The use of a cast net or throw net in any other Commonwealth waters is a violation of the Fish and Boat Code and is punishable by a fine and may result in the loss of fishing privileges. Cast nets or throw nets shall not exceed 10 feet in radius or 20 feet in diameter and possess a mesh size of at least 3/8-inch. The holder of the cast net or throw net permit may take, catch, kill or possess a daily creel limit of 100 gizzard shad and alewife (combined species). The holder of the permit shall carry the permit on his/her person while using the net or while possessing more than 50 gizzard shad or alewife (combined species). The permit shall be available for inspection by a waterways conservation officer.
It is unlawful to:
- use a cast net or throw net in the waterways listed above without the required permit;
- use a cast net or throw net in any other Commonwealth waters except those listed above;
- use a cast net or throw net to take, catch, kill or possess any fish species except gizzard shad 8 inches or less in length and alewife;
- use gizzard shad or alewife taken under the required permit as live bait in any water other than the water from which it was taken;
- use a cast net or throw net without possessing a valid fishing license.
Cast net and throw net permits are available online at huntfish.pa.gov. |
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission issues permits for the use of cast nets, throw nets or dip nets for the taking of emerald shiners or spottail shiners from Lake Erie, including Presque Isle Bay. Cast nets or throw nets may be no greater than 10 feet in radius (20 feet in diameter), and the dip nets may be no greater than 10 feet in diameter.
In addition to existing seasons, sizes and creel limits for Lake Erie, Lake Erie tributaries and Presque Isle Bay including peninsula waters, holders of this permit may take, catch, kill or possess a daily creel limit of 200 Emerald Shiners and Spottail Shiners (combined species). This permit shall be carried so that it is available for inspection by a waterways conservation officer. The permit holder is the only person authorized to use the cast net, throw net or dip net.
Under this permit, with the use of a cast net, throw net or dip net, it is unlawful to:
- Use Emerald Shiners or Spottail Shiners as bait in any water other than Lake Erie and Lake Erie tributaries including Presque Isle Bay.
- Sell, offer for sale, trade or barter live, dead or preserved emerald shiners or spottail shiners.
- Transport or export live, dead or preserved emerald shiners or spottail shiners taken out of the Lake Erie watershed.
- Use any of these nets within 100 yards of a holder of a commercial seine license.
- Use any of these nets within an area 300 feet from the mouth of any stream or within the confines of a tributary stream to Lake Erie.
- Use any of these nets in a way that it interferes with sport anglers or boaters.
The holder of a permit for the use of cast nets, throw nets or dip nets may possess an unlimited number of preserved emerald shiners or spottail shiners at his residence provided the residence is located within the Lake Erie watershed.
Lake Erie net permits are available at the PFBC Northwest Region Office and at Walnut Creek Marina Office. Applications, which can be brought to both locations, or mailed to the region office are also available online. |