2020 Adult Trout Stocking Program Changes

by David Nihart

PFBC Fisheries Biologist photo-the PFBC archives

Changes for the 2020 trout season include extensions of Stocking extensions and waters added stocked stream sections and the addition, reinstatement, or removal of waters to the stocking program. Also, new for or reinstated to the stocking program Each year, the PFBC adjusts its adult stocking program 2020, anglers will notice an increased number of large 14- to based on several factors. A waterway may be added, extended, 20-inch brood trout and golden rainbow trout stocked in reinstated, or removed depending on existing or pending some of their favorite waters. Twice as many brood trout changes to angler access, changes to destinations on streams and nearly 40% more golden rainbow trout will be stocked managed for wild trout populations, water quality issues that across the Commonwealth, resulting in more opportunities may threaten the survival of stocked trout, and maintenance for anglers to catch a “trophy fish” in 2020. This year, some performed to dams and other infrastructure that result in the waters will receive golden rainbow trout during the inseason drawdown of impoundments or decreased water flow. stocking period. Anglers will continue to see a reduction in the number of Chapman Dam Reservoir, Warren County Brook Trout stocked throughout the Commonwealth. The Adult trout stocking will be reinstated on this 68-acre Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) hatcheries impoundment following the completion of maintenance shifted production to more Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout and repairs to the dam and spillway. The lake will be stocked to optimize the quality of stocked trout fishing in Pennsylvania during the preseason, inseason, and winter stocking periods. in support of innovative stocking and management strategies: www.fishandboat.com/Fish/Stocking/Documents/ Cold Stream, Centre County TroutStocking-FactSheet.pdf. Due to an increase in accessibility, the stocked portion Additional information regarding Pennsylvanian’s trout of the stream was extended 0.3-mile upstream. The fishing opportunities is detailed on the PFBC’s website at revised stocking limits will extend for 1.3 miles from the www.fishandboat.com/Fish/PennsylvaniaFishes/Trout/ State Game Lands boundary downstream to the inflow of Pages/default.aspx. Cold Stream Dam.

20 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • March/April 2020 www.fishandboat.com , Allegheny County from the State Forest road bridge 1.8 miles upstream of Due to an increase in accessibility, the stocked portion the mouth downstream to the mouth. Formerly, this water of the stream was extended 0.3-mile downstream. The was stocked in both the preseason and inseason stocking revised stocking limits will extend for 6.8-miles from the periods. Fish previously stocked in this stream will now be lower Rose Ridge golf property boundary downstream to stocked in First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek, Cameron and 0.9 km below Rich Hill (T-662) road bridge. Potter counties.

Donegal Lake, Westmoreland County East Fork Sinnemahoning Creek, Potter County Adult trout stocking will be reinstated on this 90-acre Based on the presence of a Class A wild Brown Trout impoundment following the completion of maintenance population, trout stocking will be discontinued in favor and repairs to the dam. The lake will be stocked during the of wild trout management on the 3.3-mile section of preseason, inseason, and fall stocking periods. stream extending from Dolliver Trail downstream to Wild Boy Run. Formerly, this water was stocked in East Fork Sinnemahoning Creek, Potter County both the preseason and inseason stocking periods. Fish An inseason stocking will be added to the 6.4-mile previously stocked in this stream will now be stocked in section of stream extending from Mud Lick Run the following Cameron and Potter county waters: East downstream to the mouth. Formerly, this water had been Fork Sinnemahoning Creek, Section 05 and First Fork stocked on a preseason only basis. Sinnemahoning Creek. Based on the presence of a Class A wild Brown Trout Minsi Lake, Northampton County population, trout stocking will be discontinued in favor of Adult trout stocking will be reinstated on this 122-acre wild trout management on the 1.2-mile section of stream impoundment following the completion of maintenance extending from Camp Run downstream to Mud Lick Run. and repairs to the dam. The lake will be stocked during the Formerly, this water was stocked on a preseason only basis. preseason, inseason, and fall stocking periods. Fish previously stocked in this stream will now be stocked in the following Cameron and Potter county waters: East Swift Run, Snyder County Fork Sinnemahoning Creek, Section 05 and First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek. Due to an increase in accessibility, the stocked portion of the stream was extended 0.8-mile upstream. The revised Sheppard-Meyers Reservoir, York County stocking limits will extend for 2.0 miles from Sandhill This 47-acre impoundment will be removed from the Road downstream to the mouth. An inseason stocking adult trout stocking program due to a complete drawdown will be added to this water. Formerly, this water had been of the reservoir to allow for maintenance and repairs stocked on a preseason only basis. to the dam and the spillway. Formerly, this water was stocked on a preseason only basis. Repairs are scheduled Waters removed from the to be completed in the fall of 2022, and the reservoir will stocking program be reinstated to the adult trout stocking program when When survey data suggests that a waterway is no longer conditions allow following refill. suitable for adult trout stocking based on a loss of angler access, environmental factors, or designation as a Class A wild Swift Run, Snyder County trout stream, the PFBC makes every attempt to reallocate fish Based on the presence of a Class A wild Brown Trout to a comparable location nearby. When inadequate angler population, trout stocking will be discontinued in favor of access is the reason for a removal, locations are monitored wild trout management on the 3.8-mile section of stream for improvement, so these waters can be considered for extending from the unnamed tributary at river-mile 6.78 reinstatement to the stocking program if access is improved. downstream to T-469 bridge. Formerly, this water was stocked in both the preseason and inseason stocking Akeley Run, Warren County periods. Fish previously stocked in this stream will now An increase in landowner posting has led to the removal be stocked in Swift Run, Section 04 and Middle Creek, of trout stocking from a 2.3-mile section of stream Snyder County. extending from the confluence of Reynolds and Priest Hollow runs downstream to Widdlefield Run. Formerly, Whipple Lake, Huntingdon County this water was stocked on a preseason only basis. Fish This 22-acre impoundment will be removed from the previously stocked in this stream will now be stocked in adult trout stocking program due to a complete drawdown Jackson Run, Warren County. of the lake to allow for dredging and maintenance to the dam. Formerly, this water was stocked in both the Brooks Run, Cameron County preseason and inseason stocking periods. Maintenance is Based on the presence of a Class A wild Brook Trout scheduled to be completed in fall 2020, and the lake will population, trout stocking will be discontinued in favor of be reinstated to the adult trout stocking program when wild trout management on the section of stream extending conditions allow following refill.

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