The toothy trio won’t win any beauty pageants, but when it comes to fishing fun, they take the trophy. In the case of muskellunge, you can use “trophy” literally. Muskies are among the largest of all freshwater fish. In Pennsylvania, muskellunge can exceed 50 – inches and pounds. The current state record weighs in at more then 54 pounds. The PFBC also offers a “Husky Musky” award to anglers boating muskellunge 50 inches or longer.

The Commission is in the midst of refining its management of muskellunge to create more opportunities to catch a fish of that size. As part of that effort, the Commission has proposed a year-round musky fishing season, with a one-fish, 36-inch minimum size limit for inland waters. The Commission is also considering the creation of a special regulations program aimed at maximizing musky fishing at select waters. Waters designated into the proposed Musky Enhancement Program would have a year-round musky season, with a one-fish daily creel limit and 45-inch minimum size limit.

Examples of waters to which the program may be applied include Lake Arthur (Butler County), Rose Valley Lake (Lycoming County), Cowanesque Reservoir (Tioga County), Marsh Creek Lake (Chester County), Susquehanna River (Fabridam to 1.3 miles downstream) and Loyalhanna Lake (Westmoreland County).

Additionally, the Commission is soliciting angler input on an alternative approach: eschewing a special regulation program and setting the statewide limit for muskellunge and muskellunge hybrids at 40 inches for all inland waters.

Changes are also proposed for two closely-related species, northern pike and pickerel. The Commission is seeking comments on opening the season for both on a year-round basis, with a daily creel limit of four fish 18 inches or larger.

A public comment period will run through the spring and early summer, with vote on final alternatives to occur later in the year. No changes would take place prior to 2007.

The Commission also is seeking additional public comment on an omnibus package of regulations related to the management of reptiles and amphibians. At its April 2005 meeting, the Commission approved the publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking containing proposed amendments relating to reptiles and amphibians. A number of modifications to that package that related to snake hunts and snake hunting were suggested at the meeting and the Commission is asking for additional commentary from the public before voting on any final changes to the regulations later this year.

Among those key points:

In other action at the meeting, the Commission: