Trout stocking schedule announced for Pa.: Here’s where 3.2 million trout will be stocked

Ahead of the 2023 trout fishing season, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has released trout stocking dates.

The timeline for the commission and volunteers to stock 3.2 million in 697 streams and 126 lakes is available on the FishBoatPA mobile app and commission website. Pre-season trout stocking is scheduled to begin the week of February 21st.

The schedule is searchable by county and lists waterways alphabetically, with stocking dates, volunteer hangouts and trout species stocked.

“While many anglers still have their rods and tackle boxes stowed away for the winter, the release of our trout stocking plan is always a highly anticipated release and a reminder that spring fishing opportunities are just around the corner,” said Brian Wisner, director of the PFBC Hatchery Office .

The 3.2 million trout to be stocked this year is similar to the number of trout stocked annually over the past decade.

It includes 2.3 million rainbow trout, 707,000 brown trout and 168,000 brown trout. The average size of the trout is 11 inches in length with an average weight of about 1/2 pound.

Also this year the commission has 70,000 trophy sized fry, which are 2½ year old and 3½ year old trout ranging in size from 14 to 20 inches. Approximately 70% of these fish are stocked in the early season prior to the opening day of trout season, with the remaining 30% stocked later for replenishment.

Also stocked are 14,000 golden rainbow trout averaging 1.5 pounds. About 80% is stored in the pre-season.

Pennsylvania returned to a single statewide opening day for trout season last year, the first Saturday in April, which will be April 1 in 2023.

A nationwide Mentored Youth Trout Day will be held on March 25th.

Anglers should note that fishing in lakes and streams designated as Stocked trout waters is not permitted from February 21st to the opening day of trout season, with the exception of Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day, unless the waters are in the Stocked trout waters include year-round fishing program.

In addition to the trout raised at commission farms, cooperative nurseries run by athletic clubs and other groups across the state will add another 1 million trout in waters open year-round for public fishing.

In order to participate in trout fishing and hold trout, anglers 16 years and older must have both a fishing license and a trout license. Licensing, launching permits and boat registration renewals can be completed online at www.fishandboat.com, the FishBoatPA mobile app or by visiting one of approximately 700 retail licensing locations.

CONTINUE READING:

• Watch live streams of bald eagle nests in Pennsylvania