As much as Pennsylvania anglers like to catch trout and many of them enjoy them as table fare, it is evident that conservation is equally as important to them.

In order to protect wild brook trout it was proposed that the minimum size limit (MSL) for harvesting all trout increase from seven to nine inches. At last week’s quarterly meeting of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission board of fish commissioners voted to give final approval to rulemaking pertaining to the minimum MSL for harvesting trout.

This regulation required changes to 58 Pa. Code § 61.1, pertaining to Commonwealth Inland Waters); 58 Pa. Code § 65.19, pertaining to Stocked Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing; 58 Pa. Code § 65.24, pertaining to Miscellaneous Special Regulations; and 58 Pa. Code § 65.26, pertaining to the Extended Trout Season. The MSL for trout was last amended in 1983, when it was increased from six to seven inches, to provide additional protection to wild brook trout populations.

Based on analysis of brook trout data from electro-fishing surveys over the past decade, PFBC staff determined that an increase in MSL from seven to nine inches for trout would prohibit the harvest of more than 99% of the state’s wild Brook Trout. Staff also evaluated angler opinion data that was collected through the PFBC’s 2023 Pennsylvania Trout Angler Survey.

This survey specifically asked anglers, “Would you support or oppose an increase of the minimum size to nine inches to provide protection of wild Brook Trout?” to which 85% of respondents expressed support. Harvesting trout, regardless of species or origin — stocked versus wild — was not ranked as one of the top three reasons anglers fish for trout in Pennsylvania.

It should be noted that the increase in MSL from seven to nine inches will have little or no impact on anglers harvesting stocked trout. The average size of a trout produced at a PFBC state fish hatchery and stocked into the waters of the Commonwealth is 11 inches, with most cooperative nurseries also producing similar sized trout for stocking in public waterways.

The new regulation goes into effect with the beginning of the license year January 1, 2027.

In other action regarding fish size the board gave final approval to a rulemaking pertaining to General Fishing Regulations. Under this change, 58 Pa. Code Chapter 63 will be amended to establish a formal definition for how to measure fish length.

The PFBC advises anglers how to measure fish in the Pennsylvania Fishing Summary book, however, no formal definition is present in Title 58.  Per Addendum III to Amendment 7 of the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission requires that states define total length for the purposes of measuring Atlantic Striped Bass to determine compliance with size limits associated with both commercial and recreational fisheries.

This has been adopted by adding a formal definition, as follows, to meet the ASMFC requirement while applying to all other species of fish across the Commonwealth. The regulation is as follows:

“Total length is defined as the greatest straight-line length as measured on a fish while laid flat on its side with its mouth closed from the most forward tip of the jaw or snout to the farthest extent of the tail with the upper and lower tail lobes compressed or squeezed together.” This amendment goes into effect upon publication of a second notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

In his report to the board, executive director Schaeffer encouraged anglers and boaters to continue to take advantage of the endless opportunities on waterways throughout the state while staying safe and being mindful of changing weather conditions.

“With plenty of summer left, I know everyone is excited to continue fishing and boating, and we all want to squeeze in as many more adventures as possible,” Schaeffer said. “While you’re having a great time on the water, please remember to make safety a priority and keep an eye on changing weather conditions.

“Whether it’s extreme heat, heavy thunderstorms, or strong winds that can cause dangerous water conditions, preparing ahead of each boating trip can make a big difference. Most importantly, always wear a lifejacket.”

(Dietz is a member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association. Contact the writer: outdoors@republicanherald.com)