The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has posted the 2006 stocking schedule on its web site. To make the list simple to use, stocking information is broken down by county. Within each county, stream sections and lakes to be stocked are listed alphabetically and the entire year’s worth of trout stocking dates is shown for each. Previously, separate lists were developed for stockings that took place prior to the start of the season and those that took place later in spring, fall and winter. Also included on the list are descriptions of the stream section to be stocked and the type of trout being released.

Stockings will start March 1 and as in previous years, will be spread throughout the spring, fall and winter months.

In 2006, the Commission is once again providing information on the exact day “in-season” stockings are taking place. For many years, those dates were not published. For stockings prior to the April 15, 2006, trout season opener, an estimated time and meeting location for the stocking truck are provided for those who want to assist with a stocking or simply observe.

“Over the last four years, the Commission has been making a concerted effort to improve the attractiveness of trout fishing programs for anglers. Streamlining the stocking schedule and producing the entire listing earlier in the year is a part of that effort,” said PFBC Executive Director Doug Austen.

This year, the Commission will stock about 2 million pounds of trout; the average size trout in the Commission stocking program is around 0.44 pounds. These figures have been the norm for the last several years. The plan for next year is again to produce some 2 million pounds, however the average size trout be nearly 2/3 of a pound – a 30% increase. A breakdown of those totals for each stocking on the list is not part of the consolidated listing. The Commission has historically not published that level of detail for the stockings that occur during the season, though it has in the past for stockings prior to opening day. The new format provides consistency in approach.

“Every water the Commission stocks offers a quality trout fishing experience – as do many other waters, such as ones that are managed specifically for naturally reproducing trout populations. Stocking numbers tell only one small part of the story, yet can cause anglers to jump to incorrect conclusions, such as one water is ‘better’ than another based simply of the total numbers of trout listed,” Austen said.

The Commission uses a complex formula to ensure that like waters across the Commonwealth are all stocked in a uniform manner. A number of elements go into determining a stocking rate, including the size of the waterway, the amount of public access to the water, proximity to a population center, the presence of self-sustaining trout populations, and other factors. A medium-size stream that’s in public ownership may be getting a much heavier stocking rate than a wide, hard-to-reach rural stream. However, depending on the overall length of the section to be stocked, the total number of fish being released may appear to be higher in the latter.

Numeric listings are also confusing in the many cases where a stream crosses two or more counties. For example, the 2005 listing for Section 3 of Carbaugh Run in Franklin County indicated that 400 brook trout were being stocked prior to Opening Day. Because Section 3 of Carbaugh Run also extends into neighboring Adams County, an identical listing is posted there. In such instances, anglers are often unsure if the figures for each county should be totaled or treated as a duplicate listing.