Arbitrary Rules

Both the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Game Commission publish booklets of rules that govern fishing and hunting. It is the obligation of sportsmen to know and follow these rules.

However, most sportsmen abide by other sets of rules they set for themselves. These are rules that depend on the discretion and choices of individual sportsmen. Many times, these arbitrary rules are more stringent than the rules set by the two commissions.

One arbitrary rule that many fishermen abide by is a choice to release the fish that they catch. This is known as catch-and-release an...