1. (a) It is unlawful, while fishing under a commercial fishing license, for commercial purposes, or with devices subject to licensing under this chapter and section 2903 of the code (relating to boat and net licenses for boundary lakes) to attempt to catch any species of salmon, trout—including lake trout, sauger, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike and longjawed cisco. Fish that are accidentally caught shall be returned immediately to the waters from which it was taken regardless of its condition and reported to the Commission.
2. (b) It is unlawful for a person other than the holder of a commercial fishing license, and the agents and employees of the holder or an officer authorized to enforce the code or this part to lift, clear or disturb a commercial net or net-marking buoy.
3. (c) It is unlawful while fishing under a commercial license or otherwise fishing with a device subject to commercial licensing to manipulate, alter or otherwise use a commercial fishing device in a way to reduce the effective mesh size of the net being fished.
4. (d) It is unlawful to fish by hook and line from a boat engaged in commercial fishing under this chapter.
5. (e) It is unlawful while fishing under a commercial license to dispose of dead, legally caught fish within the trap net and dispose of them in waters of this Commonwealth. These fish shall be disposed of properly and will count towards the licensee’s quota.
6. (f) Anglers and boaters may not interfere with properly marked commercial trap nets.

Authority

The provisions of this § 69.37 amended under 30 Pa.C.S. § § 2102 and 2903.

Source

The provisions of this § 69.37 amended March 6, 1992, effective March 7, 1992, 22 Pa.B. 949; amended March 7, 1997, effective March 8, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 1155; amended March 23, 2012, effective March 24, 2012, 42 Pa.B. 1502; amended March 7, 2025, effective March 8, 2025, 55 Pa.B. 2070. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (371389).