The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will stock 156 bodies of water in 61 counties across the state as part of the 2004 Fall Trout Stocking Program, releasing 118,200 legal-sized trout to provide anglers with expanded fishing opportunities during the autumn months.

The stockings will be held during the weeks of September 27 and conclude the week of October 25. During that time, the Commission intends to stock 97 river and stream sections as well as 59 lakes. A total of 97,000 rainbow trout make up the biggest portion of the stocked fish, with 12,870 brown trout and 8,330 brook trout rounding out the allotment.

The Fall Trout Stocking Program features two different components. Anglers who wish to harvest trout may take advantage of the stream sections or lakes regulated by the Extended Trout Season Rules. The Extended Trout Season, which began September 7 and runs through the end of February 2005, permits anglers to creel up to three trout of seven inches or greater daily.

The second component of the program is the stocking of stream sections managed under Delayed Harvest Regulations. Delayed Harvest allows for year-round fishing. However, no trout may be creeled the day after Labor Day until the following June 15. Anglers should consult the 2004 Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws issued with each license for a complete list of rules governing Delayed Harvest waters.

9/17/2004