Pennsylvania Mixed Bag: Harris Pond fishing regulations change

Harrisburg — Pennsylvania Fish & Boat commissioners, at their recent quarterly meeting, voted to approve a change in fishing regulations on Harris Pond, a commission-owned lake located in Ross Township, Luzerne County.

Under the change, the 30-acre impoundment will be removed from the Big Bass program. This action is necessary because Harris Pond is expected to be completely dewatered in 2025 or 2026 to complete dam and spillway repairs per the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s dam safety standards.

The removal of Harris Pond from the Big Bass Program follows action to remove all seasons, sizes, and creel limits at the water.

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Women’s Introduction to Wingshooting

Mount Jewett, Pa. — Women’s Introduction to Wingshooting, a two-weekend program offered by the Ruffed Grouse Society to help women learn the fundamentals of shotgun shooting and hunting game birds, will be offered July 19-20 and Aug. 23-24 by the Mount Jewett Sportsmen’s Club. A hunt will be offered to the graduates on Sunday, Sept 7, at a nearby sportsmen’s club.

Participants must register to attend this course, and it is on a first-come, first-serve registration basis. Register by email at bjmf989@gmail.com.

Attendance is required for both weekends to graduate from the program. Limited free lodging is available, and local motels and campgrounds offer accommodations.

Excellence in Waterways Law Enforcement

Harrisburg —The Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association recently presented its Officer of the Year Award to Chad Lauer, waterways conservation officer whose Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission district includes Tioga County in the Northcentral Region.

In 2024, Lauer’s law enforcement efforts included 46 days of onboard boat patrols, 600 boardings, the investigation of 12 environmental incidents, and the investigation of timber theft from commission property resulting in charges being filed.   

Electric Boat Motor Regs Change Proposed

Harrisburg — Pennsylvania Fish & Boat commissioners, at their recent quarterly meeting, approved the publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking pertaining to use of electric boat motors on commission and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources owned or controlled waterways.

Under this proposal, language within the state’s boat would be amended to clarify that the use of new, more powerful electric motors must comply with horsepower limitations and clarifies that boats are limited to only slow, no-wake speed if these waters are restricted to electric motors only.

The amendment must be approved at a future meeting.

Hunters Sharing Harvest New Board Member

Greenville, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s venison donation program Hunters Sharing the Harvest recently announced the appointment of Rob Boulware to its board of directors.

Director of stakeholder relations at Seneca Resources Co., Boulware has more than two decades of experience in public relations and stakeholder engagement within the energy sector. He  has shepherded Seneca Resources’ ongoing sponsorship support of Hunters Sharing the Harvest and has worked to introduce potential donors to the organization.

Rose Valley Lake Fishing Regs Change

Harrisburg — Pennsylvania Fish & Boat commissioners, at their recent quarterly meeting here, voted to approve a change in fishing regulations at Rose Valley Lake, a commission-owned water located in Gamble Township, Lycoming County.

Under this change, the 389-acre impoundment will be removed from the Big Bass program. This action is necessary, according to the agency,  because Rose Valley Lake is expected to be completely dewatered in 2026 to complete dam and spillway repairs per the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s dam safety standards.

The removal of Rose Valley Lake from the Big Bass Program follows action to remove all seasons, sizes, and creel limits at the lake.

25 New Class A Wild Trout Waters Designated

Harrisburg — Pennsylvania Fish & Boat commissioners, at their recent quarterly meeting here, voted to approve the addition of 25 new waters to the commission’s list of Class A wild trout streams, 45 waters to its list of wild trout streams, and the revision of the section limits of five waters currently listed.

A list of wild trout waters can be found on the agency’s website.