DELAWARE RIVER
The Delaware River is world-renowned for its fabulous fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout. It's quite possible to catch specimens of either species more than 20 inches long.

The Delaware River's trout fishery can be divided into two sections. The upper section is the eight-mile miscellaneous Special Regulations section of the West Branch Delaware River, which forms Pennsylvania's extreme northeast border with New York. This is primarily a wild brown trout fishery, with some rainbows.

This Special Regulations section is an Artificial Lures Only stretch from Oct. 16 through 8 a.m. on opening day of the regular trout season.

There's good trophy trout fishing for another 30 miles below the confluence of the West Branch and East Branch Delaware River at Hancock, N.Y. On this main stem of the Delaware River, rainbow trout become increasingly abundant.

Most of the land along the Delaware River is privately owned. Float-fishing can be the best way to reach most of it.

Information about launch sites is available through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and through the National Park Service.

Information about Delaware River flows is available through a telephone hotline at (845) 252-7100. More information about the river, including a very useful map, is available at the National Park Service's Web site, www.nps.gov/upde.

LACKAWAXEN RIVER
The Lackawaxen may be at its best during summer when water temperatures rise because it attracts trout from the warmer Delaware River.

Suitable water temperature is maintained by water releases from Lake Wallenpaupack through Wallenpaupack Creek. The better fishing is between Hawley and Lackawaxen where it meets the Delaware River.

Access is the most significant obstacle to fishing the Lackawaxen River. Virtually all of it is bordered by private land. Be sure to pay attention to posted signs and park only at established pull-offs.

Outflows through the Lake Wallenpaupack Hydroelectric Station have a great influence on water flow in the Lackawaxen River.

To get updates on the outflow, log on to lakelevelppl.com, or phone 1-800-807-2474.

For local information for either the Delaware or Lackawaxen rivers, contact the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, 1004 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360.

Call 1-800-762-6667, or log on to www.800poconos.com.

LEHIGH RIVER
Eastern Pennsylvania has a pleasing assortment of trout rivers. The Lehigh River has developed into a top fishery for trophy trout, notably for rainbows. Deep, fast-flowing pools seem ideal for rainbow trout.

Last year, the largest rainbow reported in the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Angler Recognition Program -- a 13-pound, 9-ounce fish -- came from the Lehigh.