February is typically the coldest month of the year in the Keystone State, but that doesn't mean that trout fishing has to be put on ice.

If you are the adventuresome, open-water type, here is a list of locations where you can try your luck this winter:

East Licking Creek
Traveling to East Licking Creek in the middle of winter can be an adventure in itself. Its four miles of Delayed Harvest Artificial Lure Only water is literally in the middle of a forest. Only one road, Licking Creek Drive, provides access to this piece of Tuscarora State Forest. During the winter months, the road is not plowed. If you plan to go here, be prepared for tricky travel.

Although there are four miles of stream, much of the flow is no more than 6 feet wide. It is fast-moving water, but there are numerous pockets, pools and undercut banks where the trout can hide.

The stream is stocked with adult fish several times each spring, and holdover trout are common. Don't be surprised to catch some native brook trout or brown trout that have been spawned by the holdover hatchery fish. Most of the trout will be less than a foot long but, in such small water, they are trophies in their own right.

It could take more than a few days of warm weather to energize the lethargic fish in this stream. Hemlocks surround the stream, shading the water and keeping the snow from melting.

Fishing the deepest pools with heavy spinners or weighted nymphs is by far the best way to take winter trout here. Be patient when fishing these small pools. The water will be clear and the fish somewhat sluggish in winter, but they will bite when a proper presentation is made.

For more information, contact the Tuscarora State Forest headquarters in New Germantown at (717) 536-3191.

Valley Creek
Unless the winter is exceptionally cold, anglers should be able to find open water on Valley Creek most of the year. Valley Creek flows through historic Valley Forge National Park and contains some sizable brown trout.

The stream is managed under Catch-and-Release, All Tackle special regulations imposed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Normally, this regulation allows fishermen to use any bait or lure. However, the National Park Service has imposed special bait restrictions on the stream where it flows through the park. In addition, not all of the stream is open to fishing. A small section near Washington's headquarters is off-limits to anglers. Posters for both the bait restrictions and off-limit areas are posted along the stream to advise anglers. Call the park office at (610) 783-1077 for the most current information.

While brown trout are present and do grow to large sizes, expect colorful fish between 10 and 12 inches in length. Although the stream is stocked, many of the fish that are caught have been spawned in the stream by the stocked fish, wary quarry that are used to heavy fishing pressure. Be patient and make longer-than-normal casts when fishing this stretch of stream.

CAMP RUN WATERSHED
If you are looking for a truly wild experience for winter trout, why not look to the western portion of the state? The Laurel Highlands region contains numerous small streams that hold native brook trout. One stream in particular stands out for this winter adventure.

Camp Run Watershed in the southeastern portion of the county offers more than four miles of true wild trout stream that is open to year-round fishing. Managed under the Wild Brook Trout Enhancement Program, there are no tackle restrictions for trout fishing. The only restriction is that all brook trout must be caught and released immediately.

The stream, which narrows to just a few feet in width at some points, requires some hiking to reach the best portions of it.