Trout are one of Pennsylvania's most popular sport fish. Pennsylvania is home to steelhead, lake, brown, brook, rainbow and golden rainbow trout. The state regulates trout fishing and stocks certain waterways with trout each spring to encourage fishing and control the trout population without depleting it. Pennsylvania has been stocking trout since the 1800s.
Where to Find Trout
All trout prefer cold, clear waters, particularly lakes and streams, though they can be found in some rivers. The rainbows prefer areas of water that are moving quickly, runs and the faster parts of streams, creeks and rivers, the tailwaters of dams, lakes and reservoirs. And a water temperature of about 55 degrees is perfect for the rainbow trout.
Brown trout like it slightly warmer, 50 to 60 degrees, and lake trout slightly cooler, about 50 degrees.
Browns are common to all state watersheds and can be found in streams, rivers and lakes. Brook trout can adapt to ponds and lakes, but they are native to streams.
Lake trout can live several hundred feet deep and, as their name suggests, prefer the deep, cold waters of lakes.
The commission lists 10 of the best trout waters in Pennsylvania as Oil Creek in Crawford and Venango counties, Slippery Rock Creek in Butler and Lawrence counties, Neshannock Creek in Lawrence County, the Youghiogheny River, Cedar Run and Slate Run in the Tioga State Forest, Letort Spring Run in Cumberland, Fishing Creek in Clinton County, Spring Creek in Centre County and Monocacy Creek in Northampton and Lehigh counties.
But that's just a sampling of the 160,000 acres of water and 85,000 miles of rivers and creeks in Pennsylvania. Trout can be found wild or stocked in most Pennsylvania counties. Information on which waterways are stocked with trout can be found at the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website in References.
Steelhead Trout
Pennsylvania's steelhead trout can be found only in Lake Erie and its tributaries. And the best of those tributaries is probably Walnut Creek, which boasts the record steelhead catch and the record brown trout. The steelhead was 20 lbs. 3 oz., and the brown trout was 19 lbs.10 oz. To fish for any trout in Pennsylvania you'll need a license, which for residents costs $22.70 and for nonresidents $52.70, and a trout stamp, which, as of 2010, costs $9.70. But to fish in Lake Erie, you'll also need a Lake Erie Permit, which costs an additional $9.70. However, you can purchase a combination permit and stamp for $15.70.
Tips for Landing Trout
Trout eat during mid-day in the spring, and they switch to the early morning and early evening in the summer. For lures, the Fish and Boat Commission recommends small crankbaits and spinners, and for bait, minnows, worms, salmon eggs or other prepared foods.A common method for catching trout is to drift minnows or worms on a light wire hook. Your line should be two to eight lbs. and your hook should be between size 6 and 14.
Trout Season and Licensing
Trout season begins at 8 a.m. on the first Saturday after April 11 and runs until the following March. Except in areas where special regulations apply - see below - trout fishing is forbidden between March 1 and the opening of the season. Catches must be a minimum 7 inches to be taken from the water.
As reported above, fishermen need licenses and stamps for trout fishing. The $52.70 year-long price tag is not the only option. Temporary licenses for nonresidents run $34.70 for seven days and $26.70 for three days.
Special Regulations for Trout Fishing
Many waterways in Pennsylvania have sections that fall under Fish and Boat Commission special regulations, of which there are several. Most are waters that the commission stocks with trout.
Some waterways are open to early or extended season fishing. For example, trout season on the Delaware Creek in Juniata County begins April 3. Other waters, such as Meade Run in McKean County, are open to fishing year-round. The commission has also ruled that some waters are catch and release only and others are catch and release with the further stipulation that only artificial lures can be used or that you can only fly fish in that section. There are also trophy waters, where all catches taken from the watershed must be a minimum 14 inches. A full list of the regulated waters and regulations can be found in the regulations book link in References.
Trout Records
The longest standing trout record in Pennsylvania is for a rainbow caught in 1986 that weighed in at 15 lbs. 6.25 oz. The largest trout of any species caught in Pennsylvania was a lake trout landed in 1996 on Lake Erie. It was a 27 lb. 13 oz. monster. As reported above, the brown trout and steelhead records were set on Walnut Creek in Erie County. The brook trout record was 7 lbs., set in 1996 on Fishing Creek in Clinton County.
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