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Proposed & Recent Regulations
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The Fish and Boat Commission is the state agency with authority to adopt rules and regulations regarding fishing and boating. Before a regulation becomes final, the Commission must first publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Pennsylvania Bulletin seeking comments, objections or suggestions from the public. Comments are accepted for at least 30 days. After the public comment period, the Commission considers the proposed amendment "on final rulemaking." If adopted on final rulemaking, the amendment becomes effective on the date of publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin or other date specified by the Commission.

The Commission also publishes notices regarding issues, such as access closures, exclusive use areas and proposed special regulation designations. The Commission may or may not seek comments regarding these issues. Check individual notices for more information.

View more information about the rulemaking process

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Submit a Comment
Send comments electronically on proposed rulemakings and notices by completing the Rulemakings and Notices e-mail form....GO!
RULEMAKINGS
 
#233 Subject: Opossum Lake fishing regulationsNew...view notice
Public Comment Period: December 31 through January 30, 2012
Final Rulemaking: Pending
Effective Date: Pending
 
#232 Subject: Lake Erie commercial fishing regulations...view notice
Public Comment Period: October 15 through November 14, 2011
Final Rulemaking: Pending
Effective Date: Pending
 
#231 Subject: Triploid grass carp permits...view notice
Public Comment Period: October 15 through November 14, 2011
Final Rulemaking: Pending
Effective Date: Pending
 
#230 Subject: Bass regulations for Susquehanna and Juniata rivers and tributaries...view notice
Public Comment Period: June 11 through July 10, 2011
Final Rulemaking: AdoptedNew....view final.
Effective Date: January 1, 2012
 
#229 Subject: Discontinue Natural Access Area Program, sound producing device, visual distress signals, Raystown Lake regulations, Lake Wilhelm regulations...view notice
Public Comment Period: June 11 through July 10, 2011
Final Rulemaking: AdoptedNew....view final.
Effective Date: December 31, 2011
 
#228 Subject: Personal flotation devices requirement...view notice
Public Comment Period: June 11 through August 9, 2011
Final Rulemaking: AdoptedNew....view final.
Effective Date: November 1, 2012
 
#227 Subject: Public comments at Commission meetings...view notice
Public Comment Period: June 11 through July 10, 2011
Final Rulemaking: AdoptedNew....view final.
Effective Date: December 31, 2011
 
#226 Subject: Leaser Lake closed to fishing...view notice
Public Comment Period: May 14 through June 13, 2011
Final Rulemaking: Adopted....view final.
Effective Date: October 8, 2012
 
#225 Subject: River herring regulations, National Saltwater Angler Registry Program...view notice
Public Comment Period: May 14 through June 13, 2011
Final Rulemaking: Adopted....view final.
Effective Date: January 1, 2012
 
#224 Subject: Allow three lines when fishing...view notice
Public Comment Period: begin on December 18, 2010 for 60 days
Final Rulemaking: Adopted....view final.
Effective Date: January 1, 2012
 
#223 Subject: Susquehanna/Juniata no harvest bass regulations...view notice
Public Comment Period: begin on December 18, 2010 for 90 days
Final Rulemaking: Adopted....view final.
Effective Date: June 11, 2011
 
#222 Subject: Livery use of Commission boat accesses; boat lights; Piney Dam slow, no wake zone; Conneaut Lake anchor zone...view notice
Public Comment Period: begin on December 18, 2010 for 30 days
Final Rulemaking: Adopted....view final.
Effective Date: May 14, 2011
 
#221 Subject: Revise regulation wording for stocking of designated waters...view notice
Public Comment Period: October 23 through November 23, 2010
Final Rulemaking: Pending
Effective Date: Pending
 
#220 Subject: Dredging royalty payments...view notice
Public Comment Period: October 23 through November 23, 2010
Final Rulemaking: Adopted....view final.
Effective Date: May 14, 2011
 
#219 Subject: Prohibit the harvest of live mussels...view notice
Public Comment Period: July 3 through August 3, 2010
Final Rulemaking: Adopted...view final.
Effective Date: January 1, 2011
 
#218 Subject: Date requirement for publishing Lake Erie commercial catch rates...view notice
Public Comment Period: March 20 through April 20, 2010
Final Rulemaking: Adopted...view final.
Effective Date: January 1, 2011
NOTICES
 
1.25.12 Notice: Classification of Wild Trout Streams – Proposed Additions to ListNew...view notice.
Public Comment Period: February 4 through March 5, 2012
 
1.25.12 Notice: Proposed Changes to List of Class A Wild Trout WatersNew...view notice.
Public Comment Period: February 4 through March 5, 2012
 
11.15.11 Notice: Proposed Changes to List of Class A Wild Trout WatersNew...view notice.
Public Comment Period: November 26 through December 26, 2011
 
11.15.11 Notice: Classification of Wild Trout Streams – Proposed Additions to List New...view notice.
Public Comment Period: November 26 through December 26, 2011
 
10.24.11 Notice: Speedwell Forge Lake, Temporary Changes to Fishing RegulationsNew...view notice.
Effective Date: Upon posting at the site
 
9.19.11 Notice: Tulpehocken Creek, Temporary Changes to Fishing Regulations...view notice.
Effective Date: September 19, 2011
 
9.13.11 Notice: Alcohol Prohibition Spring Creek Canyon Property...view notice.
Effective Date: September 30, 2011
 
6.8.11 Notice: Approved Courses of Instruction in Boating Safety Education...view notice.
Effective Date: July 1, 2011
 
5.24.11 Notice: Proposed Exhibition Area Designation, Spring Creek, Centre County...view notice.
Public Comment Period: June 4 through July 3, 2011
Final Rulemaking: Adopted....view final.
Effective Date: January 1, 2012
 
5.24.11 Notice: Proposed Special Regulation Designations...view notice.
Public Comment Period: June 4 through July 3, 2011
Final Rulemaking: Adopted....view final.
Effective Date: January 1, 2012
 
5.24.11 Notice: Add Big Spring Creek, Section 2, to Class A Wild Trout Waters...view notice.
Public Comment Period: June 4 through July 3, 2011
Final Rulemaking: Adopted....view final.
Effective Date: August 6, 2011
 
5.3.11 Notice: Big Bass Special Regulations, Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers...view notice.
Effective Date: May 14, 2011
 
5.2.11 Notice: Owl Creek Reservoir, Temporary Changes to Fishing Regulations...view notice.
Effective Date: Immediately
 
4.19.11 Notice: Lake Erie commercial total allowable catch...view notice.
Effective Date: Immediately
 
2.28.11 Notice: Addition of Bennett Brook, McKean County, to list of wild trout streams...view notice.
Public Comment Period: March 12 through April 10, 2011
Effective Date: Pending
 
2.28.11 Notice: Big Bass Regulations on Susquehanna & Juniataa rivers...view notice.
Public Comment Period: March 5 through April 5, 2011
Effective Date: Pending
 
2.28.11 Notice: Proposed Changes to list of wild trout streams...view notice.
Public Comment Period: March 5 through April 5, 2011
Final Rulemaking: Adopted....view final.
Effective Date: June 11, 2011
 
2.28.11 Notice: Walnut Creek Marina slip fees for larger boats...view notice.
Effective Date: March 5, 2011
 
2.28.11 Notice: Boat and Marine Forfeiture; Maximum Amount...view notice.
Effective Date: March 5, 2011
 
1.13.11 Notice: Temporary Changes to Fishing Regulations–Hereford Manor Lakes, Beaver County...view notice.
Effective Date: March 1, 2011
 
12.13.10 Notice: New sand and gravel royalty rates...view notice.
Effective Date: January 1, 2011
 
12.7.10 Notice: Proposed Changes to List of Class A Wild Trout Waters...view notice.
Public Comment Period: December 18, 2010 through January 17, 2011
Final Rulemaking: Adopted...view final.
Effective Date: March 5, 2011
 
12.7.10 Notice: Extend wild trout stream limits of the Little Juniata River...view notice.
Public Comment Period: December 18, 2010 through January 17, 2011
Final Rulemaking: Adopted...view final.
Effective Date: March 5, 2011
 
10.21.10 Notice: Temporary Catch and Release Regulations on Portions of Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers...view notice.
Effective Date: January 1, 2011
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