This past Saturday, Rangers Rod & Gun Club in Coplay hosted 35 children and two adults with chronic and terminal illnesses for a Dream Come True program fishing contest at their lake. 

According to Brenda Keyser, Ranger event coordinator, this is the 42nd year Ranger has hosted the Dream Come True fishing contest that was dubbed LEGO FISHING, which means “Let’s Go Fishing,” and is a spinoff from the Lego building block theme.  

The club stocks over $27,000 worth of brook, rainbow, brown and palomino trout in their lake for the contest, and before the lake opens to their members for fishing following the contest. All this is paid for by club membership dues and generous donations from local companies and individuals. And this includes fishing rods, reels, t-shirt, tackle bags, name tags and other gifts.  
Several Ranger members also furnish their own tackle for the Dreamers to use. And at the completion of the contest, club volunteers filet the Dreamers’ catches so they can take them home. The club also provides food and drinks for all. 

And if you’re at all familiar with or have heard about the quality of fish Rangers stocks, they’re all keepers and some real lunkers. 

Dream Come True was founded in 1984 by local businessman Kostos Kalogeropoulos for terminally ill children ages 4-17. Kostos had a dream back then of giving every sick child a chance to forget their struggles and smile.

If my memory serves me correctly, Kalogeropoulos also established a Ronald McDonalds House for children. 

FISH w/a COP FISHING DERBY

Salisbury and Emmaus Police Departments are teaming up to host a Come Fish w/a Cop event on Saturday, April 25, from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. at Furnace Dam, 451 S. 10th Street, Emmaus. Fishing pole sets will be given to the first 40 youths under 18. For more information call Emmaus Police at 610-4347-5252 or Salisbury Police Department at 610-797-1447. 

TROUT STOCKINGS

There has been a change in the trout stocking date for the Lower Jordan Creek as listed in the fish commissions stocking schedule. The stocking has been delayed until April 28 due to low water conditions at which time two stocking trucks from the state hatchery will provide the trout. 
LEHIGH RIVER 2026 TROUT TOURNAMENT

The non-profit Lehigh River Stocking Association is hosting their Lehigh River Trout Tournament that is set for May 2 through June 6, 2026. 

The Lehigh River will be stocked from Northampton to Jim Thorpe for the event, with tagged fish in every section that was stocked. Prizes for tagged fish include fishing trips even to the Salmon River, fishing equipment and merchandise gift cards. Catch and release is encouraged and if catching a tagged fish, merely pull or snip off the tag which can be found near the dorsal fin. 
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There’s an entry fee of $20 and anglers can sign up online at www.lrsa.org. 

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​By the time you read this, Pennsylvania’s in-season trout season got underway. The following are the streams that have recently been stocked or are about to be stocked in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Selected sections of a stream may by stocked on one date, while other adjoining sections will be stocked on another date. The best bet is to check the stocking schedule on the Fish and Boat Commission’s website (Fishandboat.com) to identify the section. 

For Lehigh County, the following streams are stocked or will be with the species listed:

4-10: Little Lehigh (Rainbow, Golden); Swabia Creek (Brown, Rainbow, Golden)
4-11: Jordan Creek3 (Brown, Rainbow, Golden)
4-13: Little Lehigh (Brown, Rainbow, Golden)
4-14: Coplay Creek2 (Rainbow)
4-15: Jordan Creek3 (Brown, Rainbow, Golden); Switzer Creek (Brown, Rainbow, Golden)
4-17: Jordan Creek6 (Brown, Rainbow, Golden)
4-21: Ontelaunee Creek2,4 (Brown, Rainbow)
4-22: Cedar Creek3 (Rainbow); Little Lehigh (Rainbow); Swabia Creek (Brown, Rainbow, Golden)
4-28: Jordan Creek6 (Brown, Rainbow, Golden)
4-29: Coplay Creek2 (Rainbow); Trout Creek2 (Rainbow)
4-30: Jordan Creek4 (Brown, Rainbow, Golden)

In Northampton County: 

4-9: Hokendauqua Creek2,4,5 (Brown, Rainbow, Golden
4-13: Martins Creek (Rainbow); Indian Creek (Rainbow, Golden); Monocacy Creek3 (Rainbow);   Saucon Creek (Rainbow)
4-15: Lehigh Canal (Rainbow, Golden)
4-16: Jacoby Creek2 (Brown, Rainbow, Golden); Martins Creek (Rainbow)
4-20: Bushkill Creek2,5,7 (Brown, Rainbow, Golden); Little Bushkill2 (Brown, Rainbow)
4-24: Hokendauqua Creek (Brown, Rainbow, Golden)
4-25: Minsi Lake (Rainbow, Golden)
4-27: Bushkill5 (Brown, Brook, Rainbow)
After these, some of the streams will be scheduled for fall stockings beginning in October.

WHITEHALL’S ANNUAL YOUTH FISHING DERBY
Whitehall Township is hosting their 40th annual Youth Trout Fishing Derby on the Coplay Creek May 30, 2026 at Hokendauqua Park on Lehigh Street. 

The event is a community program for children 15 years of age and under. Over the years, it often has more than 100 participants. Prizes will be awarded in four age groups for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place with an overall prize for the youth that catches the largest fish. 

For registration information, call Michele Dragovits at the Whitehall Township Municipal Building at 610-437-5524 ext. 1165. 

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There’s an old fishermen’s theory that when the yellow forsythia bloom, shad start their migration up the Delaware River. 

Well that must be true as reports from the Delaware River Shad Fishermen’s website is showing numerous catches of buck and roe shad begin caught from the Philadelphia stretch, through Easton on up to Sandt’s Eddy.
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The latest reports were that shad were being caught from above the Delaware Water Gap (approx.. river mile 210) down to Yardley (approx. river mile 138) or at least 72 miles of river so far. Shad were also caught at Yardley. One angler reported catching 18 in one day and kept two roe. Another angler caught 16 for 20 in five hours on Good Friday, but left the river in the afternoon because the debris floating down became heavier than it was in the morning. 

Also on Friday morning, Chuck Gainey managed to land 26 of 34 on pink/white Shadillac Fishing Lures both flutterspoons and Shad Raps. 

Angler Sam Malespina reported there are a few stripers coming up the river, which is a bit early in the season. 

Last Thursday, Shawn Richard reported plenty of shad in the river as he fished for 4-5 hours and went 45 for 54 with a couple of triples and some doubles with all under 3.5 pounds and there was no lull in the action. 

From these early reports, shad are preferring the traditional flutterspoons, Shad Raps and original shad darts in white or pink. And don’t forget about the Delaware River Shad Fishing Tournament scheduled for April 17 and 18 with an entry charge of $25 and $18 for anglers under 18. To register go to www.osoutdoorsnj.com or call 609-227-8142.

If the mention of stripers got your interest, On the Water Magazine offers the following New Jersey tackle shop reports:

Capt. Phil Sciortino at the Tackle Box in Hazlet, says stripers are starting to spread out along the Bayshore and hitting bloodworms and plugs. 

Mike Pinto at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright, reports that he hasn’t received many striper catches, but to entice them, bunker have arrived in Raritan Bay - stripers favorite bait. 
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Mike Gleason at Tak Waterman in Long Branch, said the striper bite is still a bit of a pick in the Raritan River, but more anglers are going out for them so more catch reports should be forthcoming. 

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The 2025-26 deer harvest numbers are in and the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) reports they reflect a harvest of about six percent more deer over the 2024-25 seasons. 

According to the PGC, the statewide deer harvest was estimated at 505,600 deer (185,310 antlered and 320,290 antlerless).  In comparison, the statewide 2024-25 harvest was estimated at 475,880 deer. And notably, the 2025-26 antlered deer harvest was up about nine percent over the most three-year average, and the antlerless harvest was about 17 percent higher. 

The objective in most of the state’s 22 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), was to reduce deer numbers, either because deer were negatively impacting forest health, Chronic Wasting Disease and increasing the harvest might slow the spread, or both, explains the PGC. 

To help meet those harvest numbers and expand hunter opportunity, the PGC offered additional antlerless licenses last season. 

These harvest numbers, says the PGC, are calculated using antlered and antlerless harvest reports submitted by hunters in combination with data from deer checked at processors across the state. Last season, hunters reported more than 150,000 deer – the most often using the online reporting form while the Game Commission personnel checked more than 25,000 deer at processors.

Statewide, about 29 percent of deer hunters harvested an antlered deer. That’s the highest success rate since at least 2007. 

Interestingly, most of the bucks harvested were older ones. Two of every three were at least 2.5 years old. And hunters turned about 25 percent of antlered tags into harvested deer. That’s consistent with past seasons as is the fact about 70 percent of those deer were adult females. 

Archers took an estimated 182,190 deer of which 94,290 were antlered and 87,900 were antlerless. Muzzleloader hunters got 24,180 deer of which 1,040 were antlered and 23,140 antlerless. Understandably, the firearms seasons account for the majority of the harvest in most WMUs. Archery harvests make up the majority in more-developed WMUs such as WMUs, 2B, 5C and 5D where the use of firearms might be more restricted. 

For the most local WMUs in our area of the Lehigh Valley where many hunters hunt, the following are estimated harvest numbers with 2024-25 seasons in parentheses for comparison, with antlered represented by “A” and antlerless by “AL” abbreviations.  

*WMU 3D: 6,000 (5,600) A; 9,600 (7,700) AL
*WMU 4C: 9,400 (8,000) A; 13,900 (12,000) AL
*WMU 5C: 8,100 (7,700) A; 18,000 (17,000) AL

For the archery and muzzleloader seasons, they are as follows:
*WMU 3D: archery, 2,780 (2,570) A; 2,680 (2,260) AL; muzzleloader, 20 (30) A; 620 (340) AL
*WMU 4C: archery, 4,850 (3,960) A; 3,690 (3,770) AL; muzzleloader, 50 (40) A; 910 (530) AL
*WMU 5C: archery, 5,850 (5,520) A; 8,690 (8,330) AL; muzzleloader, 50 (90) A; 610 (370) AL
There were also unknown WMU harvests of archery, 130 (150) A; 30 (50) AL; muzzleloader, 0 (0) A; 10 (20) AL.

The increase is harvest numbers could be because of smarter hunting, or our deer population is exploding in more residential communities. 

March 28 marks the special day for youths under 16 years of age to fish for trout before the statewide trout opener April 4 when the  streams will be crowded. All that is needed is a Mentored Youth Permit or a Voluntary Youth Fishing License that can be obtained from most any tackle shops or the fish commission’s website. The Mentored Youth Permit is free but the Voluntary Youth License is $2.97.
Youths must be accompanied by a licensed adult with trout permit and youths may catch two trout seven inches or longer. 

HOUSE BILL PROTECTS HUNTERS/ANGLERS
Our U.S. Government has finally done something good for anglers and  hunters. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearm industry trade association, they applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for the bipartisan approval of the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, H.R. 556. This crucial legislation would ensure our nation's number one resource of conservation funding remains in place and that hunters, recreational shooters and anglers throughout the nation can continue to enjoy America's hunting and shooting sporting heritage.

"This important bipartisan legislation will protect the primary funding for wildlife conservation in America," said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. "Firearm and ammunition manufacturers and importers are responsible for over $31 billion of conservation funding apportioned to the states - when adjusted for inflation - since 1937, and that has been the leading funding source of wildlife and habitat conservation in America. 

Efforts by bureaucrats to limit or eliminate the use of traditional lead ammunition and fishing tackle puts those conservation funds at serious risk by increasing costs and creating barriers to participation in outdoor recreation. The bipartisan passage of the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act by the House of Representatives is a significant step to protecting wildlife conservation and preserving access to our public lands."

This NSSF-supported legislation would require the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to provide site-specific peer-reviewed scientific data that demonstrates traditional lead ammunition or fishing tackle is causing detrimental wildlife population impacts before prohibiting their use by hunters and anglers.
NSSF denounced the previous administration's  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service final rule published in 2023 that offered sportsmen and women a  “bait-and-switch”  deal to open hunting and fishing opportunities on National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs), but banned the use of traditional lead ammunition and fishing tackle. The rule offered no scientific evidence of detrimental population impacts to justify banning the use of traditional ammunition, despite promises by the Biden administration to "follow the science."
Requiring the use of alternative ammunition would put a significant cost barrier to participation in hunting and fishing on public lands. Alternative ammunition (i.e. steel) is, on average, 25 percent more expensive than traditional lead ammunition and less available in the market. That barrier would “price out” many hunters and anglers and decrease the excise tax funding paid by firearm and ammunition manufacturers and importers they support.  
Firearm and ammunition manufacturers and importers pay an excise tax of 11 percent on long guns and ammunition and 10 percent on handguns into the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund, commonly referred to as the "Pittman-Robertson excise tax." The firearm and ammunition industry was directly responsible for over $804 million Pittman-Robertson taxes of the nearly $1.3 billion apportioned to the states through the USFWS for state conservation and education programs in 2026 alone.

Spring is coming and so are the babies. Wildlife babies that is. And you may be seeing newborn in your yard or in your travels. 

And the list of newborns or soon to be born is extensive. For example, in two weeks the first skunks will be born. And in four weeks before that happens, the smell in your neighborhood may be prevalent, especially if you’ve been smelling skunk every night. Male skunks can travel up to five miles looking for females. When females are not impressed with their suitors, they spray them. Once mating occurs, females seek dens which could be under decks, sheds, foundations and other places from Feb. 15-28. Then from March 15-30, the first litters are born (they average 5-6 kits). In April, the babies venture outside for the first time. 

Other species during these pre-spring times are squirrels that are typically born in late winter through early spring (Jan.-Mar.) 

Cottontail rabbit babies are being born now and shortly raccoons will be born from early spring from March through May. The latter are often caught up in early grass mowing season when high grass hides their presence and are unseen by a homeowner cutting grass and they accidently hit. 

Tiny baby opossums are born early in the year and crawl into mon’s pouch. They later ride on her back as they grow.

Red fox kits typically arrive in late winter to early spring. Some folks are already posting photos on social media of fox babies in their yards. A fox nemesis, the coyote, will have pups usually arriving in spring following winter breeding. 

As for our avian species, bald eagles have eggs in their nests while red-tailed hawks have early nesting underway. 
Coming soon, barred and screech owls hatching ramps up in early spring. And American robins begin nest building and egg-laying that usually begins in mid-spring. I had my first sighting of four robins last week on a lawn in Bethlehem adjacent to Route 22. And the pretty Eastern bluebirds will also arrive and being nesting as temperatures stabilize. 

According to wildlife rehab centers, timing shifts with climate and local weather, but in many places, baby season isn’t approaching, it’s already underway. Keep your eyes peeled for these newborns. 

PRE-SEASON TROUT STOCKING
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Scheduled pre-season trout stocking was delayed somewhat by heavy snows and frozen creeks. But last week the fish commission and volunteers managed to stock Maiden Creek, Pine Creek, Ontelaunee Creek, Kercher Creek, Switzer Creek, the Little Lehigh from Bogarts Bridge to the Martin Luther King Drive section. Forthcoming this week are the Jordan and Coplay creeks. 
 

Barring another major snowstorm, you may consider driving out to the Harrisburg Farm Show Complex this week for this year’s Great American Outdoor show hosted by the NRA. 

Billed as the largest outdoor show in the country, it kicked off this past Saturday (Feb. 7) and runs until Friday, Feb 15. It will feature over 1,000 exhibitors ranging from shooting manufacturers to outfitters, fishing gear, archery equipment, boats, RVs, trucks, taxidermy exhibits, deer skinning/butchering demonstrations, outdoor art, celebrities and country singers. 

There will be nine halls of the latest firearms, archery equipment that can be tried, tree stands, hunting blinds, air guns and lots more. 

This year will bring over 400 outfitters and boat captains from around the world to book hunting/fishing trips plus several fishing and hunting seminars and cooking demonstrations of wild game. 

On the competition area, there’s the Pennsylvania Lumberjack Championships, Elk Calling Championships, 3D Bowhunter Challenge, Spot Shooting, Hawg Tank for live fishing demonstrations, Dock Dog Competitions, and for the youngsters, there’s the Eddie Eagle Zone with interesting activities for the kids, Rock Climbing, live trout fishing, kids casting and face painting. 

Back again is the Wall of Guns, a large showcase that features the latest in firearms for which showgoers can purchase chances for the firearms when they’re auctioned during the last day of the show. 

Show tickets can be bought at the show or online at www.gaos@nrahq.or. For added show information and show times call 800-672-4868. 

Ticket prices are Adults ($17); 2-Day ticket ($28); Children 6-12 ($10); Seniors 65 and over $14). 
The Farm Show Complex is located at 2300 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, 17110.

WINTER PHEASANT STOCKING

For the second year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission will be releasing approximately 8,400 pheasants, mostly hens, in the last two weeks of the pheasant hunting season, which runs through Feb. 28.

The releases are planned to occur over a two-day window on Wed., Feb. 11 and Thursday, Fe. 12 at selected locations in each of the PGCs six regions. However, hunters should be aware that weather and logistical issues could result in last-minute changes to the planned schedule. 

Here in the Southeast Region only SGL 280 at Blue March Lake (Berks Co) will be stocked. Up state in the Northeast Region the following will get birds: SGL’s 36, 123, 219, 250 and 289 (Bradford Co.); SGL 40 and Beltzville area (Carbon Co.); SGLs 226 and 329 (Columbia Co.); SGL 187 and Nescopeck State Park (Luzerne Co.); SGLs 84 and 165 (Northumberland Co.).

The PGC says that none of the pheasants released will be leg-banded, however hunters might harvest a banded bird that was released earlier in the season. 
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These hens are being released as an insurance policy of sorts against any disease issues that might arise in the suppliers primary breeder flocks. With flocks presently healthy, it’s not feasible to hold onto these “backup” birds that were held to provide late-winter hunting opportunities, notes the PGC. 

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​The Pennsylvania Game Commission is once again asking the public to help them find will turkey flocks for their ongoing research. 

While no turkeys will be fitted with transmitters this winter, their research project that were tracking turkeys to get an in-depth look into their survival, productivity and movement came to an end, males will continue to be banded in the winter to monitor harvest rates, says the PGC. 
They go on to explain that finding birds to trap is key to accomplishing the work and that’s where the public’s help comes in. And the PGC learned that many Pennsylvanians have a history of helping in this way.

Reina Tyl, the Game Commission’s wild turkey biologist, said participation in Winter Turkey Sighting Survey has been extremely useful for locating trappable flocks over the past four winters. 

“The public has been so helpful. Some landowners who reported flocks on their property have also helped with monitoring flock activity and have participated in trapping,” Tyl said. “We look forward to continuing this collaboration this winter.” 

Volunteers for the Wild Turkey Sighting Survey are asked to provide the date of the sighting, the location and the type of land (public, private or unknown) where birds are seen. Sightings may be reported online through https://pgcforms.pa.gov/TurkeySightingSurvey or by calling 1-833-742-9453 from now through March 15. And with snow on the ground, turkeys should be easier to spot. 

Game Commission crews will access sites for the potential to trap turkeys. Just like the last six winters, the Game Commission will put leg bands on male turkeys statewide. Turkeys will not be moved, they’ll simply be leg-banded and released on site. Trapping turkeys during winter is part of the PGC’s ongoing population monitoring of this majestic bird. 

If hunters doing any late season snow goose, squirrel, rabbit, pheasant or coyote hunting, and come across a dead turkey, they are asked to report it and if a banded turkey the band number online or the above phone number. 

SPRING TROUT STOCKING

For avid trout anglers, and weather permitting, the Pennsylvania Fish Commission will start their first local trout stocking Feb. 17. Anglers should check the commission’s website for locations if you’re interested in helping the stocking program. 
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Despite the last weeks warming temperatures and rain, ice fishing is still ongoing. And the rain and warmth didn’t affect ice conditions that much especially up north in the Pocono area according to Chris from Chris’s Bait & Tackle in Mertztown. 

Chris said Leaser Leaser Lake has 4-6 inches of good ice except near the dam where’s there’s open water. At Ontelaunee Reservoir, it has 4-6 inches of ice and most anglers are buying and using minnows, shiners and waxworms there. In fact, Chris said he’s sold over 15,000 waxworms since the season started. Also in Berks County, Chris said Antietam Lake has some ice. 

Up at Shohola Lake in the Poconos, there’s a good 7.5 inches while Francs Slocum has 6 inches and fishing good for bluegills and crappie on Gulp 2-inch minnows.  

Brady’s Lake has 7-8 inches while Mauch Chunk Lake had 7 inches but there was lots of open water there but launch No. 8 had decent ice. Upper Woods Lake had 7 inches. And lastly, Lackawanna State Park Lake had 8 inches with a few sizable largemouths and decent size perch hitting tip-ups. 

So the ice bite is still on and should get better in upcoming days when the weather cools. 
If you consider yourself a pretty good ice angler, you may want to ply your knowledge at Nanticoke Conservation Club’s 29th Annual Ice Fishing Derby at Francis Slocum State Park Lake. The derby is set for Saturday, Feb, 7 running from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Pre-registration can be done by emailing “nanticokeconservationclub@msn.com.” Provide your name and phone number for each person attending and please provide the age of anyone 15 and younger. 

Cash prizes for the heaviest fish are in the following categories:

Bass (15-inch minimum), perch, crappie, bluegill, pickerel and trout. A special prize for the heaviest fish of any the categories caught by anyone 15 and younger. Cash prizes are based on the number of participants. 

Weigh-in begins at 12:30 p.m. and failure to be at the weigh-in by 1 p.m. results in disqualification. 

Some of the prizes include 1st prize; a Ruger 10/22 semi-auto .22LR w/10 round rotary magazine and walnut stock; 2nd; Members Mark 4 Burner Griddle; 3rd; Walker’s Razor Xtreme Electronic Earmuff; 4th; 2-pack Muddy10,000 mAh Electronic Handwarmer/Powerbank; 5th; Humminbird ICE-45 Flasher; 6th; Cabela’s Pursuit Ground Blind and Chair, 7th: Frabill Universal Bait Station Cooler w/Aerator; 8th, Clam Drill Plate Pro; 9th, Outdoor Edge 6-pc Pro Game processing knife set; 10; NEBO LED Flashlight /Lantern/Headlamp Set and more. 
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Derby entry costs for adults (16 and older), $10, Junior (10-15 years old), $5, Children 9 and younger are Free.