Northwest Region
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Crawford County
PFBC Conneaut Lake Access Area Temporary Closure
PFBC staff plan to close the Conneaut Lake Access Area in Crawford County from June 3, 2020 to June 6, 2020 to replace the deteriorated road with new pavement.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Boating season is in full swing. If you are getting your boat out for the first time, make sure you have all your safety equipment in order. Anglers are catching panfish throughout the lake. A reminder that Shenango Reservoir is now designated as a Panfish Enhancement Lake. Crappie must be 9 inches to harvest and the creel limit is 20.
Warren County
Allegheny River
Anglers are catching smallmouth bass by Betts Park using a variety of soft plastics, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits.
Kinzua Reservoir
Sugar Bay is a great area for walleye. Anglers are catching the most walleye around the mouth of the bay.
PFBC’s Starbrick Access Area Temporary Closure
PFBC staff plan to close the Starbrick Access in Warren County from June 10, 2020 to June 13, 2020 to replace the deteriorated entrance road and parking area with new pavement.
Northcentral Region
Tioga County
Pine Creek
Anglers are currently experiencing ideal fishing conditions on upper Pine Creek. The water temperature is currently in the mid 60’s. Anglers are reporting some dry fly action as Green Drakes, Sulphurs, Caddisflies and Golden Stoneflies are all currently hatching. Late evenings are proving to be the most productive but the fish are active throughout the day. Anglers are also catching trout using a variety of nymphs as well as, swinging wet flies.
Hammond Lake
Anglers continue to catch crappie near shore however, the bite is slowing down. It is still a great time to get out and experience these aggressive fish while they are still gathered in numbers. For some tips and tricks concerning Crappie fishing, check out this video made by Fishing Skills Instructors Don and Renee Kelly, owners and operators of Tackle Shack, Wellsboro PA.
Link: Intro to Crappie Fishing
Clinton and Lycoming Counties
Boating is currently in its prime with ideal water levels in both the rivers and streams throughout both counties. Both powerboats and paddle craft are able to get on the water right now. Safety first, remember all of your safety equipment and rules of the road. Check your registrations and launch permits as well as local regulations.
West Branch Susquehanna
Anglers are currently catching smallmouth bass, musky and walleye in the river and some of the smaller tributaries. The bass activity has slowed down recently with the post spawn but should quickly rebound. Reports of 50+ inch musky have recently been reported. The crappie, bluegill and perch fishing has been great over the past few weeks using anything from jigs to flies. Taking a pan fish on a lightweight fly rod is a blast. These fish are currently in the spawn but will quickly be done and back to normal routine.
Fishing Creek
The water temperature is currently in the low 50’s. Fishing creek continues to fish well with lots of bugs still making a showing on the surface. Caddis, March brown, Blue-Winged Olives and Sulphurs are all currently hatching. Dry flies are working well when the bugs are coming off in numbers. Subsurface techniques continue to be the most productive. Hot patterns include Dirty Bird Hares Ear and Juju Baetis. Streamers are also working well right now.
Southeastern Region
Lancaster County
With increased affordability and relative ease of use, kayaking dominates as the fastest growing segment of boating. The paddling public often equates the requisite requirement for an Unpowered Registration OR a Launch Permit as congruent with utilizing a public launch. That is a misnomer as delineated on page 13 of the Pennsylvania Boating Handbook:
LAUNCH PERMITS
Owners of unpowered boats (canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, rowboats, etc.) can launch their boats at PFBC lakes and access areas or Pennsylvania state parks if their boats display a PFBC launch use permit, boat registration, or Pennsylvania State Parks launch permit or mooring permit. Pennsylvania State Parks recognizes boat registrations and Commission launch permits. The Commission does NOT recognize launch permits from other states. A PFBC launch permit can be purchased on the Commission’s website. An unpowered boat may have a registration OR launch permit but is not required to have both.
Launch Permits can be obtained at any of Lancaster Counties 14 Issuing Agents for
Un-powered Boat Launch (Use) Permits Per Link:
PFBC ISSUING AGENTS FOR UN-POWERED BOAT USE [LAUNCH] PERMITS Additionally, any Fishing license Issuing Agent can issue a temporary Launch Permit or they can be purchased online via the PFBC’s THE OUTDOOR SHOP
The fee for an annual permit is $12.00 or a two-year permit can be purchased for $22.00. Regulations Apply Per Below
- 53.27 Use Permits for Unpowered Boats
(d) A use permit is issued for a specific boat. It is unlawful to transfer a use permit issued for a specific boat to another boat. A use permit remains effective for the boat for which it is issued even if ownership of the boat is changed during the term of the permit. (e) Use permits are valid for 1 or 2 years. The expiration date of a 1-year use permit is December 31 of the year for which it is issued. The expiration date of a 2-year use permit is December 31 of the second year for which it was issued.
Swim-Aids: Outdoor enthusiasts who seek to float on an inner-tube are advised that per the language of the applicable regulation; It Is Unlawful To Launch Or Retrieve Swimming Aides, Such As Inner Tubes, From Commission-Owned Or -Controlled Access Areas. [PA Title 30 – Section 741 -Regulation 53.16 (c)]
Operators of Unpowered Watercraft who do not possess either valid Registration or a Launch Permit will be charged accordingly consistent with violation of PA Title 30 Regulation 53.8 (f) A boat using a Commission lake or access area must be registered and display the official registration number and current validation stickers described under Subpart C and Part III of the code.
(1) This subsection does not apply to:
(i) Unpowered boats that display an official and valid use permit issued by the Commission under § 53.27 (relating to use permits for unpowered boats) or that display an official and valid watercraft launch or mooring permit issued by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for use of launch or mooring facilities at this Commonwealth’s State parks and forests.
The PFBC is an independently funded State Agency, subsequently fees from boat registration and launch permits provide for both acquisition and maintenance of boating access areas. The Fish and Boat Commission Is A User-Funded Agency – Meaning It Receives No PA General Fund Tax Revenue to Support Its Programs. The Commission Operates Out of Two Special Funds: The Fish Fund and The Boat Fund. The Principal Sources of Revenue for The Fish Fund Are Fishing Licenses and Fees (About 66%) And Federal Funds (About 22%) Obtained from Taxes on Fishing-Related Items. For the Boat Fund, Boat Registration/Titling Fees, Refunds of Liquid Fuels Taxes on Gas Used by Motorboats And Federal Aid Are The Top Revenue Categories.
Registration OR Launch Permit Required – Lancaster County Specific Access Areas
| ACCESS NAME | WATERWAY | OWNERSHIP | Horsepower |
| Speedwell Forge Access | Speedwell Forge Lake | PFBC | Electric |
| Falmouth Access | Susquehanna River | PFBC | Unlimited |
| Columbia River Park | Susquehanna River | Columbia Borough | Unlimited |
| Rock Hill Access | Conestoga River | PFBC | Unlimited |
| Slackwater Access | Conestoga River | PFBC | Unlimited |
Unpowered Registration can be applied for at any of Lancaster Counties 26 Boat Registration Issuing Agents Per Link: PA BOAT REGISTRATION ISSUING AGENTS – LANCASTER COUNTY Registrations fees are $22.00 and are valid for a two-year cycle with expiration on March 31 of the second year. It is of note that Boat Registration is more readily trackable as compared to Launch Permits for law enforcement purposes should your kayak or canoe become lost, stolen, separated from the operator as does periodically occur and thus of significance in return of the boat to the owner of record in all instances.
For kayakers and canoeists who may have obtained a used boat with no official paperwork shall complete an Affidavit of Ownership to provide to the Registration Agent. AFFIDAVIT OF PURCHASE -OWNERSHIP – PFBC 734 This form is used to establish ownership of boats purchased at flea markets, yard/garage sales, auction/estate sales and other private transactions where a bill-of-sale or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) is not available and the boat was not previously registered in Pennsylvania or any other state.
To learn more regarding the boat registration process: BOAT REGISTRATION AND TITLING FAQ
Schoolies are in the Delaware in Easton PA