pa-56-25-863: Seasons, sizes and creel limits; Commonwealth inland waters

Summary

The Fish and Boat Commission (commission) proposes to amend § 61.1 (relating to Commonwealth inland waters). The commission is publishing this proposed rulemaking under the authority of 30 Pa.C.S. (relating to Fish and Boat Code). This amendment would increase the minimum size limit (MSL) for trout to 9 inches. A. Effective Date This proposed rulemaking, if approved on final-form rulemaking, will go into effect on January 1, 2027. B. Contact Person For further information on this proposed rulemaking, contact Robert J. Schefter, Esq., P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, (717) 705-7810. This proposed rulemaking is available on the commission's website at pa.gov/agencies/fishandboat. C. Statutory Authority The provisions of the amendment to § 61.1 are published under the authority of 30 Pa.C.S. § 2102 (relating to rules and regulations) and section 506 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § 186). D. Purpose and Background Under § 61.1, the MSL for trout is 7 inches. The MSL for trout was last amended in 1983 as part of the commission's Operation Future when the MSL was increased from 6 inches to the current 7-inch MSL to provide additional protection to wild brook trout populations. Staff evaluated wild brook trout data collected through electrofishing surveys over the past 10 years and determined an increase in the MSL for trout from 7 inches to 9 inches would provide protection to wild brook trout. Based on this analysis, an increase in the MSL to 9 inches for...

The agency’s own summary, as published.