PFSC 2006 Spring Convention

Fish & Boat Committee Meeting Summary

 

 

Roll Call: All divisions represented except Southcentral

 

Fish & Boat Commission Report:

 

Speakers: Dr.Austin, Cris Urban. John Arway, Rick Hoppes, Dick Mulfinger, Laurel Anders, and representing the Governors Youth Council- Jack Sloan, Adrienne Lombaerde and Matt Smith

 

Topics:

 

Proposed Herp Regulations- Current regs are out of date, they are being reorganized with new definitions and new seasons and limits. Rattlesnakes and Copperheads are specifically going to be addressed. All population areas in the state are currently experiencing problems in sustaining themselves except in Northcentral  Pa. ,where they are stable. Regs will be aimed at reducing the taking of females. Minimum size limits will be set. A new “Venomous Snake Permit” will be proposed with a $50 fee. You won’t need a fishing license. Final regs approval is scheduled for later this fall.

 

Lake Erie Fund Status- It is expected that $2.5 million dollars will be raised from the sale of the Lake Erie stamp. An informal advisory committee has been formed to provide input and review. PFBC is partnering with DCNR, DEP and Erie County. Working on other funding sources. Six properties are being negotiated on. They are also developing an easement program.

 

New Division of Habitat Improvement- This new division will work on fish habitat restoration and protection. There has been a history of habitat abuse and there is a relationship between habitat, fish, people and the environment. The U.S. Dept. of Agricultures CREP program and the state’s dam removal program are key parts of this effort. There is a National Fish Habitat Action Plan that can be viewed at www.fishhabitat.org  PFSC is invoved in developing that plan and Bass Pro Shops is a big supporter.

 

Junior Fishing License Proposal- Members of the Governor’s Youth Fishing Council presented the reasons for and the need of the fishing license. The proposed cost would be $5.00 and would be all inclusive of any other stamps. The age range would be 12-15 years old. This is still in its formation stage and nothing has been presented for approval or legislation. Go to www.fish.state.pa.us to find out more.

 

Little Juniata River- Trial is scheduled for June 12 in Huntingdon County

New Trout Information- Stocking time, date, and place will be announced. Numbers being stocked won’t be. PFSC is working on simplifying regs.  Barbless hook requirement elimination, possible early opener in Southeast, lake catch  and release from March 1st to opening day are among the things being looked at. An interesting study on trout movement was given. Of 4,300 trout tagged and stocked in the preseason stocking only 6 tags were returned. Some trout fitted with tracking devices moved 10’s of miles from point of stocking. Possible reasons and solutions are being studied.

 

Susquehanna and Juniata Smallmouth  Bass – Problems affecting river fishing in 2005 were discussed. The main problem was bacterial infection brought on by warm weather, low flows, high water temps, and low dissolved oxygen levels. Young of year classes have been greatly affected.

 

Sportfishing/Aquatic Education Grants- These grants of up to $5,000 dollars are available to sportsmen’s clubs who want to offer sport fishing and aquatic resource education. This funding can be applied to the purchase of equipment, materials and cost associated with field trips. More info and applications can be found on the PFSC website www.fish.state.pa.us  .

 

Submitted by Bernie Spozio, Acting Chairman