In preparation for the April 6 trout opener, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) began its preseason stocking of local waters last Thursday (Feb. 22).

The agency reported that they will stock approximately 3.2 million trout in 697 streams and 129 lakes. Of that number, they’ll stock 2.4 million Rainbow Trout, 702,000 Brown Trout and 132,000 Brook Trout. And these fish are 11 inches in length and weigh .58 pounds In addition, the PFBC says 70,000 will be brood trout that are 2.5 years old and 3.5-year-old hatchery-raised Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout measuring 14-20 inches.

Roughly 70 percent of these lunkers will be stocked prior to opening day of trout season and 30 percent during in-season stockings. As a bonus, approximately 14,000 golden Rainbow Trout will be stocked in 2024.

These fish will weigh an average of 1.5 pounds with approximately 75 percent being stocked preseason and 25 percent will be stocked in-season. Added this, PFBC cooperative nurseries like the Lil-Le-Hi trout nursery and sportsman’s clubs, will add another one million trout to waters open to the public.

Local preseason stockings began on Feb. 22 with Laurel Run Creek receiving Rainbow Trout; Swabia Creek, Brown and Rainbow Trout; a portion of Little Lehigh Creek received Golden and Rainbows; 2-23/2-24: Little Lehigh, Rainbow and Golden Trout; 2-26: Kistler Creek, Rainbows; Ontelaunee Creek, Brown, Rainbow and Golden Trout; Switzer Creek, Rainbow and Goldens; 3-4: a portion of Jordan Creek, Brown, Rainbow and Golden; 3-6: Leaser Lake, Rainbow, Goldens; Trout Creek, Rainbow, Goldens; 3-7: Jordan Creek, Brown, Rainbow and Goldens; Monocacy Creek, Rainbows; 3-11: Cedar Creek, Rainbows; Coplay Creek, Brook and Rainbows; 4-9: Lehigh Canal, Rainbow and Golden Trout.

With stocking underway, all stocked trout waters statewide are now closed to fishing until the trout opener on April 6, with the exception of Mentored Youth Trout Day on March 30. However, there are some waters that will be stocked that you can fish right now. Among those waters are 24 stream sections in the Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters program. Anglers, says the PFBC, may enjoy trout fishing immediately in Keystone Select streams as long as they use Artificial Lures and practice Catch-and-Release.

To locate those waters, visit www.FishandBoat.com.

LOCAL NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION BANQUET SET

The Jerry Zimmerman Memorial Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) will host its 26th Annual Hunting Heritage Superfund Membership Banquet on Friday, March 1, 2024 at the Homewood Suites, 3350 Center Valley Parkway, Center Valley.

The Chapter does a lot for wildlife habitat improvement, they contribute to land acquisitions as well as sponsoring the “Wheelin Sportsman” program for disabled hunters and “Jakes” Youth Field Days for young hunters plus Women in the Outdoors events.

In addition to the banquet there will be a live auction of wildlife prints, sculptures, home furnishings, jewelry and collectables.

There will also be a gun raffle featuring a first prize of a Benelli Super Black Eagle III 12 ga., 28-inch Barrel-Gore Opitfade Timber Camo shotgun, or $1,000 cash; 2nd prize, a Kimber Micro 9mm handgun, or $500 in cash; 3rd prize, Savage Axis XP Camo Combo with winner’s choice of caliber, or $400 cash; 4th prize, Benelli Nova 12 ga. Shotgun; 5th prize a Traditions Muzzleloader Red-Pak.

The banquet has several sponsor packages available as well as special Sportsman’s and Ladies raffles.

For more information and to purchase advance tickets and packages go to https://events.nwtf.org/38032110-2024. Or, call Bruce Dietrich, Banquet Chairman at 610-298-2424.

Tickets may also be purchased at Bob’s Wildlife Taxidermy at 4642 Kernsville Road, Orefield. Call before you go at 610-398-7609.