PFBC's 150th ANNIVERSARY

In 1866, a convention held in Harrisburg to investigate pollution, bad conditions existing in mountain lakes and streams, and the stopping of spring shad runs by dams resulted in Governor Andrew G. Curtin signing the law, Act of March 30, 1866 (P.L. 370, No. 336), that named James Worrall as Pennsylvania's first Commissioner of Fisheries. This created what would become the Board of Fishery Commissioners, then the Pennsylvania Fish Commission and now is the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC).

While our name has changed during our 150-year history, the agency’s commitment through its mission and staff has remained constant and is best exemplified by its philosophy of “Resource First: Protect, Conserve and Enhance.” With the understanding that we need to first protect our aquatic resources in order to have great recreational fishing and boating, the PFBC is proud of its past . As we “reel in” the years and reflect back on both the challenges and the accomplishments, we also look forward to a continuation of progress and hope that you’ll visit this web page throughout 2016 to take stock of our history.