April 17, 2004

All About Trout

On April 17th, people across the Commonwealth will meet the frosty morning air with fishing rod in hand, hoping to catch a trophy trout or at least a fresh dinner. This day marks the beginning of trout season in Pennsylvania, one of the most celebrated days of the year for game fish, and the symbolic beginning of another year of activity for sportsmen and women.

Despite the fact that trout are a highly prized game fish in Pennsylvania, two popular species of trout are actually nonnative; the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and the brown trout (Salmo trutta). These introduced species are typically raised in fish hatcheries and released into Pennsylvania waterways, where they are generally quickly caught. Few are able to “holdover” or survive more than a year in the natural environment. However, after years of stocking, nonnative trout have been able to establish reproducing populations in some areas. The only native trout species to Pennsylvania are brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), which inhabit cold water streams and lakes. On average, these fish are smaller than stocked trout, but are the species sought after as truly wild fish.

A Good Fight
By Andy Hogan

A secret stream,
A swirling lie,
A floating cast,
A favorite fly.

You hear it whiz,
You see it land,
You sense the strike,
You set your hand.

The fight begins,
The mental rush,
The four pound test,
The river's gush.

The whizzing reel,
The slippery moss,
The thrashing trout,
The sudden loss.

With one high jump,
With one great flip,
With one small splash,
With one slight slip.

You heard the jump,
You saw the flash,
You felt the slack,
You know the splash.

Another trout,
Another fly,
Another stream,
Another try.

Fishing in Pennsylvania provides not only a great recreation for its residents, but also economic benefits estimated between 1.3 and 1.6 billion dollars per year. Additionally, groups such as Trout Unlimited and watershed conservation groups promote habitat protection and improved water quality with large volunteer efforts that have substantial and incalculable value.

Trout stocking by the PA Fish and Boat Commission is already in full swing for the upcoming season. Today's photograph shows 4,400 brown, rainbow, and golden rainbow trout (otherwise known as palomino trout) being stocked in Lake Pleasant, Erie County. Lake Pleasant, which is located adjacent to Western Pennsylvania Conservancy's Northwest Field Station, is fished throughout the year, but is especially busy on the first day of trout season.

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