The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has prepared a new draft Strategic Plan for Management of Trout Fisheries in Pennsylvania. The updated plan for 2025-2029 was developed based on input from PFBC Commissioners and staff from the bureaus of Fisheries; Hatcheries; Outreach, Education, and Marketing; Law Enforcement; and Administration.
The goal of this strategic plan is to ensure that adequate protection is afforded to Pennsylvania’s wild trout resources, and that fisheries provided through the management of wild trout and stocking of adult and fingerling trout produce high quality angling opportunities across the Commonwealth.
The plan is available for review on the PFBC’s website (Fishandboat.com) and the public is encouraged to provide feedback from October 4 through November 2, 2024. Feedback on the plan may be submitted by email with ‘Trout Plan’ indicated in the subject line.
The Strategic Plan emphasizes a collaborative approach involving various stakeholders to sustainably manage trout fisheries in Pennsylvania, enhancing recreational fishing while protecting aquatic resources for future generations. Regular evaluations will ensure that strategies adapt to emerging challenges and opportunities effectively.
Here’s a comprehensive summary of the Strategic Plan for Management of Trout Fisheries in Pennsylvania 2025-2029, including the 15 topics and 48 specific objectives.
Strategic Plan for Management of Trout Fisheries in Pennsylvania 2025-2029
Overview:
The plan serves as a guideline for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) to manage trout populations, ensuring the protection of wild trout resources while enhancing recreational fishing opportunities.
Key Components:
1.Introduction:
•The plan is the fourth trout management plan, building on previous iterations from 2010-2014, 2015-2017, and 2020-2024.
•It focuses on management goals for wild and stocked trout fisheries across Pennsylvania.
2.Management Framework:
•Pennsylvania is divided into nine fisheries management areas, which include both inland and Lake Erie trout fisheries.
•The state features approximately 86,000 miles of flowing water, with 5,972 known wild trout streams.
3.Key Threats:
•Threats include human development, resource extraction, and climate change.
•A significant number of streams are unassessed, complicating conservation efforts.
15 Topics and 48 Specific Objectives:
1.Evaluation of Pennsylvania’s Cold-Water Resources
•Objective 1.1: Maintain and diversify the Unassessed Waters Initiative.
•Objective 1.2: Evaluate cold-water streams for Class A wild trout populations.
•Objective 1.3: Investigate adding stream sections to the Wilderness Trout Streams program.
•Objective 1.4: Evaluate waters under special regulations to ensure they meet management objectives.
•Objective 1.5: Evaluate regulations to increase protection for wild Brook Trout.
•Objective 1.6: Develop a study to track the status and trends of wild trout populations annually.
•Objective 1.7: Evaluate the efficacy of terminal tackle restrictive regulations.
•Objective 1.8: Assess existing fish stocking data collection procedures.
2.Public Access Improvement
•Objective 2.1: Establish partnerships to improve public access to stocked trout lakes and streams.
•Objective 2.2: Evaluate feasibility to streamline property acquisition for public access.
3.Data Collection on Fish Diseases and Pathogens
•Objective 3.1: Establish a cold-water fish health monitoring program.
•Objective 3.2: Evaluate existing fish health data collection methods.
4.Water Quality, Quantity, and Habitat Protection
•Objective 4.1: Collaborate with DEP to review Chapter 93 Designated Use for trout streams.
•Objective 4.2: Improve relationships to maintain natural flow regimes.
•Objective 4.3: Monitor prevalence of toxic substances in trout streams.
•Objective 4.4: Ensure adequate fish passage at road/stream crossings.
•Objective 4.5: Collaborate with DEP and other stakeholders for regulatory compliance.
5.Habitat and Fish Passage Projects
•Objective 5.1: Implement habitat projects to enhance trout habitats.
•Objective 5.2: Identify and implement fish passage projects to remove barriers.
•Objective 5.3: Characterize changes in habitat quality over time.
•Objective 5.4: Document responses to habitat improvement projects.
6.Angler Use and Economic Data Collection
•Objective 6.1: Conduct statewide angler opinion and economic surveys.
•Objective 6.2: Conduct annual creel surveys on high-use trout streams.
7.Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management
•Objective 7.1: Monitor streams and lakes for AIS.
•Objective 7.2: Support research on the impacts of AIS.
•Objective 7.3: Improve hatchery operations to minimize AIS occurrences.
8.Outreach and Education
•Objective 8.1: Expand marketing and outreach efforts for trout opportunities.
•Objective 8.2: Maximize cold-water resource content on the PFBC website and social media.
9.Optimizing Stocked Trout Production
•Objective 9.1: Improve allocation of stocked trout for angling opportunities.
Objective 9.2: Optimize hatchery operations for trout production.
•Objective 9.3: Evaluate using fingerling trout for establishing fisheries.
•Objective 9.4: Improve efficiency in stocking adult trout.
•Objective 9.5: Investigate the use of triploid trout in the stocking program.
•Objective 9.6: Enhance Cooperative Nursery Program operations.
10.Public Access to Lake Erie
•Objective 10.1: Improve access along Lake Erie’s coastline and tributaries.
11.Fish Passage Projects on Lake Erie Tributaries
•Objective 11.1: Implement projects to remove barriers for steelhead fishing.
•Objective 11.2: Enhance habitat in Lake Erie tributaries.
12.Data Collection for Lake Erie Fisheries
•Objective 12.1: Conduct surveys for steelhead and Brown Trout fisheries.
•Objective 12.2: Conduct annual boat angler surveys on Lake Erie.
13.Optimizing Brown Trout and Steelhead Production
•Objective 13.1: Improve allocation rates for steelhead in tributaries.
•Objective 13.2: Enhance hatchery practices for Brown Trout and steelhead.
•Objective 13.3: Optimize Cooperative Nursery Program stockings.
14.AIS Minimization in Lake Erie
•Objective 14.1: Improve hatchery biosecurity to prevent AIS.
•Objective 14.2: Collaborate with partners to monitor AIS.
•Objective 14.3: Educate stakeholders on AIS risks.
•Objective 14.4: Support research on AIS impacts in Lake Erie.
15.Promoting Lake Erie Fisheries
•Objective 15.1: Expand outreach for Lake Erie’s fisheries.
•Objective 15.2: Maximize Lake Erie salmonid content on PFBC platforms.