Perhaps the PF&BC’s trout stocking that got underway last week may be the first sign of spring.
With the trout season opening here in the Southeast Region on March 30, Lee Creyer, Lehigh County Waterways Conservation Officer, has begun stocking local streams with a portion of the 1.84 million trout allocated for state waters.
So far, Cedar Creek in Allentown, Laurel Run in the Coopersburg area, the upper Little Lehigh, Ontelaunee Creek in upper Lehigh County and Trout Creek in Lehigh Furnace (Slatington area), have been stocked with preseason brook, brown and rainbow trout.
Leaser Lake too is scheduled to be stocked 3-26 and again on 4-4.
According to George White, Leaser’s ombudsman, the lake’s water level is at about 23 feet or what it was prior to its drawdown. And he adds, “It’s ready to receive trout for the opener.” So this will be the first time fish will be stocked in Leaser since it was drained for repairs. In time, it should prove to be a viable, quality fishery according to the stocking plan the Fish & Boat Commission has set up, and with the numerous amounts of man-made cover and structure that was constructed throughout the lakes’ bottom.
If you’re interested in helping to stock local streams, here are the upcoming pre-season and in season stocking dates for Lehigh County, some of which are only sections of a certain stream:
Cedar Creek, 4-23, 5-6; Coplay Creek, 3-12, 5-4, 5-9; Jordan Creek, 3-19, 3-27, 4-4, 4-15, 4-18, 4-20, 4-25, 4-30; Kistler Creek, 3-6; Lehigh Canal, 3-18; Little Lehigh, 3-16, 4-23, 4-29, 5-8 and 10-1; Monocacy Creek, 3-6, 4-19, 5-15; Ontelaunee Creek, 3-5, 5-19; Swabia Creek, 3-13, 4-30, 5-4; Switzer Creek, 3-26, 4-18; Trout Creek, 3-5, 4-29.
Keep in mind that the PF&BC will offer its first Mentored Youth Trout day set for March 23 on selected streams in 18 southeastern counties from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The closest Mentored Youth waters to Allentown are the Lehigh Canal in Bethlehem, Antietam Reservoir in Berks County and Locust Lake near Frackville in Schuylkill County.
To fish that day, youths and their mentor must register on the PF&BCs website under the Mentored Youth Trout icon. Youngsters must be age 16 and under and be accompanied by a mentored angler who holds a valid fishing license and trout stamp. Young anglers may keep two fish (combined species) per person and they will also receive a complimentary PLAY magazine subscription after registering.
According to Eric Levis, PF&BC media manager, so far there are 900 youths registered and 800 mentors.
NEW LEHIGH COUNTY WCO FORTHCOMING
On March 13, Lehigh County will get a new and additional Wildlife Conservation Officer.
Shawna Burkett will be the new lower Lehigh and Northampton County WCO when she graduates this week from the WCO Academy. Burkett will assume responsibility for lower Lehigh and Northampton County that can be seen from the accompanying map.
Her district in Lehigh County will include Bethlehem City, Allentown, Salisbury Twp, Upper Saucon Township, Lower Macungie Township, Upper Milford Township and Lower Milford Township.
In Northampton County, she’ll get Easton, W. Easton, Wilson Township, Williams Township, Bethlehem City, Hellertown, Bethlehem Township, Williams Township and Lower Saucon Township.
We’ll have more on Burkett upon her graduation.
LEHIGH VALLEY SPORTSMAN’S SHOW A SUCCESS
Judging from the huge number of vehicles parked in the Allentown Fairgrounds this past Saturday and Sunday, I’d say this virgin two-day outdoors show was a huge success.
Formerly produced by Dick Laros, the new show producer, Dennis Brozey of Fogelsville, did a great job of compiling a little of everything for all ages.
For those who missed it, Brozey had the usual gamut of hunting and fishing tackle, guides and outfitters, taxidermists, trucks, ATV’s, Bass boats, campers and more. But he also included attractions for youngsters with an archery shoot using special arrows and air suspended balls from Archery Addictions, The Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) sponsored a shoot using air soft pistols and wooden milk bottles, and there was a pond with live fish.
Next year, Brozey plans to expand the show to three days by starting on a Friday.
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