The Fish and Boat Commission this week voted to allow anglers to fish in lakes and ponds approved as year-round trout waters without possessing a trout/salmon permit, as long as anglers are not fishing for trout or salmon. Commissioners also voted to open 31 additional approved trout waters to year-round fishing.

The changes to the lake and pond regulations were made after several individuals submitted public comments noting that anglers often fish these waters for species other than trout. Both changes will take effect January 1, 2009.

At the start of the meeting, Commissioners Leonard L. Lichvar and Thomas C. Shetterly were elected President and Vice President, respectively, of the PFBC. New Commissioner Norman Gavlick, of Kingston, was also introduced. He was appointed by Gov. Rendell to serve as the Seventh District Commissioner.

In other action, the Commission voted to add regulations to further restrict the interstate sale, introduction and transportation of fish susceptible to the infectious disease viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS.

Outdoor enthusiasts in Erie County will have more opportunities to fish, boat, and hike with the Commission action to approve a cooperative agreement with North East Township that commits $43,000 for the acquisition of an access easement located on 20-mile Creek, a popular steelhead fishing location.

The Commission also:

· Approved restrictions on nighttime fishing on a section of Walnut Creek, Erie County;

· Adopted amendments to Fish and Boat Code Section 63.8 (Longbows, Crossbows, Spears, and Gigs) to allow catfish to be harvested in all Commonwealth waters by longbows and arrows, not just the Delaware River;

· Adopted a statement of policy on wind power; and

· Approved the publication of notice of proposed rulemaking to remove smallmouth buffalo, longhead darter, and channel darter from the threatened species list and river redhorse and longnose gar from the candidate species list.

The complete agenda is available at the Fish and Boat Commission website.

7/18/2008