John Mahn, Jr. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) began its quarterly business meeting this week by encouraging anglers and boaters to continue to enjoy summer fishing and boating opportunities across the Commonwealth, while staying safe and being aware of weather conditions.
“There is still plenty of time this summer to enjoy the water safely and continue to make fishing and boating memories with family and friends,” said PFBC President William Gibney. “With the recent stretch of hot and dry weather across the Commonwealth, even more people are flocking to our rivers, lakes, and streams to have fun and find some relief from the heat. While there is plenty of room for everyone, please continue to be courteous to others and be mindful of our aquatic resources. Please keep our natural areas clean and always wear your lifejacket.”
In his report to the Board, Executive Director Tim Schaeffer noted that throughout the recent Independence Day holiday weekend, 61 Waterways Conservation Officers (WCOs) and 34 deputy WCOs participated in Operation Dry Water.
The special operation conducted from July 4-6, was held in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, U.S. Coast Guard, and other conservation law enforcement agencies across the country to prevent boating accidents and fatalities through education and enhanced Boating Under the Influence (BUI) enforcement.
This special operation resulted in 12 BUI arrests across the Commonwealth, including the arrest of one boat operator who had a Blood Alcohol Concentration of .25, which is more than three times the legal limit for impairment. In addition to BUI violations, 234 general boating citations and 876 warnings were issued.
To date, there have been nine recreational boating fatalities in Pennsylvania in 2024. For more information on boating safety including life jacket wear, visit the PFBC website fishandboat.com .
Boating
Commissioners voted to approve the publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking pertaining to boating safety regulations and manufacturer installed equipment (58 Pa. Code § 95). Under the proposal, a section (58 Pa. Code § 95.10) would be added to the PA Fish and Boat Code pertaining to engine cut-off switches.
This action would align PFBC regulations with U.S. Coast Guard rules which require the operator of a boat less than 26 feet in length equipped with an engine cutoff to use an engine cut-off switch when the boat is operated at greater than slow no-wake speed.
The use of an engine cut-off switch shall not be required when the operator is in a fully enclosed cabin of a boat. If given final approval at a future meeting, this amendment will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
The Board voted to approve an amendment to a Boating Facility Grant. At the April 2021 Quarterly Commission meeting, the Board approved a grant not to exceed $193,682 to Wayne County to design and construct a new canoe/kayak access along the Lackawaxen River in Honesdale.
Since the awarding of the original grant, the cost of materials and construction services have increased significantly, and Wayne County has requested additional funding in the amount of $64,000 to complete the project.
The Board voted to approve the addition of 31 new waters to the PFBC’s list of Class A wild trout streams, and the addition of 95 new waters to the PFBC’s list of wild trout streams. A list of waters proposed for Class A wild trout and wild trout stream designation can be found in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. All of these additions will go into effect upon publication of a second notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Public Access and Real Estate
The Board voted to approve the conveyance of two small rights of way over property near the PFBC’s Lake Winola Access in Overfield Township, Wayne County, to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
PennDOT intends to remove and replace the State Route 2031 bridge across an unnamed tributary of Beaver Creek, and requires an approximately .1-acre Right-of-Way, .1-acre Slope Easement, and .3-acre Temporary Construction Easement to perform the project, which is expected to last about six months.
A detour will ensure that the project will not directly impede public access to the Lake Winola property. Following the project, the property will be restored to the PFBC’s satisfaction. This conveyance will be subject to PFBC staff performing the necessary due diligence and approval from the General Assembly as the Lake Winola property was acquired using Project 70 Land Acquisition and Borrowing Act funds.
Board elects new officers
The Board elected Daniel Pastore of Fairview, Erie County, as President. Pastore, who served as Vice President and District 1 Commissioner, replaces William Gibney of Honesdale, Wayne County.
Pastore cited several goals for the coming year, including finalizing the PFBC’s Trout Management Plan, obtaining additional public access to our waterways, improving partnerships with our fellow wildlife and conservation agencies, simplifying fishing and boating regulations, and improving overall customer service.
John Mahn, Jr. was elected as Vice President. Mahn, who serves as District 2 Commissioner, replaces Pastore as Vice President. Both Pastore and Mahn will serve one-year terms through July 2025.
William Gibney will remain on the Board and continue to serve as District 7 Commissioner.
Army Corps shares update on Francis
E. Walter Dam water release schedule
The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Philadelphia District updated the 2024 Francis E. Walter Dam recreation plan.
The Army Corps updated the plan, which states whitewater and fisheries releases will be scheduled if enough water storage is accumulated in the reservoir.
Currently, there is enough water storage to schedule the following increments:
• Add a whitewater event on Aug.31 (650 cubic feet per second) and increase fisheries augmentation releases to 100 cubic feet per second for the period of July 27-Aug. 2.
• Add a whitewater event on Sept. 1 (650 cubic feet per second) and increase fisheries augmentation releases to 100 cubic feet per second for the period of Aug. 3-9.
It’s important to note that all recreational releases are subject to change based on the potential need for flood control operations.
BACK WOODS BASS RESULTS
Week of July 15
Bob Strunk reports results from the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Wednesday night Lunker Tournament, the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Friday Night Tournament and the Monday Night River Tournament.
Monday Night River Tournament
1st Place: Joe & Wyatt Frederick & Dan Lukashewski 6.50 lbs
Also won Lunker Award 1.86 lbs
2nd Place: John Centak/Chet Williams 5.98 lbs
3rd Place: Bill Daubert/Jimmy Mattioli 5.57 lbs
4th Place: Tim & TJ Pearson 5.28 lbs
5th Place: Bob & Sheldon Strunk 4.20 lbs
6th Place: Joe & Joey Malloy 2.15 lbs
Harveys Lake Wednesday Night Lunker
1st Place: Dave Brill 3.98 lbs
2nd Place: Justin Kubilus 3.75 lbs
3rd Place: Ron Enslin 3.73 lbs
4th Place: Jake Seymour 3.46 lbs
5th Place: Kevin Seymour 2.99 lbs
6th Place: Jake Rolands 2.99 lbs
7th Place: Gavin Surge 2.97 lbs
8th Place: Andy Judge. 2.91 lbs
9th Place: Jimmy Roberts 2.60 lbs
10th: Place: Joe Simko 2.37 lbs
Harveys Lake Friday Night Tournament
1st Place: Jake Rolands/Gavin Surge 10.75 lbs
2nd Place: Ryan Spencer/Joe McGraw 10.35 lbs
3rd Place: Johnny Niezgoda 9.80 lbs
4th Place: Gary & Aaron Hayman 9.26 lbs
5th Place: Chuck Peterman/Chris Kalna 9.19 lbs
6th Place: John & Evan Stravinski 7.88 lbs
7th Place: Matt Fredmonski 7.69 lbs
8th Place: Nate Hazeltine/Slick Harris 7.36 lbs
9th Place: Travis Sciandra 7.35 lbs
10th Place: Bill Daubert 5.69 lbs
Frances Slocum State Park activities
Upcoming August and Labor Day Weekend Activities at Frances Slocum State Park:
**On some afternoons in August (weather permitting) the park naturalist will have a table set up near the pool entrance displaying interesting nature items
Tea Time
Saturday, Aug. 10, 10 a.m.
Come out to taste some wild teas made with local plants. Campground amphitheater
Nature Bingo
Saturday, Aug 17, 6 p.m.
Bring the whole family out to learn about Pennsylvania plants and animals. Be prepared for fast-paced action! Campground amphitheater
Night Sky Tour
Saturday, Aug. 17, 9 p.m.
* (Not suitable for children under 10)
Join us as members of the Lackawanna Astronomical Society bring their expertise and their telescopes to share the night sky with us. We’ll start out in the pavilion with a video presentation, then move to the parking lot to look through the scopes. Pavilion #3
Music in the Woods
Saturday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m.
The park welcomes Don Shappelle as he shares folk songs featuring the river, trains, the environment and much more. Campground amphitheater
Lakeshore Trail Walk
Saturday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m.
Let’s walk Lakeshore Trail from near Pavilion #3 to the Turtle Pond and back. We’ll be looking for interesting plants and animals along the way. Meet near the Pavilion 3 restroom, watch for the park naturalist
Butterflies and Moths
Saturday, Aug. 31, 1 p.m.
Get out of the heat and come learn about our local Lepidoptera! The park naturalist will share a bit of natural history about these winged wonders. Solano Education Building
Spunky Spiders
Saturday, Aug. 31, 3 p.m.
* Ages 3-5
Little ones and their grownups will learn about spiders through hands on activities, story, and related craft. Campground amphitheater
Owl Pellet Perusal
Sunday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m.
Everyone is welcome to learn a bit about owls and then dissect an owl pellet to see what the birds have been eating. Campground amphitheater
Damsels and Dragons
Sunday, Sept. 1, 1 p.m.
No, its not a fantasy role playing game. We’ll be learning about dragonflies and damselflies, interesting aerialists of the wetlands. Then we’ll set off with nets to see if we can catch a few for up-close observation. All materials provided. Back deck of the Solano Education Building
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