Good numbers of stocked and holdover rainbows, browns and brookies await Keystone State anglers in 2007. Photo by Steve Carpenteri

Keystone State trout anglers enjoy a variety of choices when the season opener rolls around in mid-April. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s has made changes to its stocking program that will affect the hatchery trout output. The outlook is also a promising one for wild trout.

Here’s a look at what’s new on the state’s trout-fishing scene.

According to Tom Greene, the PFBC’s Coldwater Unit leader, the biggest change in the stocking program will be a switch to fewer but larger fish. This is being done, he said, at the angling public’s request.

“This year, the Commission will be stocking about 30 percent fewer catchable-size trout,” Greene said. “But the average size of stocked fish will increase by about 20 percent.”

In reality, trout fishermen can expect the average stocked trout to run about 11 inches in size, and fish will be significantly heavier than the run-of-the-mill hatchery product of a year ago. About 3.2 million adult trout will be stocked via pre-season and in-season stockings.

“Our hatcheries have the ability to produce only so many pounds of trout,” said Greene. “We have three options: We could have allowed things to remain the same, stocking the same numbers of fish of the same size. Or we could have raised and stocked more smaller trout. Option three was to decrease the overall number of fish, but increase the average size. This is what most anglers indicated they wanted -- and this is the direction we are going.”

Greene noted that no changes have been made in any of the Special Regulations programs that apply to trout.

Discounting any severe winter weather that could negatively impact wild trout populations, the forecast for stream-bred trout, as well as holdover-stocked trout, is good for 2007. Flows were good last summer, and temperatures remained relatively cool -- both of which favor trout survival.

The PFBC also stocks select waters with fingerling-stage trout in a program that has proved successful in many areas. Anglers can expect the fingerling program to continue and even expand as additional stocking possibilities arise.

For many trout anglers, one of the major concerns is stream access. On a statewide level, some waters are removed from the stocking list each year, while others are added.

In general, it seems the removal list is longer than the add-to list. In many cases, poor behavior by the public has been the reason for banning access to a specific stream. Anglers should do their part to ensure that their favorite streams remain open by picking up their trash and minimizing damage to private property.

What follows is a statewide snapshot of the 2007 trout-fishing picture. We’ve tried to include as many changes in the trout-stocking situation as possible. Also included is a compilation of various trout waters that the state’s area fish managers feel are underutilized following the week after opening day.

Keep in mind, however, that changes can occur on a last-minute basis. Be alert for any late changes by watching for dispatches by the local media. Or visit the PFBC’s Web site at Fish.State.PA.US.