Effective 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), in consultation with the Office of the Governor, Pennsylvania Department of Health, and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) opened the statewide 2020 trout season. This measure allows properly licensed anglers and youth to begin fishing for and…
We hope this correspondence finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. This is a painful message to write because we understand how much you love fishing and visiting the Upper Delaware River watershed and how much we enjoy having you here. But we are in a crisis. The dangers of the highly contagious…
I hope this communication finds you and your family safe and well. I’m writing this on Palm Sunday. It’s almost bizarre that today wasn’t spent with family and friends during one of the most important Sundays in the Catholic faith. As we enter Holy Week, we all face a unique, unprecedented challenge. Due to safety…
Coldwater Heritage Partnership announces $80K in grants to support 12 projects On March 26, the PA Council of Trout Unlimited announced 12 grants totaling $80,000 have been awarded to conservation organizations across Pennsylvania through the Coldwater Heritage Partnership’s Coldwater Conservation Grant Program. These funds will be used to perform stream assessments and develop conservation plans in seven watersheds…
March 25, 2020—The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) knows that our anglers and boaters are ethically minded, passionate outdoor enthusiasts who might have some questions about fishing this spring. We are here to help. Below are answers to several Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) we have been receiving. Still have questions? We welcome your call…
Agency will modify operations as needed amid concerns over COVID-19 HARRISBURG, Pa (March 16) – Amid concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today announced several changes to the 2020 trout season intended to protect the safety of the public and staff, while preserving the opportunity to enjoy the…
PFBC protects an additional 508 miles of wild trout streams in 2019 On March 2, Timothy Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Fish and Boat Commission, gave the House Game and Fisheries Committee an overview of the Commission’s 2019 annual report highlighting the fact that the Commission’s Unassessed Waters Initiative added 271 waters and 508 miles of streams to the…
Tell PFBC to upgrade more wild trout streams in 2020 On April 27th and 28th, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will meet in Harrisburg to approve upgraded protections for 85 Wild Trout Streams and 33 Class A streams. If approved, these updgraded designations will ensure the future health of clean water in these streams and allow these…
NFWF now accepting Delaware Watershed restoration grant applications The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is now accepting grant proposals for projects to restore fish and wildlife habitat and improve water quality under its Delaware River Program. Proposals are due April 2. NFWF awards grants through two competitive funding opportunities– the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund and Delaware Restoration Fund.…
DCNR Now Accepting 2020 Grant Applications DCNR is accepting applications for its Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants. The 2020 grant application round opened January 15 and will close April 22. Funds can support projects such as: Planning, acquisition, and development of public parks Trail planning and construction River conservation and access Open space conservation Streamside tree…
Public comments requested on F.E. Walter Dam Re-Evaluation Study The F.E. Walter Dam is an Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) impoundment on the Lehigh River in Pennsylvania used primarily for flood control and recreational purposes. A new federally authorized three-year re-evaluation study sponsored by the ACOE, Delaware River Basin Commission, and New York City (NYC)…
It’s never too late to support PA Council with your donation! Jan 03, 2020 As a member of PA Trout Unlimited, you should have received a Year-end Appeal letter in November. We are grateful for those members who have already responded with a donation As a member of PA Trout Unlimited, you should have received…
Aquatic habitat project completed on the East Branch Delaware River Dec 03, 2019 The East Branch Boulder Cluster Project was an Environmental Benefit Project between the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the NYS Department of The East Branch Boulder Cluster Project was an Environmental Benefit Project between the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation…
PSU Extension outlines benefits of large woody debris In streams Dec 02, 2019 Large wood provides multiple benefits in stream systems, such as stabilized streambanks, improved floodplain connectivity and more diverse aquatic habitat. Large woody debris, also known as Large wood provides multiple benefits in stream systems, such as stabilized streambanks, improved floodplain connectivity, and…
PA Council representative testifies at PA House hearing on the Waters of PA Nov 13, 2019 On October 21st, Southcentral Region VP Russ Collins had the honor of representing both the PA Council and the Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited as part of two panels testifying On October 21st, Southcentral Region VP Russ Collins…
PA’s Unassessed Waters Initiative reaches milestone; Tell DEP to ACT NOW! Nov 06, 2019 When TU partnered with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in 2011 to start surveying and protecting wild trout streams in the Commonwealth, we knew the mountain ahead of us When TU partnered with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in…
New TU report documents pollution problems caused by Mariner 2 construction Oct 27, 2019 In central Appalachia, installing natural gas pipelines often involves trenching through wild trout streams by the dozens. Inevitably, that leads to problems. Storms pelt construction sites In central Appalachia, installing natural gas pipelines often involves trenching through wild trout streams by…
TU offers free technical advice for projects in the Chesapeake Watershed Oct 08, 2019 Trout Unlimited continues to offer technical assistance to aid watershed organizations, conservation districts, townships, TU chapters, and others in Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Trout Unlimited continues to offer technical assistance to aid watershed organizations, conservation districts, townships, TU chapters, and others…
What you can do about the streams that don’t meet PA water quality standards Apr 29, 2019 The Department of Environmental Protection last week released its biennial report on water quality which said 40 percent of streams and rivers in the state do not meet federal Clean Water The Department of Environmental Protection last week…
How increased rainfall can affect PA fish populations Apr 23, 2019 A critical issue for spawning and egg and juvenile fish survival is high-flow rainfall events, which in the springtime is the biggest threat to smallmouth bass, according to Shannon White A critical issue for spawning and egg and juvenile fish survival is high-flow rainfall…