By Mike Bleech

Trout fishing in Pennsylvania has undergone numerous changes through the years. Although bad news invariably gets most of the press, many of the changes have been of great benefit to anglers.

For example, the water quality in our trout streams has been improving, creating numerous new options for trout anglers. Regulations are evolving to offer more opportunities for year-round fishing. Except for a reduction during the past couple of years, trout stocking has generally increased, and anglers are catching bigger trout, as proven by our many new state records.

Some changes are in store for the 2004 Pennsylvania trout season. These include a few more trout being stocked into our streams and lakes, and some new fishing regulations. Most of the new regulations are significant only on a local basis, but one change approved by the Board of Fish Commissioners might have a long-term effect on our official state fish.

"We're looking in the neighborhood of 4.1 million trout," said Dan Tredinnick, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission press secretary.

Last year, a decision was made to reduce the size of stocked trout so more trout could be raised. Trout stocked this year should average about 10 inches in length and weigh about .44 pounds.

Photo by Gordon Whittington

"The total biomass didn't change. You can slice a pie into six pieces, or you can slice a pie into eight pieces. That's basically what we did," Tredinnick said. "The size of fish that we got last year is what we'll be shooting for again this year."

Tredinnick said the long-term goal is to increase the number of trout stocked to about 4.5 million fish per year. Achieving that will take innovative thinking.

"The reason we're up for 2004 is our agreement with the Allegheny National Fish Hatchery," he said.

Last year, Pete Colangelo, the now-retired executive director of the PFBC, initiated an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that has already placed one raceway set aside for the production of brook trout. That facility, which is at the base of the Kinzua Dam, had been used to raise lake trout for Lake Erie and Lake Ontario for several years.

"We're trying to pursue what we think is a model agreement between the state and the federal hatchery to get production up to 300,000 fish. That goal is probably a few years away, but the process is in place," Tredinnick said. "If we get the money, it will happen."

Under the current agreement, brook trout raised at the Allegheny National Fish Hatchery will be stocked into streams on Allegheny National Forest. This will allow state trout hatcheries to use their fish for stocking other streams.

For the expanded agreement to progress, the federal government would provide the money for upgrades to the hatchery, making it one of the most advanced hatcheries in the world. It would continue to be staffed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Fish and Boat Commission would provide trout food and other help.

A different type of partnership is being pursued with the Blue Valley Project. According to Tredinnick, "If and when it is approved for funding, that would be an agreement between the Department of Environmental Protection, the PFBC and the Toby Creek Watershed Association."

This would be a two-part project, Tredinnick explained. The first part would be to build a water treatment facility on an abandoned mine drainage. The second part would be to use the treated water for a hatchery that would raise 200,000 to 400,000 trout.

"We have not received any funding to begin the project," Tredinnick said. "The spending authority has been passed, but the money has not been released."

The problem with this funding method is that unlike other state agencies, the Fish and Boat Commission would have to pay back the money to the state.

"We're only going to be able to borrow what we can afford to pay back," Tredinnick said. "If we have to rely on fishing license sales, we'll never catch up."

Still, Tredinnick does not anticipate any hatchery closings.

"But if something doesn't give, in terms of funding, we might (have to close a hatchery)," he said.

Here is a look at some regional fisheries management changes and a few of the better trout-fishing opportunities in each region.

While the emphasis on fishing in the Southeast Region is on warmwater fisheries, there are also numerous good trout waters. Most, though, peak during spring, with water temperatures rising above good trout range by early summer.

Among Fish and Boat Commission suggestions for trout fishing in this region is White Clay Creek in Chester County. A good starting point for accessing this stream is White Clay Creek State Park in the southeast corner of the county. Both the Middle Branch and the East Branch cross U.S. Route 1. The Middle Branch is under Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures-Only regulations for 1.7 miles from state Route 3009 (Good Hope Road) downstream to the confluence with the East Branch.

Another Chester County stream, Valley Creek, has a population of wild brown trout. Miscellaneous Special Regulations apply at Valley Forge and tributaries including Little Valley Creek.

To get there, take U.S. Route 30 east from Philadelphia to Exton. Fishing is permitted year 'round, but it is a no-kill area. All fish caught must be returned immediately. In addition, Valley Forge National Historical Park has imposed special bait restrictions. Check local posters for details.

Information about local services is available from the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, 400 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA 19341; or call (610) 280-6145.

According to Robert Moase, the area fisheries manager, the best water we have is the Lackawanna River, a wild trout water from Carbondale to the Route 247 bridge at Olyphant.

This stream is under Trophy Trout rules for 5.2 miles from Gilmartin Street bridge in Archbald downstream to the Lackawanna Avenue bridge (state Route 347) in Olyphant. Excepted is a midsection area extending 0.7 miles from the Depot Street bridge in Jessup downstream to the footbridge in Robert Mellow Park.

"The primary reason for the change is the water that is coming out of the mine drainages has improved over the years and now acts as giant, cleansing springs."

Water comes out of the mines at 51 degrees and now supports a fine brown trout population. Biological surveys have turned up browns to 20 inches in length, according to Moase, and anglers have reported catching even larger fish.

Moase also suggested Fishing Creek in Columbia County. This is a stocked stream with some holdover trout. There are some private clubs on this stream that stock larger trout, and some of these fish wander into public water. This is a fairly large stream with cool temperatures through summer. Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures-Only rules apply on a 0.5-mile section from 180 yards upstream of the upstream Benton Borough line to the upstream Richard Kriebel property line.

For local information, contact the Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau, 121 Papermill Road, Bloomsburg, PA 17815; or call (800) 847-4810.

Lawrence Jackson, area fisheries manager, suggested Laurel Run in Huntingdon County as one of the better choices for trout anglers in the Southcentral Region. This is a stocked stream above Whipple Dam.

To get there, take state Route 26 north from Huntingdon to Whipple Dam State Park. Laurel Run Road follows the creek. Get local information from the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, RD 1, Box 222A, Seven Points Road, Hesston, PA 16647; or call (888) RAYSTOWN.

Another good choice is Laurel Lake in Cumberland County in Pine Grove Furnace State Park along state Route 233 between U.S. Route 30 and Interstate Route 81.

Local information is available through the Hershey Capital Region Visitors Bureau, Harrisburg Transportation Center, Fourth and Chestnut St., Suite 208, Harrisburg, PA 17101; or call (717) 231-7788 or (888) PAPULSE.

One new regulation change removed a 5.4-mile stretch of Cross Fork in Potter County from the Heritage Trout Angling Program (fly-fishing only with barbless hooks). This stretch of Cross Fork is now a Catch-and-Release Area.

A 1.3-mile stretch of Lycoming Creek in Lycoming County was added to the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures-Only Program.

Probably the most significant trout regulatory change this year was the establishment of a new Special Regulations category aimed at enhancing wild brook trout populations. The initial area placed in this program is the upper basin of Kettle Creek in Potter and Tioga counties. Fishing is allowed year 'round, but on a strictly catch-and-release basis. There are no special tackle restrictions.

Bruce Hollender, area fisheries manager, suggested Spring Creek in Centre County as one of the better trout-fishing opportunities in the Northcentral Region.

This limestone stream flows through the middle of the county north of State College. In the one-mile "Fisherman's Paradise" section (from the lower boundary of Bellefonte Fish Culture Station to a point adjacent to the Stackhouse School Pistol Range), Heritage Trout Angling rules apply. In the Spring Creek Trout Management Area, from the state Route 3010 bridge at Oak Hall upstream of Hanson Quarry to the mouth, trout fishing is allowed year 'around, but is strictly catch-and-release.

For local information, contact the Centre County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800 East Park Ave., State College, PA 16803; or call (800) 358-5466.

Hollender also suggested Slate Run, which flows from Tioga County into Lycoming County. It flows into Pine Creek at the village of Slate Run. From U.S. Route 220 west of Jersey Shore, take state Route 44 north to state Route 144 and then to Slate Run.

This is a long stretch of stream that is managed for wild brown trout. A seven-mile stretch from the confluence of the Cushman and Francis branches down to the mouth is under Heritage Trout Angling rules. These same rules apply in the Francis Branch from the mouth upstream 1.7 miles to Kramer Hollow.

Local information is available from the Tioga County Visitors Bureau, 114 Main St., Wellsboro, PA 16901; or call (888) TIOGA28.

Laurel Hill Creek is in Somerset County. Access is good on this medium-size creek because it flows through Laurel Hill State Park west from Somerset on state Route 31. A 1.2-mile stretch from the footbridge on the State Game Lands No. 111 Road in Humbert downstream to Paddytown Hollow Run, and a 2.2-mile stretch from Laurel Hill State Park at the Boy Scout Camp downstream to township Road 364, is under Delayed Harvest, Artificial Lures-Only regulations.

Laurel Hill Lake, a manmade impoundment on this creek, is part of the Select Trout-Stocked Lake Program, which keeps it open to trout fishing during March.

Laurel Hill Creek may become too warm for trout by the end of June. Some tributaries, however, remain cool through summer.

Lorson also suggested Camp Run, a wild brook trout stream that flows through Forbes State Forest in Westmoreland County.

To get there, follow state Route 31 west from Somerset to state Route 381 and then travel north about one mile. A 4.1-mile stretch from the headwaters to the mouth is covered by All-Tackle Selective Harvest regulations.

For local information on these creeks, contact the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, 120 East Main St., Ligonier, PA 15658; or call (800) 333-5661.

Craig Billingsley, area fisheries manager, suggested Cool Spring Creek in Mercer County. A Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures-Only section, one of the better places to fish this creek, which is east of Mercer, is from the state Route 2014 bridge upstream 1.25 miles to the abandoned railroad grade.

"There are some holdover trout, plus it's heavily stocked by the Neshannock Co-Op Nursery," Billingsley said.

For information about local services, contact the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 50 North Water Ave., Sharon, PA 16146; or call (800) 637-2370.

Tionesta Creek, which flows through Allegheny National Forest in Warren and Forest counties, is one of the larger trout streams in the Allegheny Highlands. It is even large enough for float-fishing during spring. By midsummer, the water gets a bit warm below Kellettville. Access is excellent along Pennsylvania Route 666 from Barnes to Kellettville.

For local information, contact the Northwest Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau, 175 Main St., Brookville, PA 15825; or call (800) 348-9393.

For more information about travel in Pennsylvania, contact the Pennsylvania Office of Tourism, Room 404, Forum Bldg., Harrisburg, PA 17120; or call (717) 232-8880 or (800) VISIT-PA.

For more about trout fishing in Pennsylvania, contact the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, 1601 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000; or call (717) 705-7800.