Mifflinburg, PA – Today, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Deputy Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Laurel Anders, visited R.B. Winter State Park in Union County to stock trout and highlight the amazing fishing opportunities available in the Commonwealth.
Through a partnership with PFBC, 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.
“Being outdoors is good for your health, and a day spent fishing also creates memories with family and friends. We want those benefits to be available to all,” Secretary Dunn said. “Pennsylvania has endless opportunities to experience the great outdoors and offer a chance to reconnect with nature. That’s exactly what this new partnership is about: discovering a new skill, revisiting a childhood hobby and enjoying our beautiful state parks.”
The program is a part of Mosaic, DCNR’s initiative to create a more inclusive environment in outdoor places. Full lists of the state parks and PFBC locations that offer loaner tackle programs can be found on the agencies’ websites. Those seeking to use loaner equipment at state parks are asked to contact the park office to make sure it is available.
Pennsylvania's statewide Opening Day of Trout Season will be held on Saturday, April 5. A single, statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day will take place on Saturday, March 29.
“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,” PFBC Deputy Executive Director Anders said. “We are proud to partner with DCNR to help more people learn about fishing and to create new memories around this wonderful activity.”
In 2025, PFBC is stocking approximately 3.2 million adult trout in 691 streams and 130 lakes open to public angling. The trout stocking schedule is searchable by county, lists the waterways in alphabetical order, and indicates stocking dates, meeting locations for volunteers, and the species of trout that are planned to be stocked at each location.
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 PFBC'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.
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.
Last year, Governor Josh Shapiro launched Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway, a new tourism brand highlighting the Commonwealth’s outdoor recreation opportunities. Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests provide free access to nature, making them ideal destinations for relaxation and adventure.
With warmer weather on the horizon, DCNR also is preparing to open many campgrounds for the year, just in time for trout season. A full list of state parks that offer camping can be found on DCNR’s website.
State forests offer primitive and motorized camping without any modern facilities, water, dump stations, or utility hook-ups. Visit DCNR’s website for more information on state forest camping.
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 AM until 5:00 PM, except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Visit DCNR’s website for more information about Pennsylvania’s 124 state parks, and check out DCNR’s Calendar of Events for events on public lands.
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