2009 Stocking list on PFBC site.

The 2009 trout stocking list is available on the PFBC website.

I see there are no numbers (of fish stocked) again this year. We liked having the numbers in the past as it helped us to know where to go during the season.

Before everyone gets all flamey, we don't keep trout and we fish for natives some of the time. But, we use the stocking list as a way to know where to go to get some "aggressive action", especially when trying new lures/bait, etc.

It's a conspiracy!

ORIGINAL: CATMAN610

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They took away the numbers so we can't see how many less as compared to other seasons.

yup
they don't want you to see the cutbacks

I believe their reasoning for not posting the numbers is very flimsy.  Just like the increase in size this is another way to cover up the cutbacks in stocking.
I don't know why they aren't honest.  It cost more to stock fish, we have to cut back. Most people can relate to the increases in the cost of living.  There are still plenty of fish to be had opening day.

i don't mind not knowing the numbers.  Although, as others have said, if they aren't posting them because they are cutting back, they should just say that.  It's happenning everywhere else in the country with this economy. 
 
But I could honestly care less about the numbers.  I know too many people who only fish at a place if they KNOW it was stocked recently.  I found out North park lake wasn't going to be stocked jan 16th for ice fishing, but I still went and caught fish, as did many others.  But I know many didn't come to fish because there were "no guarantees".  I like catching fish as much as the next, but I don't need to know the numbers or the locations. 

i hate catching state stocked trout i fish the pay lakes because of the shere size of the state stocked fish its very pathetic catching 8 to ten inch trout all day they dont fight at all after fishing for steel i am very turned off bout state stocked fish

ORIGINAL: albud1962
The stocked trout are supposed to be larger but I haven't seen any difference. In fact the stocked fish I recently caught were barely pushing 9 inches.

Can anyone cite by not posting the numbers the overall fishing experience has gotten any better?

As I indicated I just wish the Commission was honest.

I've also noticed a reduction in size of the stocked trout.

Actually, I've seen more people upset about the stocking program than ever before.

So, let me get this straight, you want a state run agency to be honest?!

ORIGINAL: PeteM

I've seen the opposite. One dhalo that I fished this fall was absolutely astonishing. When they turned on in late afternoon I landed at least a dozen rainbow, and not a one of them was less than 16". The guy I was fishing with did the same.

I know what you're gonna' think, but I'm posting anyway.

I've fished the same streams, same stretches, same lures, same bait, same times of year for about 30 years. Over those 30 years the fish have changed in number and size following a pattern related to weather and economic conditions. Weather for native trout. Economic and weather for stocked trout.

It's great that you're impressed by a dozen 16" trout. However, I've frequently started with a 30 pack of meal worms and ran out before noon, catching trout the whole time. Sometimes I've opened a new rooster tail and at the end of the day tossed it in the trash because the color and tail were gone (some of that degradation due to rocks, etc. in the stream). Many days I've stopped counting at 30 fish, just because it becomes foolish to try to keep count.

I've hooked trout that opened the split ring that secures a treble hook to the lure. I don't know how many times I've measured trout at 22" or better while fishing the yough. I've stood in the water with 9 trout laying at my feet that were all at least 18".

I once fished Meadow Run in February seeing 20-25' ice flows (is that what they're called) coming off the rock hillsides (DHALO about 1/2-3/4 mile up from the mouth). I caught one brown that day about 9" or 10". I've also been on the streams when there wasn't more than 3" or 4" of water flowing in some places.

I'm one of the types of fisherman who doesn't stay at one hole for hours. I fish a half to one mile of stream by noon. Then head to a different stream for the other half of the day.

When I tell ya' the fish are smaller and less numerous the past two years, believe me because I have no reason to trick you. I've heard many guys complain the last two years about the stocked trout. Some people travel many miles for SW-PA fishing and they are more than aggravated when they don't catch more than 3 fish during opening day weekend. And they don't mind letting everyone who'll listen know what they think.

One thing I should mention is that the PFBC isn't the only one who stocks fish and some years I'm sure that club stockings impact the size/numbers for fish in the streams.

AFter the 300 ice fishermen are set afloat, I am not sure I am going to be on the hard water anytime soon

AFter the 300 ice fishermen are set afloat, I am not sure I am going to be on the hard water anytime soon

That was a result of their own idiocy.

not to change the subject but i personally believe that after the first day of trout season the pfbc should not advertise any more stockings.i think its a joke the way people meet the stocking truck at the advertised meeting place and follow the truck to wherever he stops to stock.i was at mingo 1 year ago with my son and the stocking truck came with a parade of cars and trucks following it.the truck stopped to stock an area and all the vehicles stopped and got out their fishing equipment.i wasnt there to fish but couldnt believe the way the people acted.

Holy thread resurrections.
 
Speaking of SW PA.  I seen this year that Laurel Hill Creek, one of the nicest (larger sized) streams in SW PA, is only receiving one in season stock in it's all-tackle section.