Defending the Stockies

[Byron/PA]

Oh, those poor trout get no respect at all , and why should they. Silly stocked fish that are as smart as.................... ...well, a walleye.

I know I'm going to get the snot beat out of me, but I'm used to that.

So, I'll start by saying that I am not a big fan of stocked trout, nor much of a trout fisherman, and I'm certainly smart enough to know they taste like flounder :pinch:uhhgggg.

But, I also enjoy catching any fish. Really, there have been days when a 10 inch sucker coming through the hole would have looked good, and there are times and places where a stocked trout helps fill that void.

Many misinformed anglers like to complain that the PFBC spends to much time (and $$) stocking trout, and for those of you that can't figure this out on your own, I'll point out that in 2008 the PFBC stocked over 3 million trout in PA. I will also point out that they stocked over 49 million warmwater species such as bluegills, perch, catfish, walleye, etc. Uhhhhh, so that means they stocked 45 million more warmwater species than trout .

I'll go a step further and point out that unless you are VERY old, you have probally never caught a native fish in PA, other than  brook trout or a few other species. Any perch, walleye,bass, muskie,pike,crappie, etc that you have caught is almost surely a descendant of a stocked fish. Afterall, we wiped out most of the native fish.

Of course, I understand that for many of you, the whole trout debate is simply an excuse to complain about the PFBC, I presume this is because you have no idea how much work they do with their limited budget, maybe you could research that.

I know I'm going to get the snot beat out of me, but I'm used to that 8).

I also have to wonder, how many of you that like to complain about the trout program have taken 5 minutes of your time and spent money on a stamp to write the PFBC and let them know how you feel? My guess is less than 1%, so much easier to complain than to act, the address is:
PFBC Headquarters
Attn: Douglas Austen
1601 Elmerton Ave
Harrisburg PA 17106

I know I'm preaching to deaf ears, heck most of you still think the trickle down theory will work.

So, I say hail the lowly stocked trout. The fish that is dumped by the bucketfulls into roadside ditchs where a child, or a senior, might catch their first fish and be hooked for life. The fish that might survive for three months to grow beautiful colors and pink meat, only to outsmart you and die due to the water conditions that we are mostly to blame for.

And yes the fish that sells licenses, which allows the PFBC to restock my favorite trout lake (cowans gap) with bass, bluegills and crappies

[GrnDay33]

Great post Byron, I agree that most people will complain about the PFBC but will do nothing else, I love to catch fish as well, Any kind of fish. I hope that the Fish comission will continue to stock and get others involved in fishing. My letter will be in the mail tomorrow.

[Ski Hunter]

I love stocked trout...they make great bait for big eyes, pike and muskies 

[Snapper]

I agree with Hunter, cool post.  But why the rant?

Snapper

[scansy]

I'm OK with stockies where there is no longer (or never was) a native population that is self sustaining.  I also think the PFBC does a pretty good job overall.  Same for the PGC for that matter.

[john t.]

I like catchin them. but i don't eat them i release them back in the creek.

[caddy084]

Really well put Byron, I do buy a trout stamp every year and the last time I ate a trout was.........I don't know maybe 10 years or so, really never cared for the taste. I do think the PFBC do a fine job with the resources they have. I donate to the Trout fund each year because the kids I see fishing for them sure do seem to enjoy catching them. Also lets not forget besides the 49 million warmwater species that the PFBC stock each year, all of the work they do for the habitat of those fish so ""Let's think about those kids man", oh ya' and like Ski Hunter said they do make for some great Muskie bait.....  

[beerduck]

 cant let it up to any commision it is upon us anglers to limit. look at the deer, great post byron

[stormtrooper]

cant let it up to any commision it is upon us anglers to limit. look at the deer, great post byron

Not tryin' to hijack, but what is the matter with the deer. We got plenty of deer for the amount of habitat they can live in. But one per season is enough for me. Many of the guys I here complaining about not enough deer also tell me they shoot 3 or 4 a year.I have no problem shooting a deer each year.With all the early seasons, I don't understand why I see all these cars over at French creek state park still chasing deer around.Unless they truely love deer hunting that much or have nothing better to do, why not shoot one early when the weather is nice and they are easy. When a doe is killed this time of she is likely to be pregnant.That's two or three deer dead.

[FISHHUNTER80]

YA, STOCKIES ARE MEANT FOR THE KIDS. I TAKE A COUPLE ICE FISHING TRIPS EVERY YEAR WITH THE KIDS TO HARBOR ACRES LAKE. MY GIRLS ARE 10 AND 11 AND THEY STARTED HITTING THE ICE AT 6. WE CAN CATCH A LOT OF TROUT IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEY BUILD SKILL IN HANDLING THE RODS AND BAITING HOOKS. THE BEST THING IS THEY DON'T GET BORED WAITING FOR FISH. 

[dkfry]

I wish the 49 million warm water species stocked were the size of the trout they stock into warm water streams and lakes.  Most of the warm water species are fingerling size at best.

A similar thought came to mind when I read Byrons post. You can buy a lot more 2"-3" panfish than 9" or so trout. I don't have a problem with the trout, I do have a problem with closing lakes down completely during certain dates to suit stocking however.


If the PFBC needs to stock that many fish (other than trout) on a regular basis to try to keep the population up it just seems to me there is something wrong there. Possibly with the creel limits, the fishes ability to reproduce, the lake and etc.

[dkfry]

By stocking trout in the streams they are trying to please the once a year fisherman so they buy a license. They should not be putting in stocked trout where there are native trout present. If they want to stock trout in a stream with natives they should be native trout spawned from eggs collected from local native trout. There are a lot of streams that have very good populations of native trout. Fishing for natives is something I always enjoyed and every one I caught quickly went back in the stream.

I have noticed that the PFBC seems to want to turn warmwater fisheries into coldwater fisheries, why I don't know.

[Tendril77]

I say that let the "out of state" fishermen/women buy the license and fish for the stocked trout. I will go for the bull gills and crappies the they overlook. I personally prefer them over trout. Now, smoked trout is a different story

[geothefisher]

I buy a trout stamp every year.  I don't eat them, but my mother does.  I rarely ever go fishing for trout and have probably caught more by mistake than I ever have on purpose. LOL!

[salmonrebel]

I have a feeling, that this post was brought up in response to "the stockie report" thread, among other people's responses to this subject elsewhere.
First off, everyone has their right to their own opinion.
I first started the "stockie report" as a joke thread, for some entertainment.
There are always going to be mixed views on anything. I for one, grew up enjoying catching these things as a kid and had alot of
fond memories over the years catching PA trout. And yes, this has been the PFBC's bread and butter for years. The greatest thing about the stocked trout, is the opportunity for the children. Saying that, I have seen a tremendous change into what is stocked anymore into most of my area's waterways.
The last few years, the PFBC has been going with the saying that...."They're bigger this year!"....And they might be right, because they stress that it's the average size they are talkin' about. Ever since the PFBC has came out and said this, I've seen alot less brood fish stocked. I also haven't caught or seen many large fish caught by other people like I used to. Unless I go to a place like, Harvey's Lake in my area. Where you will see plenty of hold over fish, and the habitat for them to thrive for the years to come.
Another thing, that I share with a lot of people on this subject is....They put these things everywhere, litterally in almost every mud puddle in PA.
Myself and others in my conservation club did bring this up on one occassion, when a couple of our area PFBC officers made it to one of our meetings in the summertime. I for one, had also mentioned that it would be nice to see more stockings of channel catfish into some of these warmwater lakes and ponds. They get very large, and are very fun to catch. In an impoundment that can support these, they would be a very nice opportunity for those who would benefit...including children. We also had mentioned, hybrid sunfish. These in particular, would be a good choice in some places...because they are sterile and can't spawn. So, they would need to be stocked for their numbers to be replenished into a system and wouldn't overtake another species that was in the lake prior to these beeing introduced with proper stocking. Also, we had mentioned that more walleye stocked into certain inpoundments would be nice to see. When it was all said and done, the officers totally agreed with what we had to say and mentioned that it would take legislation to make this happen. I for one, would sign my name for these kind of possibilities in a heart beat.

[slabs]

I have noticed that the PFBC seems to want to turn warmwater fisheries into coldwater fisheries, why I don't know.

That's my only issue with their approach...

[Dizzy]

More PIKE for PA! 

[Pajns]

I release every trout I catch unless they swallow the hook and will not make it. Only thing that freaks me out is some of them with them flippers(fins). I just feel down right sorry for them and release em...LOL

[saphireblue99]

DITTO!!!!! They are having a will continue to have a major revenue problem in years to come, I am 50 and remember in the 70's when opening day of trout was a true KIDS AND TEENS spectacular, we would camp out 2 days before and couldn't find a spot. How many kids under 12 do you see trout fishing today??? Especially after the opening day.  They are going to have to get creative in the years to come, 32.50 for a fishing license or 32.50 for an xbox fishing video game. Which is a 16 old more inclined to buy today

[dkfry]

When opening day of trout was a true KIDS AND TEENS spectacular

Thats the way it should be. Now days the adults and seniors will knock a kid on there arse to get to a good spot.

Maybe the PFBC needs to have the first two days of trout open to kids 15YO or younger.