Autumn anglers are getting nearly 115,000 reasons to keep casting as the weather cools down.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission announced this week it will release around 114,700 hatchery-raised trout into state waters starting Thursday, Oct. 1, providing anglers with expanded opportunities through the fall and winter months.
The commission plans to stock adult rainbow, brown and brook trout into 117 stream sections and lakes across Pennsylvania through mid-December. Anglers can begin fishing for the stocked trout immediately.
October will see the largest distribution, with about 86,100 trout released into 92 waters, including 52 lakes and 40 stream sections. Among these are 16 Keystone Select Trout Waters, which operate under delayed-harvest, artificial-lures-only regulations. The agency will stock an additional 28,600 trout into 25 lakes during November and December.
“Beautiful scenery and some of the most comfortable temperatures of the year are in store for anglers who take advantage of stocked trout opportunities this fall,” said Brian Niewinski, director of the PFBC Bureau of Hatcheries.
“Waters are getting cooler by the week and many different species of fish are very active this time of year, including bass, panfish, catfish and walleye,” he continued. “The addition of stocked trout from our hatcheries just adds something different to get excited about.”
The extended trout season runs through Feb. 14, 2027. Anglers may keep three trout of combined species daily. The minimum size is 7 inches through Dec. 31, increasing to 9 inches starting Jan. 1. These regulations apply to designated stocked trout waters.
According to Fish and Boat’s fall stocking schedule, the Lehigh Valley waters receiving trout in October are Minsi Lake in Northampton County at noon Oct. 6 and Little Lehigh Creek at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 13, from Bogart’s Bridge in Lehigh Parkway to the confluence with the Lehigh River. Note that Minsi Lake is under special regulations, with all species except trout required to be immediately released unharmed.
As temperatures drop, commission officials remind boaters of seasonal safety requirements. From Nov. 1 through April 30, anyone on boats shorter than 16 feet, including canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, must wear a life jacket. Children 12 and younger must wear life jackets while paddling year-round.
Stocking schedules may change due to water temperature fluctuations and hatchery logistics. The commission advises checking the official online stocking schedule at fishandboat.com for updates on postponements or rescheduled dates.
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