Jan 24, 2015 3 min read

Anglers at Peters Township Reservoir could notice changes starting in 2016 under rules proposed by the Pennsylania Fish and Boat Commission last week.

The commission is proposing making Peters Township Reservoir, a 40-acre lake, a Big Bass Special Regulations water and a Panfish Enhancement Special Regulation water for crappie.

Under these regulations, bass would have to be 15 inches or greater to be harvested, with the season running from Jan. 1 through April 17 and June 13 through Dec. 31. The daily limit would be four fish.

For crappie, the minimum size would be nine inches with a creel limit of 20 fish.

The same regulations are already in place at Cross Creek Lake.

There will be a 60-day public comment period on the proposed rule change. If adopted, the changes would take place Jan. 1, 2016.

• In another major change that would affect area waterways, the commission is proposing allowing anglers in delayed harvest artificial lures only areas to have several additional weeks to keep their catch and also permitting them to use bait during the harvest period.

Local waterways that would be affected would be the delayed harvest areas of Pike Run and Dutch Fork Creek.

In addition, children under the age of 16 would be permitted to use bait year-round in these areas.

Current regulations permit the harvest of trout in delayed harvest artificial areas between June 15 and Labor Day with a minimum size of nine inches and a creel limit of three fish.

The waters are open to fishing year-round.

Under the new proposal, the harvest period would be moved to the Saturday before Memorial Day, the minimum size requirement would decrease to seven inches and anglers could use bait or artificial lures during the harvest period. The creel limit would remain at three fish.

Like the changes at Peters Township Reservoir, there will be a 60-day period for public comment, and if approved, the changes would take place in 2016.

• Led by Sylvia Dreistadt’s 297, the Frazier-Simplex Rifle Club picked up a win last week at Allegheny, firing a 1,469 to improve its league-best record to 10-1.

John Husk fired a 294, Morgan Duerr and Christopher Thomas 293 each, and Jim Mounts 292.

Second-place Dormont-Mt. Lebanon (9-2) kept pace, edging Irwin Post 228, 1,474-1,464.

Tom Gerner and Amy Smith led the way, with both firing 297s. Dean Trew shot a 296, while Bob King (294) and Dan Francis (290) rounded out the scoring for the winners.

Matt Lovre led the way for Irwin with a 299.

Outdoors Editor F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.