Pennsylvania Code › Title 58 - RECREATION › Part II - FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION › Subpart B - FISHING › Chapter 69 - FISHING IN LAKE ERIE AND BOUNDARY LAKES › Subchapter D - COMMERCIAL FISHING, SEASONS AND NETS › Section 69.31 - Seasons

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) Commercial
					 fishing in Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie is permitted throughout the year.
					 After December 31 and before June 1, commercial fishing may be limited by the
					 Executive Director to fishing days as he deems necessary and appropriate to
					 provide for the better protection and management of fish. It is unlawful to
					 fish commercially or with a device subject to licensing under this chapter and
					 section 2903 of the code (relating to boat and net licenses for boundary lakes)
					 in the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie-including setting and lifting of nets
					 or other activities-on days when the Executive Director restricts such fishing
					 after December 31 and before June 1.
(b) The commercial fishing season for walleye
					 is January 1 to March 14 and 12:01 a.m. the first Saturday in May to December
					 31. This season will close on the date established by the Executive Director as
					 marking the probable attainment of the total allowable catch for walleye for
					 that year. The total allowable catch for walleye for any year will be
					 determined by the Executive Director and announced annually on or before April
					 15. After the announcement, the Executive Director may, from time to time,
					 revise the total allowable catch for that year if he determines that conditions
					 so warrant. The Executive Director or a designee will monitor monthly, weekly
					 and daily reports of catch of walleye and will declare the season to be closed
					 on a date the Director determines will probably mark attainment of the total
					 allowable catch. It is unlawful for a person fishing under a commercial fishing
					 license or with a device subject to licensing under section 2902 of the code
					 (relating to net permits) to take, catch or attempt to catch walleye except
					 during the walleye season established under this subsection. Walleye
					 accidentally caught out of season shall be immediately returned to the waters
					 from which it was taken regardless of its condition and reported within 2
					 business days to the Commission at the address where commercial catch reports
					 are filed.
(c) The commercial
					 fishing season for yellow perch is January 1 until the date established by the
					 Executive Director as marking the probable attainment of the total allowable
					 catch for yellow perch for that year. The total allowable catch for yellow
					 perch for any year will be determined by the Executive Director and announced
					 on or before April 15. After the announcement, the Executive Director may
					 revise the total allowable catch for that year if he determines that conditions
					 so warrant. The Executive Director or his designee will monitor the monthly,
					 weekly and daily reports of catch of yellow perch and will declare the season
					 to be closed on the date the Director determines will probably mark attainment
					 of the total allowable catch. It is unlawful for any person fishing under a
					 commercial fishing license or with a device subject to licensing under section
					 2902 of the code, to take, catch, or attempt to catch yellow perch except
					 during the yellow perch season established under this subsection. Yellow perch
					 accidentally caught out of season shall be immediately returned to the waters
					 from which it was taken regardless of its condition and reported within 2
					 business days to the Commission at the address where commercial catch reports
					 are filed.
The provisions of this §
													69.31 issued under the Fish and
						  Boat Code,
						  30 Pa.C.S. §
														2903;
						  and amended under the Fish and Boat Code,
						  30 Pa.C.S.
						  2102.
This section cited in 58 Pa. Code §
													69.33 (relating to use of
						  commercial trap nets).