With everything going on at the moment related to COVID-19, the PA Fish and Boat Commission have announced some changes to the 2020 trout stocking program. This year, the PFBC will operate under a consolidated statewide schedule for all counties.
Under this revised plan, statewide opening day of Trout season is April 7th.
One key change this year is that moving forward this season, trout stockings will be announced upon their completion rather than in advance on the FishBoatPA mobile app and PFBC website (www.fishandboat.com). Rest assured — the change in stocking procedures will not result in any reduction in the approximately 3.2 million trout scheduled to be stocked statewide in 2020, and stocking will occur seven days a week until further notice.
“This change in our stocking approach is necessary to fulfill a critical mission of our agency and our obligation to anglers,” added Rick Kauffman, PFBC District 8 Commissioner. “We’re trying to get as many fish in the water as possible as quickly as possible while we still have the best access to waterways and available staff. While our methods may be different this season, people will have the same opportunity to get outdoors and fish, which has proven benefits to our physical and mental health.”
PA Fish and Boat Commission – Press Release 3/16/2020
In addition, because trout stocking is planned to be conducted on an accelerated schedule, volunteers will NOT be permitted to assist with stocking activities this year. To complete trout stocking operations without the assistance of the public, many PFBC staff are being reassigned from their normal work duties to assist with stocking fish into lakes and streams. In some cases, pre-season and in-season allocations of trout will be combined into single stocking events to increase the efficiency of stocking trips. Initially, stockings will be prioritized to deliver trout to regions of the Commonwealth that are predicted to be affected most severely by COVID-19 that could result in restrictions on travel.
Summary of Pennsylvania Waters Plan for Stocking
Trout Stocking Location
Historically, PFBC stocks their trout from the bridge access down from Ledgedale. Heading west on Ledgedale Road, turn left onto Sterling Shore Rd and go about 1.3mi. At the fork, stay to the left and you will be on Bidwell Hill Rd. Proceed another quarter mile and you should come to a bridge crossing the West Branch Wallenpaupack Creek that feeds into Ledgedale.
Don’t forget – even with all this Coronavirus stuff going on right now, you still need a Trout stamp on your fishing license to legally go after trout. Due to social distancing put in place across PA, it is recommended to buy your license and trout stamp online using the FishBoatPA smartphone app or on a computer at www.fishandboat.com.