Since 2014, section 3 of Penns Creek has been managed under a slot limit to enhance the wild brown trout fishery present in the central Pennsylvania stream.
And the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission wants to keep it that way.
The agency is considering a continuation of the Miscellaneous Special Regulation that was enacted for section 3 in 2014. The regulation implemented an experimental slot limit of a two trout daily limit that are at least seven inches but less than 12 inches, from the opening day of trout season through Labor Day. No harvest is permitted for the remainder of the year.
Penns Creek is also a Class A wild trout stream, but is unlike most of the waterways listed in the designation.
According to PFBC Communications Director Mike Parker, Class A streams are typically remote and aren’t heavily utilized. As a result, harvest of trout isn’t a concern and the majority of Class A waters are managed under Commonwealth Inland Regulations.
Penns Creek is different. Parker said it’s considered a “destination stream,” along with the Little Juniata and Spring Creek, because it’s larger than the typical Class A mountain stream and it receives more angling pressure.
“Penns Creek is one of the top wild trout waters in the state,” Parker said. “But there’s a lot of angling pressure. We want to preserve the angling opportunity and protect the wild trout population.”
Section 3 extends for 7 miles from the confluence with Elk Creek in Coburn, Pennsylvania downstream to 600 meters downstream of the confluence with Swift Run in Centre and Mifflin counties. The slot limit enacted for section 3 in 2014 had a sunset provision, which means the regulation is set to expire on Dec. 31. The agency conducted a public comment period, which concluded on Sept. 8, regarding keeping the regulation in place, and Parker said the PFBC board could vote on the matter during its October meeting.
If the slot limit regulation isn’t continued, Parker said section 3 would be managed under Commonwealth Inland Water regulations, meaning a daily limit of five trout with a minimum size of 7 inches would be in place.
Agency staff is recommending that the board keep the current regulation in place indefinitely.
The main reason why staff wants to see the current regulation continued is it’s working. Agency biologists monitored section 3 before and after the 2014 regulation change, and results showed significant increases in electrofishing catch rates of brown trout during the post-slot limit period, from 2014 to 2019.
In 2019, staff conducted an angler use, harvest, and opinion survey to evaluate the social aspects of the regulation change and estimate angler harvest. Results showed low harvest of trout occurred and high angler support for continuing the slot limit regulations on Penns Creek.
“Based on our surveys, the regulation has worked out and that section of Penns Creek is doing well,” Parker said.
Previously, section 03 was managed with All-Tackle Trophy Trout regulations for 19 years from 1995 to 2013. It was listed as a Class A stream in 1992 and trout stockings in the section ceased at that time.
