PFBC to Consider New Angling Opportunities on Two Sections of Pine Creek

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is reminding anglers that they still have about two weeks to provide public comments on the agency’s proposal to move two popular sections of Pine Creek into the Approved Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing Program.

During 2011 and 2012, PFBC staff developed a fisheries management plan for Pine Creek, an 87-mile long stream which originates in Potter County and flows through Tioga, Lycoming and Clinton counties. The plan is available online at: http://fishandboat.com/pinecreekplan.htm. As part of the management plan, PFBC staff identified ways to improve angling opportunities. A public meeting on the management plan was held on July 16, 2011.

“The fisheries management plan identifies Sections 10 and 12 as excellent candidates for the year-round program because the stream sections are popular with anglers and tend to warm quickly due to their large size, with temperatures often becoming marginal for trout by early June,” said Dave Miko, chief of the PFBC Division of Fisheries Management.

The PFBC is providing the public an additional opportunity to comment on this proposal until April 8. The PFBC board of commissioners is expected to vote on the proposal at its April 16 quarterly business meeting in Harrisburg. If approved, the change would take effect on Jan. 1, 2014.

Pine Creek, Section 10, extends for 11.1 miles from the SR 414 Bridge in Blackwell (350 meters upstream of the confluence with Babb Creek) downstream to the confluence with Slate Run (upper limit of the 1.2 mile-long delayed harvest artificial lures only reach). Section 12 extends for 15.1 miles from 150 meters upstream of the confluence with Naval Run (lower limit of the delayed harvest artificial lures only reach) downstream to the confluence with Little Pine Creek in Waterville.

Currently, both stream sections are managed under Approved Trout Waters regulations and stocked trout angling opportunities are limited to about a 7-8 week period between the opening day of trout season and early June when water temperatures often become too warm for trout.

The designation of Pine Creek Sections 10 and 12 as Approved Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing would allow angling to occur from March 1 through the opening day of trout season on a catch and release basis. Standard Approved Trout Waters regulations would apply for the remainder of the year.

“This change would increase recreational angling opportunities for stocked trout on this water by an additional 4-5 weeks,” added Miko. “This time period often provides excellent fishing, including some of the stream’s best insect hatches for fly fishing, which is the most common type of tackle used on Pine Creek based on the 2008 Pine Creek Angler Survey.”

Comments may be submitted electronically by completing the form at www.fishandboat.com/regcomments. Individuals should reference “Pine Creek” on the form under “Number of Rulemaking or Title of Notice.” Comments also can be submitted in writing to: PA Fish and Boat Commission, Fisheries Management Area 3, 450 Robinson Lane, Bellefonte, PA 16823.

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