Requirements & Law Aquatic Invasive Species Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Help reduce the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) may be microscopic and can be plants or animals. 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, […]
How To Release Fish Some waters are managed strictly as “Catch and Release” waters. Every angler should expect and be prepared to release some portion of his catch. Minimum size limits require that fish less than the minimum must be released. Creel limits require that fish caught in excess of the limit must be released. […]
Requirements & Law Unlawful Acts IT IS UNLAWFUL… To possess, to introduce or import, transport, sell, purchase, offer for sale or barter the following live species in the Commonwealth: snakehead (all species), Black Carp, Bighead Carp, Silver Carp, Zebra Mussel, Quagga Mussel, European Rudd, Ruffe, Rusty Crayfish, Round Goby and Tubenose Goby. (More information about Aquatic Invasive […]
Requirements & Law Tackle & Equipment RODS, LINES, AND HOOKS – An angler may use a maximum of three lines fished either by rod or hand when fishing for gamefish, baitfish or both. An exception to this rule exists for those fishing through ice in winter (see Ice Fishing Equipment below). On open water (not covered […]
Requirements & Law Saltwater Angler Registry Delaware River and Estuary Anglers who target or catch shad, striped bass and river herring* from the Delaware River below Trenton Falls or in the Delaware Estuary are required to: register through the Fish and Boat Commission’s free on-line system (PA-SARP); register, for a fee, with the National Saltwater Angler […]
Requirements & Law Reporting Pollution Recognizing and Reporting POLLUTION or DISTURBANCE of Waterways POLLUTION or DISTURBANCE of any waterway or watershed is a serious violation of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Code that must be recognized and reported to a PFBC Regional Law Enforcement Office. The law provides for criminal penalties for pollution or disturbances. POLLUTION is an […]
Requirements & Law Permits TROUT / SALMON PERMIT A current Pennsylvania trout/salmon permit is required to fish for trout or salmon in Pennsylvania waters. Permits are printed on the license. An angler “fishes for trout or salmon” when he or she: Takes, kills, or possesses, while in the act of fishing, a trout or salmon […]
Requirements & Law PFBC Property Regulations REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF FISH & BOAT COMMISSION-OWNED OR COMMISSION-CONTROLLED PROPERTY A powerboat using a Commission lake or access area shall be registered and shall display the official registration number and current validation stickers. Unpowered boats using a Commission lake or access area must either be: properly registered, or display […]