High water to present challenge for trout anglers
Creeks are loaded with trout, but high and muddy water might make catching them a challenge for anglers expected to go fishing Saturday on the opening day of trout season.
“All the creeks are high and muddy,” said Glenda O’Donnell of O’Donnell’s Sports Supplies in Muddy Creek Township. “They’re well stocked.”
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is expecting hundreds of thousands of anglers for one of the most highly anticipated outdoors activities in the state when the trout opener begins at 8 a.m.
The commission stocks 3.2 million adult trout in 697 streams and 129 lakes open to public angling before and during the season, including many in Butler County.
“They’re well stocked and ready to go, but mother nature isn’t cooperating much,” O’Donnell said. “Creeks will be harder to fish.”
She said the water level in Neshannock Creek, which flows through Mercer and Lawrence counties, tends to drop faster following rains than Slippery Rock Creek because the latter has more tributaries that feed into it.
The water in the upper sections of Slippery Rock Creek is usually a littler slower than the McConnells Mill State Park area, she said.
Western Pennsylvania was deluged with about 5 inches of rain Tuesday and Wednesday causing flooding in low-lying areas along many creeks and rivers.
“The fish are going to be hiding behind the rocks and places too out of the current because of the high water. It’s going to be fishable. You just need a little more finesse. They’re not going to just jump on to your hook,” O’Donnell said.
She recommends creek anglers look for areas with slow moving or “lazy” current and use brightly colored lures and baits that fish can more easily see.
People who love fishing in creeks and streams won’t be put off by the challenge, she said.
“It may deter some people, but not avid fishermen,” O’Donnell said, speaking from the experience gleaned in the 50 years the family-owned shop has been in business. She runs the shop with her husband Jerry O’Donnell.
According to the commission, wading and boating should be avoided, if waters are running high and the streambed is not visible. If stream conditions are not favorable, anglers should consider fishing at a lake.
Fish survive high water and flood conditions by moving toward the banks, holding behind rocks and fallen trees and resting on the bottom. Water moves faster on the surface. Fish may move into smaller tributaries and return to the larger waters when flows recede.
High water may cause trout to move, but they don’t get washed downstream. Fish may move either downstream or upstream to avoid fast water. Studies show most stocked trout remain in place if they are close to adequate habitat or a large pool that provides depth and cover.
A long period of muddy water can irritate fish gills and make foraging more difficult. Hatchery trout are not as adept at finding food as wild trout, and fishing can be very good when flows recede and the water clears, according to the commission.
The commission stocks about 2.3 million rainbow trout, 707,000 brown trout and 168,000 brook trout with an average size of 11 inches long and 0.58 pounds
In addition, about 70,000 trophy-sized trout measuring 14 inches to 20 inches and 14,000 golden rainbows weighing an average of 1.5 pounds are stocked before and during the season.
During the regular trout season, which ends Labor Day, anglers can keep up to five trout of any species per day measuring at least 7 inches long. During an extended season from Sept. 3, 2024, through Feb. 18, 2025, the daily limit is three.
