Flooding conditions may make Saturday's trout season opener a trying one on local streams

Saturday’s statewide trout season opener appears will be a high, muddy water one. As such, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission put out a press release that reads as follows. 

Due to recent rain across Pennsylvania, many waterways may be higher than normal on opening day of trout season.  Anglers should keep safety in mind and adjust their fishing plans, as necessary.  While most waters have already been stocked with trout, due to conditions, some stockings scheduled for this week have been postponed.  In advance of their fishing adventure, anglers should reference the Trout Stocking Schedule on the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com), to make sure the water they plan to visit has been stocked with trout.   

Wading and boating should be avoided if waters are running high and muddy and the streambed is not visible. If stream conditions are not favorable, consider fishing at a lake.

 What Happens to Trout in High Water?

Fish survive high water and flood conditions by seeking out refuge areas within streams.  During periods of high water, fish move towards the banks to find calmer water and lower velocities.  Fish avoid the fast-moving surface and hold behind rocks and submerged woody debris to find calmer current breaks and may rest on the stream bed.  Fish may move into smaller tributaries during periods of high water and return to the larger waters when flows recede.  
 
A high-water event may cause trout to move, but they don't suddenly get washed downstream.  Fish may move either downstream or upstream in search of a refuge area.  High flows can help to distribute trout that have been recently stocked; however, studies show that most stocked trout will remain in place if they are close to adequate habitat or a large pool that provides depth and cover. 
 
A long period of muddy water can irritate fish gills and make foraging more difficult.  However, anglers should continue to fish on their favorite stream as flows recede and the water clears.  Hatchery trout are not as adept at finding food as wild trout, and fishing can be very good when the fish begin actively feeding again.

With some added rain Thursday night, it may take streams like the Little Lehigh, Coplay, Cedar and Trout creeks until Monday of next week to recede and clear according to a volunteer who helps stock local streams.  The Jordan Creek may take longer as it goes through a lot of farm lands. So the best bet for Saturday’s opener may be Leaser Lake.