PA Wild Trout Streams

Pennsylvania has some of the best documented wild trout streams in the NE US.  The Pennsylvania Fish and Boating Commission (PAFBC) publishes comprehensive lists of wild trout streams.  This includes Class A Wild Trout waters which are defined as "Streams that support a population of naturally produced trout of sufficient size and abundance to support a long-term and rewarding sport fishery."  All are managed as wild fisheries, without stocking.

PA wild trout habitat

Source: Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, PA Fish and Boat Commission, Google Earth

You also have a choice about how you want to interact with the data.  You can deal with it the "old fashioned way" by using the lists (though the search feature of a PDF makes even that less painful than it used to be).  Highly recommended is that you set up your own "Wild Trout Workstation" using "Google Earth"  (a free application you download on the Internet).  Finally, as sort of a middle ground, you can use the slick, new PAFBC Interactive County Guides via your web browser.  However, it only gives you information about Class A streams.  More info these last two options is available on the PA Resources menu in the sidebar.

However you access the data, PA makes an enormous amount of information available to you.

In 2005, 457 stream sections were classified as supporting trout reproduction, representing more than 1,355 linear miles of stream.  The photo above was generated in Google Earth (you can set up the same thing  with the data and instrucitons on this site).  The colored sub-basin boundaries show the EBTJV's estimate of brook trout habitat.  The dark cyan areas are actually flowlines (which overlap at this scale) for the PAFBC's database of waters supporting wild trout.  The bright blue areas are flow lines for streams the PAFBC lists as Class A.  All of the information needed for you to set up Google Earth to view this data is found on this site.

In addition, PA recognizes a smaller number of "Wilderness Trout Streams".  These are defined as follows:

Wilderness trout stream management is based upon the provision of a wild trout fishing experience in a remote, natural and unspoiled environment where man's disruptive activities are minimized. Established in 1969, this option was designed to protect and promote native (brook trout) fisheries, the ecological requirements necessary for natural reproduction of trout and wilderness aesthetics. The superior quality of these watersheds is considered an important part of the overall angling experience on wilderness trout streams. Therefore, all stream sections included in this program qualify for the Exceptional Value (EV) special protected water use classification, which represents the highest protection status provided by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Finally, the state publishes a complete list of some 1,500 streams (including the Class A and wilderness streams) that support naturally reproducing populations of trout.

You can download lists of these streams using the PA Resource Menu in the sidebar.  These were current in 2010.  You may be able to find more recent lists by searching the PAFBC website (http://fishandboad.com).

Last Updated (Friday, 28 January 2011 19:51)

 

Comments  

 
# comments_from_original_site 2011-01-02 10:40
Great web site!!! I started fly fishing in 1980, I'm know 54 y.o. and had been absent from the sport for the past 12 years until recently. I have re-discovered the sport with a new and refreshed point of view and I'm looking foward to fishing for wild trout in my native state of Pennsylvania. My earliest and fondest children memories are being at my grandfather's hunting and fishing camp right smack on top of Young Womans creek in Clinton country, Pa. It was fun as a young child stalking the brookies on that small freestone creek with pocket pool after pocket pool. I only wish every child could experience such simple pleasures as those that I did hiking, picking blueberries and swimming in crystal clear mountain streams. Thanks for the great read and I wish you all the best and of course tight lines. Scott
 
 
# comments_from_original_site 2011-01-02 10:41
I love your site, i just stumbled on it today and i think it is informative and full of great ideas. I am a wild trout dry fly junkie and this site is right up my alley. I live in Northeast Pa and believe it or not there are several wild trout streams around. When i'm not chasing large wild browns i love to go up to the mountains and fish for brookies. I only wish more people got the big picture about preserving wild trout. I'll be sure to keep stopping back in to check out the site. Thanks
 
 
# ptnymph 2011-02-09 18:24
Thank you for putting this together! I'd never used Google Earth. I downloaded the data and tutorial and in an hour or so had it up and running. It's amazing!!!

-George
 

Please register for wildtroutstreams.com and make comments. To register, CLICK ON THE HOME TAB to reload the home page, and you will find a link to "Create an Account" at the bottom of the "Login Form". We won't share your email address with anyone, and won't send you spam.

Share on facebook
Banner
WildTroutStreams.com does NOT accept advertising. Any external links are a free public service.