Let’s Delay Trout Season
Last winter I outlined the PA Fish and Boat Commission’s serious problems. Declining license sales, no recent fishing license or trout stamp increases, and inflation had them in a budget crunch. On top of that, effluent problems and drought-caused low-water problems at their trout hatcheries (coupled with their budgetary problems) led to a 28 percent cut in the number of trout stocked last spring.
The trout stocking cuts, which appeared to be done in a manner that would irritate the maximum number of anglers, did their job. License sales dropped in 2002. The state legislature wouldn’t even consider a license/trout stamp increase, and the capitol budget included the offer of a loan to the commission, but not the capital improvements grant that they had hoped for.
Eleven months ago the Fish Commission found itself between a rock and a hard place. Guess what? As the calendar is turned to another year, the PFBC’s space between the rock and the hard place has gotten even smaller. And they are on a collision course to spend more money to again raise more trout.
I’m not going to rehash the old issues again (they haven’t changed), but instead offer something positive. I know a way that the Commission can greatly, and I mean greatly, increase stocked trout fishing opportunities and increase angler catch rates and satisfaction, while saving money by stocking the same number or fewer trout.
Delayed Harvest
One of the PFBC’s most popular programs, if not the most popular, is their Delayed Harvest Program. Nearly 80 stream sections are managed under Artificial Lures Only or Fly Fishing Only Delayed Harvest. For those of you unfamiliar with this program, DH waters are open to angling year-round, including March and early April when most stocked streams are closed and everyone is getting the fishing “bug.” Fishing is permitted from Labor Day until the middle of June in DH waters, but only on a catch-and-release basis. On June 15, the catching season begins with a three-trout-per-day creel limit.
At last fall’s Trout Summit, the PFBC showed us their evaluation of differing types of trout waters by applying three “performance measures.” These measures were rankings based on (1) angler trips per acre, (2) angler catch per hour, and (3) angler trips per trout. Outdistancing all others, and ranking number one, was the Delayed Harvest category.
Pennsylvania has been expanding and adding stream sections to their popular Delayed Harvest program each year since its inception. At least two more streams have been added for 2003. However, adding streams under the current process is difficult, slow, and time consuming for commission employees.
How about shaking the apple cart. What if, by vote of the appointed board of fish and boat commissioners, all stocked and wild trout waters currently under “normal” statewide regulations (five trout creel limit) became modified delayed harvest waters?
New for 2004
Imagine how the 2004 season might progress: All stocking remains the same in numbers stocked and time stocked as in 2003. (This could be tweaked later as needed.) The extended trout season closes on “Approved Trout Waters” on midnight February 29. Stocking begins as scheduled on March 1, with no fishing allowed except on the current (2003) list of DH streams.
On Saturday, March 20, all streams reopen under catch-and-release regulations – giving anglers an additional month to fish on streams that would normally be closed at this time of the year.
People continue to fish during those extra four weeks and stocking proceeds as scheduled. Each new stocking, including those by Cooperative Trout Nurseries, would expand stocked trout fishing opportunities and excite early season trout anglers. Catch rates would be high on days with good weather and conducive stream levels. All trout would be recycled, most living to tempt anglers again on following days. Bad weather on a Saturday? No problem – the trout will still be there on Sunday.
The “big day” would normally arrive on Saturday April 17, but why ruin a good thing – catch-and-release regulations continue for another two weeks as many streams receive their second and sometimes third stockings. Anticipation builds, harvest is delayed, and anglers get to fish over those “dense populations of stocked trout” that the PFBC thinks are necessary to sell fishing licenses and trout stamps.
To prevent the shifting of harvest to wild trout streams, those special non-stocked streams would also need to remain no-kill for another two weeks. This step, by the way, would please almost every wild trout angler that I know.
On Saturday, May 1, with some streams carrying more stocked trout than ever, the opening day would be held for the harvest of trout. On the average, stream levels are better on May 1 than in mid-April, and the temperatures are more pleasant for fishing — particularly in the northern mountains. It should certainly be a better day for a family outing and better than having separate southern and northern county opening days – an idea being floated by some PFBC employees.
During these tight budget times, the Commission should also consider lowering the creel limit to two trout per day until June 15. This, another way to delay harvest, will increase angler catch, recycle an expensive and non-renewable resource, and promote recreation rather than harvest.
Plusses and Minuses
On the positive side, I see many things. For starters, over 4000 miles of trout streams and many small lakes would be opened for an extra 28 days of trout fishing. Catch-and-release anglers would be in “trout fishing heaven” and a new population of anglers would be exposed to non-consumptive (less expensive) fishing. There would be an extended period of angling excitement. And all of this could happen with no additional cost or changes to the stocking program.
Potential license/trout stamp buyers would feel that they are getting more for their money, and sales would increase. Happy anglers might translate to a better atmosphere for the PFBC to get their wishes from the state legislature.
I might have my writer’s blinders on, but I see very little on the negative side of the ledger. A debate will surely follow as to whether the new Delayed Harvest season should require flies, flies and lures, or not restrict terminal tackle. Even though I know that artificial lures cause lower mortality, considering young children (future license buyers and environmentalists), I suggest the least restrictive regulations possible. We have All-Tackle Trophy Trout, why not All-Tackle Delayed Harvest? I also see an increased law enforcement responsibility, but that can be handled, too.
What Do You Think?
The Game Commission has taken positive new steps for deer and deer hunters, the Fish and Boat Commission could do the same. After reading this, hopefully you’re contemplating a bold new future for Pennsylvania trout anglers, but just maybe you are wondering about my sanity. I’d like to know either way and I’d be hºappy to publish your comments in a future column.
Mark Nale can be reached at MarkAngler@aol.com
