The start of spring means opening days of trout season across much of the country. Trout opening days begin in April for Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission plans to stock 3,898,300 trout including 8,530 trophy trout in 2016. [YDR]

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will celebrate its 150th anniversary at its upcoming quarterly meeting. Governor Andrew Curtin, who we all remember, established the PFBC on March 30th, 1866 to address pollution in mountain waterways and the blocking of shad runs caused by dams. [Evening Sun]

Alaska lawmakers are considering a sockeye salmon stamp for two rivers, the Kenai and Kasilof, where 25% of all sport fishing in Alaska takes place. The added fee for the stamp would be $15 for residents and between $15-$150 for non-residents. Revenue from the new stamp would go towards fish and wildlife programs in the state. [Alaska Dispatch]

​Surprisingly, Lancaster county is not typically thought by most trout anglers as the destination for wild trout fishing opportunities. A recent waterway survey found 12 streams to contain wild, reproducing brook or brown trout. The streams range from small headwaters to tributaries to the Susquehanna River. The streams will be reclassifed based on the discovery and with that comes enhnaced water quality protections. [Lancaster Online]

​After 89 years, fly fishing legend and innovator, Ed Shenk still surrounds himself around a fly vise. Shenk has fly fished for over 70 years on some of the most famous waters, many of which are known because he fished them. Some say he made the Letort the birthplace of dry fly fishing with help from legends like Charlie Fox and Vince Marinaro. [Oleant Times]

Anglers in Luzerne County were shocked while fishing a pond when a 3-foot alligator rose from the depths to feed on their lures. Harris Pond in Sweet Valley, PA is not known for alligators, and niether is the rest of Pennsylvania for that matter. Most likely a over-grown pet discarded at the pond, the gator was shot and killed by PA Fish and Boat Commission Officers for public safety reasons. [Penn Live]

Ice fishing is in full swing in Pennsylvania. Anglers are searching for and in most cases finding the minimum 4 inches of "safe ice" to fish. Reports from Northern Pennsylvania are showing 7+ inches of ice, plenty to fish and almost enough to park a car. [TIMES LEADER]

The 7th Annual Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sportshow offers the latest in sporting goods and advice from the top fishing experts in the country. The show has over 200,000 square feet of vendor space offering fishing, hunting, camping and outdoor recreation gear. [HELLENIC NEWS]

After nearly three years since the Opossum Lake dam restoration project in Cumberland County, PA was completed, fish populations are still not responding to reestablishment. The $3.38 million project fixed the dam but the once thriving lake is struggling to come back. Catch and Release restrictions will be in effect for all species except trout starting July 19th, 2016. [PENN LIVE]

Hilton Head Island in South Carolina is pushing back its proposed rule that would have limited fishing during the tourist season. The rule was put forth based on the concern that fishing might be attracting sharks to the shallows where people are swimming. 500 citations have been issued on Hilton Head Beaches for chumming and catching sharks, which are already against the law. [ISLAND PACKET]