Is it ethical to fish for trout this time of the year?

[5footfenwick]

Nah skip October and November. Best be safe and skip September and December in addition since they spawn then too. They bulk up in August and feed and recover in January, best to skip those also. February they need to get ahead of the tough on them March snowmelt. July is warm and low. Best to skip those too. April sees a lot of pressure and stress. Best to skip that. May, can be their one chance to gorge on surface mayflies to put on the pre summer weight. Best to opt out on that month entirely. June is usually where the water can start to get low and warm. The summer stress is coming on hard. Best not to add to their stress. Gotta throw that month out the window too. Can’t really ethically fish for trout in any month in Pennsylvania.

 

[dudemanspecial]

Nah skip October and November. Best be safe and skip September and December in addition since they spawn then too. They bulk up in August and feed and recover in January, best to skip those also. February they need to get ahead of the tough on them March snowmelt. July is warm and low. Best to skip those too. April sees a lot of pressure and stress. Best to skip that. May, can be their one chance to gorge on surface mayflies to put on the pre summer weight. Best to opt out on that month entirely. June is usually where the water can start to get low and warm. The summer stress is coming on hard. Best not to add to their stress. Gotta throw that month out the window too. Can’t really ethically fish for trout in any month in Pennsylvania.

Well put. I'd like to add that we should stay away from the water all together so the trout don't see us and get too scared.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

Well put. I'd like to add that we should stay away from the water all together so the trout don't see us and get too scared.

Amen! Anyone wants to come up with reasons not to fish, I fully support their decision. Go to camp for a week in May, and then give the poor fish a break 😉

 

[JeffP]

Streams must be seriously low. That can't help the spawn.

 

[CinnamonJoe]

It is interesting how different states handle this question, regulatory-wise anyways:

For example, Wisconsin & Michigan inland trout fisheries (with few exceptions) close to all fishing in autumn; with the stated reasoning of spawn protection.

Iowa, at the opposite end of the spectrum, has a continuous open season for trout.

I will often see my neighbors from WI fishing fishing Iowa streams during the rare warm day late in the year; especially since Iowa's best streams are close-in to the WI state line. Its a nearby option for them to get their fix. Its all good. I cross the big river, as well, to hit their extensive cold water resources.

Joe

 

[5footfenwick]

Yeah with low water I imagine they start finding the local females much more attractive. Those desperate enough probably have a little inbreeding. Cross species tiger trout baby rates may go up? The big migratory “passport bro’s” are out of luck in their search for exotic destinations. The traditionalists may struggle in their long pilgrimage to their homeland. Potentially others already on location and in the redroom may have trouble on their return trip and might not make it back home for thanksgiving. I can’t imagine the low water helps. Had a good rain near the end of September and a little one in mid-October. Hopefully some moved during those two easier travel periods.

 

[rustbeltwilds]

Streams must be seriously low. That can't help the spawn.

They will be ok there very adaptable we see only thru our own eyes trust me

 

[Broodstock]

i was out the other day and the water was low and clear. there was a "mega redd" that must have had 20 fish on it. I sat and watched them for a long time, it was pretty cool to see. the low water was not impacting them at all.

 

[jifigz]

Streams must be seriously low. That can't help the spawn.

I don't think that will hurt the spawn in any way at all. Trout are very susceptible to avian predation during the spawn though, and the lower and clearer the water, the easier it is for eagles and ospreys to target them.

 

[sarce]

I don't think that will hurt the spawn in any way at all. Trout are very susceptible to avian predation during the spawn though, and the lower and clearer the water, the easier it is for eagles and ospreys to target them.

Agree, it can hurt if it is a once in a decade level drought but we're not quite that low this year. There was a failed brookie spawn year in my area a few years ago due to drought but they're going at it full steam this year. I have brought the rod along and caught a few dinks in the deep pools to scratch the itch, and otherwise just observed and did my best not to disturb the active spawners.

 

[Solitariolupo]

For me it would all depend on spots your fishing. For natives I would stop and let them go but for the others I would probably fish. I mean they are stocking steelhead in Erie to fish for them now. So I would fish.

 

[hooker-of-men]

I don't think that will hurt the spawn in any way at all. Trout are very susceptible to avian predation during the spawn though, and the lower and clearer the water, the easier it is for eagles and ospreys to target them.

Very susceptible to me butthole-hooking them, fighting them for 20 mins, and then having a Glamour Shots photo shoot with them is more like it! What's the policy on here regarding linking to my social media accounts of hero shots??









We got our first snow overnight and the high temperature while I was out this morning was about 35. The Mettawee rainbows were not interested in my tomfoolery.