PA Bass Season Kicks Off June 18

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the minds of anglers, warmer summer weather marks the beginning of bass season, which officially opens on June 18 across the Commonwealth.

The black bass is one of the most popular sportfish targeted by Pennsylvania anglers, says Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Executive Director John Arway, who expects a large turnout on the most popular lakes and streams, including PA's Best Bass Fishing Waters.

"One of the main reasons bass is popular is because the Commonwealth has so many fantastic spots for anglers to catch smallmouth and largemouth bass, from creeks and rivers to large ponds and lakes," he said. "Our Commonwealth has over 86,000 miles of streams and rivers to fish and more than 4,000 lakes and reservoirs, the majority of which contain bass."

The number of anglers fishing for bass in Pennsylvania is second only to those who fish for trout.

Arway adds that many anglers fish for bass while visiting Pennsylvania state parks, where families and kids can enjoy fishing along with other amenities, including camping, hiking and biking, and canoeing and kayaking.

"State parks are great family-friendly places to fish, particularly if you have young kids," he said.

In most waters during bass season, anglers can keep a daily limit of six bass, which must be at least 12 inches in length. There are also lakes and rivers managed with higher length limits and lower creel limits. Anglers can consult the Summary of Fishing Regulations for more specific information.

Arway added that "another option is to practice voluntary catch and release which provides another angler the opportunity to enjoy the same experience that you had catching that lunker bass!"

For more information about bass season, anglers are encouraged to use the PFBC's free "FishBoatPA" smartphone app, which has been downloaded more than 50,000 times from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If anglers are not sure where to fish, the Best Waters Program can help them decide and it is easily accessible through the app and the PFBC website.

As a promotional lead-up to bass season, the PFBC this year is again partnering with several organizations to sponsor a giveaway that includes a fishing kayak, tickets to a NASCAR race, and tickets to a concert.

"This is an opportunity for us to partner with a number of interested organizations and to promote fishing and boating opportunities to outdoor enthusiasts," added Steve Kralik, PFBC's Director of the Bureau of Outreach, Education and Marketing. "It also gives us a chance to remind people that there are still a lot of good fishing and outdoor activities coming up as the opening of bass season approaches."

Prizes to this unique giveaway are an Emotion Stealth 11 Angler kayak package, donated by Cabela's; a family four-pack of tickets to the July 31 Pennsylvania 400 NASCAR race at Pocono Raceway, donated by Pocono Raceway; and a pair of tickets to see Lady Antebellum in concert at Musikfest in Bethlehem on August 13, donated by ArtsQuest.

The public can enter this giveaway by visiting www.GoneFishingPA.com through June 27, or by entering in person at the PFBC booth/table at one of the following events this weekend:

• June 3-5 - Axalta "We Paint Winners" 400 race weekend at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa.
• June 4-5 – Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, Pa.

The PFBC reminds anglers that "catch and immediate release" no harvest regulations apply to smallmouth and largemouth bass on the lower sections of the Susquehanna River (below Sunbury) and Juniata River (below Port Royal) and into the rivers' tributaries to points one-half river-mile upstream from the confluence.

As part of its efforts to raise awareness about the plight of the smallmouth bass in the Susquehanna River, the PFBC is continuing its "S.O.S. – Save Our Susquehanna River" campaign and will begin selling an updated 2016 "S.O.S." button on June 9. The button is available for $10 to anglers who have purchased a license, and it can be used to meet the license display requirement. All proceeds from button sales will be dedicated to funding water and soil conservation projects along the Susquehanna River. Direct donations to the S.O.S. campaign also can be made through the PFBC's FirstGiving site.

For more information about the smallmouth bass issue in the Susquehanna River, visit http://fishandboat.com/susq-impairment.htm.

The PFBC website has a host of information to help anglers plan their fishing trips. Visit www.fishandboat.com and select from the left navigation column "Fish" and "Fishing Fundamentals" to get started. For more information about bass, visit http://fishandboat.com/bass.htm.

Media Contact:
Eric Levis, Press Secretary
717.705.7806 or elevis@pa.gov

SOURCE Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission