The stocking history of Blue Marsh Lake is similar to Nockamixon. Fingerling plantings of hybrids became consistent in 1999, when 13,800 stripers were stocked. In 2001, the lake received 11,500 fish; another 11,498 in 2002 and 10,300 more in '03. Pure stripers have also been stocked.

Biologist Kaufmann reported that hybrid stripers are more popular at Blue Marsh than they are at Nockamixon. Because of a heavier harvest, the average size fish seem to run a bit smaller there. Alewives provide the food base.

During spring, Kaufmann recommended anglers try subtle main-lake points and flat.

An avid angler, Kaufmann related a pattern he sees that occurs on both Blue Marsh and Nockamixon, and likely most lakes that hold hybrids.

"When a sudden warming trend occurs, one that quickly increases the water temperature in protected bays and coves, hybrids will often go on feeding forays within the confines of these waters," he said. "It's important that it happens suddenly, so the bays warm but not the main-lake areas. Often, baitfish and carp will be back in the coves. Hybrids will be there, too. They won't often take a topwater bait, but they will hit lures retrieved just under the surface."

Productive methods include night-fishing, particularly in areas where spawning alewives make evening migrations.

There is no horsepower restriction on Blue Marsh Lake. Access areas include Dry Brooks and Slate Hill. A $3 access fee is charged at these launches during the summer months. This lake is in Berks County near Leesport. Additional information can be obtained by phoning the lake office at (610) 376-6337.

According to seasoned Raystown angler Tim Grove, the striper fishing at Raystown has been good for several years and will likely be excellent this spring.

"During the last few years, it has been getting better. We are seeing fish from a variety of age-classes," Grove said. "The stocked fish planted by the PFBC and the Raystown Striper Club seem to be surviving well."

According to a 10-year stocking history of the lake, Raystown has been stocked every year except 1995. During that period, the average stocking has been over 91,000 fingerlings.

Grace said the average fish is now running about 10 pounds, with a lot of 30-pound fish in the lake and a few 40-pounders as well.

"A 30-pound striper is a trophy fish in a lot of places," he noted.

During May, Grace fishes at night and during the day. Cloudy days produce the most action. At this time, the fish will be in the shallows. As May gives way to June, he said the fish scatter, and striper activity is seen all over the lake.

Stretching nearly 30 miles, Raystown Lake offers a dozen launch facilities. There is no horsepower restriction. The same fee schedule as other Corps lakes applies.

For more information, visit the Raystown Lake Web site at www. raystown.nab.usace.army.mil, or call (814) 658-3405.

Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park north of Pittsburgh has received stockings of hybrid fingerlings each year since 1995, with the exception of 1997 and 2000. Most of those stockings have consisted of 16,100 fingerlings. The 2001 stocking, following a year when no fish were introduced, included 32,200 fingerling hybrids.

According to Craig Billingsley, area fisheries manager, Lake Arthur holds good promise for this spring.

"I'd rate it good to excellent," Billingsley said. "During our last inventory, we saw large numbers of fish of all sizes. This includes young-of-the-year fish stocked the prior year up to 20-pounders."

Billingsley added that he's had reports of anglers catching fish over the 20-pound mark, true trophies in anyone's book.

Lake Arthur's hybrids are well distributed throughout the lake. The early-season focus is on evening spawning migrations by alewives, the lake's main forage species.

More anglers are catching fish during the day using live bait. Last year, I took several hybrids pulling spinner-crawler harnesses along deep basins, a tactic that's common for walleyes.

Lake Arthur covers nearly 3,300 acres with a maximum depth of about 35 feet. The average depth is much shallower. Many extensive bays and arms stretch out from the central basin.

Moraine State Park along Route 422 between Butler and New Castle features boat launches in all areas of the lake. Motors are limited to 20 horsepower. For more information, phone the state park office at (724) 368-8811.

In eastern Pennsylvania, Lake Wallenpaupack has received consistent stockings of pure-strain stripers, though local guides indicate the fishing has been slow for this species during the past few years, but biologist Dave Arnold said that Beltzville Lake continues to grow as a purebred striper water.

Shenango Lake provides another hybrid venue for western Pennsylvania anglers. Biologist Craig Billingsley said consistent stockings have created a fishery where 15- and 16-pound fish are showing up. Most of the fish seem to be east of the Route 18 causeway. Hybrids are also stocked in the lower Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers, though catches in the rivers seem better during the winter months when the fish stack up near thermal discharges.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Web site (www.fish. state.pa.us) has links to online maps that show additional access areas, maps and charts.

There is no closed season on stripers and hybrid stripers on Pennsylvania's inland waters. The creel limit is two fish, combined species, with a 20-inch minimum length restriction.