When you mention “stocking,” most Pennsylvania anglers immediately consider Commission trout stocking. Visions of a white fish truck followed by a caravan of private cars come to mind. But what you may need to learn is plenty of sportsmen’s clubs, nonprofit derby organizers and even private individuals stock thousands of fish each season. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission wants to know precisely who these people are and what they are doing.

For a long time, Pennsylvania has been in the minority regarding fish stocking; that is, they let anyone do it with few restrictions. At least 30 states, including most of our northeastern neighbors, require some permit or permission before stocking public waterways. Not Pennsylvania — at least not until recently.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, any individual or organization planning on stocking public waterways must wait to file a Notice of Stocking with the Commission before doing so. Although the NOS is free and not referred to as a permit, it will be reviewed and possibly rejected by Commission biologists. Failure to have an approved NOS before stocking a waterway may result in onsite education, a warning, or a $150 citation by a Waterways Conservation Officer.

Why now? The catalyst for the Notice of Stocking was an outbreak of gill lice in 2018. These tiny parasites, which were discovered in several North Central streams in 2018, can devastate trout populations. After investigating the situation, it was determined that the most likely source was stockings conducted by local organizations. However, it was nearly impossible to know because there could have been additional stockings by others that the Commission was unaware of – because permission from or notification to the Commission was unnecessary.

The Commission and other stakeholders immediately began determining what could be done to prevent similar or worse situations in the future. A stocking permit was an obvious answer, and it was not the first time the discussion about regulating stockings had taken place. For many years, staff had expressed concern over the potential dangers of such activities, but it never went any further than talk. But the possibility that a dangerous parasite was introduced through stocking renewed discussion and, ultimately, the new regulation.

Anyone wishing to stock a public waterway must first submit a Notice of Stocking. The notice will be reviewed by agency staff, and approval will be granted as long as doing so does not present a risk to the aquatic health of the waterway. A copy of the approved notice

must then be available for inspection by a Waterways Conservation Officer during the stocking.

So, how does this affect trout derbies, club stockings or fishing tournaments? In most cases, the only change is the need to file the Notice of Stocking. Most notices will be approved in quick order and returned with no need for additional steps. However, there are some situations that could raise questions or changes to stocking plans.

Stocking will not be permitted on waters designated as catch & release, wilderness trout or wild trout management wasters (including Class A wild trout waters)

Species must conform with the Commission’s Species by Watershed Approved for Open System Propagation & Introduction List.

If all required information is not provided, a Notice of Stocking is delayed or rejected until the missing information is made available.

Biologists may limit stockings if the listed species is not native to the specific waterway, there is a danger of disease transmission, or the fish are obtained from an unapproved source.

Suppose you or your organization is planning a stocking this year. You should contact the nearest PFBC regional law enforcement officer or the Harrisburg headquarters, or review the Commission’s website for more information. Copies of the required Notice of Stocking form can be downloaded from the website or, if you do not have internet access, requested from the local PFBC office. A commercial hatchery or dealer can also file the required forms on your behalf if they wish to do so.

Although this is another layer of bureaucracy, in the end, the result will be healthier fish populations and more opportunities for Commonwealth anglers. Health streams and fish populations are needed to ensure tomorrow’s anglers can enjoy the same opportunities many of us enjoyed in years past.