2006 Changes to List of Class A Wild Trout Waters [35 Pa.B. 6716] The Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) is considering changes to its list of Class A Wild Trout Streams. Under 58 Pa. Code § 57.8a (relating to Class A wild trout streams), it is the Commission's policy to manage self-sustaining Class A wild trout populations as a renewable natural resource to conserve that resource and the angling it provides. Class A wild trout populations represent the best of this Commonwealth's naturally reproducing trout fisheries. The Commission manages these stream sections solely for the perpetuation of the wild trout fishery with no stocking.
Criteria developed for Class A Wild Trout fisheries are species specific. Wild Trout Abundance Class Criteria include provisions for:
(i) Wild Brook Trout Fisheries
(A) Total brook trout biomass of at least 30 kg/ha (26.7 lbs/acre).
(B) Total biomass of brook trout less than 15 cm (5.9 inches) in total length of at least 0.1 kg/ha (0.089 lb/acre).
(C) Brook trout biomass must comprise at least 75% of the total trout biomass.
(ii) Wild Brown Trout Fisheries
(A) Total brown trout biomass of at least 40 kg/ha (35.6 lbs/acre).
(B) Total biomass of brown trout less than 15 cm (5.9 inches) in total length of at least 0.1 kg/ha (0.089 lb/acre).
(C) Brown trout biomass must comprise at least 75% of the total trout biomass.
(iii) Mixed Wild Brook and Brown Trout Fisheries
(A) Combined brook and brown trout biomass of at least 40 kg/ha (35.6 lbs/acre).
(B) Total biomass of brook trout less than 15 cm (5.9 inches) in total length of at least 0.1 kg/ha (0.089 lb/acre).
(C) Total biomass of brown trout less than 15 cm (5.9 inches) in total length of at least 0.1 kg/ha (0.089 lb/acre).
(D) Brook trout biomass must comprise less than 75% of the total trout biomass.
(E) Brown trout biomass must comprise less than 75% of the total trout biomass.
(iv) Wild Rainbow Trout Fisheries
Total biomass of rainbow trout less than 15 cm (5.9 inches) in total length of at least 2.0 kg/ha (1.78 lbs/acre).
For a water to be removed from the Class A Wild Trout Streams designation, total trout biomass must be documented below the set criteria for two consecutive stream examinations.
At its meeting on January 23 and 24, 2006, the Commission intends to consider additions to its list of Class A Wild Trout Streams. The Commission will not consider the removal of any streams from the list at that time.
Persons with comments, objections or suggestions concerning the additions are invited to submit comments in writing to the Executive Director, Fish and Boat Commission, P. O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000 within 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Comments also may be submitted electronically by completing the form at www.state.pa.us/Fish/regcomments. If an acknowledgment of electronic comments is not received by the sender within 2 working days, the comments should be retransmitted to ensure receipt. Electronic comments submitted in any other manner will not be accepted.
Additions The Commission will consider adding the following waters to the current list of Class A Wild Trout Waters:
County Stream Limits Length Blair Halter Creek From the confluence of Plum Creek downstream to the mouth 2.2 miles Blair Plum Creek From the SR 0164 bridge downstream to the mouth 3.4 miles Clinton Baldwin Branch From source to the mouth 3.0 miles Columbia Mill Creek From headwaters to the mouth 3.2 miles Columbia Mugser Run From the headwaters downstream to T-315 3.6 miles Cumberland Letort Spring Run From Post Road Bridge downstream to the mouth at Conodoguinet Creek 3.0 miles Elk/Clearfield Mountain Lick Creek From source downstream to 100 meters upstream of Boy Scout Pond 1.5 miles Luzerne Lewis Creek From the headwaters to mouth 2.1 miles Potter Big Spring Branch From headwaters to the mouth 3.6 miles Potter/Cameron Berge Run From source to the mouth 3.6 miles Potter/Clinton Lebo Run From headwaters to the mouth 5.7 miles Schuylkill Unnamed tributary to Bear Creek From the headwaters to the mouth 2.6 miles Tioga Rock Run From the source to an unnamed tributary that enters the stream 2.12 miles upstream of the mouth 1.2 miles Removals None
DOUGLAS J. AUSTEN, Ph.D.,
Executive Director[Pa.B. Doc. No. 05-2286. Filed for public inspection December 9, 2005, 9:00 a.m.]
