PFBC moves to ban golden mussels and swamp eels, adds Caroline Lake trout water

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission held its 168th quarterly meeting in Harrisburg on Oct. 26. Executive Director Tim Schaeffer reminded boaters that the state's cold-weather life jacket requirement runs from Nov. 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027. It covers everyone aboard kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and boats under 16 feet.

Commissioners advanced several proposed fishing rules. Golden mussel and Asian swamp eels would go on the prohibited aquatic invasive species list. Fishing would be allowed at signed nature-like fishways, such as the one at the Fabridam on the Susquehanna. Tournament exceptions were proposed for Conowingo and Youghiogheny waters. Eight community fishing ponds would get special regulations in 2027, including Rainbow Pond, Harbor Creek Community Park Pond, FDR Park Lake, Kennedy Park Pond and Kiwanis Lake.

On trout, Caroline Lake in Bucks County joins the year-round trout waters list effective Jan. 1, 2027. The Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DHALO) Section 05 on Oil Creek will be extended 0.34 mile to the Drake Well Road bridge. The board also added five streams to the Class A wild trout list and 11 to the wild trout streams list.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission — Summary of the 168th Meeting of the PFBC (Oct. 26, 2026).