, or buoyant seat cushion) on Boaters who successfully complete a PFBC- able from the PFBC, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, board. Canoes and kayaks, regardless of length, approved boating course are issued a Pennsylvania U.S. Power Squadron, and several other approved are not required to carry a throwable device. Boating Safety Education Certificate, valid for a course providers. In addition, the PFBC has several • A throwable device may not be used as a sub- lifetime of boating safety. approved Internet and distance-learning courses. stitute for a wearable device.

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 41 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

as well. A properly fitting life jacket is more com- fortable (meaning you are more likely to wear it), LIFE JACKET WEAR REQUIRED BY LAW: NOV.1 TO APRIL 30 but more important, it functions better. Life jack- Boaters must wear a life jacket on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or ets that are too large can ride up or even come off kayak. Recreational boating fatalities that occur in Pennsylvania from November through when you are in the water. April are primarily due to the effects of cold water immersion. When water temperatures It’s easy to check a conventional life jacket for are less than 70 degrees F, cold water shock is a major factor in boating fatalities. Victims proper fit—just put it on. The jacket should fit who wear a life jacket when exposed to cold water have potentially life-saving advantages you snugly with all zippers, straps, ties, and snaps such as insulation from the cold, buoyancy for victims who are unable to tread water, correctly secured. With a partner behind you, and reduced risk of aspiration of water. In an effort to reduce the number of fatalities raise your arms like you are signaling a touch- related to cold water immersion, the Commission has amended regulations to require down in a football game. Have the partner lift the life jackets to be worn on small and unstable boats during the period most noted for cold jacket by the shoulders. The jacket should come water temperatures. no higher than your chin. If the jacket covers your face or comes off—that’s what would hap- pen in the water. In this case, tighten the straps or use a smaller size. WEARABLE LIFE JACKETS WHO MUST WEAR A LIFE JACKET? • Life jackets should be inspected regularly Children 12 years of age and younger on for tears and damage. If damage is present, Commonwealth waters when underway on any boat Boat Numbering and do not repair the life jacket. Throw it away. 20 feet or less in length and in all canoes and kayaks. Registration Repairs to a life jacket may be the weak spot On Pittsburgh District U.S. Army Corps of Boats propelled by machinery and electric that causes a drowning. Engineers lakes (only), everyone in boats less than motors must be numbered, regardless of length • Inflatable life jackets must be checked fre- 16 feet in length and in all canoes and kayaks. and type of motor. Boats excluded from number- quently and maintained according to the All water skiers and anyone towed behind vessels, ing include unpowered kayaks, sculls and sail- manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure personal watercraft (PWC) operators and passen- boards, documented vessels, and vessels with a correct operation. gers, and sailboarders (windsurfers). Inflatable life valid temporary certificate. Documented ves- jackets are not acceptable for these activities. • Life jackets must be used in accordance with sels must be registered. In Pennsylvania, large any requirements on the approval label. pleasure boats, usually called yachts, which are • Life jackets with old type identification (e.g. MAKE SURE THE LIFE JACKET documented with the USCG. These documented Type I, Type II, Type III, and Type V) are still FITS—THE “TOUCHDOWN” TEST vessels must be registered but need only display usable as long as life jackets are in good and a valid registration decal. serviceable condition. For a life jacket to work properly, not only does it need to be on your body, it should fit properly

PLACEMENT ON BOAT: PAINTED OR ATTACHED TO EACH FORWARD HALF OF VESSEL

SPACING–HYPHEN OR EQUIVALENT SPACE WITHIN 6 BETWEEN 3 PARTS OF YOUR NUMBER INCHES DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS The letters and numbers must: • Read from left to right. • Be painted or permanently attached to each side on the forward half of the vessel, where no other number may be displayed. • Be of bold, block letters in good proportion. • Be of a contrasting color to the background. THROWABLE DEVICES • Be at least 3 inches high. Throwable device– • Be nearly as vertical as possible and easily observed. minimum 16.5 pounds of • Be separated by a hyphen or space equal to the width of any letter or number buoyancy, designed to be except “I” or “1.” grasped, not worn. • Have a current registration decal within 6 inches on the same level (before or following number).

42 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

BOAT REGISTRATION well as kayaks, sculls, sailboards, and other low- Launch Permits volume boats of similar design, are exempt from All motorboats the display of numbers, but they must display the Owners of unpowered and boats powered boats (canoes, kayaks, by electric motors validation decal. Inflatable boats may carry their numbers and validation decal on boards lashed stand-up paddleboards, must be registered. rowboats, etc.) can Owners of unpow- to each side of the bow. Canoes are not exempt and must display the numbers and the decal. launch their boats at the ered boats (canoes, PFBC lakes and access kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, rowboats, etc.) areas or Pennsylvania can launch their boats at Commission lakes and STATE OF PRINCIPAL state parks if their boats access areas or Pennsylvania state parks if their OPERATION boats display a boat registration, Commission display a PFBC launch use permit, boat registration, launch use permit, or Pennsylvania State Parks Vessels must be registered in the state in which or Pennsylvania State Parks launch permit or mooring launch permit or mooring permit. Pennsylvania the boat is primarily operated. If the boat is water- permit. Pennsylvania State Parks recognizes boat State Parks recognizes boat registrations and borne (including time at a marina slip or mooring) registrations and Commission launch permits. The Commission launch permits. The Commission on Pennsylvania waters more than on waters of Commission does NOT recognize launch permits from does NOT recognize launch permits from other another state, it must be registered in Pennsylvania, other states. A PFBC launch permit can be purchased states. A Commission launch permit can be pur- regardless of where the owner lives. Reciprocal on the Commission’s website. An unpowered boat may chased on the PFBC’s website. privileges are granted to boats with valid registra- have a registration OR launch use permit but is not Registrations are renewed on a 2-year cycle tion in other states for up to 60 days. required to have both. and expire on March 31 of the second year. Note: A Pennsylvania Use Tax is charged Registrations are valid when issued by the for any boat owned by a Pennsylvania resi- Boat Titling Commission and online messengers. Application dent if that boat is at any time brought into the forms are available at county treasurer’s offices, Commonwealth, regardless of where it is regis- A certificate of title is a legal document that certain boat dealerships, on the PFBC website, tered. There is an exception for casual sales of proves ownership. Boat titling is different from at the PFBC’s headquarters in Harrisburg, and at unpowered boats. Credit is given for tax paid to boat registration, because a certificate of regis- the PFBC regional law enforcement offices. other states. tration does not prove ownership. A certificate of title requires all owners of a boat to sign off Boat registration fees are as follows: BOAT REGISTRATION FORMS on their interests when selling and provides $22 Unpowered boats A Renewal of Registration form is mailed the purchaser with proper documentation for $26 Boats less than 16 feet titling and registering a boat. Application forms $39 Boats 16 feet to less than 20 feet to boat owners prior to the expiration date. If are the same ones used for boat registration and $52 Boats over 20 feet one has not received the form, boat owners are available at county treasurer’s offices, cer- Note: Boats with unpowered boat registrations should write to the Division of Licensing and Registration or go to the Commission’s website tain boat dealerships, on the PFBC website, at may NOT be equipped with gasoline or electric PFBC’s headquarters in Harrisburg, and at the motors or any other mechanical propulsion and to renew online. A Duplicate/Replacement Certificate of PFBC regional law enforcement offices. be operated on Pennsylvania waterways. Boat titling is required for all inboard Upon the completion of the application and Registration can be obtained for $3 through motorboats (regardless of length) and personal the payment of the fee, a registration card and the Division of Licensing and Registration. Go watercraft with a model year of 1997 or newer two validation decals will be issued. The certifi- to the Commission’s website to download the AND all outboard motorboats 14 feet or more cate of boat registration is your registration card form (PFBC-732). in length with a model year of 1997 or newer. and must be on board the boat during operation. A Change of Address form (PFBC-732) At the request of the owner, the Commission The certificate also shows the boat registration must be filed within 15 days at the Division of number that must be displayed on the boat. Licensing and Registration. This office must will issue a title to any boat, regardless of the The Pennsylvania registration number, issued also be notified within 15 days if a boat is lost, length, power source, or year the boat was man- with the original certificate of boat registration, stolen, destroyed, abandoned, or sold. ufactured. However, once a title is issued, that stays with the boat as long as it is registered in To transfer boat ownership, form REV-336 boat must remain titled by future owners. Also, Pennsylvania. It is the boat owner’s responsibil- must be completed and signed by the appli- anyone with a boat currently titled in another ity to purchase the numbers and letters to display cant and registered owner(s). If the registered state must obtain a Pennsylvania title when the registration number on the boat. owner(s) is/are not available, a notarized bill of Pennsylvania becomes the state of principle use, Display the number and validation decal on sale, signed by the registered owner(s), may be regardless of the age, size, or length of the boat. the bow of the boat as shown on page 42. No substituted. Sales tax payment must still be col- The fee for titling a boat is $15. There is an other number may be displayed on either side lected if applicable. It is unlawful for a person additional encumbrance fee of $5 if there is a of the bow. These numbers may not be removed, purchasing or acquiring a previously registered lien against the boat. The fee for a duplicate title altered, tampered with, or defaced, except by the boat to operate that boat in Pennsylvania until is $5. owner or representative. Documented vessels, as the registration is transferred to the new owner. Boat titling assures the buyer of a boat that A 60-day Temporary Registration is issued the seller has clear ownership of a boat offered by authorized agents, so the boat can be used for sale. Some lenders won’t finance a boat with- immediately. out a title, so securing a loan to purchase a boat Note: All powered and titled boats used for may be easier if the boat is titled. Boaters who pleasure are taxable. Proof of payment of sales register and title their boats have more security. tax is required at the time of registration. In the event of boat theft, such boats are easier to identify (see page 52).

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 43 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Capacity Plates DOCKING LIGHTS: It is illegal to use docking lights while underway, except when The capacity plate provides important infor- mation about the boat including maximum docking and the boat is traveling at slow, no-wake speed and is within 100 feet of weight capacity, maximum horsepower, maxi- approaching a dock, a mooring buoy, or the shoreline. A docking light is a or mum person capacity by number, and maximum spotlight type of light permanently installed or permanently mounted on a motor- persons capacity by weight. Individuals being boat that is used to illuminate a boat’s forward course of travel. towed behind a boat (e.g. waterskiers, tubers, kneeboarders, wake surfers, parasailers, etc.) are considered to be passengers of the vessel and must be counted in regard to the boat’s maximum passenger capacity. No boat shall be loaded beyond its safe carrying capacity. Observe and under- stand your capacity plate. Hull Identification Number (HIN) This number is federally required and is located on or near the boat transom’s upper starboard (right) side. Also, the HIN is hidden by the manufacturer on the vessel for recovery purposes. HINs are 12 characters in length and may be 17 characters on newer boats.

Key to Month of Production A=January B=February C=March

ACBF0930A686 D=April E=May F=June G=July H=August I=September J=October F0930 A6 86 ACB K=November Manufacturer's Production Month, Year Model L=December ID Code or Serial # of Production Year The charts on this page show which lights are required. Conversions: 7 meters = 23', 12 meters = 39’4", 20 meters = 65’6" < = less than Night Operation and Lights Type of Boat Length Figure All vessels must show required running lights Powerboat < 12 meters 1, 2, or 3 between the hours of sunset and sunrise and Powerboat 12 - 20 meters 1 or 2 during periods of restricted visibility, such as Sailboat (sail only) < 20 meters 4, 5, or 6 fog and heavy rain. During such times, no other Sailboat (sail only) Any 4, 5, or 6 lights may be displayed, except those that can- Sailboat (sail only) < 7 meters 7B This is a white light either hand-held or installed not be mistaken for the required lights or do not ready to be displayed in time to avoid a collision. impair their visibility or distinctive character, or Manually powered Any 7A This is a white light either hand-held or installed interfere with keeping a proper lookout. A sail- ready to be displayed in time to avoid a collision. boat operating under power and sail must dis- Anchored Any 7C This is an all-round white light visible for at least play the proper running lights for a powerboat. 2 miles and displayed where it can best be seen. Navigation lights are restricted to the colors red, An anchor light is not required but highly recommended green, and white. Navigation lights are designed when anchored in a special anchorage area. to identify the type of boat and its situation (underway, direction of travel, at anchor, etc.) on the water. Boats underway include drifting boats. Night boaters should carry spare bulbs, fuses, batteries, and a flashlight. The navigation lights required for boats are determined by the boat’s length and whether it is powered by machinery, sail, paddles, or oars.

44 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

77TH MERIDIAN TIME: SUNRISE AND SUNSET AT HARRISBURG Sound-producing Devices EASTERN STANDARD TIME and EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME (EDT) when in effect. Motorboats less than 65 feet in length must carry some mechanical means of DatesRise SetDates Rise SetDates Rise Set making a sound signal. This device Jan 1-57:30 4:54 May 4-10 5:59 8:09 Sept 7-13 6:44 7:24 may be hand-, mouth-, or power- operated. An athletic coach’s whistle is Jan 6-12 7:30 4:59 May 11-175:52 8:16 Sept 14-206:51 7:12 an acceptable device for small motor- Jan 13-197:28 5:06 May 18-245:46 8:23 Sept 21-276:57 7:01 boats. Operators of unpowered boats Jan 20-267:24 5:15 May 25-31 5:42 8:28 Sept 28-Oct 47:05 6:47 (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddleboards) are required to carry a device capable of sounding Jan 27-Feb 27:18 5:24 Jun1-7 5:39 8:33 Oct 5-11 7:11 6:38 a prolonged blast for 4-6 seconds that can be heard by Feb 3-97:12 5:32 Jun 8-14 5:37 8:37 Oct 12-187:19 6:27 another boat operator in time to avoid a collision. An ath- Feb 10-167:04 5:40 Jun 15-215:38 8:40 Oct 19-257:26 6:17 letic coach’s whistle is acceptable. Feb 17-236:55 5:47 Jun 22-2 8 5:39 8:41 Oct 26-Nov 1 7:34 6:08 Feb 24-Mar 16:45 5:56 Jun 29-Jul 5 5:42 8:41 Nov 2-86:42 5:00 Visual Distress Signals (VDS) According to USCG navigation rules/emergency Mar 2-8 6:34 6:04 Jul 6-12 5:47 8:39 Nov 9-15 6:50 4:53 preparedness, boat operators are required to render Mar 9-15 7:23 7:12 Jul 13-195:52 8:35 Nov 16-22 6:58 4:48 assistance to a boat in distress to the extent they are able. Mar 16-22 7:12 7:19 Jul 20-265:58 8:30 Nov 23-29 7:06 4:44 When operating on federally controlled waters, boaters Mar 23-29 7:00 7:26 Jul 27-Aug 26:03 8:24 Nov 30-Dec 67:13 4:41 must carry VDS devices. This includes vessels navigating on federal waters such as coastal waters, the Great Lakes Mar 30-Apr 5 6:47 7:35 Aug 3-96:10 8:16 Dec 7-13 7:20 4:41 (including Lake Erie), territorial seas, and bodies of water Apr 6-12 6:38 7:41 Aug 10-166:17 8:07 Dec 14-20 7:25 4:43 connected directly to any of these up to the point where Apr 13-19 6:27 7:48 Aug 17-236:24 7:57 Dec 21-27 7:28 4:47 the is less than two miles wide. In Pennsylvania, VDS devices are required only for boats Dec 28-31 7:30 4:51 Apr 20-26 6:17 7:55 Aug 24-306:31 7:46 operating on Lake Erie. Between the hours of sunset and Apr 27-May 36:08 8:02 Aug 31-Sept 66:38 7:34 sunrise, boats less than 16 feet in length must carry VDS suitable for use at night. Boats 16 feet and over in length must, at all times, carry devices suitable for day use and devices suitable for night use or devices suitable for use MERIDIAN MAP (77th Meridian Time) both day and night. 80 79 78 77 76 75 Approved day-use-only devices include orange smoke (hand-held or floating) and orange signal flags. Flares are

ERIE approved for both day and night use. If flares are selected,

WARREN McKEAN SUSQUEHANNA a minimum of three must be carried. Three day/night POTTER TIOGA BRADFORD WAYNE CRAWFORD signaling devices meet both requirements. LACKA

FOREST WYOMING SULLIVAN W All VDS must be USCG approved, have legible approval ELK CAMERON ANNA VENANGO PIKE MERCER LYCOMING numbers, be in serviceable condition, and be readily CLINTON JEFFERSON LUZERNE CLARION MONT accessible. VDS are not acceptable if the expiration date COLUMBIA MONROE Times LAWRENCE OUR of Sunrise CLEARFIELD UNION has passed. Though only required on Lake Erie, VDS are BUTLER CENTRE CARBON ON and practical safety items for all boaters to carry. ARMSTRONG SNYDER NORTHAMPT Sunset at BEAVER NORTHUMBERLANDSCHUYLKILL INDIANA LEHIGH Flares are of short duration. Use them only when MIFFLIN A Harrisburg, CAMBRIA DAUPHIN JUNIAT another vessel is in sight. When igniting a flare, hold it over ALLEGHENY BLAIR BUCKS PA PERRY BERKS LEBANON MONTGOMER the water on the downwind (leeward) side. Flares are not WESTMORELAND HUNTINGDON WASHINGTON CUMBERLAND Y toys. Use them only in an emergency. LANCASTER CHESTER PHILADELPHIA BEDFORD ARE FRANKLIN W FAYETTE SOMERSET DELA FULTON ADAMS YORK GREENE

80 79 78 77 76 75 +12 Min. + 8 Min. + 4 Min. 0 Min. - 4 Min. - 8 Min.

RED RED HAND-HELD RED METEOR 3' X 3' PARACHUTE FLARE FLARE FLARE DISTRESS FLAG

HAND-HELD FLARE CG APPROVAL NUMBER EXPIRATION DATE

CAP

ORANGE HAND-HELD SMOKE SIGNAL

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 45 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Required Equipment Motorboats 26 feet or more in length are required to carry Coast Guard-approved hand Smart boaters ensure that their boats are equipped with the proper safety equipment. portable fire extinguishers. Motorboats less than The chart below lists the minimum required equipment for motorboats. 26 feet in length, powered by an outboard motor and not carrying passengers for hire are not EQUIPMENT Less than 16 feet 16 to less than 26 to less 40 to not more required to carry fire extinguishers unless boats 26 feet than 40 feet than 65 feet have one or more of the following conditions: • Closed compartments under seats where por- BACKFIRE FLAME One approved device on each carburetor of all inboard gasoline engines. table fuel tanks may be stored. CONTROL (page 46) • Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or not SOUND- Some means of making an efficient sound signal audible Must carry a completely filled with flotation material. PRODUCING for 1/2-mile. A whistle or horn must be readily accessible sound signal • Closed living spaces. DEVICE to the operator of boat or passengers. An athletic coach’s audible for • Closed storage compartments in which flam- (page 45) whistle is acceptable. 1/2-mile. mable materials are stowed. • Permanently installed fuel tanks. PORTABLE FIRE At least one B-I type Coast Guard At least two B-I At least three EXTINGUISHER approved portable marine fire type Coast Guard B-I type Coast TYPES OF FIRES WHEN REQUIRED extinguisher. Must be installed and approved portable Guard approved Class A combustible solids, wood, paper, cloth (page 46) immediately available, within arm's marine fire extin- portable marine Class B flammable liquids and gases reach of the operators or passengers. guishers or one B-II. fire extinguish- Class C energized electrical equipment Class D combustible Install in an accessible area away ers or one B-I from fuel source. and one B-II. NAVIGATION Must comply with Inland Navigation Rules and state regulations. Carburetor Backfire Flame LIGHTS (page 44) Control Gasoline engines, except outboards, must have MUFFLING Efficient muffling device required to prevent excessive or unusual noise. an approved (USCG, SAE, or UL) backfire flame DEVICE (page 46) control on the carburetor to prevent ignition of PERSONAL One USCG- One USCG-approved life jacket on board for each gasoline vapors in case the engine backfires. It FLOTATION approved life person and, in addition, one throwable device must should be maintained regularly and can be cleaned DEVICES jacket for each be used in accordance with the requirements on the with hot, soapy water, or a commercial cleaner. (PFDs, person on board. approval label. Canoe and kayaks, regardless of length, LIFE Must be used in are not required to carry a throwable device. JACKETS, accordance with THROWABLE the requirement DEVICES) on the approval (page 41) label.

VENTILATION Boats with closed compartments or permanently installed fuel tanks must be (page 55) equipped with an efficient natural or mechanical bilge ventilator or meet the applicable Coast Guard construction standards for fuel and electrical systems.

Recommended Equipment (NOT REQUIRED BY LAW) Noise Restrictions and  Paddles or oars  Bailer Muffling Devices  Anchors with sufficient line  Fenders Boat motors must be equipped with an efficient muffling system or device in good working order.  Dock lines  First aid kit   Most boats and motors that come directly from the  Extra clothing  Charts and compass manufacturer are adequately muffled. It is illegal  Food and water  Sunscreen and sunglasses for a boat to be so loud that it is an extraordinary  Marine radio or cellular phone  Spare fuses and bulbs annoyance or distraction to persons in the  Tool kit with spare spark plugs  Gas can vicinity of that boat. Boat exhaust systems may  Flashlight  Extra line or throw bag not be modified in any manner that will reduce  Lanyard attached to motor cut-off switch  Visual distress signals or eliminate the effectiveness of the muffler or   Portable fire extinguisher (required on Lake Erie) muffler system. Cutouts (muffler bypasses) are illegal in Pennsylvania. Boats without a muffler or muffling Fire Extinguishers system must be backfitted before being operated. Fire extinguishers are classified by letters and numbers. The letter indicates the type of fire the unit is designed to extinguish. For example, a type B extinguisher is meant to put out flammable liquids, and type C is for electrical fires. The A number stands for the amount of extinguishing B agent in the unit. For example, a B-I extinguisher has less agent than a B-II. C

46 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook BOAT OPERATION

Safe boat operation is coupled with prepa- Preventative Boat Maintenance Leave a Float Plan ration, prevention, and practice. Each time before you start out on your next boating Inspecting your boat and equipment before Let others know before you go: A float plan you launch or leave the dock can prevent many trip, follow these guidelines for maintenance, should be filled out and left with a reliable person possible problems. Examine onboard safety departure, trailering, launching and retrieving, before you leave on all boating trips. The plan equipment (life jackets, throwable devices docking, rules of navigation, night operation, lets others know where you are going, when you (sizes and condition), fire extinguishers, bail- and anchoring. expect to return, who is going with you, and what ers, anchor, etc.), motor, fuel, electrical systems, emergency measures or rescue organization through-hull fittings, and accessory attachments. should be notified in the event you do not return Pre-departure Checklist Follow the owner’s manual for regular mainte- as scheduled. Remember to contact the person nance on the boat and equipment; this will pay To ensure a safe and problem-free boating you left the float plan with when you return. off by minimizing problems afloat. Here are experience, make a checklist of items similar to In addition to leaving a paper copy of a float some other tips: the one below, and use it before each trip: plan behind, many boaters are also providing  Life jackets: Examine each life jacket for Hull condition: e-mail versions of their float plan with others. condition and ensure you have the cor- • Check for any cracks or crazing. Complete the float plan at www.fishandboat. rect number and sizes, appropriate for the • Ensure the hull sounds solid. com/Boat/Boating/Documents/FloatPlan.pdf intended activity on board. • Pull on the transom to ensure that it is solid. before going boating, and leave it with a friend.  Weather: Check the weather forecast for • Make sure there is a drain and it is the area and time frame you will be boating. in place. Trailering  Float plan: Be sure to leave a float plan • Drain all water from the engine compartment. Trailering is a package deal, which includes with a family member, friend, neighbor, or • Check the bilge for any water. Check for a marina operator. cracks around the fittings, above and below the boat, trailer, hitch, and tow vehicle.  Fuel: Make certain you have enough fuel the waterline and around chain plates, Everything must be compatible. The tow vehicle and know where you can refuel. Use the cleats, etc. hitch must match the trailer ball. The hitch should be mounted to the frame of the towing one-third rule: one-third tank for your trip, Rigging and sails: one-third tank to return to dock or launch vehicle. Do not use bumper hitches. Trailer tires ramp, and one-third tank for emergency • Check for signs of must have sufficient load-bearing capacity and use. wear or fraying. be appropriate for the trailer. Practice is a key  Battery and fire extinguishers: Be sure • Repair small tears aspect of trailering. Before taking your boat on the engine battery is fully charged and your or open seams by the road, use an empty parking lot to practice taping or sewing. fire extinguishers are properly charged. turning, parking, and backing up. Before towing • Keep lines clean  Boat check: Use the checklist under your boat: and store in a dry “Preventative Boat Maintenance” to make • Check your tires. area out of the sun. sure your boat is in safe, operable condition. • Make sure your wheel bearings are greased.  Conduct an onboard safety discus- Engines, fuel • Ensure the trailer hitch is firmly on the sion with passengers: Everyone on board tanks, and lines, mechanical: trailer ball, and it is latched and secured needs to know in advance what is expected • Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance plan. with a pin or lock. of them and where they can find needed • Check for fuel leaks from the tank, • Cross and attach the trailer safety chains to equipment. The discussion should include carburetor, engine compartment, and the tow vehicle in an “X” pattern. Trailer safe- information on the location and proper fuel lines. ty chains should not drag (required by law). use of life jackets (PFDs), fire extinguish- • Check hose connections for leaks or cracks • Make sure your lights work with your vehi- ers, visual distress equipment, and first-aid and make sure hose clamps are secure. cle (required by law). kit. Explain emergency procedures; rules • Examine the ignition safety switch and • Secure the winch, other tie down straps, prohibiting discharging waste overboard; basic operation of the marine radio (if one lanyard for wear and proper operation. and any loose items. is installed); other items such as boat opera- • Check for proper operation of steering and • Always carry a spare tire for your trailer. tion, weather and/or water conditions, other controls. anchoring procedures, docking and line • Drain the fuel tank at the end of handling, and the dangers of falling over- the season or use a fuel stabilizer. board and being struck by the propeller. Check for signs of wear and corrosion: • Check for cracks or leaks. • Check for firm hoses, free of leaks, and use double clamps. • Make sure the backfire arrestor is attached and serviceable. • Check belts, the battery for corrosion, and anything unusual.

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 47 BOAT OPERATION

Launching and Retrieving with the current, the boat must be going faster Also, consider approaching from another than the speed of the current to maintain control direction or selecting another dock. Plan Prepare your boat well away from the boat and maneuverability. Boats do not have brakes. for a no-escape situation: If you get into ramp, so you do not block ramp traffic. Before To reduce speed quickly, the motor should be put a situation from which escape is difficult, you launch, it is helpful to makesure you have in reverse and power applied. Stopping in this use spring lines with dock hands or fel- not missed any important points: manner requires practice to avoid water washing low boaters on the dock to help keep you • Put the plug in. in over the stern. Consult the owner’s manual for in control. • Raise the motor. proper procedures. 4. Approach slowly, docking is no place • Disconnect trailer wiring and tie-downs. for speed. Relax and stay focused. • Tie a line to the bow to maintain control of 5. Use only the power necessary to move the boat. Docking the boat and maintain control. Alternating • Slowly back your boat trailer into the water Docking is a difficult maneuver, especially for between idle speed in gear and drifting in and set the emergency brake. the new boater. Learning to dock also requires neutral is one way to slow your movement. • Disconnect and secure the winch and safe- practice with a capable teacher. When docking, a Apply brief bursts of power to help with ty chain from the bow. boater must keep in mind that the boat’s steering steering and then shift to neutral to limit • Push or motor the boat off the trailer while mechanism is located at the stern (back), which your speed. somebody holds the bow line. will move first, followed by the bow (front of the 6. Deploy boat fenders or other devices Retrieval is the opposite of launching. boat). Docking is similar to landing an airplane; to protect the hull. you must encounter a fixed object but do so 7. Use a boat hook to pull the boat closer softly without inflicting damage. At the same to dock. If someone is available, hand them time, environmental conditions such as current, a line. Do not jump from the boat to dock. wind, and waves can make your approach more complicated. Additional docking tips for specific Depending on the situation, docking proce- situations. dures vary. Fenders, mooring lines, a boat hook, With Wind or Current Ahead. Approach at Boarding and a heaving line should be ready. The approach a moderate angle (about 15 to 20 degrees) Stability is important when boarding a small to the dock should be planned. If possible, the slowly and with fenders and lines at the boat. Wearing a life jacket when boarding is a boat should be headed into the current and/or ready. As you touch the dock, reverse common sense safety precaution. Passengers wind to slow down and to more easily control power to halt your advance and hand a line should steady the boat from the dock or shore it. A common method when docking in current to a dock hand. If no dock hand is avail- while the operator boards. Maintain three points is to slip the boat sideways bit by bit toward the able, use a boat hook or have a crew mem- of contact when boarding and moving about dock, pier, or slip. When docking correctly, the ber step (not jump) from the boat to the a boat. Once in, the operator should steady the boat feels like it is moving in slow motion. After dock to secure the line. boat for others. When boarding, everyone should docking, a line should be secured from the dock keep his or her weight as low and as close to the With Wind or Current Behind. In this situ- to the bow of the boat. The current will hold the boat’s center as possible. Holding onto the gun- ation, your big concern is pin wheeling if boat against the dock while the remaining lines wales is the best way for boarders to keep steady. the wind or current takes the stern, so do Equipment and gear should be loaded onto the are tied off. not tie the bow first. Slow your approach boat one item at a time, handing it to someone A docking light is a flood or spotlight type by throttling back. Your angle should be a already on board. The load should be evenly dis- of light permanently installed or permanently slight 5 to 10 degrees—coming alongside tributed and secured, so it doesn’t shift. mounted on a motorboat that is used to illumi- the pier. Reverse throttle slightly to still nate a boat’s forward course of travel. For specific your approach; tie an aft quarter spring line. information on illegal use of docking lights, see Then, tie your bow; tie remaining lines. Boat Trim page 44. With Wind or Current Off the Pier. This Boat trim (the way a boat floats) is vital in a is more challenging. You will need to small boat. Weight should be distributed in the DOCKING TECHNIQUES increase the angle of your approach and boat to keep the bow light. Keep the boat from Although there are subtle docking differences use just enough power to reach and hold listing (leaning to one side) by distributing between propulsion systems and watercraft, the dock. Have a crew member toss the weight equally from side to side. Sudden, sharp the following guidelines apply to most docking line to a dock hand or carefully step on the turns should be avoided and the boat’s capacity conditions: dock to secure the line. You will be using must never be exceeded. 1. Survey the dock: Look for moving power against a spring line to pull the boat boats and traffic, available hands, and the parallel to the dock and hold it until you Boat Handling locations of cleats or pilings. are secured by lines. All boats handle differently, and inexperienced 2. Visualize your approach: Determine With Wind or Current Toward the Pier. operators need hands-on practice with a capable which side is better. Identify what lines you Line up next to the pier, and let the wind teacher to become proficient in handling their intend to use and who will do what. take you in. boat. A motorboat is most easily maneuvered 3. Plan an exit strategy: If things don’t go going against the current or wind. When moving according to plan, back out and try again rather than continue a flawed approach.

48 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook BOAT OPERATION

Departing situations is also a part of maintaining a proper • Nun buoys: These are cone-shaped lookout. Passengers should be asked to assist. red buoys with even numbers and When departing, your boat will naturally mark the edge of a channel on a 8 point into the current or wind—whichever is AIDS TO NAVIGATION (ATON) boaters starboard (right) side when dominant. If the current is strong, be prepared entering from the open sea or head- The closest things to signs to counter it, especially if there are boats astern ing upstream. of you. on the water are aids to navi- • Can buoys: These are cylindrical- Untie the line and toss it from the bow, mak- gation (ATON). The purpose shaped green buoys with odd ing sure the line is far enough away that it won’t of ATON is to help boaters numbers and mark the edge of the 9 foul the propeller. It’s easiest if a member of your avoid problems on the water channel on your port (left) side crew does this for you, because you may need to and for navigation when used when entering from the open sea apply some power in forward gear to maintain in combination with a nau- or heading upstream. your position. If you have to do this yourself, get tical chart. ATON includes Information and regulatory mark- to the helm quickly to take control. Do not apply buoys and daymarks (or ers are used to alert boaters of various warnings and regulatory matters. These regulatory propulsion and leave the helm to go to the bow. dayboards). The U.S. Aids to Once you’re free, drift backward until you markers are white can buoys with orange shapes and Navigation System has been black lettering. have clearance. Apply light forward throttle adopted by the Commission while also turning to go around rather than over for use on all Commonwealth SAFE SPEED the mooring line. Once you’ve moved to the side, waters. Boaters should learn this system and pre- power away. A boater’s speed of operation will vary accord- sume nothing. Navigational aids are often moved ing to the weather, water conditions, time of day or by the Coast Guard, the PFBC, storms, heavy cur- night, other boat traffic, and individual boat char- Boat Navigation Rules rents, or vandals. acteristics. Safe speed allows the operator to be in The navigation rules contained in this hand- In the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, markers control and take correct action to avoid a collision. book are a summary for which a boat operator designate the edges of a channel and the direc- is responsible on inland waterways and Lake tion of open water. The colors of these markers RISK OF COLLISION Erie. Additional and more in-depth rules apply are important. Red markers indicate that boat- A risk of collision exists when there is the regarding various types of waterways (such as ers should navigate with the markers on their possibility that two boats will arrive at the same International Waters and Western Rivers) and starboard (right) side when traveling upstream. point on the water at the same time. The first operation in relation to commercial vessels and Remember the slogan “Red, Right Return,” to indication of a risk of collision is when one operator other watercraft. It is the responsibility of a boat find your way home to port. Green markers notices that another boat has a constant bearing (or operator to know and follow navigation rules. indicate that boaters should navigate with the constant relative position) and a decreasing range In states where Inland Rules do not apply, the markers on their port (left) side when traveling (the other boat is getting closer). When this occurs, equivalent International, Western Rivers, or upstream. Red markers have even numbers, and the Rules of the Road make one boat either a stand- on (privileged) vessel or a give-way (burdened) Great Lakes rule(s) may be substituted. For a green markers have odd numbers. complete listing of the navigation rules, refer to vessel (explanation follows). The risk of collision To aid visibility, these buoys may also have ends when both boats have avoided the collision by the document “Navigation Rules” published by lights that match their color. Further distinction the USCG (COMDTINST 16672.2 Series). This is proper action under the rules and are moving safely between buoys is recognized by their shape: away from each other. available through the U.S. Government printing office or online at www.navcen.uscg.gov. Refer to the state laws where you intend to boat for state-specific navigation requirements. The purpose of the navigation rules (rules of the road) is to prevent collisions. Since there are no traffic lines and few signs on the water, boat operators must make choices. Common sense is required, but boaters must also know the rules of BOATS KEEP OUT! DANGER! CONTROLLED AREA! INFORMATION the road. Operators are responsible for: Nature of danger may Nature of danger may Area as indicated in Tells directions, distances, • The safety of all passengers in the boat. be placed outside be indicated inside the circle such as speed limit, places, food, repairs, supplies, • The boat’s wake and any damage caused crossed diamond diamond shape such as no shing, no anchoring, and other non-regulatory such as dams, rocks, shoals, dams, ski only, slow-no wake, messages. by it. swim areas, or rapids. construction, or stumps. no prop boats, or no ski. • Maintaining a proper lookout and operat- ing at a safe speed for the conditions. • Using good seamanship, which is the foun- dation of the navigation rules.

PROPER LOOKOUT Boat operators must maintain a proper look- out at all times when operating a boat. Collisions MOORING BUOY CHANNEL CHANNEL MID CHANNEL and other types of accidents can be avoided by White with reectorized Lateral System. Lateral System. Lateral System. scanning all around the boat for swimmers, other blue band. May have Buoy on port side Buoy on starboard Pass close on boats, and obstructions. Listening for dangerous white light or reector. facing upstream. side facing upstream. either side.

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 49 BOAT OPERATION

STAND-ON AND GIVE-WAY VESSEL OVERTAKING (PASSING) SITUATIONS Under the Rules, the stand-on vessel is required The boat being passed is the stand-on vessel. It must maintain its course and speed while the to maintain its course and speed. The give-way ves- overtaking (give-way) vessel passes by. The overtaking boat is always the give-way vessel, and it sel is required to stop or slow down or, when over- may pass on either side. taking, to pass the other vessel in a safe manner. Under no circumstances should the stand-on vessel assume that the give-way vessel is going to take the action required to avoid a collision. Both operators STAND-ON are required to avoid a collision in any situation. GIVE-WAY VESSEL PORT VESSEL PORT 300 YARDS 1350 100 YARDS STARBOARD STARBOARD 3300 3300

CROSSING SITUATION CONSTANT BEARING - DECREASING RANGE All boats have a danger zone from dead ahead (12 o’clock) to 4 o’clock (112.5 degrees) starboard (the right). In a crossing situation, the boat in the danger zone (ahead and to the right) is the stand-on vessel. The give-way vessel must stop or slow down and let the stand-on vessel continue on. If the give-way vessel does not take the required action in this or any of the other situations, then the stand-on vessel 400 YARDS operator must be prepared to take action to avoid a collision. 100 YARDS

3300 0100

STAND-ON VESSEL CHANGE IN BEARING - DECREASING RANGE

"DANGER ZONE" Rules for Power-driven Vessels GIVE- FROM DEAD AHEAD Underway WAY TO 112.50 or 22 1/20 VESSEL ABAFT THE HEAD-ON (MEETING) SITUATION STARBOARD BEAM When two boats meet head-on, both boats are required to turn starboard (to the right)to avoid the other. At night, a head-on situation exists SOUND SIGNALS when both the red and the green running lights are seen at the same time. Lights required on boats Sound signals should be made when are explained previously in this handbook. Sound within hearing distance of another ves- signals used when maneuvering are explained on sel to indicate your intentions when meeting, crossing, or overtaking another vessel. Your signal should receive this page. a response signal from the other vessel indicating their 1 BLAST agreement or disagreement with your intentions. Short Blast- 1-second duration STARBOARD Prolonged Blast- 4 to 6 seconds duration PORT 1 Short Blast- I intend to leave you on my port side (boat turns right). GIVE-WAY 2 Short Blasts- I intend to leave you on my starboard GIVE-WAY VESSEL side (boat turns left). VESSEL 3 Short Blasts- I am operating in reverse (astern PORT propulsion). STARBOARD 5 or More Short Blasts- Doubt or danger (danger signal used when the other vessel’s intentions are 1 BLAST not understood or where the other vessel’s indi- cated course is dangerous).

50 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook BOAT OPERATION

Other Important Rules of 6 intership safety communications only 9 commercial and non-commercial intership, the Road to coast and alternate calling channel • A power-driven vessel must give way to any 13 ocean-going vessels, bridge tenders, tugs while towing, locks sailing vessel that is under sail only (no aux- 16 distress safety and calling, call Coast Guard, establish general contact iliary power propulsion). 24-28, 84-88 public telephone calls (to call the marine operator) Exceptions: • When a sailboat is overtaking a 68, 69, 71, and 78 non-commercial intership and ship to coast (recreational boat working channels) power-driven vessel (power-driven 72 non-commercial intership only vessel is the stand-on vessel and main- tains course and speed while being Marine weather (WX-1, WX-2, WX-3) sta- The holding power of an anchor increases overtaken). tions broadcast the latest available weather as the scope ratio increases. A ratio of 7:1 is • When a sailboat is approaching a boat information from the National Weather Service standard; 10:1 is better in rough water. For at anchor (the power-driven vessel continually. Forecasts are updated every 6 example, if boating in 8 feet of water and remains anchored). hours or more often as conditions require. the bow is 2 feet above the waterline, 70 feet • In narrow channels, recreational vessels under 65 feet long must not hamper the of rode is recommended. Boaters should operation of large vessels that cannot oper- Anchoring carry at least two anchors. A smaller, lighter ate outside the channel. Boats should oper- It is essential that every boater becomes anchor is good for use in calm weather and ate as near to the outer limit of the channel proficient in anchoring. Some anchoring for positioning a boat, and a larger anchor that lies on its starboard (right) side as is considerations include: is best for bad weather or when anchoring safe and practicable. • Type and weight of the boat. overnight. Never anchor from the stern, • Vessels restricted in their ability to maneu- especially in current or waves. The anchor ver, such as tugs with barges, ferryboats, • Character of the bottom in the area you line should be tied to the bow. The end of the commercial fishing boats with nets or lines are boating (rocky, sandy). out, or boats at anchor, are stand-on vessels. • Average depth of the water. anchor rode (called the bitter end) must be • Vessels not under command (usually • Strength of the wind and current. secured to the boat because of mechanical problems and are • Diameter of the anchor line. To anchor, the boat should be headed unable to steer) or constrained by their There are different types of anchors: kedge into the wind or current. The engine is then draft are stand-on vessels. for rocks and heavy grasses, burying for sand reversed, or the boat is allowed to back off. • On a river, a boat operating upriver (against and mud, mushroom for permanent moor- When the boat begins to drift backward, the current) gives way to a boat operating ings. The two questions boaters should ask lower the anchor from the bow (front of the downriver (with the current). A boat oper- boat). No one should be standing on any part ating across the current gives way to boats themselves about anchoring are: which type of the anchor line. When about a third of the operating both upriver and downriver. of anchor will they need, and how much rode (the length of the anchor rode is out, the rode is tied off to a forward PORT STARBOARD line) is necessary. cleat to make the anchor dig into the bottom. Anchors hold best Once the anchor digs in, the remaining rode when the pull of the rode is let out. A sight bearing is then taken on some stationary objects to make certain that GIVE-WAY STARBOARD PORT STAND-ON on the anchor is as near VESSEL VESSEL to horizontal as possible. the anchor is not dragging on the bottom. (powerboat) (sailboat)

BOW ABOVE WATERLINE 2 FT. SCOPE 7 : 1

VHF Radio R OD E= A VHF (very 7 X 10 DEPTH FT high frequency) OF WATER . radio is used to 8 FT. communicate with other boaters, the Coast Guard, commercial RODE IS THE LENGTH OF THE ANCHOR LINE AND CHAIN. SCOPE IS THE RATIO OF LENGTH OF ANCHOR RODE IN USE TO THE VERTICAL DISTANCE vessels, draw bridge tenders, and lock operators. FROM THE BOW OF THE VESSEL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WATER. A VHF is not required to be USCG approved.

Recreational boaters are not required to carry RING MUSHROOM VHF radios, but they are highly recommended HEAD

on larger waters such as Lake Erie. The Federal STOCK PLOW TYPE Communications Commission (FCC) regulates their use. Recreational boats less than 20 meters in length are NOT required to have a station license to operate a VHF radio unless they travel SHANK to foreign ports or transmit to foreign stations. FLUKES Use of a VHF radio is enforced by the USCG. DANFORTH There are many channels on the VHF, but rec- KEDGE reational boaters are given access to only a few. CROWN

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 51 BOAT OPERATION

Anchors can also be used as safety devices in an TYPICAL FIXED-CREST DAM emergency situation. The operator may drop the anchor quickly to avoid running aground in the event the boat loses power. Make sure the anchor and line are stored in an easily accessible place. Exercise caution when “weighing” (pulling up) anchor. The combination of anchor pull, current, and weight can swamp a small boat. The anchor ENTER should be lifted as vertically as possible. As it is LOCK BUOYS DURING lifted, it can be washed. Take care that it does not hit the side of the boat. RECREATION SEASON RESTRICTED AREA Locks and Dams DAM In Pennsylvania, locks and dams are locat- ed on the three rivers in and near Pittsburgh (Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio rivers). The dams provide a navigable channel for river traf- RESTRICTED AREA fic. Locks are a means of passing vessels through the dams. The locks in Pennsylvania are built and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. ENTER BUOYS At locks, the lockmaster is in control and will sig- LOCK nal your boat to enter with a horn or a light system. There are priorities (of boats) set for safe and efficient passage: LIGHT SYSTEM • military craft • mail boats THE ONE THAT IS FLASHING IS THE LIGHT TO OBEY. • commercial passenger craft 1. Red - Stand clear, do not enter. • commercial tows 2. Amber - Approach the • commercial fishermen lock under full control. • pleasure boats 3. Green - Enter the lock. Before entering a lock, the boat should stop at 4. Amber/Green - least 100 yards from the lock entrance. The lock- Enter the lock with caution. master can be signaled by the boater with a long and short blast of the horn, on the marine radio (channel 13), or with a signaling device on the lock wall. Once the lockmaster has been signaled, BOAT AND MOTOR THEFT the boat must stay clear of the lock chamber until Boat Theft signaled to enter. Fenders and mooring lines (mini- Small boats are vulnerable to theft. Titled boats PREVENTION CHECKLIST mum of 75 feet) should be ready. Once inside the are easier to identify and much more difficult to  Secure it. Store your boat and motor in a chamber, the lock lines are adjusted with the water sell illegally. Boat dealers and other purchasers are secure location. Use a hitch lock to secure levels. The boat must not be tied fast to the lock more certain that someone offering a titled boat your boat trailer. Lock your outboard wall. Life jackets should always be worn. for sale has the legal right to do so. motor to your boat with a motor lock or chain and padlock. 1. Gate Open UPSTREAM  Mark it. Use an engraving tool to mark your boat, motor, and marine equipment with a DOWNSTREAM unique identification (driver’s license number, 2. Boats Enter 3. Gate Closed etc.). Hide your engraved identification in a CURRENT location where it is not easily found.  Record it. Keep a record of your boat and motor’s make, model, and serial numbers.  Report it. Immediately report any theft to your local police and to the Pennsylvania HOW LOCK SYSTEMS OPERATE–REVERSE PROCEDURE Fish and Boat Commission, Division of FOR DOWNSTREAM LOCKAGE UPSTREAM Licensing and Registration, in Harrisburg, 4. Gate Closed 7. Boats Exit at 1-(866) 262-8734. Reporting your loss to the police and the PFBC may to its DOWNSTREAM recovery in the event someone attempts to 5. Lock filled to higher level 6. Gate Open sell or register it. CURRENT

52 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook OTHER WATER ACTIVITIES

Personal Watercraft (PWC) • For anyone 11 years of age or younger to oper- Paddlesports ate a PWC. PWCs are defined as vessels less than 16 feet • For anyone 12 through 15 years of age to oper- Canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle- boarding are popular recreational water sports in length that use an inboard engine powering a ate a PWC with any passengers on board 15 water jet pump as their primary source of propul- in Pennsylvania. There are dangers that can be years of age or younger. sion, designed to be operated by a person sitting, lessened with knowledge, preparation, and prac- kneeling, or standing in other than the conven- PWC Characteristics tice. Primary hazards are capsizing, swamping, or just falling out of the boat. Keep in mind that tional manner of boat operation. Other vessels • Jet pump propulsion, which eliminates a may use jet propulsion, however, these vessels paddling is a “get wet” sport. rudder or exposed propeller. are not considered a PWC. • A steerable nozzle is located at the stern of These boats are fast and maneuverable and PADDLING TIPS the boat. can be operated in relatively shallow water. • Wear your life jacket. On average, 80 per- • A cut-off switch and safety lanyard, which PWC operators are involved in a disproportion- cent of all recreational boating fatalities ate number of boating accidents. Collisions are stops the engine when the operator falls off happen to people who are not wearing a life the most common type of accident reported and the PWC. jacket. are usually caused by the operator not keeping a • PWCs are highly maneuverable. Releasing • Expect to get wet and dress properly. proper lookout or operating the boat in a reckless the throttle (or slowing the engine) usually Even the best paddlers sometimes capsize manner. Many of these accidents are caused by eliminates the ability to steer the craft. or swamp their boats. people new to PWC operation, and nearly all of • Be prepared to swim. If the water looks too these accidents are avoidable. hazardous to swim in, don’t go paddling. • If you capsize, hold on to your boat, unless it presents a life-threatening situation. • Scout ahead whenever possible. Know the river. Avoid surprises. • Be prepared for the weather. Get a fore- cast before you go. PA 0000 BD • Wear wading shoes or tennis shoes with wool, polypropylene, pile, or neoprene PWC Operation socks. PWC operators should be responsible and • Never take your boat over a low-head dam. considerate of others around them. Noise • Portage (carry) your boat around any is the most common complaint against section of water about which you feel PWC operators must follow the same laws and PWC operators. A PWC must be equipped uncertain. regulations as other boaters. Pennsylvania regula- with an efficient muffling system in good • Never boat alone. Boating safety increases tions require that PWC operators must: working order, which cannot be bypassed with numbers. • Wear life jackets at or altered. Courteous PWC operators will • Keep painter lines (ropes tied to the bow) all times. All pas- vary their areas of operation to reduce and any other ropes coiled and secured. sengers must also repetitive course tracking, stay away from • Never tie a rope to yourself or to another wear life jackets. shorelines, and be aware of all boats and paddler, especially a child. Inflatable life jackets people in the area of operation. • Kneel to increase your stability before are not acceptable. Everyone who operates a PWC should read entering rougher water, like a rapid. • Carry a fully charged the owner’s manual and become familiar • If you collide with an obstruction, lean fire extinguisher on board (see fire extinguish- with the craft before going out on the toward it. er section). • water. Practice is essential for safe PWC Be sure to leave a float plan. It’s a written • Carry a sound-producing device on board. statement that details your intended trip operation. PWC operators must connect • Attach the cut-off switch safety lanyard to and is provided to a relative, friend, neigh- the safety lanyard to both the cut-off clothing, body, or life jacket. The purpose of bor, or marina operator. Include specifics the switch is to stop the engine in case the switch on the PWC and their life jacket, about the vessel, equipment, crew, and operator falls off. body, or clothing. If the operator falls off, departure and arrival times. the operator should re-board the craft Furthermore, it is illegal: from the rear. PWCs have both “main” • For anyone to operate a PWC without hav- and “reserve” fuel tanks. Switch the fuel ing in one’s possession a Boating Safety selector on your craft to “reserve” when Education Certificate. See page 37 on how to the “main” tank has been used and head obtain a certificate. to shore to refuel. Safety gear, including • To rent a PWC to anyone 15 years of age or gloves, eye protection, footwear, and wet- younger. No one less than 16 years of age suit or dry suit for protection against cold may operate a rented PWC. water, is not required by law but advisable • To operate a PWC from sunset to sunrise. See for PWC operators. page 45 for timetable. • To tow a water skier behind a PWC with a capacity of two people or fewer and to tow more than one skier.

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 53 OTHER WATER ACTIVITIES

Water-skiing and • Skiers may start from the shore or dock if boat white diagonal stripe running from traffic permits. Skiers may not return to the the top of the staff to the opposite Similar Activities shore or dock under power. lower corner. Water-skiing includes conventional water- • Installation of ski ramps and jumps requires a The code flag alpha is a blue and skiing, as well as anyone towed behind a boat on permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat white pennant, and boats must dis- aquaplanes, kneeboards, inner tubes, air mat- Commission. Mooring or drifting within 100 play this flag during dive operations tresses, parasails, kite skis, wake boards, or any feet of a ski ramp or jump while it is in use is if they are restricted in their ability to maneuver. similar device. Participants in all of these types of prohibited. Boats not engaged in diving operations shall activities are required to wear a life jacket. Persons • Kite skiing and parasailing are permitted engaged in barefoot, jump or trick skiing, or remain at least 100 feet from areas displaying only on waters where unrestricted skiing is wake surfing may elect to wear, at their own risk, the diver down flag or boats displaying the code a designed specifically for that activity. permitted. flag alpha. A USCG-approved life jacket must be carried in • It is legal to tow more than one skier except the boat for each skier electing to wear the special when locally prohibited. Ski tow ropes may not water-ski wetsuit. Inflatable life jackets are not exceed the following lengths (as measured from Sailing acceptable for anyone towed behind a boat. the boat’s transom): Sailing is another popular form of boating In addition to the operator, a competent • Conventional water-ski- 80 feet in Pennsylvania. Sailboaters may have different observer must be in the boat in a position to • Parasails- 300 feet requirements than other boaters. They should observe the progress of the person being towed. A • Nonreleasable kite ski- 50 feet be familiar with the operation and navigation competent observer is a person who has the abil- • Releasable kite ski- 500 feet requirements found in this handbook. Navigation ity to assess when a skier is in trouble, knows and • It is unlawful to operate a motorboat at any lights are required after dusk and during periods understands the water-skiing hand signals, and is speed with a person or persons sitting, riding, of restricted visibility. capable of helping a skier. or hanging on a swim platform (teak surfing) or Sailboaters should stay off the water during • To prevent propeller-related accidents, turn swim ladder attached to the motorboat, except storms and periods of extremely high winds. off your engine before picking up any skier. when launching, retrieving, docking, or anchor- They should also be aware of overhead power • Skiing is prohibited between sunset and ing the motorboat. lines. Life jackets should be worn at all times. sunrise. Another type of sailing vessel, the sailboard • Skiers are also considered passengers and • It is unlawful to operate a motorboat at any count in the boat’s total capacity. speed when towing a person on water skis or (windsurfer) is a single or double-hulled boat with • It’s unlawful to operate a boat when it is other devices using a tow rope of 20 feet or less jointed mast (surfboard with a sail). Sailboard loaded with passengers (including indi- (as measured from the boat’s transom). The operators in Pennsylvania must wear a life jacket. viduals being towed behind a boat) or cargo minimum tow rope length does not apply to Inflatable life jackets are not acceptable. beyond its safe carrying capacity. wake surfing. • Boats engaged in the activity of wake surfing are limited to slow, no-wake speed when within 200 Hunters and Anglers WATER-SKIING HAND SIGNALS feet of the shoreline, docks, Hunters and anglers that use a boat as a plat- launch ramps, swimmers or form to hunt or fish must remember that they downed skiers, persons wad- are boaters too. Often these types of boaters get ing in the water, anchored, so involved with their sport they forget to fol- moored, or drifting boats, low all boating regulations such as proper safety and other marked areas. equipment, boating laws, and the rules of the • Motorboats propelled by road. When fishing from a boat, remember to an outboard motor, inboard/ load your boat properly, remain seated, wear a outboard motor or water jet life jacket, and keep an eye on the weather. Never are prohibited from towing anchor from the stern (back), and stay with your boat a person in or on the wake if it should capsize. of the boat. Hunting from a boat is fun but can be danger- ous. Fall weather is changeable and can be dead- Swimming and ly for the boating hunter. Water temperatures Diving are typically much colder during traditional hunting seasons. The hunter usually hunts from Swimming is prohib- a small boat with a flat bottom. These boats are ited at Pennsylvania Fish poorly suited for rough water. Life jackets appro- and Boat Commission lakes priate for hunting should be worn at all times. and access areas. Boaters Please be aware of the mandatory cold- should keep a sharp look- weather life jacket wear regulation, effective out for swimmers and div- November 1 through April 30–see page 42. ers at all times. A diver down flag is displayed from a float during diving operations. This flag is red with a

54 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook SAFETY AND RESCUE

Ventilation and Fueling everyone on your boat knows the location of the fire the tide changes direction is known as “slack water.” extinguisher and its use. Operation of a fire extinguish- “High tide” is the highest level a tide reaches during Gasoline fumes are heavier than air and will er is rather simple. Just remember PASS. ascending waters, and “low tide” is the lowest level a settle to the lowest part of the boat’s interior hull, tide reaches during descending waters. the bilge. All motorboats, except open boats, must The tidal cycle is the high tide followed approxi- have at least two ventilator ducts with cowls (intake Running Aground mately 6 hours later by low tide (two highs and two and exhaust). Exhaust blowers are part of most boat Keep a sharp lookout when traveling on waters lows per day). The tidal range is the vertical distance ventilation systems. Permanently installed fuel that have shallow areas to avoid running aground. between high and low tides. The tidal range varies tanks must be vented. Navigational charts, buoys, and depth finders can from 1 to 11 feet in Pennsylvania on the Delaware Most boat explosions occur from improper fuel- assist in this task. If you run aground and the impact River. Boaters should consult tide tables for times of ing. Portable gas tanks should be filled on the dock does not appear to cause a leak, follow these steps to high and low tides. or pier, not on board. The vent on the tank should refloat the boat: be closed and the gas pumped carefully, maintain- • Do not put the boat in reverse. Instead, stop ing contact with the nozzle and the tank’s rim. Any the engine and lift the out-drive. Dams spills should be cleaned up, the tank secured, and • Shift the weight to the area farthest from the Dams on our rivers aid navigation, produce the vent reopened. point of impact. power, and prevent flooding. Keep away from When filling inboard tanks, everyone should • Try to shove off the rock or bottom. dams! Dangerous currents above the structure be sent ashore and the boat closed up. All electri- If this fails, contact help. can draw boats into water going over or through cal systems should be shut off. After filling up and a dam. Areas below a dam are also extremely haz- before starting the engine, the blower should be run ardous to boats because of strong recirculating for at least 4 minutes. Take appropriate precautions Water Hazards currents and turbulent waters. to prevent spills. Avoid discharging oil and gas from It is important that boaters know the waters on The most dangerous hazard on a river is a low- your boat’s bilge. Toxic substances must be disposed which they are boating. Information about local haz- of properly. Noncompliance may result in fines. ards can be obtained by physically viewing their pro- head dam. There are hundreds of such dams on Boaters should routinely check for leaks in fuel posed route, consulting local boating sources, and rivers and streams throughout Pennsylvania, and lines and fittings, frayed wiring, and improperly utilizing web resources such as the PFBC website. dams are true “drowning machines.” rigged electrical systems. Water going over a dam creates a back current MOVING WATER: Safety on the water or undertow that can pull a boat into the turbu- depends on developing respect for the power of lence and capsize it. This hydraulic can trap and Carbon Monoxide water. The power of current is deceptive and should hold a person or boat. Many dams are not marked Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is a potentially deadly be taken into account by all boaters. A strainer is an and are almost impossible to see from upstream. by-product of your boat’s engine. Each year boaters obstruction in the water (such as a tree branch) that State law requires that many low-head dams are killed or injured by carbon monoxide. Stay away allows water to pass through but will hold and trap in the Commonwealth be marked with signs from exhaust areas and do not swim near exhaust boats and boaters. Rivers and rapids are rated with and, when practical, buoys upstream and down- vents. Never enter an enclosed area under a swim the International Scale of River Difficulty (Classes stream from these dangerous structures. The platform, where exhaust is vented. Only one or two I - VI), which is a guide established by the American signs detail restrictions for boating, swimming breaths of the air in this “death chamber” can be fatal. Whitewater Affiliation. Parts of rivers could have and wading, and hazards posed by the dam. Keep air moving through the boat to avoid problems. a different class rating than the overall river’s rat- Restrictions are enforced by the PFBC Waterways Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning depend ing. The rating for any river will vary as water flow Conservation Officers. Dams must be avoided on exposure. Brief exposure may produce shortness of increases or decreases because of seasonal conditions. and may be located by checking water trail guides, other maps, and the PFBC’s website. breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches. Moderate WIND AND WAVES: The levels of CO exposure may cause death if headaches, definition of wind is “moving air that LOW-HEAD DAM dizziness, and light headedness symptoms persist for is described by the strength and the an extended period of time. High levels of CO may SECONDARY direction of its source.” Wind acts HYDRAULIC BOIL HYDRAULIC be fatal, causing death within minutes. If you suspect on the surface of the water, creat- someone is experiencing CO poisoning, move the ing waves. The greater the force and individual to fresh air immediately and call 9-1-1. duration of the wind, the bigger the waves will be. Large waves in big water can place small craft in danger. STAY AWAY! When crossing waves or another boat’s wake, head into the waves or wakes at an angle (45 degrees) to reduce pounding. Large bodies of water such as oceans or Lake Swim Platform Weather Erie provide different challenges and dangers than Weather can cause boaters problems. Having a Exhaust Ports moving water. Large, relatively shallow lakes, such mishap in cold water or in a remote area can result in as Lake Erie, may develop large waves faster than hypothermia or other problems. Getting caught in a deeper, similar waters. Small inland boats should Fire Extinguisher Use - not venture out on large waters such as Lake Erie storm can have serious consequences. Never under Fire extinguishers estimate the weather. must be immediately Pull pin TIDES AND TIDAL CURRENT: Tides Factors that determine weather conditions can be available and installed and tidal currents affect where a boater can travel or observed and measured. These factors include tem- (mounted away from Aim at base of fire anchor safely. They also affect how long it takes to get perature, barometric pressure, and wind. Weather the fuel source). They to a destination, the speed needed to arrive at a given affects the condition of open water and can change Squeeze handle must be fully charged, time, and the heading that must be maintained. suddenly. Check local forecasts the night before going in usable (good) con- Sweep side to side Tides are the vertical rise and fall of ocean water boating and again in the morning. The National dition, and inspected using short bursts, 1 (and waters affected by the ocean) caused by the Weather Service typically issues a new marine fore- ⁄2 to 1 second each regularly. Make sure gravitational pull of the moon and sun. The moment cast every 6 hours on designated VHF radio channels.

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 55 SAFETY AND RESCUE

Signs that dangerous weather may be approach- PREVENTION If capsizing occurs, stay with the boat and make ing include: sure everyone has a life jacket. Stay calm. If the boat • When getting into or moving around in a • Clouds gathering, darkening, and increas- can be righted, bail out as much water as possible, small boat, always maintain three points of get in, and paddle towards shore. If capsized or over- ing in size. contact, keeping your weight low and close to board in a river, swim downstream, feet first, to avoid • A sudden temperature drop, a rapid wind the centerline. Don’t overload your boat. shift, or change in speed. • Do not allow passengers to stand in small potential head injury and entrapment. • Static on the AM band of the radio may boats, including canoes and kayaks, or sit on Keep a lookout: indicate an approaching . foredecks, gunwales, engine boxes, seat backs, • A drop in the barometric pressure (check • Assign a passenger to keep watch around the or transoms. Small boats, especially canoes propeller area of your boat when people are in a barometer). and kayaks, are more likely to capsize when the water. someone stands up. • Never allow passengers to board or exit your IF A STORM IS NEAR... • Watch crew members and frequently check boat from the water when the engine is on or In a small boat, put on your life jacket and head that everyone is aboard. idling (your propeller may continue to spin). for the nearest shore. Beach your boat and • Wear deck-gripping shoes (bare feet have poor Turn the engine off. find shelter on the downwind (leeward) side traction). • Be especially alert when operating in congested of the land. • Avoid rough water and weather conditions areas, and never enter swimming zones. In a large boat, put on your life jacket, start your whenever possible. • Take extra precautions near boats that are tow- engine, or secure your sails (whichever is • Practice a procedure for recovering someone ing skiers or tubers. applicable). Stow anything that is unnecessary. lost overboard. Toss a life jacket over the side • Never permit passengers to ride on the bow, Secure your dinghy (if you have one) and turn while moving. Test to see how long it takes to gunwale, transom, seat backs, or other loca- on your running lights. Close up the boat and stop the boat, turn, and retrieve the life jacket. tions where they may fall overboard. decide what to do. If land is near, head for it. If • Children should be watched carefully while not, you may have to ride out the storm. Do so Propeller Strikes onboard. by keeping your bow (front) headed into the When people and Consider purchasing propeller safety devices for waves, wind, and/or current. If your motor motorboats share the your boat. A variety of safety devices are avail- fails, a sea anchor on a line from the bow will same water, propeller keep the boat into the waves. A bucket will strikes can and do occur. able to help prevent propeller strikes. work as a sea anchor in an emergency. A typical recreational propeller can rip an EMERGENCY ACTION FOR Capsizing and Falls Overboard average person from head FALLS OVERBOARD AND to toe in less than one- PROPELLER STRIKES Many boating accident deaths are caused by tenth of a second. MOST 1. Shout “Man Overboard” immediately. capsizing. If a small, open boat capsizes, every- PROPELLER STRIKES CAN BE PREVENTED! one should take a head count, check for injury, and 2. Signal for assistance from passengers, crew, or stay with the boat. Most small boats have enough Before starting your boat: other boaters. Have someone call for assistance flotation to keep from sinking. If possible, the boat • Put on your life jacket! over the radio, if available. should be turned upright and the water bailed out. • Walk to the stern and look in the water to make 3. Stop the boat immediately. It can then be paddled to shore. It is also possible to certain there is no one near your propeller 4. Toss a life jacket to the person overboard or paddle a swamped boat to shore. The golden rule if (people near the boat’s propeller may not be any item that will float such as an empty ice a boat capsizes is for everyone to stay with the boat. visible from the helm). cooler. Even if the person is wearing a jacket, • Attach your engine cut-off switch lanyard to it will help improve visibility and provide addi- SWAMPING AND CAPSIZING your life jacket. If the lanyard is removed from tional flotation. the switch, the engine will shut off. 5. Assign someone to constantly point at the If you do capsize or swamp the boat, stay with the Educate passengers: person in the water. Never let the victim out boat and make sure everyone has a life jacket. • Explain the dangers of a motorboat running of sight. Stay calm. If the boat can be righted, bail out into a swimmer. 6. Avoid running the person over. as much water as possible, get in, and paddle • Show the location and danger of the propellers 7. Approach against the wind, waves, or current. towards shore. If your boat capsizes or you fall and all safety equipment. 8. Come close to the victim. overboard in moving water, such as a river, get • Turn off the engine if anyone is near the prop in the self-rescue position with your feet point- 9. Shift into reverse to stop forward motion. to prevent injury. 10. Put engine in neutral gear or shut off the ed downstream and near the surface to avoid • Establish clear rules for swim platform use, potential head injury and foot entrapment. engine to stop the propeller from turning. It boarding ladders, and seating (if possible, pas- may be safer to trail a life jacket on a line astern FALLS OVERBOARD sengers should remain seated at all times). and circle until the person can grasp it. • Talk about safety procedures and emergency 11. If the boat has a low freeboard, bring the per- Falls overboard are dangerous situations. People fall action plans. son over the transom. Be alert for hot motors, overboard even when wind and seas are calm. • Discuss preventing falls overboard: exhaust pipes, and carbon monoxide. The shock of falling into the water, especially • Maintain three points of contact, keep 12. High freeboard, use a swim platform or ladder cold water, can be life-threatening. Wearing a your weight low, and close to the centerline and a sling, rope ladder, or knotted line. life jacket can be your only source of survival. (balance issues may occur). 13. A non-powered vessel must be stabilized before The best means of survival is to already have a • Watch crew members and frequently attempting to bring the victim into the boat. life jacket on and stay with the boat. check that everyone is aboard. • Wear deck-gripping shoes (bare feet have Rescue and Survival poor traction).

• Avoid rough water and weather conditions No one should ever count on being rescued. Boaters whenever possible. must be prepared for mishaps on the water. Drowning • Limit alcohol use and discuss physical can occur within a few feet of safety. Even those who effects resulting from on water activities. cannot swim can save a life if they know some basic • Discuss swamping and capsizing prevention. rescue techniques. • Don’t overload your boat. 56 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook SAFETY AND RESCUE

follow. The person may feel claustrophobic, panicked, • Do not remove your REACH and confused. Cold water greatly reduces the victim’s clothing. ability to hold his breath, control breathing, and • Get back into or climb impairs the ability to swim. on top of the boat. • If you can’t get out of Hypothermia the water and shore is too far, get into the Hypothermia is the lowering of the body’s core Heat Escape Lessening temperature. It is a factor in many fatal boating acci- Posture (HELP). dents. Cold water robs the body of heat much faster than cold air of the same temperature. RESCUE SEQUENCE Hypothermia begins with shivering and a loss of Alcohol and Boating 1. Self rescue: The rescuer should try to talk the feeling in the extremities. Cold, blue skin, decreased When on a boat, the effects of alcohol are magni- person in trouble into self-rescue and avoid mental skills, and slurred speech are common symp- fied and cause reduced judgement. Combined with toms. Unconsciousness can be followed by death. endangering themselves unnecessarily. stresses from wind, motion, and heat, your ability to Warm layered clothing, a life jacket, and eating high- 2. Reach: A fishing rod, shirt, towel, branch, oar, think and perform basic tasks needed to safely oper- energy foods will help prevent hypothermia. pole, boat hook, or other object can be used to ate your boat may become impaired. It is illegal to reach out to the victim. If nothing is available FOUR STAGES OF COLD WATER operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or and the victim is within arm’s reach, the rescuer a controlled substance. Alcohol is prohibited on land should lie flat and extend a leg to the victim, IMMERSION and water at all state parks and at most U.S. Army pulling them to safety. Cold water shock is a rapid development of a Corps of Engineer projects. Pre-arrest breath tests

3. Throw: If the vic- number of shock responses caused by cold water can be used by officers to determine the probability tim is too far for immersion that can result in sudden drowning. that a boat operator is under the influence. A blood the reach rescue, 1. Initial cold shock (first 3-5 minutes). alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more is consid- the rescuer should Sudden immersion in cold water causes the ered to be over the legal limit (0.02% blood alcohol throw a rope, life gasp reflex, this can result in water inhalation, concentration for minors). Penalties include loss of jacket, empty jug, hyperventilation, changes in heart rate and boating privileges, significant fines, and imprison- ice chest, gas can, rhythm and blood pressure, and panic. All of ment. An officer can stop a boat and arrest. or anything else these reactions may result in death, especially that will float to for those with pre-existing heart conditions. the victim. Rescue 2. Short term swim failure (3-30 minutes). Courtesy Vessel Safety Checks line bags are excel- Cold water saps energy and arms and legs A Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is a free courtesy lent items to keep become weak. Movement is difficult and slow. examination of private recreational boats to verify on a boat. Death can occur by drowning, as the victim the presence and condition of safety equipment 4. Row: The rescuer THROW can no longer stay afloat. required by state and federal regulations. The ves- may boat out to 3. Long term hypothermia (30 minutes +). The sel examiner is a trained member of the U.S. Power the victim and body loses heat to cold water 25 times faster Squadrons or the USCG Auxiliary. Persons whose extend an oar or paddle. The victim should be than cold air. The body becomes hypother- boats fail the examination are informed of all short- brought back onboard over the stern (back) of mic when it loses heat at a rate faster than it comings, so they may correct them and be given a the boat. They should be pulled onboard as care- can generate heat. Continued exposure chance for reexamination and the awarding of the fully as possible. If it isn’t possible to bring them to unconsciousness and death. At this stage, decal. Vessels that pass may display the distinc- onboard, the rescuer should have them hold on death may occur without drowning. tive VSC decal, which entitles the boat owner to to the boat or hold them until help arrives. 4. Post immersion collapse. This stage occurs discounts at some marine dealers (see website for 5. Go: Swimming rescues are for trained lifesav- during or after rescue. The body is still details). Learn more about VSCs or arrange a free ers only. A swimming rescue should never be hypothermic and death may occur due to VSC by visiting www.cgaux.org/vsc. tried until all other basic rescue methods have complications from inhaling water or low- been ruled out. Rescuers who must swim to a ered body temperature. Boating Accidents victim should wear a life jacket and take a float- ing object with them to extend to the victim. FIRST AID FOR HYPOTHERMIA Each operator of a boat involved in a boating Rescuers should avoid personal contact with 1. Get the person out of the water or weather as accident must stop, render assistance, and offer the victim unless they have had lifeguard train- quickly as possible. identification if doing so will not endanger your- ing. Even then, it is used only as a last resort. 2. Replace wet clothing with dry clothing. self or passengers. If the accident results in a death Wrap the person in blankets to warm the or disappearance, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat The method of rescue depends on the rescuer’s person slowly. Commission must be notified immediately, followed training and skill, the condition and location of the 3. Handle hypothermia victims gently and by a written boating accident report within 48 hours. victim, the equipment available, and what addi- do not give anything by mouth if they are If the accident results in an injury that requires treat- tional support is available at the scene. unconscious. Never give alcohol to a hypo- ment beyond first aid, a written boating accident thermia victim. report must be submitted within 48 hours. If the Cold Water Shock 4. Get medical help as soon as possible. accident results in damage to the vessel or other prop- erty exceeding $2,000, or if there is a complete loss Cold water shock is a major factor in boating fatali- COLD WATER SURVIVAL of the vessel, a written boating accident report must ties. It happens when someone is suddenly immersed be submitted within 10 days. All reports are confi- in cold water. The water does not have to be freezing; • Wear a life jacket. Flotation coats also offer dential and for the use of the Commission for boating cold water shock often occurs in water temperatures insulation from the cold. o safety purposes only. Boating Accident Report Forms above 50 F. • Wear clothing that still insulates when wet (PFBC 260) are available on the Commission’s web- The body’s first response to cold water shock such as wool, fleece, or other synthetics. is usually an involuntary gasp (torso reflex). • If you know you are about to fall into cold water, site. Reports must be sent to: Pennsylvania Fish and Hyperventilation (rapid breathing) and breathlessness cover your mouth and nose with your hands, so Boat Commission, Bureau of Law Enforcement, P.O. you don’t inhale water. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 57 RESOURCE PROTECTION

Law Enforcement • Swimming at Commission access areas or indirectly into the water. All MSDs must be or in Commission-owned lakes. USCG approved. Portable toilets are not con- Enforcement of boating • Leaving trash, garbage, or debris, except sidered installed toilets. Direct overboard dis- laws and regulations, along as placed in containers provided for charge of portable toilet waste is a violation of with providing for safety on Pennsylvania waters, such purposes and accumulated only state water regulations. is the responsibility of the during the use of Commission property. Discharge of sewage, treated or untreated, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat • Removing or defacing any sign, poster, is prohibited in all fresh water impoundments Commission’s Waterways or property. lying entirely within the boundaries of the state. Conservation Officers. Some • Overnight sleeping in boats, When boating on these waters, if your watercraft of the waters of the state are also patrolled by other automotive vehicles, tents, campers, or is equipped with an installed toilet system, it agencies such as the Bureau of State Parks, U.S. the like. must be removed, sealed, or drained into a hold- Army Corps of Engineers, USCG, and the National • Blocking driveways, access roads, or ing tank, which can be carried or pumped ashore Park Service. launch ramps. for disposal at an approved sewage treatment sys- Boaters approached by a patrol boat with its • Parking in undesignated areas. tem. Pre-plan your trip: find pump-out locations blue light flashing must reduce speed to slow no- • While on Commission property, dogs must be on the PFBC website (www.fishandboat.com) wake and yield the right of way to the patrol boat. licensed and under control. When the dog is or look for the waterway sign above that indicates The operator shall stop when requested to do so on a lawn area, trail, or parking lot, it must be their availability. by a law enforcement officer. Violators can expect on a leash not to exceed 6 feet in length. The enforcement action. Persons who violate boat- maximum number of dogs that an owner or ing laws and regulations are subject to arrest, and Littering and Pollution upon conviction, the boat operator may be found handler is permitted to have on Commission guilty of a summary offense or misdemeanor. The property at one time is two. Droppings must Plastic bags, discarded fishing line, and penalty can be a fine and/or jail sentence. The be immediately scooped and disposed of off other garbage kill fish, waterfowl, and wild- Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is also Commission property. The owner or handler life. Before throwing away six-pack rings, snip authorized by law to revoke, suspend, or deny the is responsible for the conduct of the dog. each circle with scissors. Once the rings are boating privileges of persons who are convicted of cut, no can get caught in the rings. In violating the boating laws and regulations. Persons Pennsylvania, it is unlawful for any person to whose boating privileges are subject to revocation, Permits litter. If something blows out of your boat, go suspension, or denial will be notified in writing All tournaments, regattas, races, parades, and back and remove the object(s) from the water. and given the opportunity for a hearing. exhibitions must be authorized by the Pennsylvania Cigarette butts tossed in Pennsylvania waters is Fish and Boat Commission or Coast Guard. An considered littering. Properly dispose of all lit- PFBC Lakes and Access Areas application must be filed with the Commission at ter and report water pollution. least 60 days prior to such event. Forms are avail- If you see any source or indication of pol- • Any boat, powered or able from the Bureau of Law Enforcement. lution, such as dead fish, call the PFBC’s unpowered, using a Floating structures, including ski ramps, must Pollution Hotline at 1-855-FISH-KIL, or the PFBC lake or access have a permit from the Commission to be placed Department of Environmental Protection area, must display a on any waters. current registration at 1-800-541-2050, or the appropriate PFBC Waterway markers, including signs and buoys, or launch permit. regional office. During after-hours, week- • Inflatable boats less must have a permit from the Commission to be ends, and holidays, call the Department of than 7 feet in length or which are not con- placed on any waters. Environmental Protection at (717) 787-4343. structed of durable fabric and do not have WASTE, OIL, AND TRASH at least two separate buoyancy chambers Marine Sanitation Devices are prohibited. DISPOSAL IN PENNSYLVANIA • Overnight mooring is permitted if the boat (MSD) AND FEDERAL WATERS has a current registration. Boats may be The Water Quality Act of 1987 requires It is illegal to discharge sewage or other human moored from March 1 through November 30 the installation of an MSD on all vessels with waste, oil, or trash into any state or federally con- at designated areas. Launch Use permits do installed toilet systems operating in the naviga- trolled waters. Sewage carries disease and other not allow these same privileges. tional waters of the United States. Marine toilets pollutants harmful to people, aquatic plants, and • The following acts are prohibited on the are a source of pollution if not designed correctly. PFBC property: animals. Trash thrown into the water can injure They must be of a sealed construction, so no • Camping, building, or maintaining fires. swimmers and wildlife alike. It can also plug waste can be discharged from the toilet directly • Picking, cutting or digging flowers, engine cooling water intakes. plants, shrubs, or trees. S ATER POLLTION POACHIN REPORT IT! PFC TOLLFREE HOTLINE FISHIL

58 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook RESOURCE PROTECTION

The Refuse Act prohibits throwing, discharging, or depositing any refuse matter of any kind STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS BY (including trash, garbage, oil, and other liquid pollutants) into the waters of the United States. FOLLOWING THESE SIMPLE STEPS. Discharge of oil and other hazardous substances Check your equipment before leaving any body of • Regulations issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act require all vessels with propul- water. Inspect every inch of your boat, trailer, and fish- sion machinery to be able to retain oil mixtures on board. ing gear. Remove and leave behind plants, mud, and • Discharge of oil or hazardous substances is prohibited. The penalty for illegal discharge may be a aquatic life. fine of up to $10,000. • Dumping oil into the bilge of the vessel without means for proper disposal is also prohibited. Fuel Check your boat: spills can be removed using absorbent bilge pads. • Anchor and line • Oil waste must be disposed at an approved reception facility. On recreational vessels, a bucket or • Motor lower unit bailer is adequate for temporary storage prior to disposing of the oil waste at an approved facility. • Hull • Notify the Coast Guard immediately if your vessel discharges oil or a hazardous substance into the • Trailer hitch, rollers, lights, and axle water. Call toll-free (800) 424-8802. Report the discharge’s location, color, source, substances, size, • Life jackets and time observed. You must also call the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection • Swimming floats, water skis, wakeboards, and tubes. and report the discharge. Check your fishing gear: • If boating on federally controlled waters and your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a 5- x • Shoes or boots 8-inch placard made of durable material, fixed in a conspicuous place in the machinery spaces or • Clothing at the bilge pump control station, stating the following: • Fishing vests • Fishing rod, reel, and line • Hooks and lures DISCHARGE OF OIL PROHIBITED • Tackle boxes The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of oil or oily waste Remove: upon or into any navigable waters of the United States. The prohibition includes any • Visible plants discharge, which causes a film or discoloration of the surface of the water or causes a • Fish or other aquatic animals sludge or emulsion beneath the surface of the water. Violator’s are subject to substan- • Mud and dirt tial civil and/or criminal sanctions including fines and imprisonment. Do not transport any potential hitchhiker, even back to your home. Remove and leave them at the site you visited. Drain water from all equipment before leaving the area you are visiting. Some species may live for months in Aquatic Invasive Species water that has not been removed. Drain: • Motors Quagga Mussel • Jet drives STOP AATIC HITCHHIERS! • Live wells • Compartments • Boat hulls Aquatic Invasive Species • Bilge photo- Bill Tate, USGS (AIS) are plants and animals • Shoes, boots, and that have been introduced into • Bait buckets new ecosystems and have envi- • Life jackets ronmental, recreational, eco- • Swimming floats, water skis, wakeboards, and tubes. nomic, or health impacts. These Follow the cleaning instructions below after the water invaders may damage equip- has been removed.

ment and compete with native Before going to another body of water, clean anything species. Anglers and boaters that came in contact with the water. may unknowingly introduce AIS • Use hot (140° F) water to clean your equipment. into new waters. • Spray equipment with a high-pressure washer. If hot water is not available, a commercial hot water car wash also makes an ideal location to wash your boat, motor, and trailer. Or, dry everything before entering new waters. Allow equipment to dry to the touch, and then allow it to dry another 48 hours. Thick and dense material like life jackets Rusty Crayfish will hold moisture longer, take longer to dry, and be more photo- Bill Tate, USGS difficult to clean. Round Goby STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS. Do not transport any plants, fish, or other aquatic life from one body of water to another. Do not release unused bait into the waters you are fish- ing. Dump unused bait in a trash can. For more information: www.fishandboat.com/ais-reporting.htm. photo-USGS NAS website photo-William Kirkpatrick, AEC, Inc.

Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook www.fishandboat.com 59 60 www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook