Rick Lorson, area fisheries manager, suggested anglers key in on the "Point Pool," which includes the waters encircling the point in Pittsburgh. This includes the Allegheny River from the point upriver to the Highland Park Dam, the Monongahela River up to Lock and Dam 2 at Braddock, and the Ohio River downriver from the point to the Emsworth locks and dams.

Lorson said the Point Pool has been stocked with hybrids in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Another area worthy of angler effort is the Montgomery Pool of the Ohio River. The Montgomery Pool runs from the Montgomery Lock and Dam near Shippingport upriver 18 miles to the Dashields Lock and Dam near Glenwillard. This section has been stocked with hybrids in the same years as the Point Pool. Lorson based his recommendations on the steady stockings combined with positive angler reports.

The PFBC maintains the South Side Access Area on the Point Pool. It's on the Monongahela River at the foot of 18th Street off East Carson Street. The agency also maintains an access area on the Montgomery Pool in Rochester at the foot of Pleasant Street and New York Avenue off Route 65.

LAKE WALLENPAUPACK
Lake Wallenpaupack is vying to outdistance Raystown Lake as the most popular inland striped bass lake in the state. This 5,700-acre impoundment has an excellent purebred striped bass population.

Wallenpaupack is a popular multi-use Pocono Mountain lake in Pike and Wayne counties. Owned by Pennsylvania Power and Light Company, the 'Pack is a traditional favorite with anglers and boaters.

According to Dave Arnold, area fisheries manager, Wallenpaupack should provide very good striped bass fishing this spring.

"I'd rate it equal to the Delaware River as a striped bass fishery," he said.

Though both hybrid stripers and pure stripers have been stocked in Wallenpaupack over the years, Arnold said the focus now is on purebreds.

The area manager said striper fisherman could expect a reasonable chance at good numbers of striped bass in the 30- to 36-inch range. The potential for much bigger fish exists, however. During the Fish and Boat Commission's 2003 Citation Program, Wallenpaupack produced the biggest inland striper, a 42-pound, 44-inch trophy taken by Brad Albert. Another Top Five fish, Terry Vogel's 31-pound, 40-inch lunker, also came from the lake.

A strong angler effort is focused on Wallenpaupack's stripers. Guide services are available in the area. Night-fishing is popular, particularly when daytime boat traffic is high.

This lake has no horsepower restrictions. More information on the area may be obtained by contacting the Hawley-Lake Wallenpaupack Chamber of Commerce at (570) 226-3191.

RAYSTOWN LAKE
Huntingdon County's Raystown Lake, the waterway many state anglers associate with inland water striper fishing, should continue to produce good action this spring.

Dave Miko, newly appointed area fisheries manager (replacing retired AFM Larry Jackson), expects the lake to have good populations of pure stripers this spring.

"Based on the consistent stockings the lake received from 1997 through 2001, there should be good numbers of fish available," Miko said. "These 5- to 8-year-old fish will run 22 to 30 inches in length."

Raystown Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control impoundment, covers 8,300 acres, and is the largest reservoir contained entirely within the state.

Gizzard shad remain the primary staple. Alewife shad, though still present, were found in lower numbers during the commission's last lake survey. Rainbow smelt numbers crashed during the late 1990s.

The Corps of Engineers maintains seven access areas along the shoreline of this 28-mile-long, unlimited horsepower lake. The Corps office may be contacted by calling (814) 658-3405. Or the Web site, raystown.nab.usace.army.mil/, contains an abundance of additional information on the lake.

The Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau (www.raystown.org) will furnish details on lodging, amenities and other travel considerations. Call them at (888) RAYSTOWN.

There is no closed season on hybrid stripers or purebreds on waters under standard regulations. The creel limit is two fish, combined species, and there is a 20-inch minimum length limit.