FWIW and without weighing the merits of this proposal. There was a “secret” list at one time that included sections “supposedly” meeting the Class A criteria but NOT listed as Class A, that were stocked by the PFBC. Here is that list:
Streams with Class A Biomass Managed for Stocked Trout
Dotters Creek, Monroe, Sec 4, 2.55 miles. Mertz Rd (T442) to confl. Middle Cr.
Fishing Creek, Clinton, Sec 13, 1.5 miles. Cedar Run to Axe Factory Hollow
Little Lehigh Creek, Lehigh, Sec 4, 4.9 miles. Spring Cr confl. to Wild Cherry Lane (T508)
Little Lehigh Creek, Lehigh, Sec 7, 2.06 miles. 4 km above Country Club Rd (T473) to Fish Hatchery Rd (SR2010)
West Licking Creek, Huntingdon, Sec 2, 4.35 miles. 2.13 km above Mt. Union Water Res. to lower boundary Tuscarora State Forest
Martins Creek, Northampton, Sec 1, 4.73 miles. Confl. E&W Br. Martins Cr to discharge Bangor Sewage plant, near unnamed tributary.
Monocacy Creek, Northampton, Sec 8, 0.99 miles. Illicks Mill Dam to Shoenersville Rd (SR3017)
Mugser Run, Columbia, Sec 2, 4.68 miles. T315 Fisherdale to mouth.
Sacony Creek, Berks, Sec 2, 3.29 miles. Bowers Rd (T616) to large spring 625 meters above SR1029 (Normal Ave)
Sacony Creek, Berks, Sec 3, 1.49 miles. Large spring 625 meters above SR1029 (Normal Ave) to SR 222 bypass (Kutztown)
Big Trout Creek, Lehigh, Sec 2, 6.4 miles. Furnace Rd (T790) in Lehigh Furnace to mouth on Lehigh River
Yellow Creek, Bedford, Sec 4, 1.66 miles. Confl. Beaver Creek to Red Bank Hill.
Long Run, Clinton, Sec 1, 4.72 miles. Confl. Pepper & Washburn Runs to sink 450 meters downstream of Auction Rd (SR2008) .
Sixmile Run, Centre, Sec 2, 3.42 miles. Dayton Dam to unnamed tributary upstream of Hutton Run.
Standing Stone Creek, Centre/Huntingdon, Sec 2, 4.65 miles. Penn Roosevelt Dam to mouth of Detweiler Run
Vanscoyoc Run, Blair, Sec 2, 4.54 miles. Decker Hollow Rd (SR4033) to mouth.
Young Womans Creek, L BR, Clinton, Sec 2, 4.42 miles, Forest road bridge to Greenlick Run
Cold Run, Schuylkill, Sec. 2, 2.17 miles. Beaver Creek to mouth.
Dotter’s Creek is no longer ATW and not stocked so adjust THIS list by 1. Penns & Pohopoco do not appear on this list although it’s pretty obvious which section of the Pohopoco is under consideration on the new list since nothing is stocked above the lake and that’s Monroe County.
Based on this list and the current stocking list, it should be pretty easy to figure out what sections are being considered under this new proposal. Obviously MANY sections have been stocked for years and the ones that are on the “secret list” but omitted from the new proposal makes you wonder IF more will come later?
Interestingly in regards to the Monocasy, assuming the sections under consideration in the new proposal are Sections 8 & 9; if this secret list was/is valid, that means that section 9 (which has been stocked forever) has IMPROVED to Class A status since the secret list was published! The same goes for the Pohopoco & Penns sections, again IF the secret list was/is valid.
Whether or not the 9 streams on the new list will be added to the Class A list or will for the first time just be publicly acknowledged as such but left off, is unclear to me. Regardless, there doesn't appear to be any earth shattering additions.
If it was up to me I would created a new publicized designation like Class A-S for the nine sections and leave the regular Class A list alone so the qualifications for inclusions and the management policies remain somewhat clear. It's bad enough that the State stocks Class A but plenty of private clubs do as well because they are stupid, confused or just don't care.
OT - In regards to the Little Lehigh (not the sections in the proposal):
The infamous Section 8 (FORMER Heritage/FFO section) has long been touted as having a Class A biomass which is the reason most often given for the PFBC not stocking it. This Class A biomass assumption has been reiterated to me by many LL regulars and the WCO, yet Section 8 is NOT on the Class A list.
When I inquired to Dave Arnold the Area 5 Fisheries Manager as to why, he told me it is supposed to be further evaluated this year because “there has always been a very abundant presence of hatchery trout, including brown trout, of all life stages, thus complicating evaluations. If it does in fact meet the Class A designation it will be appropriately listed".
Assuming it does meet the criteria and is listed as Class A, it hasn’t been stocked forever and should be safe from this proposal going forward. It MAY also see a decrease in pressure after a while since many under-informed anglers think it IS stocked (despite complaining “there aren’t as many fish as their used to be”). So maybe once they know for sure, they will use the “wild fish are too tough” excuse and go upstream! ;-)
Carry on...