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    PFBC Cooperative Nursery Program

    This video provides a comprehensive overview of the PFBC’s Cooperative Nursery Program. As explained in this video by the Cooperative Nursery Unit Leader Brian McHail, the partnership between the PFBC and cooperative nurseries yield as much as one quarter of all the trout stocked in the state. As the fish shown in this video were initially transferred from Benner Spring State Fish Hatchery last year, they are now at an adult stage for stocking before and during trout season this year.

    Important Dates

    March 5, 2024
    Notice of Stocking​

    April 15, 2024
    Fingerling Request Form
    (PDF — Word)
    Current Officer Form
    (PDF — Word)

    May 15, 2024
    Sponsor Grant Application
    (PDF — Word)

    July 15, 2024
    Annual Report, Pages 2 and 2a
    (PDF — Excel)
    —Page 1, 2, 2a instructions
    (PDF)

    Annual Report, Page 3
    (PDF — Excel)
    —Page 3 instructions (PDF)

    Cooperative Nursery Unit Forms 

    • Annual Report, Pages 2 and 2a (PDF — Excel)
      - Page 1, 2, 2a instructions (PDF)
    • Annual Report, Page 3 (PDF — Excel)
      - Page 3 instructions (PDF)
    • Annual Report, Warm Water / Cool Water (Excel)
    • Cooperative Nursery Monthly Report (Excel)
    • Derby information form (Excel)
    • Derby information letter (PDF)
    • Feed chart calculation (Excel)
    • Fingerling request (PDF — Word)
    • Grant application (PDF — Word)
    • Grant applications instructions (PDF)
    • Grant criteria (PDF — Word)
    • Grant program dates (PDF)
    • SAP information (PDF)​

     Prospective Nursery Forms 

    • Application & Selection Criteria (PDF)
    • Request for Consideration (PDF — Word)
    • Prospective Sponsor Agreement (PDF — Word)
    • Cooperative Nursery Unit Policy (PDF)

    Contact Information

    Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Cooperative Nursery Unit

    1735 Shiloh Road
    State College, PA 16801
    Fax: 814-355-8264

    Josh Keslar, Unit Leader
    Phone: 814-353-2239
    Email: jokeslar@pa.gov

    John Cingolani, Fisheries Technician
    Phone: 814-353-2237
    Email: jcingolani@pa.gov

    Elizabeth James, Fisheries Technician
    Phone: 814-353-2222
    Email: elijames@pa.gov

    Apply for the Cooperative Nursery Grant

    Provides monies for new construction, additions and improvements, and equipment to existing nurseries within the PA Fish and Boat Commission's Cooperative Nursery program.

    Apply for the Cooperative Nursery Grant