Mr. Patrick:
I have some bad news for you; I was fishing in Hickory Run State Park yesterday and EVERYTHING was high including the known streams AND the tribs. There is STILL a pretty decent amount of snow on the ground up there so while they are fishable; be prepared for more snow melt and fast water.
If you are looking to avoid crowds; my opinion would be to stay in Carbon County or go other northern counties
Special Regulation Areas since my GUESS is; the hoards will descend to the lower counties on Saturday. You MAY want to cross reference the Special Regulation list with the
stocking list because many of the northern county Special Reg streams haven't been stocked since last year and the fishing can be SLOW.
You could legally fish Hickory Run from Saylor Lake Dam down to the mouth and if you head above the Park Office; you will probably be alone and fishing legal until you get to Saylor Lake Dam.
The Mud Run Special Regulation section while open; hasn't been stocked since last October and the section from Hawk Run to below the Turnpike is fishing very slow.
You could also do some exploring on the smaller streams in Hickory Run State Park. If the streams are NOT on the list of
Approved Trout Waters; they are open to fishing but you
can NOT keep any fish. Be forewarned that many of those streams are
very small, (as are the fish) and also very overgrown and particularly treacherous to walk or wade with the snow pack.
Then again there IS the Little Lehigh Fly Fishing Only sections a short drive away. My convoluted logic says that early in the morning of Opening Day you should have the place to yourself with most fisherman out in other places. My guess would be later in the day as they get frustrated they would show up to soothe their bruised egos.
Have fun!
