While adult trout stocking in the Youghiogheny River is conducted to maintain a year-round, put-and-take trout fishery, there is a long stretch of river where trout hold over.

The Youghiogheny River is not as fertile as some of Quaker State's other top trout rivers. But last year, it gave up two of the top five rainbows reported in the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Angler Recognition Program -- including the 11-pound, 14-ounce fish that ranked second and a 10-pound, 1-ounce fish that ranked fourth.

The scenery along the river is unsurpassed, which helps to make it a first-class trout-fishing experience.

On the Youghiogheny River, there are three Special Regulations sections: a nine-mile All-Tackle Trophy Trout stretch from the confluence of Ramcat Run downstream to the Route 381 bridge at Ohiopyle, and two sections that include the river sections listed under "Miscellaneous Special Regulations."

Information about local services is available from the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, 120 East Main Street, Ligonier, PA 15658. Log on to www.laurelhighlands.org, or call 1-800-333-5661.

SCHUYLKILL RIVER
Last, but hardly least, is a virtually undiscovered trout fishery within a couple hours' drive from millions of people. The Schuylkill River doesn't look like a typical trout river. It flows through some of Pennsylvania's heaviest-developed land.

In a state where anglers direct so much attention toward trout fishing, it's hard to imagine that any good trout rivers are left undiscovered.

But yes, there are a few.

The river's lower reaches are not prime trout habitat, but as with so many of our flowing waters, its water quality has improved over the past few decades. Today it supports some respectable trout.

Wild brook trout and brown trout exist upstream from State Game Lands No. 286 in Schuylkill County. These are bolstered by stockings of fingerling browns and rainbows.

"The stretch from the state game lands downstream from Schuylkill Haven in Schuylkill County upstream to Pottsville is the most productive," said Michael Kaufmann, the PFBC's area fisheries manager. "Above Pottsville and from Pottsville to Middleport, there are trout present, and we do stock it. But trout are not nearly as abundant as they are down below.

"In the stretch from Pottsville up to Middleport, There are mostly brook trout, although some of the fingerling browns and rainbows that have worked their way upriver, and anglers will find some adult browns and rainbows up there as well.

"I would say the typical brook trout is going to measure between nine and 11 inches, which is considerably bigger than the fish you're going to get out of the mountain streams," said Kaufmann.