HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania anglers are just weeks away from one of the state’s most anticipated outdoor traditions, and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is giving them an early edge.
The commission has released its full 2026 adult trout stocking schedule, detailing when and where millions of hatchery-raised trout will hit streams and lakes across the Commonwealth. The schedule is now available online at https://fbweb.pa.gov/TroutStocking, searchable by county and waterway.
“With spring fishing opportunities right around the corner, every angler can benefit from knowing when their favorite stream or lake will be stocked with trout,” said Brian Niewinski, director of the PFBC Bureau of Hatcheries. He said reviewing the schedule now allows anglers to plan volunteer stocking days, Mentored Youth Trout Day outings, opening day trips, or early-season fishing on special regulation waters.
Trout stocking operations are scheduled to begin during the week of February 16. Pennsylvania’s statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day will be held Saturday, March 28, followed by the statewide Opening Day of Trout Season on Saturday, April 4.
Fishing is prohibited on waters designated as Stocked Trout Waters from February 16 until 8 a.m. on opening day, except during Mentored Youth Trout Day or on waters included in the Stocked Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing program.
In 2026, the PFBC plans to stock approximately 3.2 million adult trout in 684 streams and 130 lakes open to public angling. The total includes about 2.3 million rainbow trout, 698,000 brown trout, and 128,000 brook trout. The average stocked trout will measure about 11 inches and weigh roughly 0.58 pounds.
Anglers will again see a strong presence of trophy-sized fish. About 72,000 large brood trout, measuring between 14 and 20 inches, are slated for stocking. Roughly three-quarters of those fish will be placed in waterways before opening day, with the remainder added during in-season replenishment stockings.
The commission will also stock approximately 18,000 golden rainbow trout, prized for their vivid coloration and average weight of about 1.5 pounds. As with trophy trout, most will be stocked during the preseason, with additional fish released in-season.
Beyond state hatcheries, PFBC cooperative nurseries operated by sportsmen’s clubs and partner organizations will contribute another 1.1 million trout to public waters statewide.
Anglers looking for early opportunities can target Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters, a program covering sections of 24 streams managed under special regulations and stocked with large trout before opening day. About 10,000 trout measuring 14 to 20 inches will be distributed among these waters.
The PFBC is also seeking volunteers to assist with trout distribution throughout the season. Individuals or small groups of up to four people do not need to register, while larger groups are asked to coordinate in advance through regional PFBC law enforcement offices.
To fish for and keep trout, anglers ages 16 and older must hold both a Pennsylvania fishing license and a trout permit. Licenses, permits, and boat registrations for 2026 are available through the state’s HuntFish.pa.gov online portal or at roughly 700 issuing agents statewide.
The PFBC noted that it is a user-funded agency and receives no General Fund tax revenue. Proceeds from license sales support hatchery operations, fisheries management, law enforcement, and public access improvements.
As part of the 2026 program, the commission added, revised, reinstated, or removed several waterways from trout stocking due to access changes, water quality concerns, infrastructure maintenance, and landowner posting. A detailed list of changes by county is included in the online stocking schedule.
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