Our Mission: To Preserve, Protect, and Restore Pennsylvania's Cold Water Streams and their habitats.
Waters Returned to the Trout Stocking Program and Wild TroutDwight Landis, Feb. 2003
A group of stream sections were removed from the stocking list in 2002. Many of these stream sections were returned to the stocking list, most this year (2003) some last year (2002). To read the complete list, go to the PA Fish & Boat Commission website (www.fish.state.pa.us). Near the middle of the home page, look under the [Fisheries] heading and click [Trout 2003]. Under the [2003 Trout Season Information] heading, click [Stocking Program Changes]. Scroll down a little to [Waters Restored to the Trout Stocking Program].
A majority of these stream sections support wild trout populations. Many support Class B populations, and a few even Class A populations, according to PFBC surveys.
In the following list, I’ve included the stream sections that support wild trout populations, according to the PFBC information I have in my files, and have omitted the other stream sections. Because a stream section is omitted does not necessarily mean that it supports no wild trout or has no potential for doing so.
My purpose in preparing this document is to provide some information to help you evaluate these trout management changes. Local anglers, stream conservationists, and PFBC personnel should be able to provide additional, more detailed information about specific streams that particularly interest you.
Trout population estimates are far from exact. Populations fluctuate a lot, depending on floods and droughts and many other factors, and surveying and estimating trout populations is an inherently difficult process.
Notes Explanation. For some stream sections you will see the note: “Rationale for removal, Class B or better.” This means that this was the reason given by the PFBC for the removal of that stream section from the stocking list in 2002.
For some stream sections you will see the note: “Class B.” This means that PFBC surveys found Class B populations at some time in the past, according to my records.
For some stream sections you will see the note: “On the Reproduction List.” This list is a PFBC “listing of surveyed streams having verified trout reproduction.” My copy is dated 1999.
Allegheny River, Potter. Sec 02. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 2.3 miles. Seven Bridges downstream to John Pattersons Pond Rd. This is the section just above the delayed harvest area.
Allen Cr, Somerset. Trib to Laurel Hill Cr. Sec 2. On Reproduction List. 2.3 miles. From mouth upstream 2.3 miles.
Bailey Run, Potter. Trib to First Fork Sinnemahoning (at top end of delayed harvest area). Section 2. Class B. From mouth upstream 1.4 miles.
From a 1980 PFBC report on Section 2. “Trout stocking and high angling pressure and harvest, limited natural recruitment in the extreme lower section, or a combination of these may account for the low wild trout densities.” A 1975 study noted a minimum angling return of 33% of the legal-sized wild trout by May 7. It was estimated Bailey Run receives 400 man days of angling per year.
Beaver Run, Clearfield. Trib to W Br Susquehanna. Sec 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 3.4 miles. SR 3004 bridge downstream to the mouth.
Beaver Run, Columbia. Trib to Catawissa Cr. Sec 2. On Reproduction List. Mouth upstream 2.9 miles.
Beaverdam Run, Cambria. Trib to Clearfield Cr. Sec. 2. On Reproduction List. 2.3 miles. SR 1001 downstream to the mouth.
Belmouth Run, Elk. Trib to Laurel Run, a trib to Little Toby Cr. Sec. 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 2.6 miles. Jeep Trail Bridge at SGL boundary downstream to the mouth. In SGL 44.
Big Run, Juniata. Trib to Lost Cr. Sec 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 2 miles. T527 bridge downstream to the mouth.
Blue Hole Cr, Somerset. Trib to Fall Cr (also on this list), a trib to Laurel Hill Cr. Sec 2. On Reproduction List. 1.3 miles. Confluence with Grays Run (Blue Hole) downstream to the mouth. Much of this scenic stream is in Forbes State Forest.
Bobs Cr, Bedford. Sec 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 8.2 miles. SR 164 downstream 8.2 miles to Blue Knob State Park boundary at Pavia.
This is one of the nicest freestone streams in this part of PA. Most of this section is in public land. The upper part is in SGL 26 and it’s 4.8 miles of roadless, forested stream. The lower part, 2.4 miles long, is in Blue Knob State Park. Between the public lands is a tract of private land open to public fishing.
PFBC files: Report from examination of Sec 02, July 9-10, 2001. Surveyed 4 sites. Brown trout were 62% of biomass. Ran 1-15 inches, 41.63 kg/ha. Brook trout were 38% of biomass and ranged 1-11 inches, 25.89 kg/ha. Total biomass 67.52 kg/ha. (This exceeds Class A levels, my note.) Recommended not stocking sec 02. Did electrofishing demonstration for local sportsmen’s group and watershed group. They seemed favorable to the idea of ending stocking.
Boggy Run, Elk. Trib to Little Toby Cr. Sec 1. On Reproduction List. 4.3 miles. Headwaters downstream to the mouth.
Briar Cr, W Br, Columbia. Trib to Briar Cr, a trib to the Susquehanna River. Sec 2. On Reproduction List. 1.7 miles. Confluence with unnamed trib downstream to the mouth.
Buffalo Cr, N Br, Union. Sec. 2. Class B. 6.3 miles. Outflow of Mifflinburg Reservoir downstream to the mouth.
Chaney Run, Fayette. Trib to Big Sandy Cr. Sec 1. On Reproduction List. 2 miles. Headwaters downstream to 0.12 miles downstream of 3rd SR 2003 bridge below Wharton Furnace.
Cooks Run, Clinton. Trib to W Br Susquehanna. Sec. 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 4 miles. End of forest road near confluence with Lick Run downstream to confluence with Rock Run.
In Sproul State Forest. Mine drainage remediation projects are underway downstream from this section.
Cub Run, Somerset. Trib to Clear Shade Cr. Sec 2. On Reproduction List. 1.6 miles. From the mouth upstream 1.6 miles to a jeep trail.
PFBC files: Was Class A, 44.5 kg/ha, browns/brooks in 1978. Mostly brook trout. In 1992 was Class D, 9.3 kg/ha. Consideration was given to managing as wild brook trout fishery. Heavy fishing pressure was noted.
Dotters Cr, Monroe. Trib to Middle Cr, a trib to Pohopoco Cr. Sec 4. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 2.5 miles. From T-422 bridge downstream to the mouth. Secs 2 and 3 are on the Class A list. Middle Creek, into which Dotters Cr flows, is also on the Class A list.
Drakes Cr, Carbon. Trib to Lehigh River. Sec 2. On Reproduction List. 1.9 miles. From the intersection of T-481 & T-514 at Christmansville down to the mouth.
Fall Cr, Somerset. Trib to Laurel Hill Cr. Sec 2. On Reproduction List. 3.1 miles. Confluence with Ansell Run downstream to the mouth. Is in Forbes State Forest.
Fishing Cr, Clinton. Sec 11. Class B. 1.7 miles. Cedar Run downstream 1.7 downstream to Axe Factory Hollow (which is .9 miles below mouth of Long Run). In the Salona area, which is above Mill Hall.
I have caught many wild browns in this section, as have other anglers I know. This is a classic central PA limestone stream stretch, with 2 limestone spring tributaries in this stretch (Cedar Run and Long Run), and another large spring about .75 mile above this section. The potential for improving trout population in this section is likely very high. Sec 10, the section above this, is on the Class A list.
Hannas Run, Westmoreland. Trib to Mill Cr, a trib to Loyalhanna Cr at Ligonier. Sec. 2. On Reproduction List. 1.5 miles. T-800 Bridge near Wilpen downstream to the mouth.
Hemlock Run,Warren. Trib to Allegheny River. Sec 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 1.5 miles. From 100 yards upstream from end of logging road downstream to the mouth.
Hickory Run, Little, Forest. Trib to Allegheny River. On Reproduction List. Some of the stream is in the Allegheny National Forest, some in private land.
Hicks Run, W Br, Cameron & Elk. Sec 2, Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 5.8 miles. Middle Branch downstream to East Branch. In Elk State Forest.
Hollister Cr, Wayne. Trib to Delaware River. Sec. 2. On Reproduction List. 1.8 miles. From T-670 bridge downstream to T-561 bridge. Tiny stream. Has a reputation as a rainbow spawning trib for Delaware River.
Jack Dent Branch, Clearfield. Trib to Medix Run. Sec 2. On Reproduction List. 1.7 miles. First bridge on Jack Dent Rd downstream from headwaters downstream to the mouth.
PFBC 1981 file report. “A substantial decrease in brook trout standing stock was recorded in Sec. 02 in comparison with Sec. 01.” ... “The relationship of stocking and angling exploitation on the wild trout is likely to be substantial.” ... “The response of angler use and the wild brook trout population in Sec. 02 if stocking were discontinued would be an interesting evaluation.”
In Elk State Forest. A little gem of a brook trout stream. Sec 1 is on the Class A list.
Jerry Run, Upper, Cameron. Trib to Sinnemahoning Cr. Sec 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 3.7 miles. Most of stream is in Elk State Forest.
Kings Cr, Sullivan. Trib to Elk Cr, a Loyalsock Cr trib. Sec 2. On Reproduction List. 3.5 miles. Confluence of unnamed trib one mile north of Estella downstream to the mouth.
Lackawaxen River, W Br, Wayne. Sec 4. On Reproduction List. 1.2 miles. Pleasant Mount Fish hatchery downstream 1.2 miles.
Little Lehigh Cr, Berks & Lehigh. Sec. 2. On Reproduction List. 3.1 miles. SR 1039 bridge downstream to the T-476 bridge.
Little Lehigh Cr, Lehigh. Sec. 7. Class B. 2.3 miles. From 1/4 mile upstream of Weidas Mill bridge (T473) downstream to the SR2010 bridge. This is the section above the catch-and-release area.
Licking Cr, West, Huntingdon. Sec 3. Class B. 1.8 miles. From 0.5 mile upstream of SR 2012 bridge downstream to the mouth.
Licking Cr, West, Huntingdon & Mifflin. Sec 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 3.1 miles. From 1.3 miles upstream of Mt Union Water Supply Reservoir downstream to 0.5 mile upstream of SR 2012 bridge. Most of the section is in Tuscarora State Forest.
Long Run, Clinton. Trib to Fishing Cr near Salona. Sec. 1. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 4.7 miles. Confluence of Pepper Run & Washburn Run downstream to 0.3 mile downstream of SR 2008 bridge at Rote. Most of section is in Bald Eagle State Forest.
Marsh Cr, Centre. Trib to Beech Cr. Sec 2. Class B. 4.4 miles. Confluence with Laurel Run downstream to confluence with Little Marsh Cr.
Martins Cr, Northampton. Trib to Lehigh River. Sec 1. Class B. 2.7 miles. From junction East & West Branches downstream to intersection SR1033 & SR 191.
Mehoopany Cr, Wyoming. Sec 3. On Reproduction List. 4.5 miles. Confluence with Kasson Brook downstream to confluence with North Fork Mehoopany Cr.
Mix Run, Cameron. Trib to Bennet Br Sinnemahoning. Sec 4. On Reproduction List. 1.1 miles. State forest boundary downstream to the mouth.
Monocacy Cr, Northampton. Trib to Lehigh River at Bethlehem. Sec 8 & 9. From the lower boundary of the Trophy regs area, at Illicks Mill Park, to the mouth. Class B. A limestone spring creek. The PFBC website showed results for the Trophy regs area, which is just above these sections. 1997 - 133 kg/ha. 1998 - 163 kg/ha. 1999 - 138 kg/ha. 2000 - 93 kg/ha.
Mountain Branch, Centre. Trib to Moshannon Cr. Sec 2. On Reproduction List. In 1992 had Class A population. 2 miles. Confluence with Trim Root Run downstream to 0.2 mile upstream from the mouth.
Mountain Cr, Cumberland. Trib to Yellow Breeches Cr. Sec 2. Class B. 6.2 miles. Adams County line downstream to Laurel Lake backwater. Section is in Michaux State Forest and Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
Muddy Run, Little, trib to Muddy Run, a trib to Clearfield Cr. Clearfield. Sec. 2. On Reproduction List. 2 miles. SR 253 bridge downstream to Janesville Dam.
Penns Cr, Centre. Sec. 2. Class B. 7.7 miles. SR 45 bridge in Spring Mills downstream to confluence of Elk Creek at Coburn. Biomass in this section, from PFBC website: 1991 - 50 kg/ha. 1992 - 37 kg/ha. 2001 - 48 kg/ha.
Pocono Cr, Monroe. Trib to McMichaels Cr, a trib to Brodhead Cr in Stroudsburg area. Sec 5. On Reproduction List. 2.8 miles. Intersection of T498 & T707 downstream to the mouth.
Poe Cr, Centre. Trib to Penns Cr. Sec 3. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 1.6 miles. Little Poe Cr to mouth. Is in Bald Eagle State Forest.
Rauchtown Cr, Clinton. South of Jersey Shore, north of I80. Sec 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 1.8 miles. From SR 880 Bridge 100 m upstream of confluence with Gottshall Run downstream to SR 2010 bridge. Sec 1, the section above this, is on the Class A list.
Repine Run, Indiana. Trib to South Branch Two Lick Creek. Sec 1. On Reproduction List. 1.7 miles. Headwaters downstream to the mouth.
Rocky Run, Elk. Trib to W Br Clarion. Sec 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 3 miles. Confluence with unnamed trib 0.9 mile downstream of McKean-Elk Co line downstream to the mouth.
Sawmill Run, York. Trib to Susquehanna River. Sec 2. On Reproduction List. 2.5 miles. Confluence with Furnace Run downstream to the mouth.
Schrader Cr, Little, Bradford. Sec 2. On Reproduction List. 3.8 miles. Confluence with Marsh Run downstream to the mouth. In SGL #12.
Shafer Run, Somerset. Sec 2. Trib to Laurel Hill Cr (above Kooser State Park). Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 2.5 miles. From .25 mile downstream from Shafer Run Trout Hatchery downstream to the mouth.
Shannon Run, Westmoreland. Trib to Conemaugh River. Sec 2. On
Reproduction List. 3.4 miles. Bridge at intersection of T922 & T962 downstream to the mouth.
Shehawken Cr, Wayne. Trib to Delaware River. Sec 1. On Reproduction List. 4.8 miles. Holberts Pond downstream to confluence with unnamed trib from Hempstead Lake.
Sixmile Run, Centre. Trib to Moshannon Cr. Sec 2. Class B. 3.4 miles. Dayton Dam downstream to 0.4 mile upstream of confluence with Hutton Run. Is in Moshannon State Forest.
Sixmile Run, Warren. Trib to W Br Tionesta Cr. Sec 2. Class B. 1.4 miles. Confluence with North Fork Sixmile Run downstream to the mouth.
Spring Cr, E Br, Warren. Trib to Spring Cr, a trib to Brokenstraw Cr. Sec 2. Class B. 1.6 miles. SR 3001 bridge downstream to the mouth.
Standing Stone Cr, Huntingdon. Sec 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 4.4 miles. Penn Roosevelt Dam down to confluence with Detweiler Run. In Rothrock State Forest. (This is the section some people recently proposed as a possible site for special regulations to enhance brook trout populations.)
Stony Cr, Carbon. Trib to Lehigh River. Sec 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 2.4 miles. From the downstream Hickory Run State Park boundary downstream to the confluence of Yellow River. Sec 3 is on the Class A list.
Straight Cr, Elk. Trib to E Br Clarion Lake. Sec 2. On Reproduction List. 2.2 miles. First bridge upstream of Naval Hollow downstream to the mouth.
Sugar Cr, E Br, Venango. Sec 2. On Reproduction List. 1.7 miles. SR 428 bridge downstream to 0.6 mile downstream from confluence with Little Sugar Cr.
Three Springs Cr, Bedford. Trib to Yellow Cr. Sec 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 1.9 miles. SR 869 Bridge in New Enterprise downstream to the mouth.
Unnamed Trib to Pine Cr, a trib to Maiden Cr, Berks. Sec 2. On Reproduction List. 0.9 mile. Confluence with unnamed trib near SR1018 downstream to the mouth.
Vanscoyoc Run, Blair. Trib to Bald Eagle Cr, near Tyrone. Sec 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 3.1 miles. SR 4033 bridge downstream to the mouth.
Walburn Run, Jefferson. Sec 1. Trib to Little Toby Cr at Crenshaw, east of Brockway. On Reproduction List. 2 miles. Confluence with East & West Branches downstream to the mouth.
Waltz Cr, Northampton. Trib to Martin Cr (also on this list). Sec 2. On Reproduction List. 2.3 miles. Confluence with Greenwalk Cr down to the mouth.
West Cr, Columbia. Trib to Fishing Cr. Sec 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 4.4 miles. Third bridge on SR 239 upstream of Benton down to the mouth.
White Deer Cr, Centre. Sec 1. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 5.5 miles. Headwaters downstream to Centre-Union Co line. In Bald Eagle State Forest.
Wolf Run, Centre. Trib to Beech Creek. Sec 2. Class B. 3.5 miles. Wolf Run Trail downstream to confluence with Little Wolf Run. In Sproul State Forest.
Yellow Breeches Cr, Cumberland. Sec 3. On Reproduction List. 1 mile. Special Regs Area at Allenberry.
Young Womans Cr, Clinton. Sec 1. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 2 miles. Confluence with County Line Br & Baldwin Br downstream to Beechwood Trail. In Sproul State Forest. The section below this is Class A, and under selective harvest regulations.
Young Womans Cr, L Br, Clinton. Sec 2. Rationale for removal, Class B or better. 3.3 miles. Forest road bridge downstream to confluence with Greenlick Run. In Sproul State Forest.
This document represents my personal views and is not intended to represent the views of any other individual or group. Questions, comments, or corrections? Contact Dwight Landis, PO Box 69, Bellefonte, PA 16823.
