Single trout opener in 2022

[steliejim]

As per the meeting yesterday, the PAFBC proposed a single opening day of trout next year. This will occur on the first Saturday in April. Mentored youth will be statewide the previous week.

Looks like they finally got one right, lol!

 

[afishinado]

Link to PFBC summary of meeting below. Plus Some other relevant/interesting reg. changes from the meeting highlighted >

...selecting the first Saturday in April as the proposed permanent date for the statewide opening of trout season

Under this proposal, all language within regulations referencing "March 1" as the beginning of the closed season for fishing on STW would be changed to the "third Monday in February."

The Trout Slot Limit program will have two subprograms under the PFBC's Special Fishing Regulations (58 Pa. Code § 65): All-Tackle Trout Slot Limit and Artificial Lures Only Trout Slot Limit.

The amended regulation will provide increased protection and additional angling opportunities in stream sections managed for wild trout that are downstream from Stocked Trout Waters (STWs). Currently, STWs and all waters downstream from STWs have a creel limit of three trout per day from the day after Labor Day until the last day of February and are closed to fishing from March 1 until 8 a.m. on the opening day of trout season. By amending the Extended Trout Season regulation to exclude all waters downstream of a STW, thousands of additional stream miles will be opened to fishing on a year-round basis during the current closed season and harvest of trout will be prohibited during the extended season downstream from STWs. The amendment would go into effect January 1, 2022.In consideration of this amendment change, to better serve anglers seeking stocked trout fishing opportunities, the PFBC intends to add more detailed information about STWs to its annual Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook (Handbook) beginning in 2022. Most stocked trout streams are not stocked throughout their entire length and many of these streams also have sections that are managed for wild trout. Adding the section limits for stocked trout streams to the Handbook will: 1) clearly identify where stocking occurs to increase angler participation, especially for anglers unfamiliar with a stream; 2) provide increased protection to the stream sections managed for wild trout during the extended season; 3) increase angling opportunities for wild trout in sections that are open to year-round fishing; 4) increase angling opportunities downstream of STW sections; and 5) simplify regulations. While these stream section limits are currently published on the PFBC website and FishBoatPA mobile app, defining the limits in the Handbook will provide consistent STW information for anglers who use various sources to identify where to fish for stocked trout.


https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/fish-and-boat-commission-details.aspx?newsid=397

 

[salvelinus]

It's about time

 

[tomgamber]

I didn't really care one way or the other. Probably the least of the problems on the water these days.

 

[Mike]

I’m happy in that the kept an earlier opening day where it is really needed. Three or four days difference in some years is not significant. That the rest of the state conformed is fine, although some may not appreciate the colder opening days at times in the northern half of the state. I also expect fully completing preseason stocking of all waters to be challenging in SOME years, given the number of waters in the program and the vagaries of regional weather conditions. That, of course, could be relieved in advance by removing the exceptionally low opening day use waters from the stocking program.

 

[Bamboozle]

I don't care one way or the other as long as there is consistency, meaning in two years we don't go back to the 2nd Saturday or two openers again..