If you plan on stocking fish in any waterway in the state, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission wants to know about it.
The agency is considering a new statewide stocking permit that would be required for anyone releasing fish obtained from non-PFBC hatcheries. The permit is part of the agency’s Strategic Plan for Management of Trout Fisheries in Pennsylvania, 2020-2024, but it would cover every species that is stocked, not just trout.
The purpose of the permit, which would be implemented by 2021, would prevent the release of fish with gill lice or disease issues; and give the agency a better idea of what’s being stocked and where.
In addition, a fish health certificate will be required as part of the permit process and will include a condition that trout stocked in the waters of the Commonwealth are obtained from hatcheries that are certified to be gill lice free and/or have lots or shipments that are certified gill-lice free.
According to Kris Kuhn, director of the PFBC’s Bureau of Fisheries, groups that are already required to obtain a special activities permit for a trout derby would need a stocking permit, as would private landowners releasing fish into a pond.
All other states surrounding Pennsylvania and throughout the northeast require stocking permits. The permit will be required for all fish stocked in the Commonwealth, including trout.
“If we don’t know the stocking contribution being made by others, it’s hard to know how our stocking is doing and how wild populations are doing as well,” Kuhn said. “Often you have a well-intended landowner trying to create a fishery in their pond, and there are certain species that are naturalized or native in that area that could be impacted.
“We want to know what species are being stocked and in what number.”
The stocking permit wouldn’t necessarily apply to those relocating fish from one waterway to another.
“It’s important that people are stocking disease-free fish, the proper species and we want to coordinate with folks to provide guidance,” he said. “This is expanding it beyond trout derbies.”
The measure would also help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and reduce the occurrence of private stockings conflicting with those conducted by the PFBC in certain waters.
Kuhn cited an example where hybrid striped bass could be stocked in a waterway that is managed as a pure striped bass fishery.
“At Raystown Lake we stock striped bass fingerlings on an annual basis. There are also clubs that stock them there,” he said. “This (stocking permit) is a means to know how many and what exactly is being stocked in addition to what we’re putting in.”
While groups that purchase trout to be used for fishing derbies would need the stocking permit in addition to a special activities permit, Kuhn stressed the application process would be quick. A cost for the stocking permit hasn’t been determined, he said, but there may not be a fee.
“This is more for informational purposes and to prevent the introduction of unwanted species and the spread of disease,” Kuhn said. “That’s why this isn’t solely focused on trout.”
The draft trout plan is available for review on the PFBC website and public comments are being accepted until June 24. The plan will be finalized this summer.
- This story originally appeared in PA Outdoor News.
