Page 9 - Fishing Report | 5-4-16

New Crappie Regulations Proposed for Pymatuning

By Darl Black

I attended the public meeting in Linesville almost two weeks ago where PA Fish & Boat Commission Fish-
eries staff explained about new proposed regulations on crappie at Pymatuning.

Pymatuning has never had a creel limit or minimum size on crappies – as least
as long as I can remember. Regulations on Pymatuning require agreement be-
tween Ohio and Pennsylvania. While PA has expressed a desire for limits
through the years, OH would not agree…until recently when the data from
both states showed a dramatic decline in the crappie population. Basically the
data shows the crappie population in Pymatuning peaking in 2012. However,
since 2012, the population is on a sharp decline. Yet angler effort for crappies
continues to climb. The result is fewer crappies being caught and their size is
somewhat lower than in years past. Biologists explained this was more than
the simple fluctuation of crappie populations. With the current unlimited creel
and no minimum size, Pymatuning’s crappie population would not recover.

Comments were made by the audience of anglers. One individual in particular stated he had fished the
lake since a youngster in 1955. He had seen the ups and downs of various species, but had noted a de-
crease in crappies recently. He noted that the increased number of anglers on the lake and the incredi-
ble amount of high tech equipment used by anglers today can put intense pressure on a fishery, and the
fact that Pymatuning had no creel limit or minimum size on crappies was foolhardy given anglers’
knowledge today. Everyone seemed in agreement.

The regulation package proposed for Pymatuning is referred to as Panfish Enhancement, and has been
used on other lakes in Pennsylvania. The proposal is a 9- inch minimum and 20 fish daily harvest limit on
crappies. With a show of hands, all but one angler showed support for it – the one angler wanted a 25 or
30 fish creel.

The proposal goes to first reading at the next Commission meeting, then out for public comment. Based
on written comments and those from the public meeting, there may or may not be changes. The plan is
to have it back for second reading and approval at a Commission meeting later this year, hopefully with
implementation in 2017.