Slippery Rock Creek flows southward through Butler County and Lawrence County. It is stocked downstream from Crolls Mill Dam in Butler County downstream to the Armstrong Road Bridge in Lawrence County.

Trout are also stocked in North Branch Slippery Rock Creek and in Wolf Creek, a major tributary. Thanks to a formula used by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission that factors in access, the size of a stream and its popularity, the stockings here are generous.

A 0.5-mile section From Heinz Camp property downstream to 0.25 mile downstream of the state Route 2022 bridge in McConnells Mill State Park is a Catch-and-Release, Fly-Fishing-Only Special Regulations area.

This section -- at the downstream end of the stocked section, in a downstream tract of the fragmented state park -- is open to fishing year 'round. Fishing hours are from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. No trout may be killed or kept in possession.

Fishing may be done with artificial flies and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic materials, on a single hook. Any bait or lure other than these items is prohibited.

Fishing must be done with fly rods, fly reels and fly line, with a maximum of 18 feet of leader material or monofilament line attached. Spinning, spincast and casting rods and reels are prohibited. The use or possession of any natural bait -- fish bait, bait paste and similar substances, fish eggs (natural or molded) or any other edible substance -- is prohibited. Taking baitfish or organisms for bait is prohibited.

To reach the section of Slippery Rock Creek within the state park, take U.S. Route 19 north from the Pittsburgh area and turn west in the Portersville area.

CLARION RIVER
Often overlooked among the finer trout streams in western Pennsylvania is the Clarion River. For many years, it had water quality problems that have now largely been corrected. It provides good trout fishing from its headwaters down into Clarion County near the center of the state.

Adult trout stocking in the Clarion River begins in both the East Branch Clarion River and in the West Branch Clarion River. The Clarion River is stocked with fingerling trout, which is a big part of the success of this fine trout fishery.