Year-Round Trout Fishing Opportunities

Trout Fishing Opportunities To Fish Before Opening Day

TROUT FISHING | FISHING HOTSPOTS

March 1, 2015 by FISH THIS PA Staff

Trout waters have (and still do) close approximately a month before the trout season opening days. What this means is that approved stocked trout waters are off limits to trout fishing during this closed period. Fortunately, there are still plenty of trout fishing opportunities to be had even during the closed period.

You can fish year-round for trout in Pennsylvania. There are over 50 waters within the Commonwealth that are classified as stocked trout waters open to year-round fishing. During the "extended season" on these waters, however, no trout may be taken. These streams and lakes across the Keystone State provide ample trout fishing opportunities for all state anglers.

Stocked Trout Waters

Most streams, lakes, and reservoirs in the state are classified as approved stocked trout waters and are managed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). To be classified as such, a waterway must have significant public fishing opportunities and also be able to receive stocked trout. These waters are open to trout fishing in Pennsylvania from opening day, through the extended season, and then closed to fishing usually on March 1st the following year. During the closed periods on these waters, not person shall be fishing for trout or even taking bait such as minnows.

Complete listing of stocked trout waters and regulations.

Stocked Trout Waters Open Year-Round

Waterways in Pennsylvania classified as stocked trout waters open to year-round fishing not only get stocked with trout for opening day and during the "normal" season but then are open to fishing all year long. The only catch is from March 1 (approximately) to the opening day in the region, no trout may be taken or possessed. In addition, other special regulation waterways are also open for trout fishing opportunities all year with no closed season. Examples of these include catch and release and delayed harvest trout fishing regulation areas. 

Complete listing of stocked trout waters open to year-round trout fishing in Pennsylvania.

Our Favorite Year-Round Trout Fishing Opportunities

Below are a few of our favorite year-round trout fishing opportunities. They range from fly fishing only waters to approved trout fishing waters open all year for fishing for trout. All, however, are great places to check out before opening day in order to shake the trout fishing bug.

Northwestern Region

West Branch Caldwell Creek (Warren) - Catch and Release Artificial Lures Only
Little Sandy Creek (Venango) - Catch and Release Fly Fishing
Tionesta Creekt (Forest) - Approved Trout Water Open Year-Round

Northcentral Region

Hamilton Lake (Tioga) - Approved Trout Waters Open Year Round
Spring Creek (Centre) - Catch and Release Fly Fishing
Kettle Creek Lake (Clinton) - Approved Trout Water Open Year-Round

Northeastern Region

Lackawanna Lake (Lackawanna) - Approved Trout Waters Open Year-Round
Bush Kill (Monroe) - Catch and Release Fly Fishing
Lehigh River (Carbon) - Approved Trout Water Open Year-Round

Southwest Region

Dunbar Creek (Fayette County) - Catch and Release Fly Fishing
Fall Creek (Somerset County) - Approved Trout Water Open Year-Round
Bradys Run Lake (Beaver County) - Approved Trout Water Open Year-Round

Southcentral Region

Clark Creek (Dauphin) - Catch and Release Fly Fishing
Conewago Creek (Adams) - Catch and Release Fly Fishing
Mountain Creek (Cumberland) - Approved Trout Water Open Year-Round

Southeast Region

Lake Luxembourg (Bucks) - Approved Trout Waters Open Year-Round
French Creek (Chester) - Catch and Release Fly Fishing
Sweet Arrow Lake (Schuylkill) - Approved Trout Water Open Year-Round

Many anglers think that once trout fishing in Pennsylvania goes out for the season you have to wait until opening day to wet your line again. That is not the case, however. There are many trout fishing opportunities across the state where you can fish in many different kinds of waters and fish them many different ways. Put your trout fishing rigs or your fly fishing skills to the test and head out and fish one of our favorite late-season year-round trout waters.