May 25, 2012 at 4:41 pm (Activities, boating, fishing, Holtwood, outdoors, Pennsylvania, recreation)
In time for Memorial Day weekend, PPL Holtwood reopened the newly refurbished boat ramps at the Pequea Boat Launch on the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County.
“The improvements at Pequea are part of PPL’s commitment, under its operating license for the Holtwood hydroelectric plant, to expand recreational opportunities for the public along the Susquehanna River,” said John M. Levitski, PPL’s regional community relations director for the Lancaster area. “We’re pleased to reopen the Pequea boat launch area in time for the holiday weekend.”
PPL Holtwood repaired the existing boat ramp and extended it farther out into the river, and installed a new one next to it. After this boating season, PPL will dredge the Pequea Creek area and install additional parking to accommodate nearly 60 total spaces.
“The project, which was started in March, will improve the boating public’s enjoyment of the river at Holtwood as the summer boating season gets under way,” Levitski said.
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May 7, 2012 at 11:49 am (Activities, fishing, Susquehanna Riverlands)
Tags: Columbia Bassmasters, Fishing, PFBC, Riverlands
For the fifth year in a row, the Riverlands will host a free Family Fishing Education Program for families with children ages 8 to 15. We’ll even provide the fishing equipment.
The event is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Columbia County Bassmasters Association, in conjunction with PPL and the Berwick Borough Community Policing Program.
The program will include a welcome and introduction, presentations on fishing regulations and licenses, equipment, knots, rigging and baiting, casting, equipment and boat displays, and a family fishing session. Lunch will be provided for participants. We will award prizes and take photos of the fish that are caught. Children do not need a fishing license for this event but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. More information can be found at the Fish and Boat Commission website at www.fish.state.pa.us.
Space is limited and registration is required for this event. Please call Mike Monico at 570-752-3223 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Registration deadline is Wednesday, May 9. This event will be held rain or shine.
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May 3, 2012 at 10:19 pm (education, fishing, students)
Tags: Delaware River Shad Fishermen's Association, Shad in Schools
American shad
Here’s a great, hands-on learning opportunity for students to get to know the life-cycle of a shad. A what?! The American shad is an anadromous fish, which means they spend most of their life at sea, but swim back upstream to their native waters to spawn and lay eggs. The Delaware River Shad Fishermen’s Association, in partnership with PPL and local schools, leads the “Shad in Schools” effort in the Lehigh Valley.
Here’s a recent report from Shad in Schools Coordinator, Dave Bittner:
“It was an exciting day…great fun watching our swimmers make it out of the hatching chamber! With the aid of a flashlight , we are also watching the shad swim in the reservoir. It was tough getting any other work done :) “ ~ Fran Lenahan, St. John Neumann, Palmerton
“A lot hatching here too after large initial mortality! Very cool!!!” ~Kathy Uhler, Stroudsburg High School
With 10 of 15 schools reporting here is a sketch of egg viability and hatching action as of noon Wednesday, May 2:
- Kathy Uhler – Stroudsburg HS—Very few viable eggs. A lot hatching here after initial heavy mortality. Very cool!!
- Rob Marsteller — Pen Argyl HS – Strap holding hatching chamber broke over night & lost all. 50 % initially.
- Simeon Peccia – Pohatcong School — Good egg development, some swimmers. As of Wed. 61% mortality.
- St. John Newman (Palmerton)—Fran Lenahan—50% initially, most dead eggs removed by Tues. , swimmers and wigglers.
- United Friends School (Quakertown)—Kathy Leber – 13% initial viability, flow valve adjustment problem, eggs in growth tank overnight. 98.7 mortality by day 3.
- Belvidere Middle School – Debra MacKay – Lost 80% of 5800 1245 survived.
- Carbon County Environmental Education Center – Jeannie Carl – A lot of live swimmers and wigglers in eggs. 85% viability, lost only 20 Tues, only 10 Wed.
- Easton Area MS—Many wigglers inside eggs. 54% survival! 1781 of 3320, 1533 dead.
- Kingwood School, NJ (Frenchtown) – Scott Johnson – Many wigglers inside eggs, some in mid-hatch, couple of swimmers. 25% mortality initially. By Wed. 90%.
- Seven Generations Charter School – About 50% DOA. By Wed. only 26 alive.
In summary, this year’s eggs were more viable than last year’s, although many died. I am very pleased that all who reported so far have had success with their classes viewing the hatching and development of the eggs.
Keep up the good work!
Dave
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May 2, 2012 at 3:28 pm (boating, fishing, recreation)
Tags: Martins Creek boat launch
The boat ramp off DePues Ferry Road downstream of PPL’s Martins Creek power plant has been temporarily closed for repairs.
“We understand that the temporary closure is an inconvenience to our neighbors who use the boat ramp to access the Delaware River this time of year,” said Paul Canevari, PPL’s regional community relations director.
“But the end of the ramp has been washed out, requiring repair work,” he said.
A contractor has been hired, and the repair work will begin as soon as permits are received, he said.
“We will notify the public about the reopening of the boat ramp as soon as the repairs are completed,” Canevari said.
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April 16, 2012 at 4:30 pm (fishing, nature, observations, outdoors, Susquehanna Riverlands)
Tags: Lake Took-A-While, trout season
If the mild weather this winter didn’t have you daydreaming about spring, than certainly the first day of trout season will have you thinking about warm temperatures, wildflowers and afternoons on the banks of your favorite stream or lake.
The first day of trout season is often marked far in advance on an angler’s calendar. Family traditions are plentiful as the young and young at heart enjoy time together.
On Saturday, several hundred anglers of all ages gathered at Lake Took-A-While and many were lucky (or skilled) enough to leave with their daily limit of fish. If you’re interested in trying your luck or just enjoying the view, the Susquehanna Riverlands is opened from 8 am – 8 pm, seven days a week. Call 1-866-832-3312 if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you soon!
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February 8, 2012 at 9:42 am (Activities, fishing, recreation, Susquehanna Riverlands, Uncategorized)
Tags: Lake Took-A-While, PFBC, trout stocking
Waterways Conservation Officer John Cummings and other PA Fish and Boat Commission staff with help from PPL staff stocked Lake Took-A-While on Wednesday with several hundred rainbow trout. Last year, a hole had to be cut in the ice to stock the trout in the lake but unseasonably warm temperatures this winter have prevented Lake Took-A-While from freezing over. At least 15 different anglers were waiting on the shores of the lake to enjoy a morning of fishing on the open water.
PPL and the PA Fish and Boat Commission will be teaming up on a variety of projects in the next few months:
February 28- Boating Safety Instructor Workshop at Susquehanna Energy Info Center (SEIC)
March 24- Pennsylvania Safe Boating Instructional Course at SEIC
May 12- Family Fishing Day at PPL Susquehanna Riverlands and Lake Took-A-While
Call 1-866-832-3312 for additional information or to register.
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September 13, 2011 at 12:20 pm (Activities, boating, fishing, Montour Preserve, outdoors, Pennsylvania, recreation)
Now that water levels have dropped in Lake Chillisquaque, work has been completed to allow the lake to open to boating and fishing once again. Picnic areas are also open as is the Visitors Center. Trails will remain closed temporarily until the storm damage is cleaned up and flood damage repaired. Please bear with us.
Lake Chillisquaque at Montour Preserve
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September 9, 2011 at 4:58 pm (Activities, conservation, fishing, Montour Preserve, nature, outdoors, Pennsylvania, recreation, wildlife)
As waters recede at Montour Preserve’s Lake Chillisquaque, shallow pools were left behind trapping small fish. This afternoon preserve staff netted about 200 shiners, sunfish and small bass and returned them to the lake. These fish escaped drying pools, hungry great blue herons and a pair of otters looking for an easy meal. We’ll know those rescued fish if we ever see them again–they are the ones with the big smiles
A few of of the "big catch"
on their faces.
Netting trapped fish or return to the lake
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September 8, 2011 at 9:58 am (Activities, boating, fishing, Hiking, Montour Preserve, outdoors, Pennsylvania, recreation, safety)
Lake Chillisquaque above flood stage
Due to flooding Lake Chillisquaque, Goose Woods Trail, and the Chilisuagi Trail at PPL’s Montour Preserve are closed to recreational activities until further notice.
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June 14, 2011 at 2:25 pm (birds of prey, conservation, eagles, fishing, Lake Wallenpaupack, nature, observations, recreation)
Tags: million dollar fish
Recreation enthusiasts and nature-lovers alike have been watching the eagle nest on Lake Wallenpaupack closely all season. Visible now are the two dark brown eaglets in the nest, who are testing out their wing flaps at the nest’s edge and could be experiencing their first flight any time now. If timed right, the lucky observer will see the adult eagles (with the white heads and tails) bringing a fishy snack back to the nest to feed their growing offspring.
Note the restricted area, indicated by buoys and a roped-off perimeter…all for the safety and protection of our nation’s symbol. Access to Kipp Island is restricted during the nesting season, which runs from January 1 through July 31.
I continue to wonder if the million dollar fish became lunch for the eagles… hmmmm…
Georgean Musanti caught a picture of this one right before a tasty treat.
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