HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission advanced proposed restrictions on two invasive aquatic species, approved changes to fishing regulations and authorized additional funding for public boat launches during its October 26 meeting, setting up regulatory changes affecting anglers, boaters and aquatic ecosystems across the Commonwealth.
Commissioners voted to begin rulemaking that would prohibit the introduction, importation, possession and transportation of golden mussels and Asian swamp eels in Pennsylvania.
The proposed restrictions follow a review by an aquatic invasive species workgroup representing state and federal environmental agencies, conservation organizations and Pennsylvania Sea Grant. The group identified both species as high-risk threats to the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources.
If adopted through final rulemaking, the restrictions would take effect following publication of a second notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The commission also advanced a proposal to modify fishing restrictions near fish passage facilities, potentially allowing angling at certain structures designed to resemble natural stream channels.
Current regulations prohibit fishing within fishways and within 100 feet of their entrances and exits. Those restrictions are intended to protect fish concentrated in engineered passage systems, including vertical-slot and Denil fish ladders.
The proposed amendment would permit the commission to designate specific fishways where fishing is allowed through posted signs.
The agency cited nature-like fish passages, including a recently completed structure at the Adam T. Bower Memorial Inflatable Dam on the Susquehanna River, as examples where existing restrictions may be unnecessary because fish can disperse through more natural habitat.
Commissioners also approved proposed regulations supporting a revised community fishing initiative planned for 2027.
The program would use improved hatchery operations to stock juvenile and adult warm-water fish and trout in smaller lakes and ponds near urban and densely populated communities.
Eight waters are under consideration for special regulations, including FDR Park Lake in Philadelphia and Phifers Ice Dam in Lehigh County.
Other proposed locations include Rainbow Pond in Crawford County, Harbor Creek Community Park Pond in Erie County, Montoursville Borough Community Park Pond in Lycoming County, Kennedy Park Pond in Susquehanna County, B-Y Park Pond in Westmoreland County and Kiwanis Lake in York County.
The initiative is intended to expand access to fishing opportunities while using a more cost-effective stocking approach.
In Bucks County, commissioners approved adding Caroline Lake in Falls Township to the Stocked Trout Waters Open to Year-round Fishing Program, effective January 1, 2027.
The eight-acre county-owned lake joined the state’s stocked trout program in 2024 and also supports black crappie, bluegill, catfish and largemouth bass.
The new designation will permit catch-and-release trout fishing during the period when trout angling would otherwise be closed, along with continued fishing for resident warm-water and cool-water species.
The commission also advanced a proposed change to boating regulations at Foster Joseph Sayers Lake in Centre County.
At the request of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which owns the lake, the agency would extend slow, no-wake restrictions throughout Hunters Run Cove.
Existing regulations apply those restrictions near boat launches in the northern and southern portions of the approximately 100-acre cove, leaving about 50 acres unrestricted.
The proposal would also remove a separate waterskiing prohibition that would become unnecessary under the expanded speed restriction.
Commissioners approved another proposed amendment affecting fishing tournaments on waters shared with Maryland.
Pennsylvania and Maryland currently operate under a cooperative fisheries agreement governing Conowingo Reservoir and Youghiogheny Reservoir. Maryland establishes regulations for Conowingo, while Pennsylvania regulates Youghiogheny.
The proposed amendment would create an exception to Pennsylvania’s prohibition on tournaments targeting fish during closed seasons when regulatory authority has been assigned to another state through a cooperative agreement.
Additional regulatory actions included adjustments to special fishing areas in several counties.
On Oil Creek in Crawford and Venango counties, commissioners approved extending the upstream boundary of a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only section by 0.34 miles to the Drake Well Road bridge.
The change, effective January 1, 2027, establishes a more identifiable boundary between sections governed by different fishing regulations.
In Cumberland County, the board approved removing an unnamed tributary to Yellow Breeches Creek from the Catch and Release Artificial Lures Only program, aligning its regulations with adjacent waters.
Commissioners also approved removing a 0.35-mile portion of Powell Creek in Dauphin County from an exclusive-use fishing designation after the property owner prohibited public access.
The board additionally approved adding five waters to the state’s Class A wild trout stream list and 11 waters to its wild trout stream list. Those designations will take effect following the required Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
Beyond fisheries regulations, commissioners authorized additional grant funding for two public boating access projects after unexpected construction conditions increased costs.
Thornhurst Township in Lackawanna County will be eligible for an additional $74,850 toward a nonmotorized boat access project along the Lehigh River.
The commission previously approved a grant of up to $85,000 in April 2025. Unsuitable subsurface conditions subsequently increased project costs by $149,700, requiring an amended agreement and additional township matching funds.
The Schuylkill River Greenway Association will be eligible for another $24,000 to complete a boat launch at Reeser’s Landing in Berks County.
The project, designed to accommodate motorized and nonmotorized boats, previously received approval for up to $115,900 in state funding. Construction complications increased costs by $40,000, with the association responsible for matching funds under the revised agreement.
Commissioners separately granted the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation a permanent right-of-way and temporary construction easement at the Huntsdale State Fish Hatchery in Cumberland County.
PennDOT will pay the commission $3,100 for access needed to replace the State Route 3006 bridge over Irishtown Gap Hollow Run.
The project is expected to take approximately four months without disrupting hatchery operations. PennDOT must restore affected property after construction.
The board also finalized amendments establishing a general administrative appeals process for parties challenging commission actions not covered by existing appeal regulations.
The changes to 58 Pa. Code Chapter 51 are intended to replace reliance on more complicated statewide administrative procedures for those matters. The amendments will take effect following publication of a second notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
During the meeting, Executive Director Tim Schaeffer reminded boaters that Pennsylvania’s annual cold-weather life jacket requirement begins November 1 and continues through April 30, 2027.
The law requires life jackets to be worn on kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and boats shorter than 16 feet during that period.
“Since its inception over ten years ago, this requirement has indisputably saved lives,” Schaeffer told commissioners.
He also reported completion of Pennsylvania’s 2025–2035 Wildlife Action Plan, developed with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and other conservation partners.
The plan identifies conservation priorities for species at risk of decline, including 47 fish species, 19 amphibian species and 18 reptile species.
Pennsylvania must update the plan every 10 years to maintain eligibility for federal State Wildlife Grant funding.
The commission described the document as a nonregulatory framework for protecting vulnerable wildlife before federal Endangered Species Act protections become necessary.
The board scheduled its 2027 quarterly meetings for January 25, April 26, July 26 and October 25. The January and July sessions will take place at commission headquarters in Harrisburg.
Additional information about commission regulations, boating safety and the Wildlife Action Plan is available at https://www.fishandboat.com.
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