Wayne County anglers celebrate Opening Day of Pennsylvania's 2023 trout season

HONESDALE — Folks all across Wayne County came out of hibernation this past weekend to participate in one of the area’s traditional “rites of spring.”

On Saturday morning, anglers of all ages and abilities bundled up and headed out to celebrate Opening Day of Pennsylvania’s 2023 trout season.

And, even though the weather was less than ideal, TJ Jackson enjoyed the experience immensely. The 23-year-old, who graduated from Honesdale in 2017, was just a little boy when he started fishing with his grandpa.

On Saturday, TJ scouted out a spot on the Dyberry Creek not far from his parents’ house in Honesdale. There, he and his girlfriend set up shop and almost immediately began reeling ‘em in … everything from salmon eggs and spinners, to spoons and rubber worms were irresistible.

“Once the rain slowed up, the trout were just hammering our bait,” he said. "Whatever we threw in the water they were biting on.”

It wasn’t long before they’d caught their limit and headed home to begin regaling family and friends with exciting tales of Opening Day.

Season opener

Trout season in the Commonwealth officially opened at 8 a.m. on April 1.

This year’s campaign will run through Labor Day, which is Sept. 4. Anglers can keep up to five trout every day, measuring a minimum of seven inches.

The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission stocked approximately 3.2 million adult trout in nearly 700 streams and more than 120 lakes. These fish are raised at 13 state hatcheries along with cooperative sportsmen’s nurseries and clubs. The vast majority of the trout check in at about average of 11 inches in length and weigh half a pound on average.

All told, the agency releases an estimated 2.3 million rainbow trout, 707,000 brown trout and 168,000 brook trout into PA waterways. Officials also stock about 70,000 trophy-sized fish measuring 14-20 inches. In the neighborhood of 14,000 golden rainbow trout, weighing an average of 1.5 pounds, will also be stocked this year.

As per state law, anyone 16 or older must purchase a license in order to fish. However, there are several popular events set aside each year designed specifically to get everyone involved.

This year’s “Fish-for-Free” days are Sunday, May 28 and Tuesday, July 4. According to the Fish & Boat Commission website, residents and non-residents alike can fish on those days without a license.

In addition, the state sponsors a “Mentored Youth Trout Day” every spring. This year’s event was held on March 25 and attracted thousands of rookie anglers.

Fishing licenses in the Commonwealth are always available locally and also through the Commission’s website. Prices remain locked in until December, when they are scheduled for a modest increase, which is expected to generate nearly $3 million in much-needed funds.

Fishing licenses for residents will increase from $23.50 to $26, while licenses for non-residents are set to go from $55 to $59. A senior resident license is slated to go from $11.25 to $12.50, while a senior resident lifetime license is set to go from $75 to $85.

A trout permit will increase from $10.50 to $13 and a trout/Lake Erie permit will go up from $16.50 to $19. A one-day resident license will jump to $12.50 from 11.25, and a one-day tourist licences will go from $27.50 to $30. A three-day tourist license will also go from $27.50 to $30 and a seven-day tourist license will go from $35 to $37.50.

Success stories

Anglers from all over the region embraced Opening Day despite rain and unseasonably cool temperatures.

Honesdale’s own John Fotusky stayed relatively close to home, patrolling the banks of the Lackawaxen River from Church Street up to the old Stourbridge School.

Fotusky reeled in a total of about 16 rainbows and brown trout combined. While he didn’t catch any big ones worth keeping, he did witness several other anglers haul in nice-sized goldens.

Last season, Fotusky hit paydirt with a phenomenal golden that measured 24 inches and weighed in at seven pounds. He sent the beast off to the taxidermist and it now has a place of honor on his wall.

The veteran outdoorsman believes that patience and consistency are the two real keys to angling success.

“Keep fishing!” John exclaimed. “The more you fish, the more you learn and the better your chances are of catching that big one. Just like hunting a prized buck. Some people will fish a lifetime and never get a trophy. It took me 45 years to catch that big golden.”

Former Western Wayne athlete Jason Kromko agrees. A multi-sport standout who graduated in 2001, Jason has been fishing since childhood.

Like Fotusky, Kromko and his nephew, Kash, were also working the banks of the Lackawaxen Saturday morning. And it wasn’t long before they reeled in a beautiful golden measuring just over 18 inches.

“I think as parents and mentors we should all try to make time in our busy schedules to get the kids out and enjoy a day of fishing,” Jason said. “The Fish Commission provides opportunities to get the youngsters out earlier before the crowds and makes lasting memories.”

Another success story comes to us by way of Korwyn Bodie, a seasoned outdoorsman who’s been hunting and fishing his entire life.

Saturday morning found him camped out along the Dyberry Creek with his niece, Addison. There, not far from the Wayne County Fairgrounds, Addison hooked into a big brown trout.

The 10-year-old angler who attends Lakeside Elementary School finally wrestled the beast to shore. And, she couldn’t stop smiling when her uncle told her it measured a whopping 17 inches.

“It’s not about the trophy fish you catch or didn’t, it’s about getting out and making memories and having fun outdoors,” Bodie said. “Especially if you’re older and take a kid out, then every fish caught is a trophy that’s grows into a cherished memory.”

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Outdoors Trout Season Opening Day PA Stocking Licenses