HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania environmental agencies are adopting a statewide strategy to guide where and how communities expand public fishing and boating access, targeting barriers that can keep residents from reaching the Commonwealth’s rivers, streams and lakes.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources released the joint strategy Thursday, Aug. 13, providing a framework for state agencies, local governments and nonprofit organizations to plan new access sites and improve existing ones.
The initiative is intended to direct projects toward areas with limited access while helping communities determine which improvements would make waterways more usable. Potential projects include boat launches, trails providing walk-in fishing access, accessible parking and paths, and adaptive launching docks.
Pennsylvania has more than 85,000 miles of rivers and streams and 4,000 lakes, according to DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. She said communities can gain both social and economic benefits by developing public access areas that attract anglers and boaters.
Demand for some forms of water recreation has also increased. Polling conducted by DCNR for Pennsylvania’s 2025-2029 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan showed record levels of interest in kayaking and canoeing, according to the agencies.
Despite that demand, the state identified physical, financial, social and psychological barriers that can prevent residents and visitors from using existing access areas.
“This strategy recognizes those obstacles and offers solutions for overcoming them,” Mark Sweppenhiser, director of the Fish and Boat Commission’s Bureau of Boating, stated.
Sweppenhiser said the approach calls for optimizing the placement of new fishing and boating projects, prioritizing underserved areas, developing local support and using Pennsylvania’s existing Water Trails as part of access planning.
The strategy is also aimed at organizations that develop or manage recreation infrastructure, including heritage areas, watershed organizations, nonprofit groups, municipalities and water trail managers.
Both agencies have existing programs that can assist communities seeking to develop new public fishing access or improve current facilities.
Planning tools and additional information are available through the Pennsylvania Fishing and Boating Access Strategy page at Fishandboat.com.
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