PINE GROVE - Spring-like temperatures finally arrived this week, melting the ice on many lakes that hindered angler access for the Saturday, March 29, opening day of the Southeast Region trout season.

By the time the statewide trout season opens Saturday, April 12, the choices should be unlimited for anglers seeking waters to fish.An inaugural event held last year that nearly matched the excitement of the opening of the trout season is back again and is attracting even more anglers with its expanded format and more prizes.Saturday, May 4, will be the second annual "Family Fun Fishing Day" at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park, Pine Grove, and just this week an additional 25 tagged fish have been added to the event. And, make no mistake about this being an "event" more than a "day," as tagged fish can be turned in for prizes through Labor Day - Monday, Sept. 1.Both individual and family registrations are available at reduced fees through Saturday, April 19, and registrations will also be taken the day of the event. Individual entries received a $5 food voucher from their $10 registration fees, and family entries receive a $10 food voucher from their $20 registration fee.Again this year the Schuylkill County Sportsmen's Association will be serving breakfast in the clubhouse and lunch until 1:30 p.m. In addition, this year food will also be available at the boat launch parking lot."This year there is a 50-percent increase in tagged fish, with includes 75 crappie bass that will have tags attached for a minimum $25 and maximum $200 prize," Event coordinator Craig Morgan said. "There will also be which county commissioner George Halcovage calls the infamous three-headed "Commish Fish" with a $150 cash prize that the three commissioners each donated $50 to sponsor."Anyone may fish the day of the event, but to be eligible for prizes one must register for the event either in advance by April 19 or the day of the event. Many of those who have already registered have indicated they like the expanded tag redemption deadline to September 1. Last year, June 1 was the deadline; however, the organizers added crappie bass to the tagged fish because they bite year round and are not bothered by warm summer temperatures as are trout."Pine Grove Fish and Game and Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation are the prime sponsors of the event this year, and the Schuylkill County Sportsmen's Advisory Board to the county commissioners organizes the event. Many other sponsors have come forward this year enabling the organizers to add more prizes, including $100 gift cards from Cabela's Hamburg and Bass Pro Shops Harrisburg."Morgan said among the special activities the opening day of the event will be a bucket raffle featuring prizes that include wildlife art prints by Ned Smith, R.C. Cray, Rob Stine, Jack Paluh and others. There are special prizes for kids, rods and reels, a fish cleaning station and a rod storage rack are some of the other prizes.A Silent Auction featuring additional wildlife prints will also be available, and one need not be a registrant to participate in the day's event.Non-participants can purchase food to help support the SCSA, which sponsors a youth field day, three-day youth conservation camp and a women's outdoors day."More than 2,000 trout will be stocked through the efforts of the Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation and the Pine Grove Fish and Game and Swatara Co-op trout nurseries," Morgan said. "In addition, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commissions has an in-season stocking scheduled April 30."There are more than 100 lunker trout that are 18-plus inchers that will be stocked through funds raised by the lake's lunker committee. We've received word that more donations will be made before the event, so we're well past the $3,000 in prizes from last year."Again this year there will a $50 cash prize for each of the two heaviest carp caught. Last year some anglers actually targeted carp.Canoe and Kayak rentals, a new Hoverball Archery shooting gallery and crafters will be at the event. Also, some improvements have been made to the walking trails at the lake and the Disc Golf Course south of the clubhouse will be open.For information and registration access the Sweet Arrow Lake County Park website at

www.sweetarrowlakepark.com or call Craig Morgan at 570-739-2627.