Class A Wild Trout Waters

Last updated

A brook trout, which occurs in many Class A Wild Trout Waters Brook trout 1918.jpg
A brook trout, which occurs in many Class A Wild Trout Waters

Class A Wild Trout Waters are the highest biomass class given to streams in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. They are considered to contain the highest-quality naturally reproducing trout populations in Pennsylvania. [1] The first streams received their Class A Wild Trout Waters designations in 1983. There are now hundreds of such waters, comprising nearly 1,500 miles (2,400 km) of streams. Class A Wild Trout Waters receive certain legal protections. For instance, they are typically classified by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as High-Quality Coldwater Fisheries. Most Class A Wild Trout Waters are subject to standard statewide angling regulations by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Contents

The official definition of Class A Wild Trout Waters is "streams that support a population of naturally produced trout of sufficient size and abundance to support a long-term and rewarding sport fishery". [2] These streams are considered to be the best angling streams in Pennsylvania and most of the state's 67 counties contain at least one. Class A Wild Trout Waters are virtually never stocked, although many were prior to receiving their designation. There are different total biomass criteria for different species and combinations of species, but for brook trout alone, the minimum is 30 kilograms per hectare (27 lb/acre), and for brown trout alone, the minimum is 40 kilograms per hectare (36 lb/acre).

History

The modern stream classification system of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, including Class A Wild Trout Waters, was developed with Operation Future, which marked a transition from recreation-based management to resource-based management, in 1983. Following statewide stream surveys in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission created a set of biomass standards for trout streams in the state. [1]

The first streams were designated as Class A Wild Trout Waters in 1983. At that time, 138 stream sections, totaling nearly 400 miles (640 km) of streams, were found to meet the criteria. As more streams were assessed, the number of Class A Wild Trout Waters grew rapidly. [1] By 2005, there were 436 Class A Wild Trout Waters, totaling 1,265 miles (2,036 km). [3] By the end of 2008, there were 487 such stream sections, which together included 1,436 miles (2,311 km) of streams. [1] By 2014, there were 510 Class A Wild Trout Waters, comprising 1,490.6 miles (2,398.9 km) of streams. [4]

In the 2010s, the fact that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission was considering adding seven urban streams to its list of Class A Wild Trout Waters—thus ending stocking there—caused some criticism by anglers who believed that this would impact the quality of fishing in heavily fished streams such as Monocacy Creek and Little Lehigh Creek. However, the criticism was not universal, with proponents pointing out that a redesignation would provide extra protection for the streams. [5] [6] The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission eventually decided to classify them as Class A Wild Trout Waters, but continue stocking them in the spring to satisfy angler demand. [6]

According to Pennsylvania Outdoor News Person of the Year Bill Anderson, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has become hesitant to classify streams as Class A Wild Trout Waters due to "'social' concerns". [7]

Description and distribution

The official definition of Class A Wild Trout Waters is "streams that support a population of naturally produced trout of sufficient size and abundance to support a long-term and rewarding sport fishery". [2]

Class A Wild Trout Waters are the "best of the best" streams for trout fishing in Pennsylvania. [1] They are distributed widely across the state. However, most are found in north-central and Northeastern Pennsylvania, while very few are in the western third of the state. [1] Some Class A Wild Trout Waters are located in The Poconos or the Lehigh Valley. [2] As of 2009, 49 of the state's 67 counties contain at least one Class A Wild Trout stream. [1] However, in that year, only nine counties contained at least 30 miles (48 km) of Class A Wild Trout Waters. [8]

Class A Wild Trout Waters are virtually never stocked with trout since they are managed solely for the propagation of wild trout. [1] [2] However, most current Class A Wild Trout streams were historically stocked with trout prior to the introduction of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's classification system. [2] [3] They may also be tributaries of streams that are stocked with trout. [3]

In 2014, there were 274 Class A Wild Trout Waters for brook trout, comprising 743.6 miles (1,196.7 km) of streams. There were 163 such stream segments for brown trout, making up a total of 507.3 miles (816.4 km) of streams, and 62 Class A Wild Trout Waters for both brook trout and brown trout, totaling 211.0 miles (339.6 km). There were only 11 Class A Wild Trout Waters for rainbow trout, making up 28.7 miles (46.2 km) of streams. [4]

Criteria

In order to be listed as Class A Wild Trout Waters, a stream must be surveyed by Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission biologists with "approved protocols" to determine that it meets the relevant standards. The official designation is carried out by the Board of Commissioners. [1]

The criteria for Class A Wild Trout Waters vary by species. For brook trout, a biomass of 30 kilograms per hectare (27 lb/acre), including at least 0.1 kilograms per hectare (0.089 lb/acre) of brook trout less than 15 centimeters (5.9 in) long. Additionally, brook trout may not make up less than 75 percent of the total wild trout biomass. The requirements are the same for brown trout except that the minimum brown trout biomass is 40 kilograms per hectare (36 lb/acre). [1]

For a stream to be Class A Wild Trout Waters for both brook trout and brown trout, the combined biomass of both species must be at least 40 kilograms per hectare (36 lb/acre) and the biomass of each species must include at least 0.1 kilograms per hectare (0.089 lb/acre) of trout less than 15 centimeters (5.9 in) long. Neither species may make up more than 75 percent of the total wild trout biomass. [1]

The criteria for rainbow trout are considerably simpler: the only requirement is that the biomass of wild rainbow trout less than 15 centimeters (5.9 in) long must be at least 2 kilograms per hectare (1.8 lb/acre). [1] There is only one stream in Pennsylvania that is Class A Wild Trout Waters for brook trout and rainbow trout: Roaring Run. [9] [10]

There are several rankings with lower biomass requirements in the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's classification system: Class B Wild Trout Waters, Class C Wild Trout Waters, Class D Wild Trout Waters, and Class E Wild Trout Waters. [1]

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection designates Class A Wild Trout Waters as High-Quality Coldwater Fisheries, provided that there has been an adequate period of public comment and participation. [4] This provides such streams with extra legal protections under the federal Clean Water Act. Thus, any activity involving discharges into a Class A Wild Trout Stream is required to comply with more restrictive standards than for other streams. [1] Some streams receive Exceptional Value status due to their classification as Class A Wild Trout Waters. [11]

Under Section 57.8a of the Pennsylvania Code, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is to manage trout populations in Class A Wild Trout Waters as renewable natural resources, and to conserve the populations for anglers. [1]

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission bases its water withdrawal policy in part on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's biomass classifications system. The habitat loss criteria for Class A Wild Trout Waters is 5 percent, except in cases of social or economic justification, in which case it is 7.5 percent. [1]

Class A Wild Trout Waters are subject to several angling regulations. The vast majority (92 percent) of such steams are managed with the statewide minimum length of 7 inches (18 cm) and the maximum creel limit of five fish. Of the 40+ Class A Wild Trout Waters under special regulations, about half are managed with a Catch and Release regulation. Trophy Trout and Wild Brook Trout Enhancement regulations apply to the remainder. A total of 31 Class A Wild Trout Waters have been designated as Wilderness Trout Streams. [1]

Fishing in Class A Wild Trout Waters is permitted year-round, although the killing of fish is forbidden from Labor Day to the beginning of the following year's trout season. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

Lick Run (Roaring Creek tributary) River

Lick Run is a small tributary of Roaring Creek in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.2 miles (6.8 km) long. It is entirely in Locust Township. Its watershed has an area of 5.97 square miles. It is designated as a coldwater fishery and Class A Wild Trout Waters. Brown trout inhabit it, as to 14 other fish species. Numerous species of macroinvertebrate also inhabit the stream.

Scotch Run (Catawissa Creek tributary) Tributary of Catawissa Creek

Scotch Run is one of the main tributaries of Catawissa Creek in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 7.8 miles (12.6 km) long and flows through Beaver Township and Main Township. The stream's watershed has an area of 9.10 square miles (23.6 km2). The stream is infertile and acidic. It is 7.2 feet (2.2 m) wide in its upper reaches and 17.0 feet (5.2 m) wide in its lower reaches. The main rock formations in the watershed include the Mauch Chunk Formation, the Pocono Formation, the Pottsville Formation, and the Spechty Kopf Formation. The main soils include Leck Kill soil and Hazleton soil. It flows between Nescopeck Mountain and McCauley Mountain.

Long Hollow (Catawissa Creek tributary) River

Long Hollow is a tributary of Catawissa Creek in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long and flows through Roaring Creek Township and Beaver Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 2.84 square miles (7.4 km2). The stream has a neutral pH and is considered to be a coldwater fishery. The main rock formations in the stream's watershed are the Mauch Chunk Formation, the Spechty Kopf Formation, the Pocono Formation, and the Buddys Run Member of the Catskill Formation.

Klingermans Run River

Klingermans Run is a tributary of Catawissa Creek in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.4 miles (3.9 km) long and flows through Roaring Creek Township and Beaver Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 1.78 square miles (4.6 km2). The stream is considered to be a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and Class A Wild Trout Waters. The main rock formations in the stream's watershed are the Mauch Chunk Formation and the Pocono Formation and the main soils are the Leck Kill soil and the Hazleton soil.

Crooked Run (Catawissa Creek tributary) River

Crooked Run is a tributary of Catawissa Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.4 miles (7.1 km) long and flows through North Union Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 4.24 square miles (11.0 km2). The stream is considered to be a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and Class A Wild Trout Waters. However, it is impaired by atmospheric deposition. The main rock formations in the stream's watershed are the Mauch Chunk Formation and the Pocono Formation and the main soils are the Leck Kill soil and the Hazleton soil.

Raccoon Creek (Tomhicken Creek tributary) River

Raccoon Creek is a tributary of Tomhicken Creek in Luzerne County and Schuylkill County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.3 miles (5.3 km) long and flows through Black Creek Township in Luzerne County and North Union Township in Schuylkill County. The watershed of the stream has an area of 2.67 square miles (6.9 km2). The stream is considered to be a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and Class A Wild Trout Waters. The main rock formations in the stream's watershed are the Mauch Chunk Formation and the Pottsville Formation and the main soil is the Leck Kill soil.

Little Crooked Run River

Little Crooked Run is a tributary of Tomhicken Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long and flows through North Union Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 1.22 square miles (3.2 km2). The stream is considered to be a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and Class A Wild Trout Waters. The main rock formations in the stream's watershed are the Mauch Chunk Formation and the Pottsville Formation and the main soil is the Hazleton soil.

Little Catawissa Creek Tributary of Catawissa Creek, Pennsylvania

Little Catawissa Creek is a tributary of Catawissa Creek in Columbia County and Schuylkill County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 10.8 miles (17.4 km) long and flows through Conyngham Township in Columbia County and Union Township and North Union Township in Schuylkill County. The named tributaries of the creek include Stony Run and Trexler Run. The creek has some alkalinity and is slightly acidic. The main rock formations in the watershed of it are the Mauch Chunk Formation, the Pocono Formation, and the Pottsville Formation. A number of other rock formations occur in small areas of the watershed as well. The main soils in the watershed are the Leck Kill soil and the Hazleton soil.

Trexler Run River

Trexler Run is a tributary of Little Catawissa Creek in Columbia and Schuylkill counties in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.4 miles (5.5 km) long and flows through Roaring Creek Township in Columbia County and Union Township in Schuylkill County. The watershed of the stream has an area of 3.81 square miles (9.9 km2). The stream is considered to be a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and Class A Wild Trout Waters. The main rock formations in the stream's watershed are the Mauch Chunk Formation, the Pocono Formation, and the Pottsville Formation and the main soil is the Leck Kill soil. Both brook trout and brown trout inhabit the stream, as do several other species of fish.

Dark Run River

Dark Run is a tributary of Catawissa Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.3 miles (6.9 km) long and flows through Union Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 4.55 square miles (11.8 km2). The stream is considered to be a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and Class D Wild Trout Waters. Eight species of fish inhabit the stream. The main rock formations in the stream's watershed are the Mauch Chunk Formation and the main soil is the Leck Kill soil. The stream has several unnamed tributaries.

Rattling Run (Catawissa Creek tributary) Tributary of Catawissa Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

Rattling Run is a tributary of Catawissa Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.4 miles (3.9 km) long and flows through East Union Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 2.28 square miles (5.9 km2). The stream is considered to be a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and Class A Wild Trout Waters. Three species of fish inhabit the stream. The main rock formations in the stream's watershed are the Mauch Chunk Formation and the Pottsville Formation and the main soils are the Leck Kill soil and the Hezleton soil. The stream has two unnamed tributaries.

Davis Run River

Davis Run is a tributary of Catawissa Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 1.2 miles (1.9 km) long. The watershed of the stream has an area of 2.86 square miles (7.4 km2). The stream is considered to be a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and Class A Wild Trout Waters. Six species of fish inhabit the stream, including brown trout and brook trout. The main rock formations in the stream's watershed are the Mauch Chunk Formation and the Pottsville Formation and the main soils are the Leck Kill soil and the Hezleton soil. The stream has two unnamed tributaries and a lake known as the Pumping Station Reservoir.

Messers Run Tributary river in eastern Pennsylvania

Messers Run is a tributary of Catawissa Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 5.2 miles (8.4 km) long and flows through Kline Township and East Union Township. The only named tributary of the stream is Negro Hollow, but it has two unnamed tributaries. The creek has some alkalinity, but is slightly acidic. The main rock formations in the watershed of it are the Mauch Chunk Formation and the Pottsville Formation. The main soils in the watershed are the Leck Kill soil and the Hazleton soil.

Negro Hollow River

Negro Hollow is the only named tributary of Messers Run in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long and flows through Delano Township, Kline Township, and East Union Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 1.57 square miles (4.1 km2). The stream is considered to be a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and Class A Wild Trout Waters. Two species of fish inhabit the stream, including brook trout. The main rock formations in the stream's watershed are the Mauch Chunk Formation and the Pottsville Formation and the main soils are the Leck Kill soil and the Hezleton soil. The stream has one unnamed tributary.

Mill Creek (Roaring Creek tributary) River

Mill Creek is a tributary of Roaring Creek in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.1 miles (5.0 km) long and flows through Roaring Creek Township and Locust Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 4.98 square miles (12.9 km2). The creek is considered to be a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and Class A Wild Trout Waters. Numerous species of macroinvertebrates inhabit it. The creek was named from the presence of a mill.

Balliet Run River

Balliet Run is a tributary of Big Wapwallopen Creek in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 7.3 miles (11.7 km) long and flows through Dorrance Township, Hollenback Township, and Butler Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 7.23 square miles (18.7 km2). The stream itself is fairly small and has two unnamed tributaries. It is considered to be Class A Wild Trout Waters and is inhabited by brook trout and brown trout. Wisconsinan Till, fill, and bedrock consisting of sandstone, conglomerate, and shale occur in the vicinity of the stream.

Lewis Creek is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 1.8 miles (2.9 km) long and flows through Exeter Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 1.64 square miles (4.2 km2). The creek is not designated as impaired and has typical water chemistry for a stream of its geology and land use. Rock formations in its watershed include the Catskill Formation.

Sorber Run River

Sorber Run is a tributary of Bowman Creek in Luzerne County and Wyoming County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.1 miles (5.0 km) long and flows through Lake Township in Luzerne County and Noxen Township in Wyoming County. The watershed of the stream has an area of 2.08 square miles (5.4 km2). The surficial geology in the stream's vicinity consists of alluvium and Wisconsinan Till. The watershed is designated as Exceptional Value waters and a Migratory Fishery. The stream is one of two Wilderness Trout Streams in Wyoming County.

Cider Run (Bowman Creek tributary) River

Cider Run is a tributary of Bowman Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long and flows through Forkston Township and Noxen Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 3.77 square miles (9.8 km2). The stream is not designated as an impaired waterbody. Its watershed is classified as Exceptional Value waters and a Migratory Fishery and the stream is designated as a Wilderness Trout Stream.

Burgess Brook is a tributary of North Branch Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 1.2 miles (1.9 km) long and flows through North Branch Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 1.42 square miles (3.7 km2). The stream is narrow, with a high gradient, and is located in a remote area, mostly far away from any roads. It is designated as Class A Wild Trout Waters and has a large population of brook trout, as well as smaller numbers of brown trout. Three other fish species are also present in the stream.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (October 2009), Strategic Plan for Management of Trout Fisheries in Pennsylvania 2010–2014 (PDF), pp. 18–25, archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016, retrieved November 11, 2015
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Tom Gilmore (2010), Flyfisher's Guide to the Big Apple, Wilderness Adventures Press, pp. xviii, 145
  3. 1 2 3 Native Brook Trout and Naturalized Brown Trout Effects on Two Pennsylvania Headwater Stream Food Chains, 2005, pp. 4, 6
  4. 1 2 3 Leroy Young (2014), PFBC Classification of Waters (PDF), pp. 22, 28, retrieved November 11, 2015
  5. ↑ Ben Moyer (January 18, 2015), "Anglers, commissioners debate stocking over native trout, protecting clean waters from industrial impacts", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , retrieved November 11, 2015
  6. 1 2 Mark Demko (February 22, 2015), Monocacy and Little Lehigh creeks to continue receiving trout season stockings , retrieved November 11, 2015
  7. ↑ Mark Nale (September 15, 2015), Enhancing revenue for the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, archived from the original on October 9, 2015, retrieved November 11, 2015{{citation}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  8. ↑ Trout, Trout Unlimited, 1997, p. 509
  9. ↑ Susquehanna Watershed – State Water Plan – Pennsylvania (PDF), p. 17, archived from the original (PDF) on November 17, 2015, retrieved September 27, 2015
  10. ↑ Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (October 2015), Class A Wild Trout Waters (PDF), p. 30, retrieved November 11, 2015
  11. ↑ Lower Susquehanna Region Water Resources continued DRAFT, p. 1, retrieved November 11, 2015
  12. ↑ Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Year Round Trout Fishing , retrieved November 11, 2015
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.