Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission The PFBC is an independent Commonwealth agency comprised of 10 Commissioners appointed by the Governor and approved by the Legislature.

​​The mission of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is: to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth's aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. The mission of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is: to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth's aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. Day to day operations are overseen by ou

r Executive Director. Administrative offices are based at the Commission's headquarters in Harrisburg at 1601 Elmerton Avenue. Field operations are based at our Centre Region Office, 595 E. Rolling Ridge Dr., Bellefonte (Centre County). Region offices, hatcheries, fisheries management offices and other Commission facilities are spread throughout the commonwealth. See PFBC directory for specific locations and contact information: https://www.fishandboat.com/About-Us/Directory/Pages/default.aspx

Read the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's full Social Media Policy:https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/fishandboat/documents/about-us/socialmediapolicy.pdf

In the 1960s, Rapala’s Original Floating Minnow from Norway exploded across the United States. An American lure company,...
08/12/2026

In the 1960s, Rapala’s Original Floating Minnow from Norway exploded across the United States. An American lure company, Rebel, made the Rebel Minnow that floated to the surface as soon as the retrieve stopped.

However, anglers wanted a realistic minnow bait that suspended in the water column. Bass anglers would wrap lead solder onto the hooks while Walleye anglers embedded splitshot into the balsa wood lures. These modifications created some of the first suspending jerkbaits.

Today, manufacturers offer multiple suspending jerkbaits for bass, crappies, pike and trout.

During the early spring, try slower and less aggressive presentations for bass, pike and Walleyes.

In the fall, expect a good jerkbait bite for hybrid Striped Bass, Smallmouth Bass and Walleyes.

If you’re looking to target Largemouth Bass then you might want to head to Lake Wilma in Greene County.Our latest biolog...
08/11/2026

If you’re looking to target Largemouth Bass then you might want to head to Lake Wilma in Greene County.
Our latest biologist report shows there is a high-quality bass population in the lake. The lake also provides good opportunities for stocked trout and Black Crappie.

Lake Wilma may be small, but its rural location and crystal-clear water make it one of the more scenic lakes in the region.

Read the full reporthttps://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/fishandboat/documents/fishing/where-to-fish/biologist-reports/8x2024lakewilmaelectro.pdf

08/10/2026

Our Lake Erie Research Unit has been tracking walleye migration in Lake Erie since 2018. The goal is to see where the fish are spawning and how they move around the lake throughout the year to gain a better understanding of the local population.

Our biologists tagged 68 walleye to track their movements and what the data revealed was surprising.

All the fish tagged in the first year came back to the exact location they were tagged the year before.

By using the data from the study, our biologists were able to determine how walleye migrate throughout Lake Erie and help anglers better target walleye.

The study was made possible by funding assistance from the Erie Pennsylvania Charter Boat Association, The SONS of Lake Erie and the Erie Pennsylvania Sport Fishing Association.

What is one of the best ways to unwind after a long day at work? Beside a waterway with a fishing rod in your hand, duh....
08/07/2026

What is one of the best ways to unwind after a long day at work? Beside a waterway with a fishing rod in your hand, duh.

One day after work, Jude headed to Sugar Lake in Crawford County to relax from the nine-to-five grind.

He ended up landing his personal best Largemouth Bass!

Nice catch, Jude!

Pennsylvania is a great place to fish for bass! So, great, that Bassmaster named three PA lakes as the best bass lakes i...
08/06/2026

Pennsylvania is a great place to fish for bass! So, great, that Bassmaster named three PA lakes as the best bass lakes in the Northeast!

Presque Isle Bay/Lake Erie Central Basin

Pymatuning Reservoir

Shenango River Lake

You can see the rest of the list at this link https://www.bassmaster.com/best-bass-lakes/slideshow/best-bass-lakes-2026-northeastern/1487523

Photos courtesy of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Pittsburgh District Michael Sauret, Darl Black and PFBC Archives.

Is it too hot to fish during the day? Have you tried fishing when the sun goes down? Targeting catfish in the evening is...
08/05/2026

Is it too hot to fish during the day? Have you tried fishing when the sun goes down?

Targeting catfish in the evening is a great time to enjoy fishing and stay cool.

If you’ve never tried catfishing before come check out one of our programs this month.

Here's the link to our events calendar https://www.register-ed.com/programs/landing/schedule/agency:38

Groups that paddle well together also plan and communicate well. Set expectations and be ready to adapt once you're on t...
08/04/2026

Groups that paddle well together also plan and communicate well. Set expectations and be ready to adapt once you're on the water.

Part of paddling smart is being a good steward of the waters.

Talk about safety and trip goals.

Watch for hazards such as strainers, bridge pilings, low-head dams and fast currents.

Pack out all trash.

Give anglers space and avoid disturbing wildlife.

Remember, if you paddle in a group of 10 or more, you'll need a special activities permit. You can find the permit at this link https://www.pa.gov/services/fishandboat/apply-for-a-special-activities-permit-from-pfbc

Kermit the Frog said “It’s not easy being green.” If this woodland salamander had a song it might be “It’s not easy bein...
08/03/2026

Kermit the Frog said “It’s not easy being green.” If this woodland salamander had a song it might be “It’s not easy being slimy.”

The Northern Slimy Salamander secretes a thick, gluey substance that is extremely sticky. So, it’s best not to pick them up.

Adults grow between 5 and 7 inches.

They are black with shiny coats marked with whiteish or silver spots.

They wander about mostly at night, spending their days hiding.

Their habitat consists of moist and shaded areas and can be found under rotting logs.

Northern Slimy Salamander newly hatched juveniles are tiny duplicates of the adults.

You never know what you're going to catch when you go fishing. It could be your personal best catch OR a day full of unf...
07/31/2026

You never know what you're going to catch when you go fishing. It could be your personal best catch OR a day full of unforgettable memories.

Austin may say this day was both!

Austin was fishing Marsh Creek and targeting bass when all of a sudden he felt something on his line that wasn’t a bass.

It ended up being this amazing Muskellunge!

Nice catch, Austin!

WCO Bartle was called to a medical building for a reported rattlesnake at the front door.Given the location, she was dou...
07/30/2026

WCO Bartle was called to a medical building for a reported rattlesnake at the front door.

Given the location, she was doubtful it was a rattlesnake, but WCO Bartle headed to the facility to investigate.

When she arrived, she found a 12-inch-long ball python coiled around a bush.

Bartle isn’t sure how the snake arrived at the medical facility but guesses someone did not want it anymore and released it.

“Unfortunately, not wanting a pet and releasing non-native snakes often results in the death of the snake,” Bartle said.

WCO Bartle kept the snake and named him Reggie after its scientific name Python Regius.

Reggie is now used for educational and outreach purposes on the dangers of releasing pets into the wild.

Address

1601 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA
17110

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+17177057800

Website

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