Permit guide · Brush piles, cribs and fish habitat

Do I need a permit to sink brush piles or fish cribs in Pennsylvania?

Short answer: Generally yes. Fish habitat structures such as brush piles and cribs placed in a pond or lake are water obstructions under Chapter 105, and DEP's General Permit 1 covers them, with PFBC's approval first. GP-1 isn't for wetlands, so structures there need an individual permit. Registration is $50.

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Chapter 105 General Permits; fees from 25 Pa. Code § 105.13(c)(2) This may be outdated

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Why it's regulated. Docks, piers, walls and fill in or touching any pond or lake are regulated 'water obstructions'.

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: 25 Pa. Code § 105.1, Definitions This may be outdated

General Permit 1. General Permit 1 (GP-1) covers fish habitat enhancement structures, such as brush structures, mud sills and deflectors, in regulated waters. It needs the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's approval first and is not for use in wetlands. The registration fee in the regulation is $50. Many small projects in or along Pennsylvania waters qualify for one of DEP's Chapter 105 general permits (GPs), registered with DEP or with a county conservation district that has Chapter 105 delegation. DEP or the district can only authorize a project that meets every term and condition of the general permit, so check the terms before you register. DEP prefers online registration through ePermitting, and conservation districts may charge their own review fee on top of the registration fee.

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Chapter 105 General Permits This may be outdated

In a wetland. Chapter 105 work that doesn't qualify for a waiver or a general permit needs an individual water obstruction and encroachment permit through DEP's Joint Permit Application, reviewed by DEP's regional office or a delegated conservation district. DEP recommends a pre-application meeting. In most cases the same application also covers the federal Army Corps authorization. Fill or dredging in waters or wetlands may also need federal (Army Corps) authorization, usually via DEP.

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Sources: Apply for a Water Obstruction and Encroachment Joint Permit (Chapter 105); Pennsylvania State Programmatic General Permit-7 (PASPGP-7), Part I and Part VI (dated April 27, 2026) This may be outdated

On someone else's lake. Association, utility, Army Corps and public lakes decide first. Corps lakes: private docks only where the lake's Shoreline Management Plan allows them.

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: 36 CFR § 327.30, Shoreline Management on Civil Works Projects This may be outdated

Questions people ask

Do I need PFBC's approval for a brush pile?

Yes, before you register under GP-1. GP-1: fish habitat structures; PFBC approval first; not in wetlands; $50 registration. Checked Oct 4, 2026

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Chapter 105 General Permits; fees from 25 Pa. Code § 105.13(c)(2) This may be outdated

Can I sink an old Christmas tree in my pond?

A sunken tree used as fish habitat is the kind of brush structure GP-1 covers, so the same rule applies. GP-1: fish habitat structures; PFBC approval first; not in wetlands; $50 registration. Checked Oct 4, 2026

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Chapter 105 General Permits; fees from 25 Pa. Code § 105.13(c)(2) This may be outdated

What does GP-1 cost?

$50 in the regulation; conservation districts may add a review fee. Checked Oct 4, 2026

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Chapter 105 General Permits This may be outdated

Who do I register with?

DEP or your county conservation district if it has Chapter 105 delegation. Checked Oct 4, 2026

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Chapter 105 General Permits This may be outdated