Trout stocking has begun in many area waterways in preparation for opening day on April 6.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will stock approximately 3.2 million adult trout in 697 streams and 129 lakes open to the public.

The commission said the 2024 figures are consistent with the number of trout stocked over the past decade, and include approximately 2.4 million rainbow trout; 702,000 brown trout and 132,000 brook trout.

Preseason stockings will be done locally at places like Locust Lake, Rabbit Run Reservoir, Pine Creek, Mahoning Creek, Little Schuylkill River, Pohopoco Creek, Aquishicola Creek and the Lehigh River.

As with past practice, the average size of the trout produced for stocking is 11 inches in length with an average weight of 0.58 pounds.

The commission said that anglers will have an excellent chance to catch large, trophy-sized trout since it plans to stock approximately 70,000 brood fish measuring between 14 and 20 inches. Roughly 70% of these large fish will be stocked into streams and lakes during the preseason before opening day of trout season, and the remainder will be stocked during in-season replenishment stockings.

Also this year, the commission plans to place 14,000 golden rainbow trout, a golden-orange variety that weighs an average of 1.5 pounds. Approximately 75% of the highly-prized fish will be stocked during the preseason.

In addition to trout raised at state fish hatcheries, cooperative nurseries operated by sportsmen’s clubs and other groups across the state will add another 1 million trout to waters open to public angling throughout the year.

Anglers should note that fishing is not permitted on lakes and streams designated as Stocked Trout Waters from now until to 8 a.m. on the opening day of trout season, with the exception of the Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day on March 30, unless waters are included in the Stocked Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing program.

Fishermen and women can check the stocking schedule using the FishBoatPA mobile app and website at www.fishandboat.com.

“Even though the calendar says it’s still winter, spring will be here before we know it,” said Brian Niewinski, Director of the commission’s Bureau of Hatcheries. “For many people, fishing on the Opening Day of Trout Season in Pennsylvania and the weeks that follow is a tradition that they look forward to all year long. Now that the anxiously awaited trout stocking schedule has been posted, anglers can start preparing by purchasing their fishing licenses, getting their gear ready, and planning their fishing trips.”

The trout stocking schedule is searchable by county, lists the waterways in alphabetical order, and indicates stocking dates, meeting locations for volunteers, and the species of trout that are planned to be stocked at each location.

The commission welcomes volunteers to help with the stockings.

To participate in trout fishing and keep trout, anglers ages 16 and older are required to possess both a fishing license and a trout permit. Licenses are available for purchase online or at one of approximately 700 retail license issuing agents.

Anglers may store an image of their license digitally on their phones as proof of possession.

- Jill Whalen