Legislative Director
Chris Schenck
dslpade@cbyca.org
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) presented its 2025 Annual Report to the House Game and Fisheries February 4th. First, Tim Schaeffer, Director of the PFBC, stressed the importance of NOT WALKING on the ice on rivers and streams! ( I did recently see a video of a guy four wheeling on Middle River north of Baltimore.) Pennsylvania has a cold-water life jacket law. Operators and all persons onboard kayaks, paddleboards, and other small boats under 16 feet MUST wear PFDs between November 1 and April 30. Tim cautioned that ice thickness varies and getting swept under the ice into flowing water rarely results in an escape. Safety precautions have saved lives!
The trout stocking schedule and other events such as boating courses are listed on the PFBC website. Mentored Youth Trout Day (March 28th) and National Safe Boating Week (May 16-22) are two major events for anglers and boaters.
Representative Joseph Hohenstein thanked the PFBC for supporting Philadelphia’s efforts to reclaim 6 miles of the Delaware River along Philadelphia’s waterfront. He also applauded efforts to ensure that abandoned and derelict vessels as well as trucks and other vehicles in the city now have legislation that helps the city clean up the affected areas.
I will report on the PA 2025 Boating Incident Analysis next month.