Post by Gsseagle on Apr 12, 2011 21:32:26 GMT -5
Fish & Boat Commission Finalizes
Susquehanna River Bass Regulations
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today placed permanent catch-and-immediate-release regulations on smallmouth and largemouth bass in portions of the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers, a move designed to protect the rivers’ existing bass population. At the same time, Commissioners at the quarterly business meeting approved publication of proposed regulations which would, if adopted on final rulemaking, close bass fishing on the same river segments during the spawning season and extend the catch-and-immediate-release regulations to portions of tributaries beginning in 2012.
“We know that deteriorating water quality is a significant factor contributing to the decline of the smallmouth bass population in portions of these rivers and we continue to work with other state agencies and conservation groups on the issue,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “But at the same time, we can protect the existing bass population by reducing angling pressure on them.”
The final regulations approved today have been in place since January 1 under a temporary order issued by Executive Director Arway. They apply to approximately 32 miles of the Juniata River, from the State Route 75 Bridge at Port Royal in Juniata County downstream to the mouth of the river at Duncannon, Perry County. On the Susquehanna, the regulations cover 98 miles, from the inflatable dam near Sunbury in Northumberland County downstream to the Holtwood Dam in York County.
Under the proposed rulemaking approved today, harvesting or attempting to harvest bass on the designated river segments and portions of tributaries would be prohibited during the spring spawn, from the first Saturday after April 11 until the first Saturday after June 11. During the remainder of the year, catch-and-immediate-release regulations would apply to anglers and a catch-measure-immediate-release format would apply to tournaments.
The proposed rulemaking also would extend catch-and-immediate-release regulations into the tributaries to a point one-half mile upstream. If approved under a final rulemaking order, the proposed regulations would take effect Jan. 1, 2012.
A copy of the agenda can be found on the Commission’s web site at www.fishandboat.com/minutes.htm.
For more information, contact:
Eric Levis
elevis@state.pa.us
717.705.7806
PA Fish and Boat Commission
1601 Elmerton Avenue | Harrisburg, PA 17110
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Susquehanna River Bass Regulations
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today placed permanent catch-and-immediate-release regulations on smallmouth and largemouth bass in portions of the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers, a move designed to protect the rivers’ existing bass population. At the same time, Commissioners at the quarterly business meeting approved publication of proposed regulations which would, if adopted on final rulemaking, close bass fishing on the same river segments during the spawning season and extend the catch-and-immediate-release regulations to portions of tributaries beginning in 2012.
“We know that deteriorating water quality is a significant factor contributing to the decline of the smallmouth bass population in portions of these rivers and we continue to work with other state agencies and conservation groups on the issue,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “But at the same time, we can protect the existing bass population by reducing angling pressure on them.”
The final regulations approved today have been in place since January 1 under a temporary order issued by Executive Director Arway. They apply to approximately 32 miles of the Juniata River, from the State Route 75 Bridge at Port Royal in Juniata County downstream to the mouth of the river at Duncannon, Perry County. On the Susquehanna, the regulations cover 98 miles, from the inflatable dam near Sunbury in Northumberland County downstream to the Holtwood Dam in York County.
Under the proposed rulemaking approved today, harvesting or attempting to harvest bass on the designated river segments and portions of tributaries would be prohibited during the spring spawn, from the first Saturday after April 11 until the first Saturday after June 11. During the remainder of the year, catch-and-immediate-release regulations would apply to anglers and a catch-measure-immediate-release format would apply to tournaments.
The proposed rulemaking also would extend catch-and-immediate-release regulations into the tributaries to a point one-half mile upstream. If approved under a final rulemaking order, the proposed regulations would take effect Jan. 1, 2012.
A copy of the agenda can be found on the Commission’s web site at www.fishandboat.com/minutes.htm.
For more information, contact:
Eric Levis
elevis@state.pa.us
717.705.7806
PA Fish and Boat Commission
1601 Elmerton Avenue | Harrisburg, PA 17110
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