The Brook Trout is the Official State
fish of Pennsylvania
1.
Introduction
Early
settlers to Pike County found pristine streams and lakes teeming with
native brook trout. As the nation grew, Pike County became a mecca
for out-of-state trout anglers. Eventually farmers
cleared the trees and brush away from portions of some streams; the sun
warmed the water making it difficult for brook trout to thrive. Local
anglers obtained the more heat tolerant brown trout from Germany and
stocked these warmer streams giving Pike County one of the first brown
trout fisheries in America. Although the farms are long gone and the
trees have grown back, many descendents of these brown trout still live
in Pike County's streams!
Today,
Pike County is still known for its pristine streams and clean lakes. In
fact, every stream in Pike County has been rated High Quality or
Exceptional Value by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection. With such clean waters, most streams are populated with
trout. However, numerous environmental factors can limit the number and
size of the fish. In order to improve public fishing, the Pennsylvania
Fish & Boat Commission regularly stocks many waters with trout.
Trout
Trivia - The Brook Trout was named the Official State Fish for
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Brook Trout is also an
official symbol of Pike County. A full color Brook
Trout weather vane can be found on top of the Old Stone Jail in
downtown Milford.
2.
Where
to Fish for Trout in Pike County
The
following is a list of approved trout waters, access points, driving
directions, and other information:
Streams
Bushkill
Creek --- From
US - 209 upstream, STOCKED
heavily before the season. Down stream of US - 209 also offers
great fishing with stocked trout working their way down and river trout
often working their way up. Parking and service roads offer easy
access along the upstream area just off US - 209.
Decker
Brook --- From
US - 6 downstream to the lower limits of the gamelands --- STOCKED
Dingmans
Creek --- From
Deer Leap Falls to downstream to Dingmans Falls --- DELAYED
HARVEST ARTIFICIAL LURES ONLY
---
Lackawaxen
River --- from
Pike County border downstream to mouth --- STOCKED
--- PA - 590 parallels the Lackawaxen and provides easy
access. Further access may be gained from the National Park
Service's Zane Grey Boat access located at the mouth of the Lackawaxen.
Trout
Trivia --- The Lackawaxen River was a favorite
fishing spot of the famous Western author, Zane Grey, whose house is
now a museum and located where the Lackawaxen meets the Delaware
River.
Little
Bushkill Creek --- from
its mouth to the lower limit of the Charles Peters Estate and from the
lower limit of the Lehman Lake Club to the upper limit of the Little
Bushkill Hunting and Fishing Club --- STOCKED
Masthope
Creek --- Located
in the upper part of Pike County, Masthope Creek is heavily STOCKED
for the opening of the trout season. The surrounding grounds are
State Gamelands offering great access for those who want to get away
from the road when fishing.
Middle
Branch Creek --- Flows
through the Delaware State Forest. Access may be had from the
service roads near High Knob by PA-402. STOCKED
for spring fishing.
Mill
Creek --- Flows
into Lake Wallenpaupack between Paupack and Tanglewood Estates
subdivision. Access may be had fro either the shore of Lake
Wallenpaupack or from PA-507. STOCKED.
Saw
Creek --- from
Porter Lake Club property downstream to Saw Creek Club property
--- STOCKED
---
Sawkill
Creek --- with only
limited access outside the NPS Delaware Water Gap National Recreation
Area, the Sawkill runs from the Delaware River through Milford. It
has recently been classified as a --- CLASS
A WILD TROUT STREAM
--- Consult your regulations summary. Wild brown trout may be found
throughout stream. Large browns are known to enter from Delaware
when water is high.
Shohola
Creek --- from
the bridge at PA - 739 downstream to the lower limit of gamelands #180
--- STOCKED
with brook trout early in the season, rainbow and brown trout later in
the season. Access may be had from the PA - 739 bridge. A
path parallels the stream for several miles on both sides of the
creek. Access may also be found at the Shohola Recreational Area
where the stream crosses US - 6.
Toms
Creek --- From
boundary of DWG-NRA to mouth --- CATCH
& RELEASE ONLY
--- Be sure to follow the special regulations posted along stream
and in the regulations summary. Access may be had where US - 209
crosses the creek.
Lakes
Lake
Wallenpaupack --- With
52 miles of publicly accessed shoreline, finding a place to fish should
be pretty easy. There are public boat accesses on PA -590 by the
dam, off PA - 570 towards the end of the lake (Ironwood access) and off
Ledgedale Road at the inlet of the lake. Commercial access areas
are located around the lake and allow boats to be launched for a small
fee. Many of Lake Wallenpaupack's trout are the product of trout
breeding in the lake and feeder streams. However, the lake is
occasionally stocked with fry or grown fish to supplement the fishery.
Trout
Trivia --- A 17 pound brown trout caught in Lake
Wallenpaupack is a former state record!
Little
Mud Pond --- STOCKED
for trout season. Located in the Delaware State Forest, access may
be had from Silver Lake Road.
Loch
Lomond --- Loch
Lomond is located on Wilson Hill Road in the Delaware Water Gap -
National Recreation Area. The lake is relatively shallow. It
has an open shoreline allowing for good visibility around the
lake. As such, parents can let their kids roam and explore while
still keeping an eye on them. Loch Lomond is handicapped
accessible. Stocking takes place through the end of May. In
accordance with Federal regulations, only brook trout are STOCKED.
To get to Loch Lomond, take US - 209 through the DWG-NRA to Dingmans
Ferry. 1/4 mile south of the intersection of PA - 739 is where Wilson
Hill Road meets US - 209. Turn onto Wilson Hill Road until it
meets Johnabee Road. Continue 100 yards along Wilson Hill
Road. Loch Lomand will be on your left. Loch Lomond is a
good place to fish with kids.
The
stocking of Loch Lomond is a combined state and federal effort that
was brought about through the efforts of the Pike County Federation
of Sportsmen's Clubs.
Lily
Pond --- Lily
Pond is liberally STOCKED
with LARGE trout in anticipation of trout season. The trout are
supplied by the Pike County Commissioners with local businesses and
organizations donating many of the fish. In addition, the pond is also stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Lily Pond is located in the Pike County
Park. Take US- 6 west from Milford. Turn left on to
Schoccopee Road then on to Fire Tower Road. Those approaching from
the west will find Schoccopee Road meeting US-6 just east of the Milford
exit of Interstate 84. Lily Pond is a great place to take the
kids.
The
Pike County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs played an important role
in getting the state to stock Lily Pond.
Lower
Lake of Promised Land State Park --- Easy
access available of PA - 402. Follow signs in Promised Land State
Park to parking and boat access. STOCKED
periodically through
the year. Lower Lake is also designated as an ANNOUNCED
STOCKING LAKE in
which in season stocking will be done on publicly announced dates and
times. Also stocked is the stream between the lakes.
3.
Wild Trout Waters
For those
who prefer not to fish for stocked trout and "hold overs" Pike
County has plenty of opportunity to fish for wild trout.
The
Sawkill Creek
is classified as a Class A Wild Trout Water by the Pennsylvania Fish
and Boat Commission. Access is limited outside the DWG-NRA
land. Last stocked in the early 1980's, brown trout hold their
own in the creek. During times of high water, brown trout from
the Delaware move into the lower reaches of the creek. If the
water recedes quickly, many are forced to remain in the stream.
The Delaware
River also has its
own wild trout. However, although the Delaware is not stocked,
many stocked trout do find their way into the Delaware. Try
fishing the pools when it is cooler and the riffles when its hot.
The NPS
DWG-NRA has
numerous streams that flow through the Park to the Delaware
River. Like the Sawkill, trout from the Delaware often migrate
into the lower reaches of these streams during times of high
water. Above the first falls, many of these streams have wild
brook trout. Often the lower water of summer restricts the size
in which the trout grow. However, a nice fish may often be found
in deep pools, especially plunge pools below the waterfalls. Raymondskill
Creek often
produces nice brown trout unter the numerous water falls. Toms
Creek is known for abundant,
though small, brookies.
Small
creeks found in Pike County's numerous gamelands and state forests
often hold wild brook trout. Many streams seemingly too small to
hold catchable fish will hold a few "keepers" in deeper
plunge pools. When a beaver dams up a trickle of a steam, minnow
sized trout often grow large in the resulting pond. Many times
these trout spend there entire lives without any threat from
anglers. Birchy
Brook and Rattlesnake
Creek are two
waters known to produce enough trout to warrant a few first day
anglers.
Finally,
many streams on private land hold wild trout often without the owners
even knowing it. For example, one pool under a bridge on the Dwaftskill
Creek held 8 trout
over 12 inches long. (They may still be there.) Yet, rarely is
anyone found fishing the creek. If you find a good clear stream
on private land, chances are it holds a few trout (even if the owner
doesn't think so). Be sure to ask permission first!
Return
to Fishing Index
Return
to Federation Home Page
|
