HARRISBURG, PA — The anticipation among Pennsylvania’s angling community is, one might say, off the hook. Why? The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) recently released its much-awaited 2024 adult trout stocking schedule. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a novice just starting to get your feet wet, this comprehensive schedule will help you plan your fishing excursions with confidence.
The opening day of trout season, a beloved tradition for many, is set for Saturday, April 6. But before you grab your fishing rods and bait, make sure you’ve taken a look at the schedule. It’s now conveniently available on the FishBoatPA mobile app and the PFBC website. It’s more than just a list of dates; you can access details by county, find out the types of trout earmarked for each location, and learn about meeting locations for volunteers.
In 2024, the PFBC aims to release approximately 3.2 million adult trout in 697 streams and 129 lakes open for public angling. The goal is to maintain consistency with the number of trout stocked over the past decade. Anglers can expect to encounter Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Brook Trout, with the average size of the stocked trout being 11 inches.
But size isn’t everything. Variety is also something to look forward to. The PFBC plans to release about 70,000 brood fish, measuring between 14-20 inches, into the wild. On top of this, around 14,000 golden Rainbow Trout, with an average weight of 1.5 pounds each, will also be introduced during the preseason and in-season replenishment stockings.
Pennsylvania’s vast angling network isn’t just about state fish hatcheries. The PFBC also partners with sportsmen’s clubs and other groups across the state in their cooperative nurseries. These nurseries are projected to contribute an additional one million trout to waters open to public angling throughout the year. So yes, the 2024 trout season promises a healthy variety of trout in the state’s streams and lakes.
For those who desire to give back to this community, volunteering opportunities abound. The PFBC invites conservation groups, schools, and individual volunteers to help distribute the hatchery-raised adult trout to waterways statewide throughout the 2024 season.
Remember, all anglers aged 16 and older need both a fishing license and a trout permit to engage in trout fishing and keep trout. These can be purchased with ease from the PFBC website or the FishBoatPA mobile app.
In an effort to continuously improve the trout stocking program, the PFBC adjusts its plans each year based on angler access, changes to wild trout populations, water quality issues, and infrastructure maintenance.
So, whether you’re a seasoned angler or a rookie planning your first fishing trip, the 2024 adult trout stocking schedule can guide you to a fulfilling trout fishing season. With millions of trout ready to make a splash in Pennsylvania’s streams and lakes, the upcoming season promises amazing outdoor adventures for all anglers.
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