Macungie Rod & Gun Club, Inc.

Temporary Changes to Fishing Regulations - Opossum Lake, Cumberland County

The Executive Director of the Fish and Boat Commission (Commission), acting under the authority of 58 Pa. Code §65.25 (relating to temporary changes to fishing regulations), has taken immediate action to modify temporarily fishing regulations at Opossum Lake, Cumberland County, in anticipation of a complete drawdown of the lake this fall. The Executive Director is lifting all seasons, sizes and creel limits for all species, effective May 24, 2008 and until fish salvage operations are complete. The Executive Director has found that this action is necessary and appropriate for the management of fish and to conserve and preserve fishing opportunities.

The Executive Director has caused these temporary modifications to fishing regulations to be posted in the vicinity of the lake, and the modified regulations are fully effective and enforceable. These temporary modifications will be in effect until further notice but in no event will they remain in place after January 1, 2009.

The effective date of this notice is May 24, 2008.

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Approval of Addition to List of Class A Wild Trout Waters - Big Rift Creek, Tioga County

The Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) has approved an addition to the list of Class A Wild Trout Streams as set forth at 38 Pa. B. 1330 (March 15, 2008). Specifically, the Commission added Big Rift Creek, Tioga County, from the headwaters to the mouth, to its list. Pursuant to 58 Pa. Code §57.8a (relating to Class A wild trout streams), it is the Commission’s policy to manage self-sustaining Class A wild trout populations as a renewable natural resource and to conserve that resource and the angling that it provides. Class A wild trout populations represent the best of this Commonwealth’s naturally reproducing trout fisheries. The Commission manages these stream sections for wild trout with no stocking.

The effective date of this notice is May 10, 2008.

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Approval of Changes to Wild Trout Streams List

The Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) has approved additions, deletions and adjustments to its list of wild trout streams as published at 38 Pa. B. 1330 (March 15, 2008) with the exception of the removal of Mahoning Creek, Montour County. The Commission did not approve the removal of this stream from its list of wild trout streams.

Under 58 Pa. Code §57.11 (relating to listing of wild trout streams), it is the policy of the Commission to accurately identify and classify stream sections supporting naturally reproducing populations of trout as wild trout streams. The listing of a stream section as a wild trout stream is a biological designation that does not determine how it is managed.

The Commission relies upon many factors in determining the appropriate management of streams. The Commission’s Fisheries Management Division maintains the complete list of wild trout streams, and it is available on the Commission’s website at http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/trout_repro.htm.

The effective date of this notice is May 10, 2008.

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Fisheries Biologist Field Report

Stevens Lake is a 62 acre impoundment located approximately 4.5 miles north of Tunkhannock. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission owns Stevens Lake and the surrounding shoreline. Area

4 biologists surveyed the panfish community at Stevens Lake using nine trap net sets during the week of April 14, 2008. Black crappies were very abundant in the nets and they were just the right size to make a great fillet (Figure 1). Crappie fishing was just starting to heat up as the lake warmed towards the end of the week. Stevens Lake also supported very nice populations of bluegill, white catfish, and bullheads (Table 1). We’ll return to survey the bass population at Stevens Lake with electrofishing gear later this spring.

CLICK HERE to read a summary of the results: http://m1e.net/c?69057647-Tn06svMD8pRXA%403281789-jfC9mqU.2eDOo

TAKE A FISH-EYE VIEW OF RACCOON LAKE

Harrisburg, PA -- Fish biologists from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission invite you to a public demonstration of fish sampling methods at Raccoon Lake in Raccoon Creek State Park, Beaver County, on Tuesday, April 29, at 6 p.m.

The demonstration will take place at the beach area of the lake.

Biologists will show the public various fish species caught at the lake through trap netting and flat bottom boat electrofishing. The event will be a good opportunity to learn about the types and sizes of fish that inhabit the water body.

Visitors can access the lake through the park entrance from the west on US 22 and US 30, or from the north and south on PA 18, which passes directly through the park.

Questions about the event can be directed to Area Fisheries Manager Rick Lorson of the PA Fish and Boat Commission at 814-445-

3454 or rlorson@state.pa.us.

COMMISSION AWARDS EDUCATION GRANTS TO RE-ENGAGE YOUTH

Harrisburg, PA -- Sport fishing, boating and aquatic resource education programs for today’s youth received a boost this spring with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission awarding educational grants totaling more than $50,000.

Ten organizations will receive Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants from the Fish and Boat Commission to develop or expand programs that teach fishing and boating skills or educate participants about waterways and the organisms that live within them. Eighteen applications were received in this grant cycle from sportsman's clubs, school districts, community groups and county agencies, with funding requests exceeding $90,000.

"The Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education Grants program expands on the Commission’s long-standing commitment to youth education," Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Dr. Doug Austen said. "I’m excited to see some of the outcomes of these grass roots projects, as research shows that well-structured education programs such as these lead to kids increasing their interest in fishing and boating, improving their skills, and helping them build a greater sense of aquatic stewardship and outdoor ethics."

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FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION TO RAISE WATER LEVEL OF LEASER LAKE

Harrisburg, PA — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will begin raising the water level of Leaser Lake in Lehigh County starting April 14.

The water level will be raised by 10 to 20 feet above its current level of 21 feet below original design pool to perform geotechnical monitoring. The information attained through the monitoring process will be used in the design to rehabilitate the lake. This evaluation will use the existing monitoring wells to measure water levels in the embankment and foundation as the lake level rises.

Raising the water level is expected to take several months. The maximum water level over this period will be dependent upon the results of the monitoring. Upon completion, the lake will be lowered to its current level.

The construction to rehabilitate the lake, specifically the embankment and spillway, is tentatively set to begin December

2009 and should take one year to complete.

PINE CREEK WATERSHED SURVEY TO EVALUATE ANGLER USE, HARVEST, MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

HARRISBURG — Anglers’ strong attraction to Pine Creek will be examined in a streamside survey starting Saturday along the celebrated waterway, whose diverse fishery and rugged, natural beauty embody the Pennsylvania Wilds.

More than 30 miles of Pine Creek — from Slate Run to near Jersey Shore, Lycoming County — will be part of the angler survey by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Penn State University.

"For more than 100 years, cold, clean water, unspoiled beauty and excellent fishing have drawn anglers to the Pine Creek watershed," said DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. "Because the waterway flows through two state forest districts, DCNR and the Fish and Boat Commission are working together to better understand what fish species Pine Creek anglers seek, how they fish for them, and how they view current regulations.

"Input from stream surveys, as well as more in-depth, follow-up mailings, may help shape possible future fishery management and regulation changes by the Fish and Boat Commission that will better protect the resource, while taking into account angler sentiments," DiBerardinis said.

"Before effecting any fishery changes along Pine Creek, the Fish and Boat Commission must evaluate the population dynamics of fish species and determine angler use," said Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Dr. Douglas Austen. "Because implications of management decisions are complex and far-reaching, the Fish and Boat Commission and DCNR staff want to improve our understanding of the biological and social dimensions of Pine Creek watershed management," Austen said. "Resource protection is most important but, from a social perspective, it is critical to recognize and appreciate the current angler use and input as it relates to different fish species, fishing opportunities and regulations.

"Findings of this project will allow both agencies to set best management practices using the current biological and social factors of the watershed."

DiBerardinis said anglers, as well as local businesses serving them, express conflicting perspectives on how trout fishing in Pine Creek and its tributaries should be managed.

"Because of the large DCNR-managed lands in the area, our staff is constantly asked about fishing regulations, access, parking and other related topics, so it’s appropriate that the two agencies work together on this project, he said."

Fishing on the lower, warm-water portion of Pine Creek is less understood, but anglers are known to target smallmouth bass, rock bass, and walleyes. A significant nighttime fishery may exist.

Little is known about warm-water anglers’ level of effort or preferences for different fish species.

The survey area of Pine Creek will stretch from Route 220 upstream to the mouth of Slate Run. From April through October, data will be collected using a streamside angler survey combined with a follow-up mail survey.

Trained survey clerks randomly will interview anglers on various stream segments and at different times. Questions will focus on angler distribution, tackle used, favorite fishing times and species sought. Travel characteristics, economic impact of Pine Creek angling, reaction to rules and regulation, and a variety of other angler information also will be logged.

Draining much of Tioga and Lycoming counties, Pine Creek and the gorge it forms are a centerpiece of the 12-county Pennsylvania Wilds and a well-known National Natural Landmark. Pine Creek Gorge Natural Area follows the stream 12 miles within the Tioga State Forest, and the entire gorge stretches more than 40 miles through both Tioga and Tiadaghton state forests.

A multi-use rail trail parallels the stream for more than 60 miles, ending at Jersey Shore, Lycoming County. Four state parks are along or near the waterway: Colton Point and Leonard Harrison in Tioga County, and Little Pine and Upper Pine Bottom in Lycoming County.

For more information on the Pine Creek watershed, visit:

www.dcnr.state.pa.us and download Pine Creek maps at the Fish and Boat Commission’s Web site: www.fishandboat.com.

2008 ADULT TROUT STOCKING SCHEDULE AVAILABLE AT FISHANDBOAT.COM

Harrisburg, PA -- The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

(PFBC) is stocking adult trout in a variety of lakes and streams that are open to public angling throughout Pennsylvania in 2008 and has posted "where" and "when" those fish will be released at www.fishandboat.com.

The service allows anglers to execute a quick search for trout stocking locations and dates of interest. To make the list, simply go to www.fishandboat.com, click on the stocking schedule link, select a county and start and end date from the calendars at the top of the page, then press go.

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