HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 9) – Pennsylvania outdoor tradition gets into full swing this Saturday, April 13 for the Statewide Opening Day of Trout Season! Fishing begins at 8 a.m.
This annual occasion takes place in 49 counties in northwest, southwest, north-central and northeastern Pennsylvania including Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Lackawanna, Lawrence, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Potter, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Venango, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland and Wyoming counties. (Counties not listed were included in the Regional Opening Day held on March 30.)
To participate, anglers ages 16 and older must have a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License and a Trout/Salmon Permit, both available at www.gonefishingpa.com or at more than 700 issuing agents. Multi-year licenses are also available in 3-year, 5-year and 10-year increments. Prices for licenses and permits remain the same as last year. Youth anglers ages 15 and under do not require licenses or permits.
"Fishing is a fun, inexpensive way for individuals and families to get outdoors," said Tim Schaeffer, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Executive Director. "Fishing is rewarding for both new and seasoned anglers as they experience special places, spend time with friends or alone on the water, and appreciate Pennsylvania's incredible aquatic resources."
This year, the PFBC will stock 3.2 million trout into 707 streams and 127 lakes statewide, which is consistent with numbers over the past decade. These figures include approximately 2.1 million rainbow trout; 640,000 brown trout; and 440,000 brook trout. As with past practice, the average size of the trout produced for stocking is 11 inches in length. The PFBC also plans to stock about 9,600 trophy golden rainbow trout that weigh an average of 1.5 pounds and measure at least 14 inches long. Thousands of trophy size brood trout are also stocked throughout PA waters. Stocking occurs throughout the pre-season and in-season, with a limited number of fall season stockings to replenish the most popular waterways and ice fishing hotspots. In addition, PFBC partner cooperative nurseries sponsored by sportsmen's groups and other organizations will combine to raise 1 million trout that will be stocked into public waterways.
During the regular season (opening day through September 2), anglers may keep up to five trout (combined species) measuring at least 7-inches long. During an extended season from September 3 through February 28, the daily limit is three trout.
To locate stocked trout fishing waters near you, select the 2019 Trout Stocking Schedule at www.fishandboat.com. Waterways on this list are searchable by county, organized in alphabetical order and provide the date, time and meeting place for each stocking event. Volunteers are encouraged to assist with all stocking activities.
The FREE Fish Boat PA Mobile App is the most useful tool in an angler's tackle box. Download the app from the Apple App or Google Play stores to locate stocked waterways or wild trout streams, use the fish identification tool and view fishing and boating regulations. The 2019 Fishing Summary book is available to be viewed or downloaded for FREE online, or for $3 per printed copy through license issuing agents.
VIDEO B-ROLL AVAILABLE: Pennsylvania Trout Fishing
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Media Contact:
Mike Parker, Communications Director
(717)705-7806
michparker@pa.gov