Harrisburg, PA -- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today encouraged anglers to consider using state park campsites and other lodging for overnight fishing trips as
trout season approaches.
More than 40 parks throughout the state will provide camping or roofed overnight accommodations for this year’s Saturday, April 1 opener.
“Our state parks offer wonderful opportunities for fishing and camping throughout the year and are an especially great places to do both at the start of trout season,”
Dunn said. “Supporting outdoor recreation efforts on public lands is at the core of our mission. We are happy to offer overnight accommodations to trout anglers and look forward to seeing a great turnout this year as Pennsylvanians get back outdoors this spring.”
DCNR has opened additional campsites to accommodate the trout season to help expand the outdoor experience. There are 86,000 miles of rivers and streams, and thousands of lakes and ponds in Pennsylvania. Much of this abundant freshwater wealth is found in more than 100 state parks and 20 state forests that permit fishing with the proper fishing license.
“Pennsylvania is fortunate to have incredible public access to the water for fishing and boating, and state parks are at the top of the list when it comes to convenience on Opening Day and throughout the trout season,” said
Tim Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. “More than 70 state parks are being stocked with trout this season and many offer camping opportunities to make your fishing adventures even more memorable.”
Campsites and other lodging at state parks can be
reserved online on a first-come, first-served basis or by calling 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), Monday through Saturday, 7:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
State parks that accommodate trout fishing with campsite or lodging availability include:
- Caledonia
- Canoe Creek
- Chapman
- Clear Creek
- Colonel Denning
- Cook Forest
- Cowans Gap
- Fowlers Hollow
- Frances Slocum
- French Creek
- Greenwood Furnace
- Hickory Run
- Hyner Run
- Kettle Creek
- Keystone
- Kooser
- Lackawanna
- Laurel Hill
- Linn Run
- Little Buffalo
- Little Pine
- Locust Lake
- Lyman Run
- Moraine
- Nockamixon
- Ohiopyle
- Ole Bull
- Parker Dam
- Pine Grove Furnace
- Poe Paddy
- Poe Valley
- Promised Land
- Pymatuning
- Raccoon Creek
- Reeds Gap
- Ricketts Glen
- Ryerson Station
- Sinnemahoning
- Sizerville
- Tobyhanna
- Trough Creek
- Tuscarora
- Worlds End
- Yellow Creek
Check individual parks for specific camping availability as some options (cabins, yurts, lodges, etc.) are already reserved.
Fishing in Pennsylvania requires a fishing license. For
more information about purchasing a fishing license visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s website.
Anglers who plan to fish from a boat this trout season are reminded that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's cold weather life jacket requirement is in effect from November 1 through April 30.
Under this rule, anyone aboard a boat 16 feet or less, including all canoes and kayaks, is required to wear a life jacket.
Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and DCNR, the public can borrow fishing rods, reels, and an equipped tackle box to try fishing while at the certain parks.
Whether you are giving fishing a try for the first time, or returning to a childhood activity, these state parks provide free tackle for loan:
- Bald Eagle
- Bendigo
- Black Moshannon
- Chapman
- Clear Creek
- Colonel Denning
- Cook Forest
- Frances Slocum
- French Creek
- Gifford Pinchot
- Hills Creek
- Kettle Creek
- Lackawanna
- Little Buffalo
- Locust Lake
- Lyman Run
- M.K. Goddard
- McConnells Mill
- Moraine
- Mount Pisgah
- Nescopeck
- Nockamixon
- Ole Bull
- Pine Grove Furnace
- Point
- Presque Isle
- Prince Gallitzin
- Promised Land
- Pymatuning
- R.B. Winter
- Raccoon Creek
- Reeds Gap
- Ricketts Glen
- Ryerson Station
- Tobyhanna
- Tuscarora
- Tyler
- Yellow Creek
The program is a part of DCNR’s efforts to ensure nature is accessible to all Pennsylvanians. Those seeking to use loaner equipment are asked to contact the park office to ensure availability.
For more information about
fishing and
camping at state parks, visit DCNR’s website.
Check out
DCNR’s Calendar of Events for events on public lands.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Wesley Robinson, DCNR, 717-877-6315
Mike Parker, PFBC, 717-585-3076
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