The reason streams such as this are stocked more heavily is because a greater portion of stocked trout are caught than at other streams. Adult trout are stocked specifically so anglers can catch them in order to provide the greatest amount of recreation for money expended.

The following are some of the changes and studies specific to each region in the state along with tips on where you might find good trout fishing this season.

SOUTHEAST REGION
Stockings of fingerling trout have created several of the better trout fisheries around the Commonwealth. These are largely surplus trout from hatcheries, so stocking numbers are not consistent from year to year.

"One river that is doing well for us is the Schuylkill River," Greene said. "It's on an area that has been severely degraded for a number of years.

Coalmining operations had polluted the river for many years. That situation has improved. Also, municipal sewage treatment is better.

"The one good thing about it," Greene noted, "is that there is plenty of cold water available there."

The Schuylkill River was stocked over a three-year period with approximately 100,000 brook, brown and rainbow trout fingerlings, with brook trout upstream from Pottsville and the browns and rainbows downstream from Pottsville.

Electro-shocking crews surveyed the river in late summer 2004 on about 14.5 miles of water from Middleport downstream to the state game lands below Schuylkill Haven. Biologists did not find a high density of trout, but compared with the past, it is a significant improvement and provides a decent opportunity for anglers seeking an alternative to the higher fishing pressure at streams stocked with adult trout. They did find a fair number of brook trout longer than 9 inches, rainbow trout to 14 inches and some brown trout longer than 20 inches. In spite of this, fishing pressure has been light.

Another of the better quality trout- fishing opportunities in the Southeast Region resulting from the fingerling- stocking program is at Tulpehocken Creek. Starting at the outflow from Blue Marsh Lake, anglers have been catching trout as large as 20 inches. These fish are now virtually wild. Both brown trout and rainbow trout fingerlings have been planted here.

Finally, a 0.74-mile section of Wiconisco Creek in Dauphin County was added to the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only program.

SOUTHCENTRAL REGION
When comments were requested on several proposed regulations changes around the Commonwealth, South-central Region trout fishermen seemed more concerned about the proposals than fishermen elsewhere.

"The waters we heard the most comments on were Spring Creek and the Little Juniata," Greene said.

One of the more significant streams in all of Pennsylvania with a probable change in regulations in the offing is the Little Juniata River. The All Tackle Trophy Trout section was proposed as an All-Tackle Catch-and-Release area. This can do nothing but improve an already superb quality trout fishery. (Be sure to check the 2006 regulations summary for the final determination on this proposal.)

Public comments favored catch-and-release. A few commenters opposed the use of live bait, but Greene noted that this fishery has been steadily improving under previous special regulations.

The Little Juniata flows from Tyrone toward Huntingdon. The Special Regulations section is 13.5 miles from the railroad bridge at the east (downstream) border of Ironville downstream to the mouth.

While you are in the area, do not hesitate to visit the Frankstown Branch where a bicycle path provides access. It is not so well known but holds some nice browns.

Spring Creek has a couple of special regulations stretches, including a Miscellaneous Special Regulations run where fishing may be done with artificial lures, flies and streamers, natural bait, baitfish and fish bait. Angling is permitted year 'round, and it is unlawful to kill or possess any trout in this area and all fish caught must be immediately returned to the water.