Latest News

  • On this page we will be listing all the latest information so you can stay up to date with steelhead related news and events.
  • 17 Mar 2011 8:39 PM | Deleted user
    Annual Open House at Linesville Fish Hatchery Set for April 2
     
    Meadville, PA – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold its annual Open House at the Linesville State Fish Hatchery on Saturday, April 2, from 11a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
     
    What to do and see:
    • Watch the walleye spawning process including fish sorting, removing/fertilizing eggs.
    • See native fish species in the 10,000 gallon viewing tank.
    • Learn how to: tell the age of fish; tie knots; tie flies and cast; rig a rod; fillet/cook fish.
    • Buy a $3 t-shirt and put a fish print on it.
    • Buy your PA fishing license, posters, patches, and books.
    • Practice your casting skills in the Kids Casting Area.
    • Visit the boating safety tent to stay current on boating regulations.
    • Talk to staff from the PFBC and other partner agencies at their booths.
    Shuttle service from the parking areas to the Visitor Center will be provided.
     
    There’s something for everyone, so follow the crowd to the hatchery.
     
    Directions:Turn off of State Route 6 at the only light in downtown Linesville and go ½ mile to the entrance. The address is 13300 Hartstown Road, Linesville, PA 16424.
     
    The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities.  For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, please visit our website at www.fishandboat.com.
     
    For more information, contact:
    Chad Foster
    814-683-5126
     
     
     
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  • 24 Feb 2011 5:52 PM | Deleted user
    Cuts to Conservation Funding
    Put Aquatic Resources in Even Greater Danger
     
    The Continuing Resolution Passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Would Eliminate Funding Aimed at Keeping Fish and Wildlife off the Endangered Species List
     
    Harrisburg, PA – A Continuing Resolution (HR 1) that recently passed in the U.S. House of Representatives would eliminate funding for the State Wildlife Grant program, the nation’s most cost-effective program for preventing fish and wildlife from becoming endangered. In letters to, and personal visits with, Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is urging Congress to restore and continue funding to this vital program.
     
    “Despite historical successes in bringing many fish and wildlife species back from the brink of extinction, other species at risk have continued to decline as evidenced by the staggering numbers listed under the federal Endangered Species Act,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “The State Wildlife Grant program, now in its 11th year, has served as a stable federal funding source for implementing congressionally required State Wildlife Action Plans in every state and territory, including Pennsylvania.” 
     
    “In the Commonwealth, the Commission has received approximately $8 million since 2002,” added Mr. Arway. “This has been leveraged with at least an additional $8 million – more than doubling Congressional investments for over $16 million in timely, meaningful conservation work. We cannot afford to lose that support now.”
     
    Each State Wildlife Action Plan assesses the health of the state’s wildlife and habitats and outlines the actions needed to conserve species of greatest conservation need and the full array of wildlife over the long term. Before State Wildlife Grants, the Fish and Boat Commission did not have the resources necessary to devote adequate attention to non-game species. 
     
    With the help of these grants, the PFBC has been able to be much more proactive in gathering and using data about vulnerable species, including actually removing species from the state threatened and endangered species lists as a result of increased knowledge about the distribution and abundance of species.  This result is both good for the environment and good for businesses, since it is more cost-effective to work around common species than to deal with them once they are threatened or endangered.  Once a species is listed as threatened or endangered, the Government Accountability Office estimates that the cost of recovery of a single species can exceed $150 million.
     
    State Wildlife Grants are also particularly significant in supporting the PFBC’s work on environmental review and project implementation such as small dam removals.  Mr. Arway stressed that losing State Wildlife Grant support would curtail the PFBC’s ability to deliver timely project reviews, recommendations to applicants, and on-the-ground projects. 
     
    “We are already faced with having to do more with less as fishing license revenues decline at the same time that our permit review work has risen - and continues to rise - as a result of activities like the Marcellus shale development,” said Mr. Arway. “State Wildlife Grants are the one reliable source of funding that we have to try to keep pace with the ever-increasing permit review load.”
     
    “Even in these difficult financial times when we all must shoulder some of the burden, we still need to ensure that fish and wildlife and their habitats are conserved for the benefits they bring to Americans through cleaner and healthier environments and the legacy we leave for future generations,” he added.  “Congressional funding for State Wildlife Grants also goes hand-in-hand with job creation and economic sustainability since more than half a million U.S. jobs center around wildlife conservation and wildlife-related recreation.  This includes Pennsylvania’s $3.4 billion fishing and boating industry.”
     
    Funding for State Wildlife Grants is supported by the Teaming with Wildlife coalition, a national coalition of 6,300 conservation organizations and nature-based businesses including state fish and wildlife agencies, anglers, boaters, hunters, hikers, and other conservationists.
     
    For more information about State and Wildlife Grants and State Wildlife Action Plans, please visit www.teaming.com.
     
    The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, please visit our website at www.fishandboat.com.
  • 03 Feb 2011 11:25 AM | Deleted user
    Executive Director Delivers 'Straight Talk'
    Feb. 10 at Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show

    Harrisburg, PA - The executive director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will bring his popular "Straight Talk" discussion to the largest outdoor hunting and fishing event in North America next week.
     
    John Arway will speak at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10, at the Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show, which runs Feb. 5-13 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
    PFBC Executive Director John Arway
    As part of his presentation, Mr. Arway will provide a preview of the PFBC's draft river management plan for the Susquehanna River. He will discuss other issues of interest to the agency and to anglers and boaters and will take questions from the audience.
     
    Mr. Arway is also scheduled to bring his Straight Talk discussion to sport shows in southwastern and southeastern Pa., where he will preview the draft river management plans for the Three Rivers and the Delaware River. Appearances include:
     
     
    Attendees are encouraged to bring questions, comments, and their own fishing stories to these special sessions.
     
     
    PA Fish and Boat Commission
    1601 Elmerton Avenue | Harrisburg, PA 17110

  • 25 Jan 2011 5:56 PM | Deleted user
    Fish & Boat Commission Takes Actions
    at Quarterly Meeting
     
    Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission voted at its quarterly meeting today to add eight stream sections to the list of self-sustaining Class A wild trout populations, to award a grant to the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority to construct a fishing pier on Lake Erie, and to approve several habitat grants. Also, commissioners approved several land acquisitions and changed a boating regulation to clarify the correct use of docking lights while a vessel is underway.
     
    In addition to the regular business meeting, the Commission hosted a special evening seminar last night on ice fishing, featuring three pro anglers from the North East Ice Tour, which drew a crowd of approximately 65. The evening session also included the presentation of the Stanley Long Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, which honors the Commission’s most exemplary and inspiring volunteer, and an award from the American Fisheries Society recognizing a Commission research project on panfish.
     
    Commissioner Glade Squires, Commission President William Worobec and Executive Director John Arway jointly presented the Stanley Long award to Michael Skurecki of Montgomery County.
     
    “Volunteerism is absolutely vital to our success,” said Mr. Arway. “Volunteers help us with our stocking efforts, they help us with law enforcement and they help us with our education and outreach programs. Mike exemplifies the volunteer spirit and is well-deserving of this award. He has served for over 15 years as a volunteer Education and Information instructor, teaching Family Fishing and SMART Angler Programs. As a Commission volunteer, Mike conducts an average of 14 day-long programs per year while investing over 70 hours of volunteer time and driving between 400 and 500 miles.”
     
    Also last night, before the ice fishing seminar began, commissioners took part in a ceremonial signing of theAnglers’ Legacy pledge. By signing the pledge, commissioners agree to share their passion for fishing and the outdoors with at least one person each year.
     
    “So far, more than 10,000 Pennsylvania anglers have taken the pledge,” said Mr. Arway. “And we would like 10,000 more to sign up. If you haven’t signed up yet, please go to our website, take the pledge and introduce someone to the joys of fishing and boating.”
     
    During today’s business meeting, commissioners:
    • Added eight stream sections to the list of self-sustaining Class A wild trout populations. The stream sections are in Venango, Warren, Blair, Huntingdon, Lycoming and Potter counties. Surveying unassessed waters and documenting wild trout populations are consistent with the Commission’s Strategic Plan for Management of Trout Fisheries in Pennsylvania, which may be viewed in its entirety at http://fishandboat.com/troutplan.htm.
    • Extended the wild trout stream designation on the Little Juniata River by an additional 19.7 miles downstream, from the Bellwood Sewage Treatment Plant to the Barree Road Bridge (SR 4004).
    • Adopted a boating regulation change which clarifies the use of docking lights. Many boaters assume that docking lights may be used as headlights while a vessel is underway. However, the forward-facing direction of docking lights creates glare and confusion for other boaters. The change makes it unlawful for a boat operator to use docking lights while underway except when docking and the boat is travelling at slow, no wake speed and is within 100 feet of approaching a dock, a mooring buoy or the shoreline. The regulation is not intended to negatively impact nighttime fishing activities, such as bow fishing, which use downward-facing artificial light.
    • Adopted a boating regulation change which establishes a no-wake zone for just over two miles at the very uppermost limit to power boating and skiing activities created by the Piney Dam on the Clarion River.
    • Approved a grant of up to $150,000 to the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority to construct a fishing pier at Liberty Park on Lake Erie. The authorityhas obtained matching grants in the amount of $100,000 from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and $75,000 from the Department of Environmental Protection.
    • Approved a property exchange in Berks County (Marion, Heidelberg and North Heidelberg townships) in which the Commission will convey approximately 22 acres of its Charming Forge property along Tulpehocken Creek in exchange for $12,000 and an easement on a significant portion of the other party’s property. Also, the Commission will retain easements on a defined portion of the Charming Forge property. The new easements will benefit the public by providing better parking and improved stream access.
    • Authorized the acquisition of a 27.1 acre parcel, currently known as Bailey’s Grove, located along Clarks Valley Road in Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County. The parcel provides over 5,000 linear feet of frontage on Clarks Creek.
    • Authorized the acquisition of an easement on over 2,600 linear feet on both sides of Elk Creek in Girard Township, Erie County, on the Tome property.
    • Authorized a grant not to exceed $240,000 to Girard Borough, Erie County, to purchase 73 acres along Creek Road adjacent to the Girard borough park. The property also includes approximately 1,895 linear feet of access on Elk Creek. As part of the grant conditions, Girard Borough will grant to the Commission an easement that will allow for public fishing access along Elk Creek. In addition, the borough will grant the Commission a parking easement and an easement for fishing, boating, and riparian and fishery management on the adjacent Girard Borough Park property. This will provide an additional 5,310 linear feet of access.  
    • Approved the publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking to impose a closed season on river herring on the Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River and River Estuary, the Lehigh River, the Schuylkill River and their tributaries, and the Conowingo Reservoir.
    • Approved the publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking to close Lehigh County’s Leaser Lake to all fishing until June 18, 2016, in order to establish a high quality fishery. The lake was completely drained in fall 2008 in order to make repairs to the dam.
    • Adopted new royalty rates for sand and gravel that is extracted from Commonwealth waters by the dredging industry. The new rates cover the 10-year period of Jan. 1, 2011, through December 31, 2020.
    • Approved habitat grants for a fishway on Bald Eagle Creek near Lock Haven, Clinton County; a restoration project on Darby Creek, a Delaware River tributary; and an enhancement project on Cacoosing Creek in Berks County.   
    The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, please visit our website at www.fishandboat.com.
     
    Contact: Eric Levis
    717.705.7806 or elevis@state.pa.us
  • 06 Jan 2011 3:34 PM | Deleted user

    25 December 2010

    Protect Morrison Run! Tell the U.S. Forest Service to Protect the Kinzua Creek/Chappel Fork Watershed

    Kinzua Bay, Chappel Bay, Rimrock, Kinzua Beach, Kinzua Heights, Pine Grove, Morrison Run, National Scenic Byway, North Country National Scenic Trail, Morrison Trail

    Send a letter to the U.S. Forest Service telling them to Protect Morrison Run!

    The Morrison Run Project, located in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest (ANF), proposes  actions including 4,976 acres of even-aged logging, and 1,366 acres of herbicide application. This project is part of an annual ANF project total of 19,374 acres of even-aged management (serial clear-cuts), and 7,188 acres of herbicide application, which includes Morrison Run, Coalbed Run, Pine Bear, De Young, and Sothwest Reservoir. Send a letter to the U.S. Forest Service telling them to Protect Morrison Run now!

  • 06 Jan 2011 3:31 PM | Deleted user
    Fish and Boat Commissioner Chosen as
    PA Citizen Representative
    to Chesapeake Bay Commission
     
    Harrisburg, PA – Former Franklin County Commissioner G. Warren Elliott was recently appointed by the Senate President Pro Tem and Lt. Gov. Joe Scarnati to be the Pennsylvania citizen representative to the Chesapeake Bay Commission. The Commission is a tri-state legislative assembly representing Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland designed to coordinate any related policy issues across state lines.
     
    Elliott currently serves as a commissioner for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission where he has gained a reputation asa strong advocate for expanded acquisition of permanent access easements to Pennsylvania’s streams and rivers.  Elliott serves as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Habitat and Environment Committee.
     
    G. Warren Elliott
    “Our Pennsylvania waterways and the opportunities they provide are invaluable,” Elliott commented.  “Certainly we must be mindful of the impact we have in Pennsylvania on areas like the Chesapeake Bay and its estuaries. Being a member of the Chesapeake Bay Commission is a high honor and I thank Senator Scarnati for entrusting me to be the citizen representative for Pennsylvania.”
     
    Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director John Arway applauded the appointment, emphasizing that “the health of the Chesapeake Bay is directly correlated to the health of the Susquehanna watershed, and Warren Elliott understands and is committed to the protection, conservation, and enhancement of both.”
     
    “As a Fish and Boat Commissioner, Mr. Elliott helps set policy for how we manage aquatic resources here in Pennsylvania,” Arway added. “We are thrilled to have a sitting Commissioner as part of such an important interstate body as the Commonwealth and the other member states look to finally clean up the Bay while also addressing water quality and fisheries management issues on the Susquehanna here at home.”
     
    Elliott will serve a four-year term beginning with the commission’s first meeting in Annapolis in January.
     
    The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, please visit our website at www.fishandboat.com.
  • 23 Dec 2010 1:22 PM | Deleted user
    December 10, 2010
    spacer
    Harrisburg, PA – Anglers and boaters who have received outstanding service from Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) employees can now share that experience with the agency’s leadership through a new Web page called “Praise an Employee.”

    “One of my goals as executive director has been to engage the public more and give them the opportunity to interact with staff and Commissioners,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “One way we’ve accomplished this is through the public information meetings held in conjunction with our quarterly Commission meetings. These have been well attended and we are planning to host another one on January 24 which will feature several professional ice fishermen from the North East Ice Tour.

    “Another way we are connecting with the public is through The Fishing Hole, which provides the public and staff the opportunity to ask us questions via email. But the public also should have a means to let us know when they have received excellent service from our employees,” Arway added. “Now they can do that through The Fishing Hole and a new page called Praise an Employee.”

    The new Web page gives the public an easy and convenient way to tell Commission leaders about exceptional service they have received. Incoming public comments will go first to the PFBC Human Resources Division and then to the executive director.

    “After reviewing comments, I will share each one with the appropriate bureau director and the respective employee so that the employee receives the recognition he or she deserves,” said Arway.

    The Praise an Employee page can be found under The Fishing Hole at: http://www.fishandboat.com/inform.htm.

    The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, please visit our website at www.fishandboat.com.

  • 08 Dec 2010 10:54 AM | Deleted user
     

    Alaska’s Choice: Salmon or Gold

    If built, a huge mine would trans­form Alaska’s Bristol Bay region, possibly jeopar­dizing the world’s richest sockeye salmon fishery.

    For more information and/ro action:

    WWW.tu.org/bristolbay

    www.sportsmansalliance4ak.org

     

  • 03 Dec 2010 11:28 PM | Deleted user
    From: PennFuture's Session Daze December 3,2010
     
    Corbett names transition teams
    This week Governor-elect Tom Corbett announced the members of his transition teams. We were really interested to learn of Corbett's Energy and Environment Committee, which will develop recommendations for how to cut costs and conduct business at DEP, DCNR and the PUC and deliver them to the governor by January 18. Of the 30 members of the committee, at least 17 are lobbyist or lawyers representing gas drillers, the waste industry, coal mining, and utilities or work for companies with active enforcement, permitting, and other matters before the DEP and PUC. There was no representative from an organized hunting or angling group named to the committee.
     

     PennFuture's Session Daze is designed to be a brief, informative and occasionally humorous look at public policy in Pennsylvania. Please visit our website for more information about PennFuture.
  • 01 Dec 2010 1:15 PM | Deleted user
    Harrisburg, PA – The holiday shopping season is quickly approaching and that means it’s time for anglers to get a jump on the 2011 sporting season. Anglers can purchase a 2011 license beginning December 1, which gives them a bonus month for free.

    Fishing license vouchers also make great holiday gifts and stocking stuffers. Purchasing vouchers for family members and friends is easy and convenient. Vouchers – and licenses - can be purchased online through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s (PFBC) Outdoor Shop at www.theoutdoorshop.state.pa.us. A voucher may be redeemed at any of more than 900 issuing agents across the state.

    “We sell about 4,000 vouchers each year,” said Bernie Matscavage, director of the PFBC’s Bureau of Administration, which oversees sales. “They are easy to purchase and require only a method of payment. It’s just like a gift certificate. The recipient then redeems the voucher for a fishing license.

    “A resident annual fishing license can be purchased for $22.70,” said Matscavage. “Add in a typical trout-salmon permit for $9.70 and an angler can enjoy more than a year of fishing for $32.40 – less than a typical dinner for two and about the price for two people to see one movie.”

    In addition to online and at more than 900 issuing agents, fishing licenses and vouchers can be purchased at county treasurers’ offices, and at PFBC regional offices:

    Northwest Region - Meadville (Crawford County)
    11528 State Highway 98
    Meadville, PA 16335

    Walnut Creek Access Area – Fairview (Erie County)
    241 Manchester Road
    Fairview, PA 16415-1710

    Linesville Visitors Center – Linesville (Crawford County)
    13300 Hartstown Road
    Linesville, PA 16424

    Southwest Region - Somerset (Somerset County)
    236 Lake Road
    Somerset, PA 15501

    PFBC Headquarters - Harrisburg (Dauphin County)
    1601 Elmerton Avenue
    Harrisburg, PA 17110

    Northeast Region – Sweet Valley (Luzerne County)
    5566 Main Road
    Sweet Valley, PA 18656

    Southeast Region – Elm (Lancaster County)
    Brubaker Valley Road and Lakeview Drive
    Elm, PA 17521

    Southcentral Region – Newville (Cumberland County)
    1704 Pine Road
    Newville, PA 17241

    The PFBC also sells a number of angling and boating-related products through the Outdoor Shop, including caps, books, posters and the flagship publication Angler & Boater magazine. Customers can also renew boat registrations and purchase launch permits for un-powered boats online.

    For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania – including a calendar of upcoming Family Fishing Programs - please visit our website at www.fishandboat.com. To help plan your next outdoor trip in Pennsylvania, visit www.visitpa.com and select “Outdoor Recreation” under Things To Do.