Pennsylvania Code
Title 58 - RECREATION
Part II - FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION
Subpart B - FISHING
Chapter 69 - FISHING IN LAKE ERIE AND BOUNDARY LAKES
Subchapter B - SPORT FISHING AND ANGLING
Section 69.19 - Permit for the use of cast nets, throw nets or dip nets by sport anglers

(a) The Executive Director or a designee may issue permits for the use of cast nets, throw nets or dip nets for the taking of emerald shiners or spottail shiners from Lake Erie including Presque Isle Bay.

(b) In addition to other permit conditions that the Executive Director may require, the cast nets or throw nets may not be greater than 10 feet in radius (20 feet in diameter) and the dip nets may not be greater than 10 feet in diameter.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions in 69.12 (relating to seasons, sizes and creel limits-Lake Erie, Lake Erie tributaries and Presque Isle Bay including peninsula waters), holders of a permit issued under this section may take, catch, kill or possess a daily creel limit of 200 emerald shiners and spottail shiners (combined species).

(d) A person may apply for a permit for the use of cast nets, throw nets or dip nets by completing the form prescribed by the Commission. The applicant shall submit the completed form to the Commission along with the fee in section 2902 of the code (relating to net permits).

(e) It is unlawful to use cast nets, throw nets or dip nets for the taking of emerald shiners or spottail shiners or to take, catch, kill or possess more than the daily creel limit of emerald shiners or spottail shiners as set forth in 69.12 without the required permit. A permit for the use of cast nets, throw nets or dip nets shall be carried so that it can be presented to an officer authorized to enforce the code. The permit holder is the only person authorized to use the cast net, throw net or dip net.

(f) It is unlawful to use emerald shiners or spottail shiners taken under a permit for the use of cast nets, throw nets or dip nets as bait in any water other than Lake Erie and Lake Erie tributaries including Presque Isle Bay.

(g) It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, trade or barter live, dead or preserved emerald shiners or spottail shiners taken under a permit for the use of cast nets, throw nets or dip nets.

(h) It is unlawful to transport or export live, dead or preserved emerald shiners or spottail shiners taken under a permit for the use of cast nets, throw nets or dip nets out of the Lake Erie watershed.

(i) The holder of a permit for the use of cast nets, throw nets or dip nets may possess an unlimited number of preserved emerald shiners or spottail shiners at the permit holder's residence provided the residence is located within the Lake Erie watershed.

(j) It is unlawful for a holder of a permit under this section to use a cast net, throw net or dip net within 100 yards of a holder of a commercial seine license.

(k) It is unlawful for a holder of a permit under this section to use a cast net, throw net or dip net within an area 300 feet from the mouth of any stream or within the confines of a tributary stream to Lake Erie.

(l) It is unlawful for a holder of a permit under this section to use a cast net, throw net or dip net to interfere with sport anglers or boaters.

(m) The fee for any cast net issued under this section shall be $25.

(n) The fee for any trap net issued to a resident of the Commonwealth under this section shall be $100.

(o) The fee for any trap net issued to a nonresident of the Commonwealth under this section shall be $200.

(p) The fees imposed under sections (m), (n) and (o) are effective beginning January 1, 2023.