Will Winter Storm Stella impact the PA Southeast Trout Season opener?
Will Winter Storm Stella impact PA’s Southeast Trout Season opener?
By Tyler Frantz
Mid-March snowstorms are not beyond the realm of possibility. In fact, some of the heaviest Pennsylvania snowfalls on record have come in the latter half of winter, when all necessary ingredients combine for a wet, powdery blast.

As the drastic change in scenery transpired, the outdoorsman in me begged to ponder the implications this might have on nature and wildlife. Then I got to thinking, “How will this affect the southeast’s early trout season opener?”

A brief glance at the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s trout stocking schedule revealed several revisions from its previously planned stocking dates. Some notable streams listed in red, meaning the schedule was altered, include Dauphin County’s Clark and Mahantango Creeks, Lehigh County’s Jordan Creek, Chester County’s East Branch of Brandywine Creek, and the Manatawny in both Berks and Montgomery Counties.
While most were rescheduled to be stocked prior to the season opener, not all were guaranteed to be stocked in time for the March 25thMentored Youth Trout Fishing Day. Regardless, the fish placed in streams will have less time to acclimate to the water than previously anticipated. But what does that mean for anglers?


At the same time, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether the bite will be impacted by the recharge in streams. Though trout are a coldwater species, they are known to be a little more lethargic in low water temperatures. Fresh snowmelt can cause temps to dip dramatically, momentarily turning off the bite, where as a slower, more gradual melt can bring excess feed into the stream, prompting improved feeding conditions.
The most advisable suggestion would be to closely monitor stream conditions in the days leading up to the openers and plan accordingly to fish safely and wisely, no matter the outcome. Though the weather leading up to trout season often can be unpredictable, we can still count on an abundance of trout in the water, and wherever that occurs, a gathering of anglers are sure to follow suit.
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