Latest news with #FishAndBoatCommission
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
PFBC: High waters pose danger to Pennsylvania boaters
(WHTM) — Pennsylvania boaters looking to enjoy the first days of summer should take caution, officials said. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission issued a warning Thursday after heavy rainfall across the Commonwealth has left waterways running higher and faster than normal. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'Sunny skies after days of rainfall can tempt the boater in you, but don't be lured into a false sense of safety when water conditions on our rivers and streams remain above average and pose additional risks,' said Mark Sweppenhiser, director of the commission Sweppenhiser warned high, swift currents can quickly overwhelm even experienced boaters. He added conditions in most of PA's waterways are not fit for beginners. Locally, the Millersburg Ferry suspended service this weekend citing high river levels. Other than the danger of swollen rivers and creeks, storms have left hazardous debris such as downed trees that boaters may have difficulty seeing. 'If you arrive at your boating location and the water is running high and fast, and visibility is poor, please consider waiting to go boating on another day or in another location where conditions are better,' Sweppenhiser said. Avoid these Midstate locations with high levels The commission recommends all boaters take safety precautions during high water: Wear a properly fitted life jacket Never boat alone and always leave a float plan Check water levels and weather forecasts before heading out Carry a fully charged cell phone Cover mouth and nose if fallen, and stay with the boat Call 911 in an emergency It added lakes are a safer alternative to rivers and creeks during periods of high water. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
13-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
"Voracious" snakehead fish that can breathe on land found in Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania
After an invasive northern snakehead fish was found in the Schuylkill River in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, officials are spreading awareness to fishers about what they have to do: kill snakeheads on sight. Park rangers at Black Rock Sanctuary in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, found one of the fish last week, Chester County Parks and Preservation said on social media, sharing a photo of the rangers with the fish. Snakeheads are native to Russia, China and the Korean Peninsula but have been spotted around the United States, including waterways in Missouri and Maryland. The first confirmed snakehead catch in Pennsylvania occurred in July 2004 in Meadow Lake in Philadelphia's FDR Park, according to the state Fish and Boat Commission. Northern snakeheads are disruptive to local fish. Considered "voracious eaters," they will compete with native species and eat their food and occupy the habitat. Snakeheads can notably breathe air and move across land, and sometimes last for multiple days out of water, meaning they can travel between bodies of water. "Anglers in possession of snakeheads must immediately kill the fish onsite to prevent its spread," Chester County Parks and Preservation said. FBC says snakeheads may be confused for Pennsylvania native species like bowfin and burbot, but snakeheads stand out with their scaly heads that have a more interlocked pattern. You can also check out a diagram on the commission's website.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Temporary boating restrictions lifted at Conneaut Lake
CONNEAUT LAKE — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has lifted the temporary boating restrictions on Conneaut Lake. The agency announced the news on its Facebook page Thursday. The commission announced on May 8 that boats were temporarily limited to slow, no-wake speed on the lake because of high water levels and resultant hazards in the water.
