Pennsylvania Trout Season Opens With Social Distancing Mandates

PENNSYLVANIA - The coronavirus outbreak hasn't stopped everything in Pennsylvania. The statewide 2020 trout season opened Tuesday, with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission reminding anglers and boaters to abide by social distancing guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Gov. Tom Wolf's stay-at-home order.

The fish and boat commission recommends anglers and boaters limit travel by fishing close to home, cover their faces with a mask or other cloth covering and keep a distance of at least six feet from others. The commission suggests using the length of arm with an outstretched fishing rod as a guide.

Additionally, people should only only go fishing with members of their families living in the same household and should not share fishing gear with anyone. If an angler is in an area in which you intended to fish, the commission suggests moving to another location.

“We have already seen that anglers and boaters across the commonwealth are willing to adapt their behavior to include social distancing, and we ask everyone to follow their lead while enjoying outdoor activitiesduring this challenging time," commission executive director Tim Schaeffer said in a release. "The trout we have been stocking have had time to spread out, and so should you.”

The fish and boat commission will continue to stock trout throughout the spring, but not all waters have been stocked at this time. To further discourage group gatherings, a stocking schedule and list of waters that have been stocked will not be publicly released this season.

Fishing and boating is permitted in Pennsylvania state parks and state forests as long as social distancing guidelines are followed. Anglers should note that state park facilities, including restrooms, could be closed.

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