§ 65.5. Catch and release areas.

 (a)  The Executive Director, with the approval of the Commission, may designate waters as catch and release areas. The designation of waters as catch and release areas shall be effective when the waters are so posted after publication of a notice of designation in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

 (b)  It is unlawful to fish in designated and posted catch and release areas except in compliance with the following requirements:

   (1)  Fishing may be done with artificial lures only constructed of metal, plastic, rubber or wood or with flies and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic materials. Lures may be used with spinning or fly fishing gear.

   (2)  The use or possession of any natural bait, baitfish, fishbait, bait paste and similar substances, fish eggs (natural or molded) or any other edible substance is prohibited.

   (3)  Fishing hours are 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.

   (4)  No trout may be killed or had in possession.

   (5)  The program is open to fishing year-round; there is no closed season.

   (6)  Wading is permitted unless otherwise posted.

   (7)  Taking of baitfish or fishbait is prohibited.

   (8)  A current trout/salmon permit is required.

 (c)  Notwithstanding the requirements of this section, an angler in a boat may possess bait and fish caught in compliance with the seasons, sizes and creel limits in effect for the water from which taken, provided that the boat angler floats through the catch and release area without stopping or engaging in the act of fishing or the boat angler takes out his boat at an access point within the catch and release area.

   The provisions of this §  65.5 amended under the Fish and Boat Code, 30 Pa.C.S. § §  2101, 2102 and 2307.

   The provisions of this §  65.5 adopted August 13, 1982, effective January 1, 1983, 12 Pa.B. 2692; amended January 6, 1984, effective January 7, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 46; amended November 24, 2004, effective January 1, 2005, 34 Pa.B. 6328; amended September 23, 2005, effective January 1, 2006, 35 Pa.B. 5261; amended March 28, 2008, effective March 29, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 1468. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (322897).