By: Xander Russell 

     As we all know, winter has come to an end and, with that, comes springtime fishing. In Pennsylvania, there is a great variety of places to fish. There are creeks, rivers, ponds, and lakes that are all easily accessible. With all of the varieties of places to fish, it also allows you to catch many kinds of fish, including the popular species of trout, large mouth and small mouth bass, pike, walleye, crappie, perch, and musky.  

      Before you go fishing make sure to buy your fishing license because the new season started January 1, and your license from last year is now expired. You can purchase a new license from a variety of stores, such as Walmart, Dunhams, or any local fishing stores.  

      One of the notable fishing seasons that has just opened is trout season. The daily limit is five fish that are at least seven inches or longer. However, you cannot keep trout out of all streams, or even just certain sections of streams due to keystone sections. Streams like Kinzua Creek, Oil Creek, and Pine Creek all have keystone sections of the river/stream, which is artificial bait and delayed harvest only. So, just make sure to do your research before fishing if you plan on keeping trout. 

     There are multiple effective ways to catch trout, with both regular spinning rod and reel and fly rod and reel. Fly fishing is harder, but it is also more rewarding, when you’re fly fishing you typically catch more fish than people that use a spinning rod. However, a spinning rod can still be effective if you use baits/lures like spinners, small Rapalas, soft plastics, or live bait like worms or minnows. Some of the best flies to throw are wooly buggers and nymphs that replicate things like stone fly larva when they still live underwater.  

     The Squire asked Eisenhower’s very own Trenton Courtney about why he enjoys fishing, and he described fishing as, “A great way to enjoy nature.” He described his favorite fishing memory to The Squire, stating, “[It was] Probably when I caught my first musky. It was a huge fish and first ever at that.”  

      Right around the corner is another very popular fishing season in Pennsylvania, Walleye season. Walleye season opens May 4 and ends December 31. The daily limit of Walleye is five fish 15 inches or longer. There are many good Walleye fisheries in Pennsylvania, like Lake Erie. 

     Some of the best ways to catch walleye is to jig for them using lures that replicate minnows. Trolling can also catch lots of walleye using things like a crawler harness or a Rapala.  

     There are also many ways to fish open water, like fly fishing, which is primarily used for trout. You can also troll from a boat, jig from shore or from a boat, wade and cast, and many more, all of which in the right circumstances can be a very successful way to catch fish. 

     With all that being said, be safe and remember to have fun. Good luck!