James Duke was 7 years old when he caught his first fish at Tippet’s pond near Nesquehoning.

Ever since then, he has been hooked.

So it’s no surprise that Duke - a retiree from Coaldale - plans to head out Saturday for the statewide opening day of trout season.

“I’ll probably come here,” said Duke, who sat on a shoreline bench overlooking the lake at Tuscarora State Park in Barnesville.

He’ll invite one of his friends, and they will likely grab breakfast at a Lansford restaurant - like they do each year on Day 1 - before setting out for the 8 a.m. start time.

If they change their minds, they’ll hit up another one of their favorite fishing spots: Mauch Chunk Lake near Jim Thorpe.

“We go there quite a bit,” Duke said.

Like all anglers, he’s hoping to reel in a trout - and chances might be in his favor.

To prepare for the season, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has been stocking trout and will release 3.2 million adult trout this year in 697 streams and 126 lakes. Among them are approximately 2.3 million rainbow trout; 707,000 brown trout and 168,000 brook trout averaging 11 inches in length.

Duke prefers artificial lures, but switches to live bait if he’s in the mood to relax. That way, he can cast his line and soak up the sun while waiting for a fish to bite. He welcomes trout, pickerel and bass - all bites are welcome.

“The main thing is that you’re outside,” said Duke, who releases whatever he catches.

The fish and boat commission recommends using minnows, worms, salmon eggs, corn, cheese or prepared baits. As for lures, it suggests spinners and small crankbaits.

Tom’s Auto & Marine in Tamaqua is stocked up with all those fishing essentials.

Rows of spinners, crankbaits and rubber worms line store walls, and as for live bait, Tom’s has a selection of worms and minnows.

Tom Banditelli, owner, said business is picking up in advance of the season, and noted that wax worms are always a popular choice.

The shop carries fishing rods, reels, bait buckets, hooks and line. Even boating and recreational vehicle items can also be found.

“This is the first year in three years that our shelves are stocked back up,” Banditelli explained. Items like minnow buckets and certain hooks and sinkers became unavailable due to the COVID pandemic, he said.

To prepare for the first day of trout, the store will offer extended hours.

Tara Titus, who handles the shop while Banditelli works on the auto body side, said she expects to see more fishing enthusiasts as Saturday nears.

In recent days, she said, people have been coming in for fishing licenses and tackle. On Wednesday alone, she handled two license requests within minutes of each other.

As for the weather, Titus hopes it holds out even though the National Weather Service is calling for showers and winds on Saturday.

Stocking schedules and more information about fishing are available on the commission’s website at www.fishandboat.com