Permit plan · Stock bass, bluegill or other fish

Your permit plan: Stock bass, bluegill or other fish

Based on your answers. Cards are in the order you'll usually need them. Checked Oct 4, 2026.

Your answers (change any of them)

Who owns the water and the lakebed? A state park or Fish and Boat Commission lake · change
What kind of water is it? A closed decorative garden pond that can never reach a stream · change

Info

Closed decorative ponds

PFBC

PFBC defines an ornamental pond as an outdoor pond built as a landscape feature, with a closed water circulation system and no risk of contacting other waters. Ponds built for fishing, aquaculture or holding baitfish are not ornamental ponds, so stocking them needs a Notice of Stocking.

PFBC: Notice of Stocking FAQs

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Sources: Notice of Stocking FAQs: ornamental ponds; 58 Pa. Code § 71a.5, Notice of Stocking to the Commission This may be outdated

State

Never release pet-store or aquarium fish

PFBC

Fish that come from pet stores or tropical and ornamental fish dealers may not be released into Pennsylvania waters, a farm or backyard pond included.

58 Pa. Code § 71a.5

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: 58 Pa. Code § 71a.5(a)(3)(ii) This may be outdated

Also check

Local

Also check with your municipality

Your township, borough or city (and county)

Ask about zoning, building and floodplain permits. Your county, township or municipal government may have its own rules, codes or permits for pond construction or maintenance, so check with every level of local government before you start, especially for a new pond.

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Pond Agencies and Permits in Pennsylvania: Local Government (updated May 19, 2025) This may be outdated

Owner

Public lake: the managing agency first

The agency that manages the lake (state park or PFBC)

Talk to the managing agency first; a DEP permit alone isn't enough. A state permit doesn't give you the right to build on public land or water.

A summary, not legal or engineering advice. The regulation, the permit documents and the product label control. Confirm with the agency before you start.

Pros for this work

Optional. We use it only to show pros who serve your area. It isn't saved with your plan.

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Your cards plus a timeline counted back from your start date, a document checklist for each permit, a call list with links, questions to ask contractors and a tracker. Delivered instantly.

This is not a permit or an application. We don't file anything for you. Agency fees are paid only to the agency.

Pond & Shore PA plan · lakepennsylvania.us/plan/2rm4 · Checked Oct 4, 2026

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