§ 65.7. Trophy Trout Program.

 (a)  The Executive Director, with the approval of the Commission, may designate waters as trophy trout areas. The designation of waters as trophy trout 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 trophy trout 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. Anything other than these items is prohibited.

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

   (4)  The minimum size is 14 inches, caught on or in possession on the waters under regulation.

   (5)  The daily creel limit is two trout—combined species—except during the period from the day after Labor Day to 8 a.m. of the first Saturday after April 11 of the following year, when no trout may be killed or had in possession on the waters under regulation.

   (6)  Taking of baitfish or fishbait is prohibited.

   (7)  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 trophy trout area without stopping or engaging in the act of fishing or the boat angler takes out his boat at an access point within the trophy trout area.

   The provisions of this §  65.7 amended under the Fish and Boat Code, 30 Pa.C.S. § §  2102 and 2307.

   The provisions of this §  65.7 adopted January 6, 1984, effective January 7, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 46; amended December 22, 1995, effective December 23, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 5970; amended October 31, 1997, effective November 1, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 5609; 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 September 22, 2006, effective January 1, 2007, 36 Pa.B. 5872; amended March 28, 2008, effective March 29, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 1468. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (322898) to (322899).