|
| PFBC Chronology |
| Significant Commission Events, 1866 to Present |
| 1866 |
- 1866 - A convention held in Harrisburg to investigate pollution, bad conditions existing
in mountain lakes and streams, and the stopping of spring shad runs by dams resulted in
Governor Andrew G. Curtin signing the law, Act of March 30, 1866 (P.L. 370, No. 336), that
named James Worrall Pennsylvania's first Commissioner of Fisheries.
- 1867 - The first fishway constructed at the Columbia Dam on the Susquehanna River
- 1868 - Legislature passed a law prohibiting the use of seines for taking fish within 200
yards of any device erected for the passage of fish.
- 1870 - Thad Norris, a private citizen, purchased 450 bass taken from the Potomac River
at Harpers Ferry and released them in the Delaware River on October 26, just below the
Lehigh River Dam at Easton. Residents along the Susquehanna and Schuylkill rivers later did
the same thing.
- 1873 - Some 2.7 million young
shad hatched and planted in the Susquehanna River. About 2,044 bass taken from the Delaware
River and stocked in other waters of the Commonwealth.
- 1875 - Legislature appropriated $2,000 to purchase nine acres in Corry and $3,000 for
its immediate improvement to construct the "Western Hatchery." William Buller
appointed as Superintendent.
- 1876 - Calico bass planted in the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg.
- 1878 - Act of June 3, 1878, forbade fishing on Sunday.
- 1879 - United States Fish Commission distributed 12,000 carp to individuals in 25
states, including Pennsylvania.
- Pennsylvania Fish Commission enlarged by three additional members.
- 1883 - The "Eastern Station" built on leased property (Troxell) on the Little Lehigh
River.
- 1884 - The "Rogers" fish ladder was erected at the Columbia Dam on the Susquehanna
River.
- 1885 - A $5,000 legislative appropriation established a hatchery in Erie that began
operating on December 12.
- 1886 - First brown trout eggs - 10,000, received from Germany - hatched at the Corry
Hatchery.
- 1888 - First recorded planting of rainbow trout in the Susquehanna River.
- 1892 - Commission had Jackson and Sharp of Wilmington, Delaware, build the rail car Susquehanna to transport fish. The Susquehanna was delivered to the Commission on
June 5, 1892 (more about the Susquehanna).
- 1893 - Legislative appropriation enabled the establishing of the shad propagation
station at Bristol.
- 1893 - Commission participates in Chicago World's Fair of 1893, The Columbian
Exposition, with live fish displays (more
about fairs).
- 1895 - Fish Commission abandoned the cultivation of German carp and attempted to raise
black bass.
|
| 1900 |
- 1901 - Legislature passed a bill designating certain species of fish in either of two
classes; game or food.
- 1903 - Bellefonte Hatchery opened on October 9, J. P. Creveling named superintendent.
Citizens of Bellefonte raised $3,500 for hatchery land and railroad siding to the grounds.
Property turned over to the department on August 9. October 16: Deeds turned over to the
department for the Pleasant Mount Hatchery grounds.
- 1904 - About 90,900 frogs distributed. More than 10.2 million chain pickerel propagated
-a first-pickerel had never before been propagated in any fish cultural establishment in the
United States. Yellow perch propagation began.
- 1904 - Commission participates in St. Louis World's Fair of 1904, "The Louisiana
Purchase Exposition," with live fish displays (more about fairs).
- 1905 - Citizens of Crawford County made a gift to the Commission of the Crawford
Hatchery, located about a mile from Conneaut Lake, Union City Hatchery completed November
27.
- 1906 - Spruce Creek Hatchery, Huntingdon County, started in June. Smelt hatched at
Torresdale Hatchery planted in Begelow Lake.
- 1907 - Experiments began on the artificial propagation of freshwater pearl mussels. Some
80,000 coho fingerlings planted in the Lackawaxen and Equinunk. Two were taken by hook and
line in the Lackawaxen in July.
- 1907 - The Commodore Perry, a 70-foot stream tug, built for the department's use
on Lake Erie. The boat was christened April 21, 1908 (more about the Commodore Perry).
- 1909 - Law passed forbidding the emptying into any waters of the Commonwealth any waste
deleterious to fish.
- 1910 - Holtwood Dam built on the Susquehanna River by Pennsylvania Water & Power Co.,
forming Lake Aldred.
- 1911 - September 1: Crawford Hatchery abandoned.
- 1912 - About 500,000 muskellunge eggs hatched at Union City, the first to be planted in
the waters of the state.
- 1913 - Spruce Creek Hatchery sold. Commodore Perry was a valuable aid in raising Perry's
flagship, the Niagara, from Misery Bay. First effort to control motorboating by law, Act 292
signed by Governor John K. Tenner, requiring motorboats (except steamboats) to have an
efficient muffler.
- 1914 - New hatchery erected on Erie filter plant grounds.
- 1915 - Fish wardens and deputy fish wardens given power to make arrests by act of April
21, 1915.
- 1917 - Electric lights first installed on Commission hatcheries. New motor truce
purchased by the Erie Hatchery.
- 1919 - Act of July 8 (effective that date) required that nonresidents buy a $5
fishing license. Only 50 were sold that year.
- 1921 - Act of May 16, 1921, P.L. 559, known as the "Resident Fish License Law," was
passed.
- 1921 - Bradford County Warden William E. Shoemaker shot on August 25, while apprehending
two violators. Shoemaker died from the gunshot wound on September 22, 1921. He was inducted
into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. on May 13, 1999 (more about Shoemaker).
- 1922 - First resident fishing licenses established. Cost: $1. For the
first time the Commission became self-supporting; a total of $207,425.53 was the first
year's income for licenses sold to all citizens over 21 years of age.
|
| RESIDENT FISHING LICENSE
FEES |
| Year |
Cost |
| 1922 |
$ 1.00 |
| 1928 |
1.50 |
| 1948 |
2.00 |
| 1954 |
2.50 |
| 1957 |
3.25 |
| 1964 |
5.00 |
| 1974 |
7.50 |
| 1979 |
9.00 |
| 1983 |
12.00 |
| 1996 |
16.25 |
| 2005 |
21.00 |
|
| Complete History of License Sales and Fees |
- 1923 - Legislature reduced fishing license age limit to 18.
- 1923 - The first license button issued January 1, 1923 (more about buttons).
- 1924 - Stream survey started to classify waters with regard to area, depth, fish
species, aquatic life and general conditions.
|
| 1925 |
- During 1924 to 1926 the fishing license age limit was reduced to 16 years of age.
- 1925 - Act 1925-263 established the Board of Fish Commissioners.
- 1925 - Creel limits set at: trout - 25; bass - 10; walleye - 10; pickerel - 15; and
muskellunge - 3.
|
| DAILY CREEL LIMIT FOR TROUT |
| Year |
Limit |
| 1925 |
25 |
| 1933 |
20 |
| 1937 |
15 |
| 1938 |
10 |
| 1952 |
8 |
| 2000 |
5 |
|
- 1925 - A site was purchased in Bedford County to be known as the Reynoldsdale Hatchery.
- 1926 - Nonresident fishing license fees were made reciprocal but in no instance less
than $2.50.
- 1927 - New license button made with a device on the back for carrying the license,
together with an approved pin.
- 1928 - August 1: Lake Wallenpaupack opened to public fishing. Bureau of Research
established. Commission stocked the lake created by the Conowingo Dam.
- 1928 - Resident fishing license fee increased to $1.50 (see table listed under 1922 for
summary of license fee changes).
- 1929 - Tionesta Hatchery completed.
- 1930 - Most severe drought ever experienced during summer, many tributary streams dried
entirely.
- 1931 - Commission stopped sending out fish on application; all fish now stocked by
Commission personnel. December -- First issue of Pennsylvania Angler published -
subscription price: 50 cents per year.
- 1931 - Act of May 28, effective July 1, required a license for motorboats operated on inland waters. Fees set at $1 per cylinder for internal combustion motors and $2
for electric motors. Enforcement of law placed with Fish Commission.
|
| BOAT REGISTRATION FEES |
| Year |
Cost per Year |
| 1931 |
$2 for electric power motorboats |
$1 per cylinder for internal
combustion motorboats |
|
|
| 1963 |
|
$4 for motorboats less than
16 feet in length |
$6 for motorboats 16 feet or
over in length |
|
| 1991 |
$5 per year for
unpowered boats |
$10 for motorboats less than
16 feet in length |
$15 for motorboats greater
than 16 and less than 20 feet in length |
$20 for motorboats 20 feet
or longer in length |
| 2005 |
$9 per year for unpowered boats |
$13 for motorboats less than
16 feet in length |
$19.50 for motorboats greater
than 16 and less than 20 feet in length |
$26 for motorboats 20 feet
or longer in length |
|
- 1932 - Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation created Lake Clarke with the Safe Harbor Dam.
September: land purchased for Huntsdale Hatchery. For the first time, Commission distributed
more than one million legal-sized trout.
- 1932 - First regulations published by the Board of Fish Commissioners for motorboat
operation.
- 1933 - Creel limit of trout reduced to 20, previously was set at 25 in 1925 (see
table listed under 1925 for summary of creel limits). Act 275 amended Act 21 to specify
procedures and language for license application, establishing outside issuing agents and
special licenses for dealers.
- 1934 - "Fisherman's Paradise" created. The number of visitors in the first year
totaled 2, 952.
- 1934 - Regulation established the basic boating "100-foot rule."
- 1935 - First tourist license (three days - fee $1.50) became available for nonresidents.
Same bill also provided a 12-year age limit for nonresidents.
- 1936 - Flood waters washed away a great number of trout and destroyed many rearing
pools. Fishermen still able to enjoy fairly successful trout and bass fishing.
- 1937 - House bill no. 6 made Sunday fishing lawful.
- 1937 - Creel limit for trout reduced to 15, previously set at 20 in 1933 (see
table listed under 1925 for summary of creel limits).
- 1938 - Creel limit for trout reduced to 10, previously set at 15 in 1937 (see
table listed under 1925 for summary of creel limits).
- 1938 - Commission produced its own brown and rainbow trout Eggs for the first time in
history.
- 1939 - Senate bill 160, effective September 1, permitted the purchase of land and waters
by the Fish Commission
- 1940 - Yellow perch raised to fingerling size for the first time. Law prohibiting the
sale of fish bait or bait fish taken from inland waters became effective October 1.
- 1941 - Pennsylvania regulation prohibited trolling from a motorboat.
- 1942 - Blue pike catch in Lake Erie up 400 percent over 1941.
- 1942 - Regulation added that prohibited the operation of a motorboat while intoxicated.
- 1943 - Act No. 145 provided free fishing licenses for servicemen.
- 1944 - Commission purchased Trexler Fish Hatchery in Allentown.
- 1944 - Trolling regulation amended to permit trolling from motorboats on all
Commonwealth rivers.
- 1945 - Legal size of muskellunge increased from 22 to 24 inches.
- 1946 - Fisheries management program began with mobile biological laboratory.
- 1947 - Act 81 provided free fishing licenses for certain disabled veterans.
- 1947 - Stream management program started.
- 1947 - Pennsylvania boating regulations rewritten to conform with the Federal Motorboat
Act of 1940.
- 1949 - Act 1949-180 changed the name of the Commission to the Pennsylvania Fish
Commission and described its powers and duties. The act repealed Act 263 from 1925,
which had established the Board of Fish Commissioners.
- 1949 - The Commission appoints its first Executive Director, Charles A.
French, on April 25. Previously, Commission operations were headed by the Commissioner of
Fisheries, which was established along with the Commission in 1866 (more
about Executive Directors).
- 1949 - On Wednesday, April 13th, Governor James H. Duff signed into law Act 65, which
prohibits fishing of any kind in all waters of the Commonwealth, between March 14 and 5:00
a.m.,
April 15 in any year, except in rivers, ponds and lakes not stocked with trout by the
Commission. The new law prohibits fishing in trout streams which are stocked by the state
for a month prior to the opening of the legal season on trout (more about the history of trout opening day).
|
| 1950 |
- 1950 - Fisherman's Paradise set new record attendance for one year: 34,796.
- 1951 - Fish were placed in the Schuylkill River for the first time in a decade after a
cleanup campaign by the Department of Forest and Waters.
- 1951 - Act No. 68 directed the Fish Commission to make a study of the migratory habits
of fish, particularly shad.
- 1951 - Legal size of pickerel increased from 12 inches to 15 inches.
- 1951 - Commission acquired Benner Spring Research Station property.
- 1952 - Creel limit for trout reduced to 8, previously set at 10 in 1938 (see
table listed under 1925 for summary of creel limits). Size limit removed on crappies.
- 1953 - Virgin Run Lake formally dedicated July 11.
- 1953 - First federal aid project of the Commission under the Dingell-Johnson Act and the
first lake built from start to finish by the Commission.
- 1953 - Pymatuning Lake first stocked with muskellunge. Act 54 established a
10-horsepower limit on Lake Canadohta, Crawford County.
- 1954 - Fishing license fee increased from $2 to $2.50 (see table listed under 1922 for
summary of license fee changes). Size and creel limits removed on panfish and food
fishes.
- 1955 - Ground broken for construction of Lake Somerset on August 17. Act 205 established
a 7 -horsepower limit on Quaker Lake, Susquehanna County.
- 1956 - Taking carp with long bow and arrow legalized. Commission established uniform
fly-fishing-only regulations for all projects. Pellet feeding trout initiated at hatcheries.
- 1957 - Trout season extended to October 31 in selected lakes.
- 1957 - Act 330 increased fishing licenses to $3.25 with $1 now earmarked for acquisition
and development (see table listed under 1922 for
summary of license fee changes). Act
155 gave Commission right to accept donations. Act 121 gave wardens right to charge persons
with littering.
- 1957 - Benner Spring Research Station began full operation.
- 1957 - Rules of the road regulation amended to prohibit water skiing within the
provisions of the 100-foot rule.
- 1958 - First fish-for-fun area established on Left Branch of Young Women's Creek in
Clinton County. Bell and Holmes hired to make Susquehanna Fishway Study. Kokanee salmon eggs
procured from Montana, hatched at Pleasant Mount and stocked experimentally as fry and
fingerling in eight lakes.
- 1958 - Lycoming County Warden Raymond Schroll loses his life attempting to rescue his
partner after their boat capsizes in the rain-swollen Susquehanna River in Williamsport. He
was inducted into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. on May
15, 2000 (more about Schroll).
- 1959 - Patrol boat Perca launched at Lake Erie.
- 1959 - Act No. 673, the Fish Law of 1959, was signed by Governor David L. Lawrence on December 15, 1959.
It eliminated the license button; permitted aliens to purchase a nonresident license; made
nonresident fishing license fee a flat $7.50 (formerly it was reciprocal); and established
the opening day of trout season as the 1st Saturday after April 11 (more about the history of trout opening day). The Act repealed the
Fish Law of 1949 (Act 1949-180).
- 1959 - First "wired stocking area" installed on South Branch of Kinzua Creek, McKean
County.
- 1960 - Opening day of trout set as the 1st Saturday after April 11, under provision of
Act No. 673, Fish Law of 1959 (more about the history of trout opening day).
- 1960 - Aliens permitted to purchase fishing license for $7.50.
- 1961 - More than 116,280 fish were killed in the Susquehanna River during October.
Commission accepted a $45,000 voluntary contribution from the Glen Alden Mining Corporation
- the largest settlement to date ever to be made in the United States for fish killed by
pollution. Largest shad migration of modern times recorded in the Delaware River. Belmont
Lake, in Wayne County, opened June 17.
- 1961 - Act No. 474 eliminated the metal motorboat license tags.
- 1962 - Federal-state cooperative trout-stocking program became effective. Fisherman's
Paradise opened April 14 on a "fish-for-fun" basis.
- 1963 - Last year that nonresident trout stamps were required. Pymatuning Compact
amended, raising the horsepower limit to 10 and removing the prohibition on motorboat
operation by persons under 16. Act 111 established a six-horsepower limit on Sugar Lake,
Crawford County.
- 1963 - Act 400 approved the numbering system for boats - effective February 1, 1964.
Boat registration fees set at $4 per year for motorboats less than 16 feet in length and $6
per year for larger motorboats (see table listed under 1931 for summary of boat
registration fees).
- 1964 - Resident fishing license fee increased to $5 (see table listed under 1922 for
summary of license fee changes).
- 1966 - 100th Anniversary of the Commission observed.
- 1966 - 25,000 coho salmon stocked in Harvey's Lake. Albino brook trout stocked for the
first time. Palomino trout stocked for the first time.
- 1967 - Act 227 requires the display of capacity plate on most boats, Act signed into law
August 10, 1967.
- 1968 - Oswayo Hatchery, in Potter County, purchased. First fall run of Coho "jack"
salmon, from fingerlings planted in the spring, return to Erie's tributary streams.
- 1969 - April 12 opening day of trout season starts at 8:00 a.m., prior opening days had
a 5:00 a.m. start time. Change is made after complaints from landowners about anglers
overnight camping (more about the history of trout opening day).
- 1969 - Senate bill 10-Liquid Fuels Tax bill signed by Governor Shafer. Commission
received Amur pike eggs from Soviet Union.
- 1970 - Brook trout named official state fish, March 9, 1970, Act 61.
Construction begins on Big Spring Hatchery, Cumberland County.
- 1971 - Chinook salmon smolts released in Lake Erie.
- 1972 - Commission names 75 streams in "Wilderness Trout Program." During Hurricane
Agnes, Fish Commission personnel, using patrol boats, aided stricken residents throughout
the Commonwealth and received special citations from Governor Milton J. Shapp.
- 1974 - Residents fishing license fee increased to $7.50 (see table listed under 1922 for
summary of license fee changes). Bog turtle protected by HB 1248. New littering law
signed by Governor Shapp on March 22. Use of electric motors authorized on all Commission
lakes.
- 1974 - HB 2538 gave Commission jurisdiction over reptiles, amphibians and aquatic
organisms.
|
| 1975 |
- 1975 – First strike by Commonwealth employees. Record number of miles of trout waters
stocked: 5,042.8. Trout season extended to October 31 on "all approved trout waters" for the
first time.
- 1976 – Commission began trout stream inventory. World record Amur pike (caught by hook
and line) taken from Glendale Lake, Cambria County (view state
records). Commission adopted new regulations for organized snake hunts.
- 1979 – Fishing license fees increased (see table listed under 1922 for
summary of license fee changes) — $9 resident; $14 nonresident; $9 seven-day tourist; $10 lifetime
(residents 65 years and older). Dedication of fish ladder on Fairmont Dam, Schuylkill river,
Philadelphia Dam, Schuylkill River, Philadelphia.
- 1980 – The Fish and Boat Code of 1980 (Act 175) codified fishing and
boating laws. Limited police powers given to Commission's waterways conservation officers.
First striped bass tournament held at Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County.
- 1981 – Commission adopts Operation FUTURE. Landlocked salmon stocked in Harvey's Lake,
Luzerene County.
- 1983 – Fishing license fees increased — $12 resident; $20 nonresident; $15 seven-day
tourist (see table listed under 1922 for
summary of license fee changes).
- 1984 – Act 1984-16 changed the name of "waterways patrolman" to "waterways conservation
officer." Act also enacted one of first boating under the influence (BUI) implied consent
laws in United States
- 1984 – American shad given gamefish status by Fish Commission. Creel limit set at six
per day.
- 1984 – First female waterways conservation officer hired.
- 1984 – First Fish-for-Free Day in Pennsylvania on September 22. The original scheduled date of June 2 had to be
cancelled because the necessary legislative action was not completed in time.
- 1984 – First issue of Boat Pennsylvania published.
- 1985 – Commission's Cooperative Nursery Program lists 188 fish culture facilities.
- 1986 – A 33-inch minimum size limit established for striped bass in the Delaware River.
- 1987 – "Resource First" adopted as the Commission’s motto.
- 1987 – Commission holds first "Day on a River" a Fort Hunter Park in Dauphin County.
- 1991 – Commission introduces $5 Trout/Salmon Permit (Stamp), for the 1991
license year.
- 1991 – Under Act 1991-39, the Pennsylvania Fish Commission becomes the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
- 1991 – Boat registration fees increased for first time since 1963, Act 1991-39 (see table listed under 1931 for summary of boat
registration fees).
- 1995 – Lake Erie Permit (Act 79, signed into law October 5, 1994) required for Lake
Erie, Presque Isle Bay, and their tributaries for the 1995 license year. The $3.00
permit (stamp) created to provide recompense for holders of commercial fishing licenses, who
are now prohibited from using gill nets. Stamp discontinued after 1998 license year
after adequate funds have been raised for the recompense program.
- 1996 – Fishing license fees increase for first time since 1983 — $16.25 resident; $34.25
nonresident; $14.25 three-day tourist; $29.25 seven-day tourist (see table listed under 1922 for
summary of license fee changes). Issuing agent fee increased from $.50 to
$.75 per license sold.
- 1996 – Commission establishes a presence on the World Wide Web in May, website URL is
www.fish.state.pa.us.
- 1998 – Boat Titling required in Pennsylvania for certain boats.
- 1999 – Warden William E. Shoemaker inducted into the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial in Washington, D.C. on May 13 (more
about Shoemaker).
|
| 2000 |
- 2000 – Operators of personal water craft required to complete a safe boating course or
pass an equivalency examination, effective January 1.
- 2000 – Daily creel limit for trout reduced from 8 to 5. The limit was last changed in
1952 (see
table listed under 1925 for summary of creel limits).
- 2000 – Year round open bass season begins. Catch and release and limited harvest in
effect for much of the traditional closed season.
- 2000 – Warden Raymond Leroy Schroll Jr. inducted into the National Law Enforcement
Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. on May 15 (more
about Schroll).
- 2000 – June 5, Commission occupies its new permanent headquarters at 1601 Elmerton
Avenue in Harrisburg. Groundbreaking ceremonies - May 12, 1999. Building dedication -
July 22, 2000.
- 2001 – Online (internet) sales of fishing licenses begin in February, with instant
licenses (printed on a home printer) becoming available in April. Other products
(publication, patches, etc.) also sold online at "The Outdoor Shop."
- 2001 – Sale of Unpowered Boat Launch permits begins in December 2001.
- 2003 – Senate Bill 463, passed by the General Assembly in November 2002 and signed into
law as Act 199 of 2002 by Governor Mark Schweiker on December 9, 2002, makes it mandatory
for all persons born on or after January 1, 1982 to possess a certificate of boating safety
education when operating a motorboat with a motor of more than 25 horsepower. Effective
February 7, 2003.
- 2004 – Wild Brook Trout Enhancement regulations established, effective January 1.
Initially only 1 area added - the Upper Kettle Creek Basin (main stem and all tributaries
from Long Run upstream, including Long Run). Total length of 28.3 miles.
- 2004 – Online renewals for existing boat registrations begin February 28, sold at "The
Outdoor Shop." A temporary internet registration, valid for 30 days, can be printed out; the
traditional registration materials are mailed to the registrant’s home.
- 2005 – Act 159 of 2004 (House Bill 2155) establishes new fishing license fees, signed into law November 30, 2004, new fees go into effect January 1, 2005. Fees last increased in 1996,
trout/salmon permit increased for the 1st time since its inception in 1991, Lake Erie permit
and combination trout-salmon/Lake Erie permit created — resident - $21; nonresident - $51;
senior resident annual - $10; senior resident lifetime - $50; three-day tourist - $25; seven-day tourist
- $33; one-day resident (cannot be used in April) - $10; trout/salmon stamp - $8; Lake Erie
permit - $8; combination trout-salmon/Lake Erie permit - $14. Issuing agent fee increased from $0.75 to
$1 per license sold. Stamp/permit fee also increased to $1 for each sold, previously
the issuing fee for a stamp was $0.50 (see table listed under 1922 for
summary of license fee changes).
- 2005 – Act 159 of 2004 (House Bill 2155) establishes new boat registration fees, signed into law November 30, 2004, new fees go into effect January 1, 2005. Fees last
increased in 1991. Prices for 2 year registrations: unpowered $18; motorboats less than 16
feet - $26; motorboats 16 feet and less than 20 feet - $39; motorboats 20 feet and longer -
$52 (see table listed under 1931 for summary of boat
registration fees).
- 2005 – One-day tourist and National Guard & Armed Forces Reserve licenses established, made available in September. The
1-day license
includes specialty fishing permits (trout/salmon stamps and Lake Erie permits), it is not
valid during the month of April.
- 2006 – First fishing license sold in December (for 2007 license year) using the Commission's new point-of-sale system, Pennsylvania Automated Licensing System (PALS), at the Commission's headquarters in Harrisburg. Additional agents will be phased in over the course of the 2007 license year.
- 2007 – Regional opening day of trout season for southeastern Pennsylvania counties established (trout season facts).
- 2010 – Commission Twitter account established on February 24.
- 2012 – Commission Facebook page established on June 21.
- 2012 – A Pennsylvania historical marker was unveiled on July 17 honoring former Commission Executive Director Ralph W. Abele (1921-1990) in a dedication ceremony at PFBC headquarters at 1601 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg (PA Angler & Boater magazine article).
- 2012 – Act 66 (Senate Bill 1049) is signed on June 22, 2012. This legislative act provides the ability for the Commission to establish multi-year and group fishing licenses, along with promotional discounts for marketing purposes.
- 2013 – As a result of Act 66, 3-year and 5-year fishing licenses are sold for the first time in Pennsylvania (available December 1, 2012).
- 2013 – Mentored Youth Trout Day held Saturday, March 23, 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., one week before the regional opening day of trout season. Established as a pilot program by temporary change of fishing regulations under the authority of 58 Pa. Code §65.25, individuals were permitted to fish at 12 waters in southeastern PA. Youth and required accompanying licensed mentor were permitted to keep 2 legal-size trout each.
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