When the weather breaks, the sun is out and the temperature is perfect, anglers begin instantly to think about fishing season. The anticipation grows as the first day of trout season, April 15 approaches, as many fishermen can not wait to set foot in the stream.
What they may not know is that there is a hidden gem that will allow them to fish year round.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will begin to stock select streams designated as delayed harvest waters. In these sections, only artificial lures can be used and the fish must be released. The delayed harvest areas are open to year round fishing and are stocked several times a year.
The first of these stockings for the year is March 1. The Loyalhanna Creek in Ligonier is the inaugural stream, which will receive rainbow and brown trout. The commission will also replenish the brook trout in Dunbar Creek in Connellsville as well as the brown and rainbow trout Laurel Hill Creek in Somerset on March 11.
In Ligonier there is a mile-and-a-half-long section that is designated delayed harvest waters. There are multiple access points such as a parking section right before the light to turn left to go into the Giant Eagle plaza. There are also many pull offs along Route 30 after passing Two Mile Run Road.
The delayed harvest section of Laurel Hill Creek is tucked into Laurel Hill State Park, just off of Route 31. The best access is off of Jimtown Road, the first right after Rustic Mountain Pizza.
Dunbar Creek is off of Route 119 and just through the town of Dunbar. Stream access is on a gravel road just off of Furnace Hill Road.
These spots do not go unnoticed. Junior Cam Suman is a frequent to the fly projects. He said he fishes about 10-to-15 times a year in these areas.
“I like that it gives fishermen the chance to go out and catch fish even out of season,” said Suman.
Avid fly fisherman and Penn-Trafford teacher Mark Crovak explained the benefits of these spots.
“The delayed harvest sections give you a year-round ability to fish, compared to the put-and-take fishing spots that get fished out right after the season opens,” Crovak said.
Suman said he prefers the delayed harvest on Little Mahoning in Indiana County. He also recommended to stay determined.
“I would suggest to give it a few chances and not give up on it right away,” Suman said.
The fly projects can be difficult, especially out of season.
“The fish will not be as active and it will give you more of challenge to catch them,” added Suman.
Crovak suggested to new fishermen who are going to fish the delayed harvest sections to ask advice of the local fishing shops.
“They will be able to direct you to where to fish and what has been working recently on the stream,” he said.
Crovak also suggested when fishing to ask other fisherman where to go and look for signs of people.
The delayed harvest sections offer a unique opportunity to anglers and often present more of a challenge. They offer an early cure to the fishing itch that so many fishermen get when the weather turns warm.
Ryan Bippus
Hunter Klobucar
Sports