The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will begin the Fall 2009 Trout Stocking the first part of October. This summer has proven to be fairly cool and wet so the fall stocking should hopefully add to a nice hold over trout population. With this new supply of trout in the streams in Pennsylvania it may be a good chance to try some fly fishing during some of the prettiest times of the year.

The PFBC will stock about 100 streams this fall. No official numbers have been announced, but in 2007 about 47,000 trout were stocked. As reported by the PFBC, the mortality rate of the trout stocked in the fall is very high. Only about 5% of the trout stocked in the fall make it through the winter so enjoy them while you can.

Fish stocking can be fun to watch and even to help in the effort. Often there is some labor involved in moving the buckets of trout from the stocking trucks to the streams. The stocking reports provide details where and when you can meet up with the PFBC and then follow them out to designated streams to stock the trout. Local chapters of Trout Unlimited usually plan to assist in this process too.

Here is the latest Fall 2009 Stocking Schedule. Please check with the PFBC for the latest updates and changes.

Photograph by Albatross.