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Pa. Anglers Gear Up For Opening Day Of Trout Season
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Each year, hundreds of thousands of anglers visit Pennsylvania's waterways to fish on opening day of trout season. The 64-year-old tradition kicks off Saturday, and anglers are preparing their fishing gear for the much-anticipated day.
"It's just a tradition that has been perpetuated for generations," said Kurt Engstrom of State College, who has attended the event almost every year since he was 4 years old.
Groups of friends and family arrive at their favorite streams and lakes in the early morning to claim their spots. Anglers line up elbow-to-elbow for their chance to catch large, trophy-sized fish.
"The scene is like shopping on Christmas Eve," Engstrom said. 
Richie, Callie and Kirah Williard of Valley View. (Courtesy Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, from 2021 opening day along the Mahantango Creek, Schuylkill County.)
Each angler has a different goal — whether it's to catch the largest trout they can find or catch as many fish as possible. Some simply attend opening day to enjoy the outdoors.
Each year, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission supplies more than 3 million trout from its hatcheries into hundreds of streams and lakes across the state. The commission will stock three species of trout, including the eye-catching rainbow trout, noticeable by its pink stripe and black speckles. 
Opening day of trout season in Pennsylvania kicks off on Saturday. More than 3 million trout will be stocked in 697 streams and 129 lakes in Pennsylvania. (Courtesy Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, from 2021 opening day along the Mahantango Creek, Schuylkill County.)
Another million trout are stocked by sporting clubs and other cooperative nurseries. In addition to stocked waterways, anglers can fish from miles of streams home to wild trout.
"It really hearkens the beginning of spring. Folks have been thinking about opening day all year long," said Tim Schaeffer, executive director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. "We do have year-round fishing opportunities in Pennsylvania — but there's nothing like opening day."
The Commission recently invested about $100 million to upgrade its hatcheries infrastructure to ensure clean and healthy water for the fish as they travel over a hundred miles during stocking season.
"[The investment] ensures that the fish will be well-aerated and oxygenated on the way to the stream," Schaeffer said. "We do see that the qualities of the fish that are arriving there helps with their survival rate."
Anglers can visit the Fish and Boat Commissions website or the FishBoatPA mobile app to learn more about stocking locations and trout species. This year, the commission has changed some of its stocking locations in Bucks County because of restoration work at Delaware Canal State Park. 
Gavin Scheib of Klingerstown. (Courtesy Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, from 2021 opening day along the Mahantango Creek, Schuylkill County.)
"By and large, we have more waterways that can be stocked in Pennsylvania than ever," Schaeffer said. "The water quality continues to improve. You see really vibrant wild trout fisheries. And we've got a lot of waters that have been cleaned up to the point where we can stock them and provide a recreational resource for anglers."
Anglers 16 and older must have a permit and license to participate in opening day. Anglers fishing from boats are required to wear life jackets through April 30, because of dangerous water temperatures. 
Brayden Hiller and others. (Courtesy Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, from 2021 opening day along the Mahantango Creek, Schuylkill County.)
Life-long angler Kurt Engstrom has some advice for first-timers.
"Don't set your expectations too high, as far as catching fish," he said. "If you could go with someone more experienced than you that would help — [someone who knows] how to tie knots, how to untangle a fishing line, what bait or lure you use in that particular area."
Newcomers should choose their location wisely, Engstrom added. Some waterways require anglers to wear hip waders. Anglers who don't want to risk getting stuck in vegetation might want to consider fishing from a lake, Engstrom said.
Angler Jeff Fisher and others. (Courtesy Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, from 2021 opening day along the Mahantango Creek, Schuylkill County.) The commission's website also includes fishing advice, permit instructions and fishing locations.
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What Should Kids Wear Fishing?
When it comes to what should kids wear fishing, here's the proper fishing attire for children to stay safe, dry, comfortable, and happy.
When fishing with kids, safety is paramount. Of course, you want them to experience the joy of getting a bite and reeling in a catch, but keeping them safe, dry, and comfortable is what's most important in the early phase of them falling in love with your favorite pastime. Finding the right gear, though, can be a challenge, especially if you are just getting your child into fishing. The last thing you want to do is invest a lot of time and money into finding and buying comfortable weather-appropriate clothing like quick-drying pants, a waterproof jacket, a lightweight breathable base layer, and expensive sunglasses to protect kids' eyes only to have them not want to go fishing anymore. Thankfully, life-long memories made on the water don't need to cost a fortune. That said, having proper fishing attire for children to keep them safe is non-negotiable.
When it comes to proper fishing attire for children, you need to consider everything from tip to tow, including hats, protective eyewear, shoes, and of course, the layers of clothes necessary to keep them safe from the sun and the water they will be near or on while fishing. In addition to answering the question, "What should kids wear fishing?", there are fishing safety rules for kids that every parent should know before packing up the tackle box for a day of fishing, including having a first aid kit and an appropriately sized life jacket.
What Should Kids Wear Fishing?Dressing your kid correctly will help to ensure they have a safe, fun, and memorable time on or around the water. No matter the weather, your little fishing friend should be dry, cool or warm, depending on the conditions outside, and always safe. Here are some of the proper fishing attires for children you can find new or used to get them started on a lifelong love of fishing.
1. Protective EyewearYou can't talk about fishing safety for kids without discussing protective eyewear. Polarized sunglasses are the best choice for reducing eye strain as well as for making it easier to spot fish in the water. Protective glasses are also invaluable for protecting young eyes from branches while walking to and from the water, as well as keeping them safe from lures being tossed by other kids and adults who are fishing nearby.
A wide-brimmed hat will do a great job keeping the sun out of kid's eyes while they are learning to fish. They also keep their head cool in the summer and warm in the winter, as well as protect young heads from stray casts with hooks. Consider a wide-brimmed hat for added protection as your kiddo begins their love affair with angling, especially if you end up fishing in the rain!
3. SunscreenWhile not clothing, a layer of sunscreen is one of the essential answers to the question, "What should kids wear fishing?" Even if the weather forecast calls for cool temps and cloudy skies, the sun's strong ways still need fending off. Always apply waterproof sunscreen on kids before a fishing trip and re-apply often.
4. ShoesWaterproof and closed-toe shoes or boots are the two most important characteristics of the footwear best suited for fishing with kids. Wet feet are not only uncomfortable, and can make any trip to the water miserable, a child getting their feet wet while away from home can also be dangerous.
5. Life JacketsJust like a child's crucial base layer, a hooded jacket is best to keep their heads dry, an insulating mid-layer, such as a fleece jacket or sweater, a life jacket is essential to keep your kid safe around open water while fishing. You first need to know how to fit your child for a life jacket. Brush up with our guide for choosing the best life jacket for fishing and make sure your child wears and keeps on their life jacket whenever around the water.
If the weather is chilly or windy, gloves can be a part of the proper fishing attire for children. They are essential for protecting kids' hands from the cold air and frigid water, so be sure to find a pair that are waterproof and windproof.
7. ClothesSunny summer days, chilly autumn mornings, and winter fishing each demand comfortable weather-appropriate clothing for kids and adults alike. There's the need for a comfortable, lightweight, breathable base layer, an insulating mid-layer, such as a fleece jacket or sweater, and a protective outer layer like a lightweight, waterproof jacket. A hooded jacket is best to keep their heads dry while fishing. As far as pants are concerned, quick-drying pants, such as hiking pants or cargo pants, are the best choice to protect little legs from the sun, branches, thorns, poison ivy, and more. If fishing in hot weather, kids should wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that has UV protection to keep the sun's harmful rays away from their skin.
Now that you know what your kid should wear fishing, brush up on more fishing safety equipment and gear that will keep your entire family safe, comfortable, dry, and happy while fishing together! And then check out these great outdoor gift ideas.
Group Of Nature Lovers Rescue Blue Heron Tangled In Fishing Line
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. (WESH) - A large water bird on Florida's coast is safe, thanks to some conscientious nature lovers.
Three friends were out on the water for a day of fun near Merritt Island when they stumbled across a blue heron in distress. It was tangled in fishing line, caught upside down and hanging from a tree.
"We were just out to bird watch and see some manatees. And actually, when Javed called our attention to the bird in the tree, we were actually looking at a manatee a little ways away," Howie Brown said.
Brown was with his friends, Nichole and Javed Palmer.
"Somehow it had fishing line, like nylon, wrapped around its foot as well as its beak," Brown said. "But it had gotten its beak and the fishing line somehow entangled with the tree branch."
The three were traveling on flat, inflatable boats, and that helped in the rescue.
"The GoBoat is a flat platform, right? There are no sides to it, which is great. It does not take on water," Brown explained.
They were able to get the bird down from the tree but had to track it down to make certain that the bird's feet were free.
"It was wonderful to be a part of such a cool thing," Brown said.
The three were delighted that they were there to save the blue heron.
However, it could have turned out very differently and they have a message to fellow lovers of the outdoors.
"Clean up after yourself, right? It's not very hard to bring a bag with you to take your fishing line," Brown said.
Birds aren't the only animals that can be harmed by improperly discarded fishing gear. It's dangerous for almost all wildlife, including turtles, marine mammals, and even crabs.
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