FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION Proposed Additions to List of Class A Wild Trout Waters [37 Pa.B. 4723]
[Saturday, August 25, 2007]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 lbs/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 lbs/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 lbs/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 lbs/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).
In order 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.
During recent surveys, Commission staff have documented the following stream sections to have Class A Wild Trout populations (ST = Brook Trout, BT = Brown Trout). The Commission intends to consider adding these waters to its list of Class A Wild Trout Streams at its meeting on October 1 and 2, 2007.
County Stream Limits ST
(kg/ha)BT
(kg/ha)Length (miles) Luzerne Wapwallopen Creek Headwaters downstream to confluence
with Big Wapwallopen Creek49.10 3.61 Luzerne Wapwallopen Creek Confluence with Big Wapwallopen Creek downstream to 380 meters downstream of
SR 301241.28 1.78 Luzerne Big Wapwallopen Creek Headwaters downstream to powerline crossing upstream of Nuangola Road SR 2042 46.07 51.84 4.68 Luzerne Balliet Run Headwaters downstream to the mouth 59.73 3.71 Luzerne Bow Creek Headwaters downstream to the mouth 15.90 41.15 4.52
Persons with comments, objections or suggestions concerning the additions are invited to submit comments in writing to 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.
DOUGLAS J. AUSTEN, Ph.D.
Executive Director[Pa.B. Doc. No. 07-1566. Filed for public inspection August 24, 2007, 9:00 a.m.]
