Hello from “we are still having winter” in Lackawananna County, Northeast PA!

In something new this year, lucky anglers in the Southeastern counties of PA got to start fishing on March 31st this year, while the remainder of us still have to wait about 7 more days until we can begin fishing on April 14th.

The reason for the change? Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Doug Austen explains: “Starting the trout season earlier in parts of Pennsylvania expands fishing opportunities and improves our stocking and management efforts…(this) promises to add more excitement in 2007 to an already popular pursuit.”

Another reason the southern states get a jump on the season is the warmer climate to the south–starting their season earlier allows anglers to enjoy the optimum conditions for trout fishing for as long as possible.

And it was a strange winter, as it did not really start until Mid-January. But Mother Nature seems to be cooperating in anticpation of trout season. Most of the ice is off the local lakes, ponds and streams. Hopefully, the first day of trout is a sunny, nice day. I love to see the kids catching a fish–it really makes their day…