The Fish and Boat Commission is inviting private landowners who own stream frontage along Penns Creek in Centre and Union counties to attend an upcoming public meeting to learn about the benefits of the agency’s public fishing access and conservation easement programs.

The meeting will be held on June 21 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the Aaronsburg Community Building, West Aaron Square, Rt. 45, Aaronsburg PA 16820.

The meeting also will include an overview of the Penns Creek fishery. PFBC staff will discuss how the fishery is currently managed and will describe future regulations being considered for Section 03, a 7-mile section that extends from Coburn, Centre County, to Swift Run, Snyder County. The regulations being considered are Catch and Release Artificial Lures Only. 

The objective of this proposal is to increase the biomass and improve the size structure of the fishery.

“Acquiring public access easements is part of the agency’s strategy to improve public fishing areas and ensure that the public has access to these opportunities,” said Jackie Kramer, PFBC statewide public access program director. “Private landowners interested in providing public access for anglers and learning how this easement purchase program operates are encouraged to attend.”

A public fishing easement is a voluntary and permanent legal contract between the landowner and the Fish and Boat Commission. The easement typically provides a 35-foot corridor along a stream bank that allows the public to wade in or walk along the stream bank for the purpose of fishing. The landowner continues to own and control the land.

The meeting will include an opportunity for the public to ask questions and provide comments to the PFBC on both matters to be discussed.

6/18/2012