Just thought I would see where everyone is planing on fishing.  I still don't know ehere i will be fishing but i will be fly fishing as usual.

I'll be working 8am until 8pm

If you go early, will you be legal? Cannot be closer than 25 ft from the bank with gear before starting time. I know that this is not new news to 99% of the trout fisherman - but I would hate to see someone get fined for not knowing this.

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/fishpub/summary/troutwaters.html

I never knew of the 25 foot rule and i have never seen that one inforced I know places where people set up tents 10 feet from the bank.  I don't have to worry i leave my truck and 8am usually.

Not sure where I will be fishing my Dad can't go the first day this year so plans may be different.

I think you are mis-reading that 25 feet thing..

Quote :

within 25 feet of any water where fishing is prohibited.

I believe that means you are not allow to be "fishing" within 25 feet of any water that is posted fishing prohibited ---- AT ANY TIME
not 1st day of trout

Is there a difference between where it says

"These waters are closed to all fishing (including taking of minnows) from March 1 to 8 a.m. on the opening day of the trout season."


Some of these waters have been included in the Early Season Trout-Stocked Waters Program and are open from March 1 through March 31.


and the following?


"A person shall be deemed to be fishing if he or she has in possession any fishing line, rod, or other device that can be used for fishing while on or in any water or on the banks within 25 feet of any water where fishing is prohibited".


If there is a difference can some one please provide an example?

I'll be seeing our local water patrolman (WCO)_next Thursday at the Jefferson County Federation meeting and ask him to clarify this...

I always thought the 25' rule applied to area that are "posted" (prohibit)NO fishing....

For example....

NO FISHING

No fishing from breast of damn....

No fishing beyond this point..

Private Property.. No fishing, hunting, tresspassing...  

--Last edited by Dr Trout on 2008-03-20 19:51:03 --

Doc,

Looking at your explanation I think you are probably right. And if that is correct then maybe the PFBC needs to add a for example statement on their web page. Be interesting to see what the water patrolman's take is on it. Tks

It seems its another rule that can be interperated either way.  My guess most wardens would not fine you for standing on a stream bank at 5 minutes to 8.

 My sons and their friends come up from all over the country for this weekend reunion. More of a social thing . But everyone usually gets their limit. We like Millcreek in Clarion snd jefferson counties

hey doc, what's the word on the streams around our area? last year north fork had the ph problem, was wondering if you had any news on that. i saw where you said above you'd be meeting with the local wco. i also see you are working 8-8  maybe you can still stop into camp and chat. hope all is well.

Penn you may want to edit your post and take out the cleaning the fish along the stream.. to my understanding that practice is not legal anymore ????????

Scott----

Blowtown, Jones and Egypt are going to get their fish on Friday before opening day.

The North Fork Watershed Org has been doing alot of HARD work trying to improve the ph factor from above Blowtown down to Richardsville and it is starting to take effect.

I arranged for them to give a presentation of the work they are doing at our local sportsman's club last month and everyone was impressed and is looking forward to helping them improve the conditons of North Fork...

BTW----

I did not get to go to the Federation meeting on Thursday, so I did not see the WCO.. I'll try to get an offical answer about the 25 feet thing from Harrisburg sources and post a reply later this week...
SORRY

Penn, be thankful for the fifty degrees.  Up in Erie it was a high of 35 degrees.  My thermometer said it was 15 degrees outside at 7 in the morning.  Fred the lab is still enjoying rolling in all the snow we still have on the ground(roughly 120 inches this year).  

i never knew about the fish cleaning law until i started fishing erie. that's the only place i've seen it enforced.

the work schedule says that i have the first day off. but... that's the day for the annual hawk watch at erie bluffs. i think i'll go to that on the first day. maybe fish a dh area the second.

i'll be bass fishing on the clarion.