Traditional trout fishing is here to stay in Pennsylvania — at least for now anyway. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission tabled a proposal to split the trout season opener into two days in April. From angler input received at the agency’s 2002 Trout Summit, the Commission this spring solicited public comments on the potential for opening the trout season in some southern counties two weeks earlier than the remainder of the state. With angler reaction mixed, however, the commissioners voted at their summer quarterly meeting July 18-19 in Harrisburg to maintain a single, statewide opening day — which is established by regulation as the first Saturday after April 11. Special brook trout waters The board of fish and boat commissioners also voted to create a new category of special regulations aimed at enhancing wild brook trout populations. Under the program, select waters and their tributaries will be managed for catch-and-release fishing only for all wild brook trout, without a special tackle restriction. The approach will allow for year-round brook trout fishing. The Upper Kettle Creek basin in Tioga and Potter counties was designated at the first watershed to be managed under the new regulation category. The waterway under the designation of catch-and- release brook trout fishing is not in an area stocked by the Fish and Boat Commission trout hatchery trucks. Legalizing crossbows The Game Commission is not the only state agency entering the crossbow discussions. At the recent Fish and Boat Commission meeting in Harrisburg, proposed rulemaking was presented that would add crossbows to the list of equipment legal for the taking of carp, gar, suckers and eels. If adopted on a final vote, the need for a special permit for disabled individuals to use a crossbow for these species would be removed. Netting fish The agency officials also adopted for a notice of proposed rulemaking regulatory language making it clear that it is unlawful to use any type of net or seine to catch or take game fish. A landing net may be used to land game fish legally caught by hook and line.

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