FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION Temporary Changes to Fishing Regulations; Burbot Fishing in Lake Erie [27 Pa.B. 3876] The Executive Director of the Fish and Boat Commission (Commission), acting under the authority of 58 Pa. Code § 65.25, is hereby making the following temporary changes to regulations applicable to fishing for burbot in Lake Erie. 58 Pa. Code § 65.25 permits the Executive Director to make temporary changes to fishing regulations when he finds the action is necessary and appropriate to conserve and preserve fishing opportunities. The temporary change being made by this notice will provide additional fishing opportunities. A review by both the Bureaus of Fisheries and Law Enforcement professional staffs has disclosed that the proposed changes will have no adverse impacts on the protection, preservation and management of burbot in the waters of Lake Erie.
On July 12, 1997, the Commission made a temporary change to regulations on fishing for burbot on Lake Erie with nonmechanical spears and gigs. The temporary change provided for a creel limit of two burbot per day. The purpose of this temporary change is to increase the daily creel limit to five burbot per day.
Effective from August 2 until September 30, 1997, it shall be lawful to take burbot from Lake Erie at a depth of at least 60 feet or more using nonmechanical spears or gigs. The daily creel limit for burbot caught in Lake Erie using nonmechanical spears or gigs is five fish per day. The use or possession while fishing or diving of mechanically propelled spearguns is prohibited. Persons fishing for burbot under this temporary change to fishing regulations are required to possess a valid Pennsylvania fishing license and Lake Erie stamp.
PETER A. COLANGELO,
Executive Director[Pa.B. Doc. No. 97-1228. Filed for public inspection August 1, 1997, 9:00 a.m.]
