| The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is asking Lehigh River anglers
for their input on a draft fisheries management plan, with a special emphasis on the portion of the river
from F.E. Walter Reservoir to the mouth.
The plan and support materials can be downloaded from the Commission’s
web site at www.fishandboat.com. In addition to accessing the documents online, anglers can also submit
their comments via the web. Public comment will be accepted through April 27.
The plan is designed to be a “living
document” that
will be modified as needed and regularly updated on a five-year basis. Among the items covered in the
plan are proposed habitat improvements such as low flow channel deflectors, species- and river section-specific
stocking targets, and studies of angler use and harvest.
One method of examining angler use and harvest
is through angler log books. These logbooks provide an opportunity for anglers to record information
on their fishing activities and provide this information to the PFBC. The Commission then analyzes this
data and provides the results to those who participate when the report is completed. A Lehigh River log book program
was conducted in 2006 and the PFBC will continue it in 2007.
Logbooks are being distributed to fishing guides, bait and tackle stores,
Hickory Run State Park, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ F.E.
Walter office, and area sportsman's clubs. Logbooks
can also be downloaded from the PFBC web site.
(Editor’s
Note: Written public comments on the fisheries management plan and completed logbooks may be mailed
to the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat
Commission, P.O. Box 155, Bushkill, PA 18324 |
