Online Fishing Community - Pennsylvania Fishing News

HOT NEW PRODUCT Boaters Night Vision Cap-5 LED red & White Light

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 22:38:23 -0400

Boaters Night Vision Cap-5 LED red & White Light www.BoatersNightVisionCap.com

We are excited to announce our new Pilot Series POWERCAP™ Night Vision Cap. The Pilot Series Night Vision Caps have (2) red LEDs and (3) white LEDs on separate circuits. The buttons are labeled under the cap brim (R = red and W = white.) (2) red LEDs have an on/off button. Three position switch options provide for improved functionality (high beam only, low beam only or both on simultaneously for (3) white LEDs.

GAME COMMISSION'S PROJECT WILD HELPS EDUCATORS WITH WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CURRICULUM

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 13:27:08 -0400

With the school year underway, imagine you are an educator who needs an activity to help teach conservation specific skills and concepts, is exciting and engaging for students, complements the curriculum and helps meet the state Department of Education's Environment and Ecology State Education Standards.

FALL MUSKY STOCKING CHANGE AS PART OF TARGETED MANAGEMENT

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 12:27:23 -0400

Nine lakes and a river section have become the first beneficiaries of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) targeted approach to muskellunge stockings, with 15 other waters set to see stocking increases in future years.

MONSTER FLATHEAD NAMED AS NEW STATE RECORD

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 13:09:24 -0400

A 47-pound flathead catfish from the Ohio River picked the wrong midnight snack and as a result has been named by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as the new state record for the species.

PFBC MOVES ON FOUR PROPERTIES TO IMPROVE FISHING ACCESS IN ERIE

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 23:01:59 -0400

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced today it is moving forward with four projects that will provide 8,800 feet of stream frontage for public fishing access in Erie County.

Three of the property acquisitions involve partnerships with local municipalities which will take ownership of the sites and hold them open for free public fishing. As part of these transactions, the Commission acquired public fishing access easements along the streams in perpetuity. The fourth property will be purchased by the Commission. Each of the projects utilize money from the Lake Erie Access Improvement Program, funded by the sale of special Lake Erie Fishing Permits.

National Hunting And Fishing Day Celebrates Contributions Of Sportsmen And Sportswomen

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 14:49:47 -0400

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - As part of the National Hunting and Fishing Day celebrations, officials from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Governor Edward G. Rendell's Youth Hunting, Fishing and Conservation Council were joined by several respected statewide sportsmen's organizations to highlight the various benefits that Pennsylvanians receive from hunting, trapping and fishing.

Those sportsmen's clubs participating in the event were: the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania, the Ruffed Grouse Society and the Pennsylvania Chapter of Pheasants Forever.

"It has been said many times that sportsmen and sportswomen were America's first conservationists," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "It was the hunters, trappers and anglers who were the first to raise their voices about the need for conservation."

Roe noted that, in the late 1800s, hunters, trappers and anglers were the ones who first decried the losses afield from the commercialization of wildlife and the destruction of wildlife habitat.

"Sportsmen were some of the first Americans to recognize the toll of pollution on fish and wildlife, and the need to preserve our wild spaces," Roe said. "Names like Roosevelt, Hornaday, Leopold and Audubon, were hunters first before they became names that are revered today.

"And, even to this day, hunters, trappers and anglers continue to almost solely fund fish and wildlife conservation in Pennsylvania, as well as managing Pennsylvania's wildlife through hunting and trapping. There is no question that sportsmen and sportswomen play a vital role in supporting the state economy, as well as the economic well-being of many rural areas of the Commonwealth."

Roe noted that, according to a 1998 Center for Rural Pennsylvania study, hunting, trapping and fishing have a $9.6 billion annual economic impact on the state and support some 88,000 jobs.

Dr. Douglas Austen, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission executive director, said that Pennsylvania also has played an historical role in these activities.

"Pennsylvania has been the birthplace of many fishing firsts," Dr. Austen said. "The country's first fishing club was formed in Philadelphia in 1732, the nation's first fishing magazine and first fishing book were published here and, throughout history, the Keystone state has been home to many important angling innovators who popularized the sport across the country.

"Today, Pennsylvania remains a top fishing destination for anglers who travel here to sample our famous trout streams and world-class bass fisheries."

Each year, nearly two million people, including about 500,000 children, go fishing in Pennsylvania. Residents and visitors combine to take some 18 million fishing trips in the Commonwealth annually. But, anglers aren't the only ones making a prize catch; fishing is a real trophy for Pennsylvania's economy.

Austen noted that several studies have documented the economic contributions from sportfishing in Pennsylvania. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the American Sportfishing Association estimate fishing and fishing-related activities generate more than $1.6 billion for Pennsylvania's economy each year. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania projects the positive economic impact at $4.7 billion annually.

"Sportfishing in Pennsylvania supports 14,000 jobs and generates $53 million in annual revenue for the state's general fund through sales and income taxes," Austen said.

Roe and Austen pointed out that, in 1970, the first to suggest an official day of thanks to sportsmen was Ira Joffe, owner of Joffe's Gun Shop in Upper Darby, Delaware County. Then Gov. Raymond Shafer adopted Joffe's idea and created "Outdoor Sportsman's Day" in the state.

With determined prompting from various sportsmen, the concept soon emerged on the national level when, in early 1972, Congress unanimously passed legislation authorizing a National Hunting and Fishing Day. On May 2, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed the first proclamation of National Hunting and Fishing Day, and soon after, all 50 governors and more than 600 mayors had joined in by proclaiming state and local versions of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Created in 1895 as an independent state agency, the Game Commission is responsible for conserving and managing all wild birds and mammals in the Commonwealth, establishing hunting seasons and bag limits, enforcing hunting and trapping laws, and managing habitat on the 1.4 million acres of State Game Lands it has purchased over the years with hunting and furtaking license dollars to safeguard wildlife habitat. The agency also conducts numerous wildlife conservation programs for schools, civic organizations and sportsmen's clubs.

The Game Commission does not receive any general state taxpayer dollars for its annual operating budget. The agency is funded by license sales revenues; the state's share of the federal Pittman-Robertson program, which is an excise tax collected through the sale of sporting arms and ammunition; and monies from the sale of oil, gas, coal, timber and minerals derived from State Game Lands.

Founded in 1866, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) is one of the oldest and most effective conservation agencies in the nation. The Commission is an independent state government agency with responsibilities for protecting and managing Pennsylvania's fishery resources and regulating recreational fishing and boating on Pennsylvania waters. The PFBC's mission is "To provide fishing and boating opportunities through the protection and management of aquatic resources."

The funds to accomplish this mission come primarily through the sale of fishing licenses and boat registrations. No General Fund tax dollars are used in the operations of the PFBC.

FALL FOR AUTUMN TROUT FISHING OPPORTUNITIES

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:57:57 -0400

Autumn in Pennsylvania isn’t all about trees – though that brilliant foliage does provide a beautiful backdrop for fantastic fall trout fishing, including along 154 waters being stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) September 28 through the end of October.

During that time, the PFBC will stock 94 streams (totaling 276 miles) with 56,800 adult trout. In addition, 60 lakes will be stocked with 69,200 adult trout.

Middle Creek Event To Mark National Hunting And Fishing Day

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 11:44:09 -0400

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania -- Have you ever wanted to try outdoor recreational activities but never had the opportunity? Do you have an interest in the outdoors, wildlife, and conservation? If so, plan to visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, to help celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day.

"National Hunting and Fishing Day is designed to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of hunters and anglers in the conservation of Pennsylvania's diverse wildlife resources," said Jim Binder, Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area supervisor. "It also is an opportunity for people with no previous experience to learn about the values and enjoyment of outdoor pursuits."

Binder said planned events include hands-on activities for people of all ages. Also, several local outdoor groups will have food and refreshments for sale, as well as a free taste of "Pennsylvania surf and turf" (panfish and venison).

Activities include (* denotes hands-on activities): exhibits/displays from local sportsmen's organizations; birddog demonstrations; archery shoot*; muzzleloading rifles*; BB gun shoot*; fly rod casting instruction*; introduction to turkey calling*; fishing*; fly-tying instructions; trapping demonstrations; and wild game cooking instructions.

Bert Myers, Game Commission educational specialist, will present a program about the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area and wildlife-related videos will be shown in the auditorium throughout the day.

"Another highlight will be the laser SHOT system, available for kids of all ages to try," said Myers. "The SHOT system is a simulated hunting experience that will test your marksmanship and decision-making. It's an outstanding way to experience what hunting is all about and test your hunting skills."

National Hunting and Fishing Day is open to the public free of charge and will be held rain or shine. The Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is on Hopeland Road on the Lancaster/Lebanon county line, two miles south of Kleinfeltersville, Lebanon County. For more information, contact the management area at (717) 733-1512.

COMMISSION SEEKS HIGH-QUALITY NOMINEES FOR SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Wed, 06 Sep 2006 16:40:49 -0400

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is seeking nominations for two awards it presents in recognition of those making outstanding contributions to furthering conservation or facilitating recreational access to the state’s waterways.

The Ralph W. Abele Conservation Heritage Award is the highest recognition the PFBC confers. The PFBC established the Abele Award to recognize citizens of Pennsylvania who have made outstanding contributions to the protection, conservation and enhancement of the aquatic resources of the Commonwealth. The award serves as a memorial to Ralph Abele, longtime Commission Executive Director, for his steadfast and courageous work in protecting and conserving our natural resources.

FEDS RECOGNIZE STATE'S WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 12:47:11 -0400

The federal government has praised Pennsylvania for assembling a comprehensive Wildlife Action Plan that will expand and strengthen the state's management of fish and wildlife resources, particularly species of greatest conservation need.

MEETING ON SUGAR LAKE BOAT MOTOR REGULATIONS SET

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 13:48:04 -0400

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will gather public input August 26 at 10 a.m. on potentially revising horsepower restrictions at Sugar Lake, Crawford County. The meeting will be held in the social hall at Our Lady of the Lourdes Catholic Church in Cochranton.

FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO COOPERATIVE NURSERIES

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 11:49:55 -0400

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has granted $60,000 in funding to organizations involved in its Cooperative Nursery Program.

GAME COMMISSION PAYS $1.7 MILLION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 11:46:25 -0400

HARRISBURG - Prior to Sept. 1, the Pennsylvania Game Commission will mail its annual in-lieu-of-tax payments for State Game Lands it owns in 65 of the state's 67 counties. The Game Commission's checks, totaling $1,719,056.59 for the 2006 tax year, will be sent to county treasurers, school districts and municipalities, according to Carl G. Roe, agency executive director.

EARLIER TROUT SEASON OPENER GETS GREEN LIGHT IN 18 COUNTIES

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 01:36:10 -0400

The season will start earlier for the state’s most popular gamefish in 18 counties beginning in 2007. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today adopted new regulations that will open trout season about two weeks earlier in the southeastern and southcentral parts of the state, effective next year.
Under the new regulation, all waters in Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York counties will begin the first Saturday after March 28. Currently, the statewide opening day for the Pennsylvania trout season is established as the first Saturday after April 11. So in 2007, the trout season will begin March 31 in the 18-county region while the rest of the state will see trout season open April 14.