Trout season opens early in PA; Fish and Boat Commission say to practice social distancing

(WJAC) — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has announced the opening of the statewide 2020 trout season.

Officials said the season begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday. The decision was made in consultation with Gov. Tom Wolf's office, the state Department of Health and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

According to a release, the immediate opening of trout season is intended to discourage large gatherings of people that may have occurred on the traditional opening day, April 18. It also allows for properly licensed anglers to fish and harvest trout. Officials say all regulations, sizes and creel limits still apply.

Anglers and boaters must follow the social distancing guidelines put in place by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention and Wolf's stay-at-home order regarding the coronavirus.

“We realize that this announcement is another disruption to tradition, but it is in the best interest of public health and safety,” said Tim Schaeffer, PFBC executive director. “We have already seen that anglers and boaters across the commonwealth are willing to adapt their behavior to include social distancing, and we ask everyone to follow their lead while enjoying outdoor activities during this challenging time. The trout we have been stocking have had time to spread out, and so should you.”

Officials are encouraging anglers and boaters to limit their travel time by fishing close to home. They also encourage anglers and boaters to cover their faces with masks and keep a distance of at least 6 feet between themselves and others.

Anglers and boaters should only go fishing with family members living in the same household and should never share fishing gear with others, according to the release.

The DCNR is encouraging people to fish and conduct other outdoor recreation within 15 minutes of their homes, noting that state park facilities, including restrooms may be closed.

“Outdoor recreational activities, including fishing, lift our spirits and help relieve stress, but they need to be done with attention to social distancing guidelines to help protect ourselves and others, and slow the spread of COVID-19,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “That means practicing physical distancing of six feet, avoiding crowds and staying close to home and being prepared with a mask and hand sanitizer.”

According to the release, PFBC personnel will continue to stock trout throughout the spring, but not all waters have been stocked at this time. Officials say to further discourage group gatherings, a stocking schedule and list of waters that have been stocked will not be provided to the public this season.

As a result of these changes, officials say a Mentored Youth Trout Day will not take place this season. However, the PFBC will honor all Voluntary Youth Fishing Licenses purchased in 2020 for all mentored youth fishing opportunities during the 2021 season, according to the release.

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