The Sportsman's Corner

At its recent quarterly meeting, the Board of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission announced changes for the upcoming 2021 trout season. These changes were prompted by the changes necessitated by the COVID-19 virus that dramatically altered things last year.

For a number of years, there have been two trout-season openers: one in 16 southeastern counties and another one two weeks later in the rest of the state. In addition, preceding the regular openers, there were two Mentored Youth Fishing Days.

For 2021 the board decided to consolidate the trout-fishing day for mentored youth and the statewide trout fishing opener into one day for each category. Mentored Youth Fishing Day is scheduled for March 27. All voluntary Youth Fishing Licenses that were issued for the 2020 season will be accepted for the 2021 Mentored Youth Fishing Day, since mentored youth fishing days were cancelled last year.

There will be only one statewide opening day for regular trout season as well. This will occur on April 3, which is two weeks earlier in the Cove than it normally is. Traditional fishing methods and limits will be in effect beginning that day.

These consolidated openers in most places have influenced the decision to begin stocking hatchery-reared trout earlier than usual. Trout stockings are already underway, having begun on Feb. 15, which also means stocked trout waters are closed from Feb. 15 to the statewide opening day. Stocking dates and locations have been available since Feb. 1 on the PFBC website and at the FishBoatPA mobile app.

Unlike last year when no volunteers were permitted to assist with stocking, this year the PFBC is renewing limited volunteer assistance with stocking. This does not include the general public. The volunteers who will be permitted to help stock trout are "recruited from an existing pool of regulars who traditionally assisted with float stocking and bucket carrying, organized through local conservation organizations, schools, and other groups." It is not surprising that these volunteers will be required to wear personal protective gear, including masks and gloves. The volunteers must practice social distancing as well.

Tim Schaeffer, executive director of the PFBC, thanked the "anglers of Pennsylvania for their understanding as [the PFBC and anglers] continue to experience changes together and get [trout fishermen] back on the water in 2021." Schaeffer stressed that the PFBC wanted to "give anglers as much time and information as possible to plan ahead."

These commonsense changes appear to have the safety and enjoyment of trout fishermen in mind. The earlier statewide opener locally will be welcome.