If you’re looking for a job or career change and enjoy the outdoors, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) may have a career position you may be interested in pursuing.

The PFBC is recruiting for their 27th Waterways Conservation Officer trainee class. To get started, the State Civil Service Commission will begin accepting applications now through Feb. 3, 2025. If you qualify, the class of trainees will undergo a comprehensive training program at various sites in the Commonwealth, including the PFBC, H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety in Bellefonte, Center County.

Trainees will study law enforcement principles and practices, fish and boat laws, watercraft safety, environmental protection and other related content.

The new class of trainees are expected to report for training later this year and graduate in the summer of 2026.

According to the PFBC, Waterways Conservation Officers (often referred to a fish wardens as game protectors are referred to as game wardens), are law enforcement professionals who have a passion for the outdoors and work to protect, conserve and enhance Pennsylvania’s aquatic resources.

WCOs are specifically trained in all aspects of fisheries conservation (they also conduct trout stockings), watercraft safety and they work to preserve fishing and boating opportunities on Pennsylvania’s 86,000 miles of rivers, streams and lakes. They work outdoors and have unmatched appreciation for the hundreds of native species of fish, reptiles and amphibians in Pennsylvania.

Applications will only be accepted online. To view the announcement and apply, visit the Pennsylvania employment website at www.employment.pa.gov.

Applicants must meet the following basic criteria:

*Pennsylvania residency

*Possess a valid driver’s license

*Be at least 21 years of age

*High school graduate or GED

*Pass a criminal history background check

Upon submitting an application, applicants will be required to take the SCSC exam no later than March 5, 2025. For more information check the “WCO Recruitment” page on the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com).

ICE FISHING

REPORT

According to Chris from Chris’s Bait & Tackle in Mertztown, Ontelaunee Reservoir in upper Berks County has 4-6 inches of ice with some open water in the main lake, He heard nothing about Leaser Lake but he has customers doing well at Promised Land Upper Lake that has a reported 6-7 inches, while Shohola Lake has ice but no depth reports from there. He’s been selling mostly minnows to the ice fishermen.

Additional reports have Tobyhanna Lake with 4-5 inches, Brady’s Lake had three inches of black ice 50 yards out from shore, Belmont Lake had 5 inches, Prompton Lake had 5 plus, Stillwater Lake had 6 plus and White Oak had 5 inches.

Weather reports indicate cold weather should prevail for most of this week so hard water fishing should be good.