Would the chance to catch bigger fish draw anglers to specific locations?
Probably.
Can the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission create such “destination” fisheries, specifically for trout?
That’s a little less certain. But the agency is exploring the idea.
During a recent presentation to lawmakers, commission executive director John Arway said the agency is looking at the idea of creating what might be called a “trophy trout” program.
A private club on Pine Creek in Lycoming County has been stocking large brown trout in that stream. It’s boosted business for tackle shops, lodges, restaurants and more, he said.
Arway said staff has talked to commissioners about trying to do recreate that on a handful of waters around the state. How many and which ones are still to be determined, he said.
Indeed, Leroy Young, director of the commission’s bureau of fisheries, said such specifics are a long ways off. No decisions have even been made on if or when to bring any proposed program framework to the board for consideration, he said.
“It’s something we have talked about, but it’s far from something I can even discuss in any kind of general terms yet,” he said. “We’re just not there yet.”
There are a lot of factors to consider, he said, from locations to rules of harvest to whether the commission can even supply enough large trout create trophy fisheries.
Arway said talks about the program will continue, though, with ,ore details perhaps available by fall.
“We want to see if we can create this in a few spots, then see about rolling it out to other places,” Arway said.
