Pennsylvania’s 2016 black bass season opens on June 18 throughout the Commonwealth. The black bass is one of the most popular sportfish targeted by Pennsylvania anglers, according to Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Executive Director John Arway.
“Our Commonwealth has over 86,000 miles of streams and rivers to fish and more than 4,000 lakes and reservoirs, the majority of which contain bass.” said Arway.
In most waters during bass season, anglers can keep a daily limit of six bass, which must be at least 12 inches in length. There are also lakes and rivers managed with higher length limits and lower creel limits. Anglers can consult the Summary of Fishing Regulations for more specific information.
For more information about bass season, anglers are encouraged to use the PFBC’s free “FishBoatPA” smartphone app.
As a promotional lead-up to bass season, the PFBC this year is again partnering with several organizations to sponsor a giveaway that includes a fishing kayak, tickets to a NASCAR race, and tickets to a concert.
Prizes to this unique giveaway are an Emotion Stealth 11 Angler kayak package, donated by Cabela’s; a family four-pack of tickets to the July 31 Pennsylvania 400 NASCAR race at Pocono Raceway, donated by Pocono Raceway; and a pair of tickets to see Lady Antebellum in concert at Musikfest in Bethlehem on August 13, donated by ArtsQuest. The public can enter this giveaway by visiting www.GoneFishingPA.com through June 27.
The PFBC reminds anglers that “catch and immediate release” no harvest regulations apply to smallmouth and largemouth bass on the lower sections of the Susquehanna River (below Sunbury) and Juniata River (below Port Royal) and into the rivers’ tributaries to points one-half river-mile upstream from the confluence.
As part of its efforts to raise awareness about the plight of the smallmouth bass in the Susquehanna River, the PFBC is continuing its “S.O.S. – Save Our Susquehanna River” campaign and will begin selling an updated 2016 “S.O.S.” button on June 9.
The button is available for $10 to anglers who have purchased a license, and it can be used to meet the license display requirement. All proceeds from button sales will be dedicated to funding water and soil conservation projects along the Susquehanna River. Direct donations to the S.O.S. campaign also can be made through the PFBC’s FirstGiving site.
For more information, visit fishandboat.com.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission