PROPOSED RULEMAKING
FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION
[ 58 PA. CODE CH. 65 ]
Fishing; Special Fishing Regulations
[54 Pa.B. 3523]
[Saturday, June 22, 2024]The Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) proposes to amend Chapter 65 (relating to special fishing regulations). The Commission is publishing this proposed rulemaking under the authority of 30 Pa.C.S. (relating to Fish and Boat Code) (code). The proposed amendment would delete Glade Run Lake, Butler County under § 65.24 (relating to miscellaneous special regulations).
A. Effective Date
This proposed rulemaking, if approved on final-form rulemaking, will go into effect January 1, 2025.
B. Contact Person
For further information on this proposed rulemaking, contact Renae Kluk Kiehl, Esq., P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, (717) 705-7810. This proposed rulemaking is available on the Commission's web site at www.fishandboat.com.
C. Statutory Authority
The proposed amendment to § 65.24 is published under the statutory authority of section 2307(a) of the code (relating to waters limited to specific purposes).
D. Purpose and Background
The specific purpose and background of the proposed amendment is described in more detail under the summary of proposal.
E. Summary of Proposal
Glade Run Lake is a 52-acre impoundment owned by this Commonwealth, managed by the Commission and located in Middlesex Township, Butler County which is approximately 10 miles south of the City of Butler. The dam impounds Glade Run at river mile (RM) 9.3 upstream from its confluence with Connoquenessing Creek at RM 34.3. This reservoir was completely dewatered during the spring of 2011 to upgrade the dam and spillway structures per Department of Environmental Protection dam safety standards. Following the completion of these repairs and modifications, refill occurred in the winter of 2017, and the Commission stocked the lake from 2017 through 2023 with select fish species, to establish a high-quality, warm-water and cool-water fishery.
Since 2017, Glade Run Lake has been managed under § 65.24 which allows for the harvest of trout under § 61.1 (relating to Commonwealth inland waters), seasons, sizes and daily limits but no harvest of other fish species. The intent was to facilitate rapid development of the warm-water and cool-water fish populations in the absence of harvest while allowing for the harvest of trout as the lake is included in the Commission's Stocked Trout Waters program. Once the warm-water and cool-water fish populations were sufficiently reestablished, the lake would then be recommended for removal from the miscellaneous special regulations and moved to one or more of the Commission's existing regulation programs.
The black bass and panfish populations were evaluated from 2019 through 2023 to monitor progress toward development of a high-quality, warm-water and cool-water fishery. Sportfish abundance and population size structure have improved to levels where populations can now sustain limited harvest. As such, it is recommended that Glade Run Lake be deleted from miscellaneous special regulations, allowing Commission staff to consider this reservoir for management under §§ 65.9 and 65.11 (relating to big bass; and panfish enhancement).
The Commission proposes that § 65.24 be amended to read as set forth in Annex A.
F. Paperwork
This proposed rulemaking will not increase paperwork and will not create new paperwork requirements.
G. Fiscal Impact
This proposed rulemaking will have no adverse fiscal impact on the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions.
H. Public Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments, objections or suggestions about this proposed rulemaking to the Executive Director, Fish and Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, within 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted.
Comments also may be submitted electronically to RA-pfbcregulations@pa.gov. Electronic comments submitted in any other manner will not be accepted.
TIMOTHY D. SCHAEFFER,
Executive DirectorFiscal Note: 48A-353. No fiscal impact; recommends adoption
Annex A
TITLE 58. RECREATION
PART II. FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION
Subpart B. FISHING
CHAPTER 65. SPECIAL FISHING REGULATIONS § 65.24. Miscellaneous special regulations.
The following waters are subject to the following miscellaneous special regulations:
County Name of Water Special Regulations * * * * * Blair,
Huntingdon,
Juniata, Mifflin
and PerryJuniata River and its tributaries Rock bass—daily creel limit is 10; open year-round;
no minimum size limit.[Butler Glade Run Lake All species except trout—catch and release/no harvest; it is unlawful to take, kill or possess any fish except trout. All fish caught other than trout must be immediately returned unharmed. Trout—inland regulations apply.
See § 61.1.]Carbon Pohopoco Creek, Section 04, from the outlet of Beltzville Lake downstream to Hideaway Hunting and Fishing Club cable across creek All tackle types are permitted. Brown trout—catch and release/no harvest; it is unlawful to take, kill or possess brown trout at any time. All other trout species—7 inches minimum size limit—5 trout daily limit (combined species) from 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular season for trout to midnight on Labor Day. Catch and release/no harvest—it is unlawful to take, kill or possess any trout from
12:01 a.m. the day after Labor Day to midnight the third Sunday in February the following year. Closed to all fishing from 12:01 a.m. the third Monday in February until 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular season for trout. All species except trout—inland regulations apply. See § 61.1.* * * * *
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 24-863. Filed for public inspection June 21, 2024, 9:00 a.m.]
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