If you love trout fishing, there was a sure sign of spring today, as annual trout stocking operations got underway ahead of Pennsylvania’s spring trout season!  Opossum Lake in Cumberland County received the first stocking of the year, which included cutting a hole into the ice with a chainsaw.  This year, the Fish and Boat Commission, with the help of volunteers, will stock 3.2 million trout into 684 streams and 130 lakes.  Trout stocking occurs in all 67 counties.

The most common species being stocked is Rainbow Trout, but anglers will also have the chance to catch Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and golden Rainbow Trout. 

All waters managed as Stocked Trout Waters are now closed until 8 a.m. on the Opening Day of Trout Season on Saturday, April 4, with the exception of Mentored Youth Trout Day on Saturday, March 28^th. 

For the 2026 trout stocking schedule, regulations, and more information on trout fishing, visit Fishandboat.com.

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SOUND BITES:

Tim Schaeffer, PFBC Executive Director:

“Here we are, right? You can’t believe the day is here already. Our staff has been working all year long to produce 3.2 million trout that we’ll stock statewide across the Commonwealth. That will be complemented with another million trout from our network of cooperative nurseries. The fish are beautiful and they’re ready to go in the water.”

“So, really, this is a preview of coming attractions, if you will. Opening day of trout season is April 4^th statewide. We open trout season a week early for kids and their adult mentors on March 28^th, but the fish have got to get in the water, and that’s what we’re starting to do today.”

“We have wonderful wild trout streams all across the Commonwealth, particularly in the northern tier, but we would not have trout fishing here in Cumberland County in a lot of the streams that we do, and certainly here in Opossum Lake, without our hatchery system.”

“Our state fish hatcheries produce trout that average over 11 inches long, and a lot are a lot bigger than that. Most of the trout that we stock are Rainbow Trout. They do really well in the waters, they do really well in the hatcheries. We also stock Brown Trout, some Brook Trout, and then the golden Rainbows.”

“So, the process was a little different this morning. Statewide, we have a lot of ice that’s still on the water. So, we had to get a chainsaw, if you can believe that.  Cut a hole through the ice with a chainsaw, we dipped a net of fish into the ice to make sure they were going to be okay. Our Waterways Conservation Officers always join us for the stockings to make sure the temperatures are what they need to be, and they were safe for the fish. And then we loaded… this is something special that we do at lakes, we’ll tube them in. It’s just a much more efficient way of getting them in the water. And frankly, they’ll have a month to spread out, so come opening day at Opossum Lake, they’ll be all throughout the lake.

“So, between now and opening day, our Stocked Trout Waters will be closed to fishing. There are select places where you can get out and fish for trout on a catch and release basis. Check out our website, Fishandboat.com for a list of those waters, and don’t forget, we’ve got great wild trout waters all across Pennsylvania that provide year-round enjoyment.”

EXTRA SOUND BITE ABOUT ICE SAFETY:

“Yeah, so the ice depths are incredibly variable. Right where we cut through the ice to put the trout in the water was ten inches, but a few feet away, you could see water poking through, right? So, please be careful. We tell anglers if the ice looks unsafe, it is unsafe.”

Dustan Luzier, Waterways Conservation Officer:

“Yeah, I think people just like to come out and see how the whole process works with stocking fish, how big the fish are going to be, and where we’re putting them at.  People get really excited to see the whole process from start to finish.”

“Yeah, so if you come out and help us stock, it gives you a good opportunity to see where we’re stocking fish at, where you can access for public fishing opportunities. And then get ready for Opening Dya and the season and get out there and catch some fish.”

Tim Grenoble, Volunteer, Carlisle, Pa:

“It’s just good to come out and meet the guys from the Fish Commission and some of the people from the public that come out and are interested in what’s happening here and just get out.  It’s a beautiful day.  And to see the results of the hard work from the guys at the hatchery. They’re putting them in the water for people to take out and enjoy. And it’s all just a good situation all the way around.”

“They cut a hole in the ice with a chainsaw, and the larger fish they hand dip in with a net.  And the smaller ones they run in with a pipe.”

Photos Courtesy PFBC:  Link to Gallery

PFBC Executive Director Tim Schaeffer carries a net full of Rainbow and golden Rainbow Trout at Opossum Lake, Cumberland County.

PFBC Executive Director Tim Schaeffer stocks a net full of Rainbow and golden Rainbow Trout through a hole in the ice at Opossum Lake, Cumberland County.

Waterways Conservation Officer Dustan Luzier holds a trophy golden Rainbow Trout prior to stocking at Opossum Lake, Cumberland County.

Waterways Conservation Officer Dustan Luzier stocks Rainbow and golden Rainbow Trout through a hole in the ice at Opossum Lake, Cumberland County.