Neshannock Creek is the most significant trout water in this district, and the special regulations area found below is the focus of most of the attention. However, Johns reported that the section upstream from Volant -- an area that falls under standard trout regulations -- has shown an unexpected ability to hold trout late in the season.

“About three years ago, we electro-shocked the section of Neshannock above Volant,” he said. “I was surprised by the number of trout we found there.”

In Warren County, North Branch Sixmile Run was removed from the Approved Trout list. Fish Manger Al Woomer reported that there was a problem regarding posting. Access -- and thus the stream, unfortunately -- had to be dropped. This water had received about 300 trout annually.

In Woomer’s district, which includes many waters in the Allegheny National Forest, there are several streams including the Clarion River’s East and West branches that have little fishing pressure outside of the peak periods.

“Both of these tributaries are stocked with trout,” noted Woomer. “I think they are both really nice streams. They have a great deal of variety. The West Branch has a catch-and-release, fly-fishing only section. It also has some wild trout in the upper end. The East Branch has a Delayed Harvest Area below the East Branch Dam. And then, there is a long stretch of stocked water that flows through Bendigo State Park. “Both streams are scenic and have lots of trout,” Woomer added. “Recently, we conducted a creel survey on the East Branch. When a lot of other waters are winding down in terms of angling activity and availability of trout, fishermen were catching more trout than they were earlier in the season. The stream benefits from the cold water being discharged from East Branch Dam, so it has suitable water temperatures throughout the summer.”

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
In south-central Pennsylvania, anglers should be aware of a couple of changes in regards to stocked trout lakes.

In Cumberland County, Opossum Lake had been removed from the stocking list due to a drawdown. The lake has been refilled, but with less water. This season, Opossum Lake will again be added to the stocking list, but will receive fewer fish, in part because of the lower surface acreage.

Also in Cumberland County is Laurel Lake, which did not receive its normal allocation of trout last fall or its pre-season stocking this year, due to dredging work by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The lake will be stocked in-season, however, provided that lake levels are brought up in time.

In Schuylkill County, Sweet Arrow Lake has been added to the list to receive adult trout. Sweet Arrow will be stocked in-season only. The lake already has a good panfish following, and a pre-season stocking of trout would prohibit anglers from taking advantage of the panfishing for a period prior to the opening day of trout season.

Fish Manager Dave Miko said that no major stream management work is expected. The projects underway are in response to the fewer-but-bigger trout policy.