Class A Wild Trout Streams Explained: What Every Fly Fisher in PA Should Know

Class A Wild Trout Team in Pennsylvania ©Dave Kile​

Origins & Purpose: Pennsylvania’s Class A Wild Trout Program

If you’re new to trout fishing in Pennsylvania, you might hear seasoned anglers talking about "Class A Wild Trout Streams." These streams are considered by many to be some of the best places in the state to find naturally reproducing trout. But what exactly does "Class A" mean, and why are these waters so important?

A Turning Point in 1983: Operation Future​

Back in the early 1980s, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) was looking for a better way to manage trout fishing. At the time, most trout fishing relied on stocking hatchery-raised fish. But biologists noticed that some streams had wild trout populations strong enough to support fishing without any stocking.

The PFBC introduced the Resource First concept in 1981, marking a major shift in how the state manages its aquatic resources. Instead of prioritizing recreational fishing alone, this philosophy placed the protection, conservation, and long-term sustainability of fish populations and aquatic habitats at the center of decision-making. It recognized wild, self-sustaining fish populations as renewable natural assets and supported stocking only where natural reproduction could not meet angling demand.

In 1983, PFBC launched Operation Future, a program designed to manage trout fisheries based on science and sustainability. Rather than focusing only on stocking, the new goal was to protect streams where trout could reproduce naturally and survive on their own. These high-quality waters were given the official label: "Class A Wild Trout Streams."

Operation Future wasn’t just an operational shift—it was a cultural transformation for fisheries management in Pennsylvania. It elevated wild trout conservation from an ideal to a structured, enforceable policy guided by science.

What Makes a Stream Class A?​

To earn Class A status, a stream has to meet strict standards. PFBC biologists survey the stream to determine the number and size of wild trout. If the stream has enough naturally reproducing trout to support long-term fishing without help from hatcheries, it can be designated as Class A.

There are different classifications for different trout species, including brook trout, brown trout, and even a few with rainbow trout. Some streams have strong populations of both brook and brown trout. As of 2025, there are nearly 2,000 miles of Class A streams in Pennsylvania.

Why Class A Matters​

Class A streams are protected and managed differently. Because they don’t need stocked trout, efforts can focus on preserving wild fish and maintaining healthy habitats. Many of these streams are also designated High-Quality Coldwater Fisheries, which gives them extra protection under state water quality laws.

For anglers, Class A streams offer a unique experience:

• The trout are wild, not stocked, so they tend to be more wary, stronger fighters, and more vibrantly colored.
• These waters are typically found in clean, scenic environments like state forests and parks.
• Fishing these streams helps sharpen your skills—reading water, matching hatches, and adapting to conditions.
• You become part of a conservation tradition by fishing responsibly in streams where trout populations thrive naturally.
• While Wild Trout streams may not be as well known to newer anglers, they offer a unique and memorable opportunity for those looking to expand their fly fishing experiences.
• Many of these waters are home to native brook trout—the only trout species native to Pennsylvania and the official state fish. Catching and releasing these beautiful fish is a special reward.

Fishing these waters means pursuing trout that were born and raised in the stream—not delivered by a hatchery truck. It’s about matching the hatch, reading the water, and enjoying the challenge.

Wild Brook Trout in Union County​

Why Wild Trout Thrive Without Stocking​

When stocking stops on Class A streams, wild trout often thrive. Here’s why:

• Less Competition: Hatchery trout compete with wild trout for food, shelter, and space, which can suppress wild trout reproduction and survival.
• Reduced Disease and Genetic Risks: Hatchery fish can bring diseases like gill lice or whirling disease, and their genetics can weaken the natural adaptations of wild trout if they interbreed.
• Natural Habitat Reclamation: Without the disruption caused by frequent stocking, wild trout populations become more balanced and resilient. The stream’s ecosystem begins to recover naturally, supporting a more stable and healthy fishery.

Streams like Freeman Run and many others in Pennsylvania have shown increased wild trout populations after stocking was halted. These improvements are supported by PFBC data and observations from experienced anglers across the state (sources: PA.gov, Paflyfish, Troutbitten).

Stocking Controversy​

Not all anglers agree on how to manage Class A streams. Some of these waters are still stocked, especially near urban areas or where fishing pressure is high. This has led to debates: Should we protect wild trout as planned, or continue stocking to meet business needs?

PFBC now uses a specific set of guidelines to decide when it’s appropriate to stock a Class A stream. Factors include species overlap, angling demand, and whether stocking could negatively impact wild trout populations.

These special waters will remain for future generations only if we protect them—from pollution, habitat destruction, and inappropriate stocking.

Stocked waters have an important place in Pennsylvania’s trout program, but protecting wild trout and their habitats is just as vital.

Real-World Examples​

In the upper Kettle Creek watershed, special regulations helped increase the size and number of brook trout, leading to greater protections. Another stream, Crooked Run, has one of the highest wild brook trout populations ever recorded in the state. These examples show what can happen when wild fish are given space, protection, and clean water to thrive.

Final Thoughts​

The Class A program is one of the reasons Pennsylvania is known for its exceptional wild trout fishing. It blends science, conservation, and the love of the sport. If you’re just getting into trout fishing, learning about these special waters is a great first step toward becoming a skilled, thoughtful angler. And who knows? Your next big catch might come from a Class A stream—a fish born and raised in one of Pennsylvania’s wildest places.

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Sources and Additional Reading:

• PFBC Resource First Policy Overview (1981 & 2008)
• Strategic Plan for the Management of Trout Fisheries in Pennsylvania (Trout Plan 2025)
• History of Trout Management in Pennsylvania

 

Really nice stream photo!

 

I agree with the concept I take exception with match the hatch.l found if you can sneak up to the hole they will strike anything you throw.

 

Very enjoyable read, plus I learned something. 👍🏻

 

Was that written with AI?

 

"Stocked waters have an important place in Pennsylvania’s trout program, but protecting wild trout and their habitats is just as vital."

+1. And with some tweaks, having stocked water available can improve wild trout streams by reducing pressure on them-giving harvest anglers another option. They are also good at introducing kids to the sport.

 

Was that written with AI?

Absolutely, I’m a terrible writer, and it has helped me in several of my weakest areas, like the whole English language. Generally, whenever I can, I use AI to proofread my writing. You’re probably going to get more detail than you want, but you’re a writer, so I’ll share with you how it helped me in this article.

I wrote out my own outline and started writing the paragraphs. In this piece, I wanted to give the background of Class A streams and knew about the Resource First approach of the 1980s. Since the PFBC decimated its old website, there was very little information to review, and I had AI look into the background of this movement in the early 80s. It turned up the Operation Future, which was new to me and I added it to the article.

My writing approach is I write an outline, do any research, and then I write out the paragraphs. I hack at it a few times editing and rewriting. Eventually I give up for a day and then go at one more time, then I let the AI help me fix my bad things. My spelling, grammar, sentence structure, and tense are at about a 3rd grade level. If you read any of my old blog posts, you would understand.

After correcting the spelling, the biggest change I have started using AI to improve the Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The SEO changes formatted some of my paragraphs to bullet points. This more than anything changes the way my blog post look. The SEO additions also makes sure key words are implemented and <H2> tags are added for the sub headers.

So in short, yes, some background research, proofing, and SEO were used to improve the document. Compared to my old writing, it is a major upgrade.

 

Dave,
Since you were not aware of FUTURE and did some research on it, it might interest you to know that three AFM’s - NC, SE, and SW Pa - plus the Coldwater Unit Leader, were assigned to be the architects of the trout stream classification system, both for managing wild trout and for determining stocking rates and frequencies within the stocked trout program. The Coldwater Unit Leader had the bulk of the work after each committee meeting. Obviously, the remaining AFM’s, Fisheries Management Chief, and Fisheries Bureau Chief had substantial input at various phases before the product went to the Executive Director and Commissioners for their review and comments, which produced some adjustments.

Stocked sectioning concept was created and sections, such as Section 02, Section 03, as seen today in stocking schedules, were classified based on biomass, access, human population density in adjacent municipalities, and stream section width. Access included parking counts, % of section within 100, 300, and 500 m of a public road, % public ownership, % private ownership, and % of section length posted. Data were collected in surveys of every stocked trout stream in Pa between 1976 and 1982. Stream sections falling within each class anywhere in the state were assigned the same max allocation and frequency of stocking, but there was flexibility at the AFM level to reduce those allocations and frequencies in certain circumstances such as a history of low flows or warm stream temps during the inseason stocking period, a history of low early season pH, or lower than expected angler use as examples. Some stream sections saw increases in stocking and others saw decreases, plus roughly 90 newly created/designated Class A’s were removed from the stocking program all at once.

Prior to FUTURE’s classification system implementation all streams had been stocked based on the County Allocation System in which the trout production for the year was distributed first to each county based on a formula that weighted the allocation rate as follows: 70% based on county fishing license sales (there was no such thing as a trout stamp), 20% based on public land in each county, 10% based on county population. I may have reversed the last two percentages as I’m a little foggy on which was which. After “X” number of trout were assigned to a given county, then the county’s trout allocation was broken down among its streams.

Switching away from the County Allocation System to management by classification and taking the newly designated Class A’s off of the stocking list created quite a gnashing of anglers’ teeth in the various and most hard hit areas of the state, especially when a county lost 10’s of thousands of stocked trout or a popular stream or stream section was removed from the stocking program because it was Class A, too narrow, had too much posting, or had poor access, etc. The staff had the “opportunity” to introduce the concepts as they developed and the final program and its various aspects to many sportsmens groups, service organizations, and public meetings around the state. Those were not always the friendliest meetings for the presenters as you might imagine. In my case, a few counties in the SE saw substantial stocked trout reductions. On the other hand, many more meetings were cordial even if there was some disagreement expressed by some of the attendees.

 

Another stream, Crooked Run, has one of the highest wild brook trout populations ever recorded in the state.​

Does anyone know where this stream is located?

 

Does anyone know where this stream is located?

lol I tried to find it's location without any luck. Since it supposidly has "one of the largest brook trout populations ever recorded in the state", folks will be scrambling to find it. 😉

 

Does anyone know where this stream is located?

There are several UNT connected to a few Crooked Creeks in PA. Some are Class A. Generally I'm not a fan of to getting too deep in the weeds with locations for Class A and Wild Trout streams, it doesn't always help the stream, what I do think is important is making anglers aware of conservation issues.

 

There are several UNT connected to a few Crooked Creeks in PA. Some are Class A. Generally I'm not a fan of to getting too deep in the weeds with locations for Class A and Wild Trout streams, it doesn't always help the stream, what I do think is important is making anglers aware of conservation issues.

View attachment 1641244729

Tomorrow morning 🤣

 

The article says Crooked Run, is there a difference?

 

Dave/et al:

A couple of old PA Angler articles discussing Operation Future back in the day.

 

That stream survey was interesting. Surpising, they turned up that 13" wild brown in such a small creek. I've always wanted to watch a stream survey being conducted in person.

 

The article says Crooked Run, is there

The article says Crooked Run, is there a difference?

Yeah I wrote Run I intended to wrote Creek. Some of you guys really need to missing the big picture here. No wonder we can't make any progress on this issue if you guys are picking apart a word. Please don't bother commenting on my posts really. I very serious.

The big picture is I'm trying to help people understand why a Class A stream is important and I'll you can troll on about is Creek or Run. Get a life!

 

Yeah I wrote Run I intended to wrote Creek. Some of you guys really need to missing the big picture here. No wonder we can't make any progress on this issue if you guys are picking apart a word. Please don't bother commenting on my posts really. I very serious.

The big picture is I'm trying to help people understand why a Class A stream is important and I'll you can troll on about is Creek or Run. Get a life!

That was a bit much. I really appreciate your efforts Dave. I wasn't intending to pick apart what you posted at all, I simply thought it might actually be a different stream, that was all.

 

That was a bit much. I really appreciate your efforts Dave. I wasn't intending to pick apart what you posted at all, I simply thought it might actually be a different stream, that's was all.

I apologize if that was your intent. I'm trying to move this ball forward and it seems people would rather focus on the leaves rather than the forest.

 

I apologize if that was your intent. I'm trying to move this ball forward and it seems people would rather focus on the leaves rather than the forest.

Thank you. I understand what you're trying to do, and again, it's much appreciated.

 

There is nothing better than catching a native trout on a fly. You swear you have a 18" on only to realize that there's a whole lot of fight in a 6" fish!!