§ 63.6. Authorized devices for game fish, baitfish and fishbait.
(a) It is unlawful to fish for game fish with more than three lines of any description, whether fished by rod or by hand, at one time except while ice fishing in accordance with § 63.10 (relating to ice fishing). There is not a restriction on the number of hooks used for fishing for game fish, except when fishing in the Pymatuning Reservoir where no more than three hooks shall be attached to each line used in fishing. Rods, lines and hooks shall be under the immediate control of the person using them. For purposes of this chapter, an authorized device shall be deemed under the immediate control of a person if it is within reasonable reach and can be adjusted, manipulated or brought to hand quickly and the person is nearby. Downriggers, planer boards, depth control devices, pre-loaded rod holders, rod holders that provide for a loaded rod or a triggering device, or both, (with or without mechanically induced jigging motion), or hook setting devices are authorized devices. Drones and other remote controlled devices are not authorized devices.
(b) It is unlawful to fish for baitfish with more than three lines of any description, whether fished by rod or by hand, at one time; a dip-net or minnow seine not over 4 feet square or 4 feet in diameter, and a minnow trap, with not more than two openings, which may not exceed 1 inch in diameter. There is not a restriction on the number of hooks used for fishing for baitfish, except when fishing in the Pymatuning Reservoir where no more than three hooks shall be attached to each line used in fishing. Rods, lines, hooks, nets and seines used in fishing for fishbait and baitfish shall be under the immediate control of the person using the same. For the purposes of this subpart, gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) 8 inches or less in length are considered baitfish.
(c) For purposes of this section, a hook is considered a fishing device with no more than three points or barbs.
(d) It is unlawful to use more than three lines at any time, except while ice fishing in accordance with § 63.10, when fishing for game fish, baitfish or both.
(e) 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.
Authority The provisions of this § 63.6 amended under the Fish and Boat Code, 30 Pa.C.S. § 2102.
Source The provisions of this § 63.6 adopted May 23, 1980, effective January 1, 1981, 10 Pa.B. 2051; amended January 23, 1981, effective January 24, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 422; reserved March 5, 1982, effective March 6, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 870; amended January 6, 1984, effective January 7, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 46; amended July 12, 1985, effective July 13, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 2578; amended February 3, 1989, effective February 4, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 405; amended October 31, 1997, effective November 1, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 5605; amended February 27, 2004, effective February 28, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 1231 and 1232; amended June 10, 2011, effective January 1, 2012, 41 Pa.B. 2950; amended March 21, 2014, effective March 22, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 1762; amended September 17, 2021, effective September 18, 2021, 51 Pa.B. 6028. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (401238) and (378391).
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