Photo provided to the Times Observer Over 3.2 million trout will be stocked in streams and lakes in the coming weeks including 707,000 rainbow trout, one of which is pictured here. Opening day is set for Saturday, April 1.

Spring might feel far away. But one of the first signs of spring for some of us were released on Wednesday — the state’s trout stocking schedules.

Opening day is set for April 1 and the first stocking in Warren County is currently scheduled for Feb. 22.

“While many anglers still have their rods and tackle boxes stored away for the winter, the release of our trout stocking schedule is always highly anticipated and is a reminder that spring fishing opportunities are just around the corner,” Brian Wisner, Director of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s Bureau of Hatcheries, said.

“Our hatcheries are bustling with activity right now, as we get ready to stock millions of trout into hundreds of waterways for anglers to enjoy throughout the 2023 season,” Tim Schaeffer, the PFBC executive director said.

“Our hatchery staff and Waterways Conservation Officers look forward to partnering with local volunteers to make sure the trout are stocked safely and efficiently and will be ready to tug on your line on opening day and for many weeks to follow.”

A total of 3.2 million trout will be stocked in 697 streams and 126 lakes across the state.

The PFBC says that’s consistent with stocking levels over the last decade. Approximately 2.3 million of that total will be rainbow trout as well as 707,000 brown trout, 168,000 brook trout and 14,000 golden Rainbow trout.

An additional 70,000 brood fish in the 14-20 inch range will be stocked in streams.

Partnerships with cooperative nurseries will add another one million fish to that total throughout 2023.

What gets stocked changes each year and the most significant change for county anglers will be an additional fall stocking to the stretch of Kinzua Creek in McKean County from the Guffey Road bridge to the ANF boundary near Westline.

Volunteers will be welcome to participate in the stocking efforts and meeting places for the specific stockings can be found on the state’s list at fbweb.pa.gov/stocking.

Streams and lakes designated Stocked Trout Waters will be closed from Feb. 21 until opening day — with the exception of mentored youth day the Saturday (March 25) before the opener.

Here’s a rundown of which waterways in Warren County will be stocked in 2023 and the dates of those stocking events: Blue Eye Run on March 23 and April 25; Brokenstraw Creek on March 17 and April 17; Brown Run on March 23 and April 26; Caldwell Creek on March 22 and April 19; Chapman Dam Reservoir on March 22, May 1 and Dec. 11; East Branch Spring Creek on Feb. 28; East Branch Tionesta Creek on March 1, March 10, April 24 and May 2; East Hickory Creek, March 28 and April 19; Farnsworth Branch, March 27, April 10 and May 3; Fourmile Run on March 23 and April 26; Hemlock Run on March 3; Jackson Run on March 3 and April 27; Little Brokenstraw Creek, March 1 and April 18; Perry Magee Run on March 27 and May 5; Pine Creek on March 2 and April 24; Sixmile Run on March 23; South Branch Tionesta Creek on March 3 and April 10; Spring Creek on Feb. 28 and April 25; Thompson Run on March 27; Tidioute Creek on March 27 and May 5; Tionesta Creek on March 6, March 14, April 11 and April 12; Twomile Run on Feb. 22 and the week of April 17; West Branch Caldwell Creek, March 22 and April 19; West Branch Tionesta Creek on Feb. 23, March 1, April 15 and May 3 and West Hickory Creek on March 28 and April 19.