*The video above explains who determines if a species is invasive.
(WJET/WFXP) — Fishing season preparations continue across Pennsylvania as trout stocking is underway at several locations.
Trout stocking started in February this year across most counties as brown, rainbow and golden trout have been dumped into many Commonwealth waterways. Stocking will continue through the year based on their online schedule on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) website.
The stocking schedule incorporates a map that lists the waterways in each county and indicates stocking dates, meeting locations for volunteers and the planned trout species being stocked.
Across the northwest region, anglers can catch up on where stocking is planned with this map.
Note: The "approximate address" is a general area for where the meeting place is at, not the exact location.
How much trout is being stocked?
The commission plans to stock around 3.2 million adult trout in 697 Pennsylvania streams and 129 lakes and include:
- 2.4 million Rainbow Trout
- 702,000 Brown Trout
- 132,000 Brook Trout
- 70,000 brood fish -- 2 ½-year-old and 3 ½-year-old hatchery-raised Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Brook Trout measuring 14-20 inches
- 14,000 golden Rainbow Trout -- highly prized fish featuring vibrant golden-orange pigmentation and weighing an average of 1.5 pounds
- 1 million trout will be added from PFBC cooperative nurseries operated by statewide sportsmen's clubs and other groups
- 10,000 large trout released through Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters
Important dates to know
- Trout Seaons' opening day is Saturday, April 6.
- Mentored Youth Trout Day will take place on Saturday, March 30.
Stocking operations are set to begin on Feb 19 where fishing is not permitted on Stocked Trout Waters until 8 a.m. on the opening day of trout season, except the Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day.
Anglers can learn more about obtaining a fishing license or permit, how to volunteer with the distribution and stocking program changes on the PFBC website.