Photo provided to the Times Observer Colt Faga, 5, caught this palomino trout while fishing with his family on Saturday, March 30, in Pittsfield. March 30 was the annual Mentored Youth Trout Day. The Fish and Boat Commission will stock about 14,000 of these fish, also called golden rainbow trout, across the state this year.

High water stands to impact Saturday’s opening day of trout season.

For reference sake, the level of the Allegheny River is up two feet since April 2, according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s monitoring location in Warren.

“Anglers should keep safety in mind and adjust their fishing plans, as necessary,” the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission said in a statement. “While most waters have already been stocked with trout, due to conditions, some stockings scheduled for this week have been postponed.”

The commission cautions anglers to avoid wading and boating while waters are high and muddy.

“Fish survive high water and flood conditions by seeking out refuge areas within streams,” they explain. “During periods of high water, fish move towards the banks to find calmer water and lower velocities.

“A high-water event may cause trout to move, but they don’t suddenly get washed downstream. Fish may move either downstream or upstream in search of a refuge area. High flows can help to distribute trout that have been recently stocked; however, studies show that most stocked trout will remain in place if they are close to adequate habitat or a large pool that provides depth and cover.”

That information can help anglers who brave the conditions.

“A long period of muddy water can irritate fish gills and make foraging more difficult,” the Commission explained. “However, anglers should continue to fish on their favorite stream as flows recede and the water clears. Hatchery trout are not as adept at finding food as wild trout, and fishing can be very good when the fish begin actively feeding again.”

Saturday’s opener kicks off at 8 a.m.

The commission will stock about 3.2 million trout in waterways across the state this season. Catch limits include up to five trout per day at least seven inches long. The limit drops to three from Sept. 3 through Feb. 18.

Campgrounds on the Allegheny National Forest aren’t open yet but the campground at Chapman State Park is open for the opener with 33 sites available for the weekend as of Thursday.

“State parks are great places for fishing and camping throughout the year, which makes them perfect places to do both for the start of trout season,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Cindy Adams Dunn said. “We are proud to offer overnight accommodations to trout anglers and look forward to seeing a great turnout this year people get back outdoors this spring.”

Chapman is one of 70 state parks where trout have been stocked.

“Pennsylvania is fortunate to have incredible public access to the water for fishing and boating, and state parks are at the top of the list when it comes to convenience on Opening Day and throughout the trout season,” Tim Schaeffer, executive director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, said.