Talking with our PA Fish & Boat Commission

On October 22, 2024 I met with a Waterways Conservation Officer who works with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. What an interesting visit! 

The phrase for the day was “Common sense.” If something doesn’t look right, it might not be,  so call or talk to your neighbors and if needed, contact the fish and boat commission. If you see something…...say something. 

You can call the Fish Commission office at 1-570-477-5717.  If you have a need to call, it’s best to include your name, phone number,  any boat information you may have such as boat numbers on the bow and what violation you believe you saw.  They will get back to you.  

The officer defines his job when visiting Duck Harbor,  as one where he looks for Fishing and boating violations.  Oddly enough when we got to the state access area it looked like he was handing out a ticket…... Oh NO, did someone get a ticket because I scheduled a meeting with him???  It turns out he didn’t give a ticket out, but he did go on to say that Quads, ATVs, and even Golf Carts are not allowed on the state access.  He usually gives a warning unless they find that you are creating a danger but , FYI, now you know. 

When an officer comes to Duck Harbor, they look out on the lake to see if your boat registration is correct and within date. If he believes he sees a violation, he may call you over and once that happens, he will check to see if you have the proper life jackets, required boat safety equipment and if fishing, make sure you have a valid fishing license. 

If you are skiing after hours, you will also be fined. 

The commission also has a special activity permit (PFBC-5001) to notify them of activities on and around the access that will impact the lake.   Now I must admit,  when I worked for cooperations,  would always follow the rule of it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission when having activities, but as I continue to grow and learn, this seemed really fair. 

The special activity permit allows people on the lake to advise the state fish & boat commission of events you’d like to hold.  There is no fee to fill it out the form and basically it gives the fish & boat commission an idea for their biologists to gauge fishing/angling pressure. Our lake is in great shape, and we all want to keep it that way. So, for instance, if I wanted to hold a fishing tournament and/or a kid’s fishing tournament on the lake, it’s fine…they just want to know about it.

They also want to check the date to see if other fishing competitions are going on, such as clubs that have events on the weekend out of the state access area which again, could affect the angling pressure. Biologists do come here, and another example would be if it’s let’s say a bass competition, that bass season is “open.”  They support our efforts, appreciate that we love the lake but also want to ensure the fish have a voice (I like that line….hook, line, and sinker!)

They would like to have the permit 60 days prior to the event if possible, but they do understand if it’s not possible and they will absolutely try to accommodate but please not the day before. Common sense.

He also mentioned people could get married or hold reunions at the state access if they wanted to if they filled out the permit.  How cool would that be?  

To access the form, go here: https://www.fishandboat.com/Forms-Permits/Pages/Fishing.aspx

We also discussed  Lower woods.  Some of you may have fished there at that lake over the years and is located about 3 miles from here off Route 371 (watch for signs).  It is a 91-acre lake as opposed to our lake which is approximately 226 acres – depending on who you talk to. 

Lower Woods Pond in Lebanon Township, Wayne County, a popular fishing spot for generations was drained over 10 years ago due to a leaking dam. Finally, with an investment of $2.6 million in state dollars, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has replaced the dam and began refilling the approximately 91-acre basin. 

A celebration was marked May 17, 2024 with a ceremonial turning of the crank to let the water in, and using gold-colored buckets, the ceremonial beginning of restocking of this valuable resource. 

It is estimated that fishing for the next 4-5 at Lower Woods will be catch and release only as it builds back it’s fish population. 

Some of you may have seen the PA commission put out nets on the lake or come by the shoreline at night with lights in what seems like a sweeper boat. These are all methods the Commission and their biologists uses to monitor population of particular fish, sometimes it could be walleye, and they might use a net, other times they may use the “sweeper” at night which is an electro fishing boat which can stun bass so they can count and monitor their size.  It’s fascinating and of no danger to the fish. They always catch and release.  I got a real great feeling that they seriously take care of the fish in this lake.  

Before leaving, I asked him what we could do as individuals on the lake to help maintain this great place he again said “Common sense.”  So remember, if you see something, say something – hook, line, and sinker!