Saturday’s regional trout season opener in the southeast saw unusually warm temperatures, no rain and normal water levels. Three factors that have deterred several past trout openers.

In talking to several anglers along the Little Lehigh off Fish Hatchery Road, the general consensus was that the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission should return to a statewide opening day as it was felt anglers from other counties fish locally making for crowded conditions on area streams and creeks. And with Leaser Lake receiving only a partial number of stocked trout, those who would prefer fishing a lake over a crowded stream but remembered last year when virtually no trout were caught up there, they opted to fish locally making for more angler traffic.

At the 8 a.m. opening, much of the Little Lehigh wasn’t packed as it always is. But hours later, the late sleepers it seemed, arrived and filled in the holes along the banks where other fishermen departed.

The Cedar Creek in Allentown too had anglers predominantly at the deep holes where most of the trout are stocked. One angler, Charles Maurer of Allentown, who fished the Cedar, said he didn’t arrive streamside until 9 a.m. then limited-out and saw only few anglers around him.

As for the trout themselves, the usual complaint of small fish was common. Some were so small in size that many anglers released them back into the stream.

This week’s weather will be a bit colder, but won’t deter the stocking trucks from replenishing selected area streams with trout. The Lehigh River too will get stocked thanks to the Lehigh River Stocking Association (LRSA) who will begin stocking the river from Canal Park in Northampton and portions north to Lehighton. If you’re not a member of LRSA, consider joining for the association could use the support to maintain their stocking program. And they do stock sizable trout in a river that has little to no angler congestion.