The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will soon vote on a proposal to resume stocking hatchery-raised trout over naturally reproducing wild trout in a section of Freeman Run in Potter County. This proposal is unnecessary and undermines decades of conservation efforts. Read the details below and take action today to make your voice heard by the commissioners.
What’s at Stake
Freeman Run is a 12-mile tributary of the First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek in Potter County. It’s a small mountain stream divided into four management sections:
The PFBC proposes reinstating stocking of rainbow trout in Freeman Run Section 04 (a designated Class A wild trout stream) beginning in 2026—at prior stocking levels, including cooperative nursery stockings.
The agency plans to monitor Section 04 through 2030 for biological and social impacts. Stocking will be halted early if wild trout populations decline significantly or if angler usage does not justify the program. Otherwise, the commission will decide whether to continue or discontinue stocking after the evaluation period.
Why This Matters
Because Class A streams typically receive High Quality protection and are not stocked (with very few exceptions), this project would proceed as a policy exception to test whether protective regulations can coexist with stocking efforts in smaller wild trout waters.
The commissioners will vote on this proposal at their quarterly meeting on October 27–28. Now is the time to speak up.
Class A wild trout streams represent Pennsylvania’s highest-quality water and strongest wild trout populations. Many of these streams support native brook trout (our state fish)—the only trout species native to Pennsylvania's rivers and streams.
Over 40 years ago, the PFBC launched “Operation Future” to protect streams capable of sustaining wild trout populations. Since then, many streams have flourished after stocking was removed. Unfortunately, some wild trout streams have been moved back into the stocking program—exceptions that must be opposed.
Only about 4% of all flowing waters in Pennsylvania are designated as Class A wild trout streams. According to a recent poll on PAFF (Paflyfish), over 97% of respondents oppose stocking over Class A waters.
Even though this proposal is being framed as a “test,” it contradicts the conservation principles established decades ago. We know from years of data that wild trout thrive when stocking ceases. Stocking should be reserved for waters that cannot support robust natural trout populations—not those that already do. The PFBC currently stocks 3.2 million trout annually across 5,000 miles of streams. Let’s leave the Class A wild trout streams alone.
Points Raised by Many in the Paflyfish Community
What You Can Do
Send a personal email or letter to the PFBC expressing your views, using the contact info at the bottom of this article. You may also CC your Pennsylvania State Representative and Governor Shapiro’s Office. Form letters are sometimes viewed as less impactful, so I recommend writing your own message to clearly express your opposition to the proposal.
Be sure to:
Public Comment Window:
September 13–October 13, 2025
Proposal Title: Special Fishing Regulations; Miscellaneous Special Regulations [55 Pa.B. 6541]
Submit Your Comments:
📧 Email: RA-pfbcregulations@pa.gov
✉️ Mail: Executive Director, Fish and Boat Commission
P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000
📩 Optional: CC your message to dkile@paflyfish.com. These emails will be compiled and shared with other state officials to amplify our collective voice.
Sources and Additional Reading:
What’s at Stake
Freeman Run is a 12-mile tributary of the First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek in Potter County. It’s a small mountain stream divided into four management sections:
- Sections 01 and 02: Managed as wild-only, which support predominantly wild brook trout.
- Sections 03 and 04: Historically stocked but redesignated in 2021 as Class A wild brown trout waters, after surveys confirmed the presence of a strong, naturally reproducing trout population.
The PFBC proposes reinstating stocking of rainbow trout in Freeman Run Section 04 (a designated Class A wild trout stream) beginning in 2026—at prior stocking levels, including cooperative nursery stockings.
The agency plans to monitor Section 04 through 2030 for biological and social impacts. Stocking will be halted early if wild trout populations decline significantly or if angler usage does not justify the program. Otherwise, the commission will decide whether to continue or discontinue stocking after the evaluation period.
Why This Matters
Because Class A streams typically receive High Quality protection and are not stocked (with very few exceptions), this project would proceed as a policy exception to test whether protective regulations can coexist with stocking efforts in smaller wild trout waters.
The commissioners will vote on this proposal at their quarterly meeting on October 27–28. Now is the time to speak up.
Class A wild trout streams represent Pennsylvania’s highest-quality water and strongest wild trout populations. Many of these streams support native brook trout (our state fish)—the only trout species native to Pennsylvania's rivers and streams.
Over 40 years ago, the PFBC launched “Operation Future” to protect streams capable of sustaining wild trout populations. Since then, many streams have flourished after stocking was removed. Unfortunately, some wild trout streams have been moved back into the stocking program—exceptions that must be opposed.
Only about 4% of all flowing waters in Pennsylvania are designated as Class A wild trout streams. According to a recent poll on PAFF (Paflyfish), over 97% of respondents oppose stocking over Class A waters.
Even though this proposal is being framed as a “test,” it contradicts the conservation principles established decades ago. We know from years of data that wild trout thrive when stocking ceases. Stocking should be reserved for waters that cannot support robust natural trout populations—not those that already do. The PFBC currently stocks 3.2 million trout annually across 5,000 miles of streams. Let’s leave the Class A wild trout streams alone.
Points Raised by Many in the Paflyfish Community
- There is no worthwhile scientific or social justification for resuming stocking on a thriving wild trout stream.
- Section 04 of Freeman Run does not need stocking.
- Class A wild trout streams are rare treasures in Pennsylvania.
- These streams should offer a quality over quantity angling experience.
- Stocked fish may introduce diseases or invasive species to the wild trout in the stream, such as gill lice, New Zealand mud snails, and whirling disease.
- The PFBC should uphold its “Resource First” policy, not reverse course.
- In a recent Paflyfish survey, 97% of respondents said NO to stocking over wild trout.
What You Can Do
Send a personal email or letter to the PFBC expressing your views, using the contact info at the bottom of this article. You may also CC your Pennsylvania State Representative and Governor Shapiro’s Office. Form letters are sometimes viewed as less impactful, so I recommend writing your own message to clearly express your opposition to the proposal.
Be sure to:
- Stay focused on Proposal [55 Pa.B. 6541] and Freeman Run.
- Be polite and respectful.
- Clearly state how you want the commissioners to vote—oppose the proposal and keep Freeman Run a wild trout fishery.
- Include your name and any other relevant details.
- Submit your comments within the public comment period.
Public Comment Window:
September 13–October 13, 2025
Proposal Title: Special Fishing Regulations; Miscellaneous Special Regulations [55 Pa.B. 6541]
Submit Your Comments:
📧 Email: RA-pfbcregulations@pa.gov
✉️ Mail: Executive Director, Fish and Boat Commission
P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000
📩 Optional: CC your message to dkile@paflyfish.com. These emails will be compiled and shared with other state officials to amplify our collective voice.
Sources and Additional Reading:
- Class A Wild Trout Streams Explained: What Every Fly Fisher in PA Should Know
- Stocking hatchery trout over wild trout is always a bad idea, By John Arway, Former Executive Director, Pa. Fish & Boat Commission
- Poll - Do You Support The PFBC Stocking Over Class A Streams?
- PFBC Resource First Policy Overview (1981 & 2008)
- Strategic Plan for the Management of Trout Fisheries in Pennsylvania (Trout Plan 2025)
- Special Fishing Regulations; Miscellaneous Special Regulations [55 Pa.B. 6541]
