Mentored youth trout fishing is coming soon
Mentored youth trout fishing is coming soon
By Tyler Frantz
On Saturday, March 26th, Pennsylvania youth anglers and their mentors will at long last be able to cast a line into the stocked trout waters of 18 southeastern PA counties. It’s a great opportunity for youngsters to get out and land some trout before the mad rush of regional opening day, which is set for the following Saturday, April 2nd.
The early regional opener counties include Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York. According to the PA Fish and Boat Commission, more than 28,000 kids signed up to participate in last year’s Mentored Youth Fishing Day, either by purchasing a $1 voluntary youth fishing license or by acquiring a free mentored youth fishing permit.
There is a slight change, however, as many took issue with adults previously being allowed to keep trout during the mentored youth day. Based on angler feedback, only kids will be permitted to keep fish this year. Youth may keep two trout measuring seven inches or more.
“Without a doubt, the mentored youth program has been a huge success, growing each year as we listen to anglers and make changes to improve the experience,” PFBC Executive Director John Arway said. “This year we are refining it again by allowing only kids to keep two trout. Mentors can fish but cannot keep any trout.” “This is a very popular program designed to encourage kids to take adults fishing,” he added. “Mentors can show kids that fishing is fun, and at the same time promote active, outdoor recreation. Adult mentors are encouraged to fish with the children and provide encouragement and tips, but we’re asking them to release their catch to the water unharmed.”
Adult mentors must have a valid fishing license and trout stamp to accompany their mentored youth, and participants can fish in any PFBC stocked trout water in the region. A second Mentored Youth Trout Day for all remaining counties in the state will be held on April 9th, the Saturday before the April 16th statewide opening day of trout season.
To participate in the mentored days, youth anglers under the age of 16 must obtain a free PFBC-issued permit or a voluntary youth fishing license. Both are available at www.GoneFishingPA.com or at any of the more than 900 licensing agents across the state. More than 9,200 voluntary youth fishing licenses were sold last year, and another 18,858 mentored youth permits were issued. For every voluntary youth license sold, the PFBC receives approximately $5 in federal revenue from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Act program, which provides funds to states based on a formula that includes the number of licenses sold by the state. All revenues earned from voluntary youth fishing licenses will be dedicated to youth fishing programs.
Most trout waters have already been stocked, but may have been delayed due to weather, water conditions and scheduling logistics. Also, special regulation areas, like Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only or Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only, are not included in the mentored youth program.
“It’s important for anglers to visit the PFBC Stocking Page (online at www.fishandboat.com) for an updated list so they know exactly what waters are being stocked,” said Brian Wisner, Director of the PFBC Bureau of Hatcheries. “We don’t want mentors and kids inadvertently showing up at waters which have not been stocked.” According to the PFBC, the commission stocks approximately 3.2 million adult trout in more than 700 streams and 120 lakes open to public angling each year. These figures include approximately 2 million rainbow trout, 642,000 brown trout and 522,000 brook trout.
“Trout season is a great cure for cabin fever and an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the Commonwealth’s abundant natural resources,” Arway said.
By early spring, Pennsylvania anglers young and old are sick and tired of waiting all winter to get back out on the water. But a few million trout in waiting might provide just what the doctor ordered.
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