Aug 6, 2016 3 min read

One of the great streams in Pennsylvania, Penns Creek is a cold-water fishery that holds trout year-round, making it a destination for trout anglers.

But citing higher-than-normal water temperatures and low stream levels, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Fish and Boat Commission temporarily posted two sections of Penns Creek to prevent fishing and disturbance of massed fish.

“The prolonged combination of little rainfall and steadily climbing water temperatures has left wild trout massing at two locations in Bald Eagle State Forest where mountain streams are supplying needed oxygen and cooler water,” said State Forester Dan Devlin. “The goal is to prevent additional stress by limiting angling pressure and the chances of others needlessly spooking them.”

Both areas are located in Mifflin County, not far from the Union-Centre county line. The posted areas are along Penns Creek at the mouths of Panther Run and Swift Run tributaries, where fish have massed to take advantage of cooler water and increased flow.

This is not the first time the premier trout stream, harboring a unique, wild trout fishery that draws anglers from around the world, was taxed by severe weather conditions. In 1999, trout were forced to congregate by the hundreds in coldwater tributary mouths along Penns Creek.

The postings will remain in effect until water levels and temperatures improve, which could take some time considering we’re now into August.

Despite the heavy rains that hit our area in the past week, the state Department of Environmental Protection last week issued a drought-watch declaration for 34 Pennsylvania counties.

• Nine members of Washington County Penn State 4-H Extension office recently won the Senior and Junior division events at the 2016 4-H Achievement Days.

The Senior team of Sarah Hritz, Wade Richards and Haley Wilkerson took first place in the Senior three-position rifle event, while the team of Azriel Florian, Ethan Hall and Aidan Russell won the Junior title in the same event.

Cailey Dahlquist, Krista Huffman and Emily Adams finished second in the air rifle event.

Florian also finished first overall in the individual three-position shoot, while Hall was third in the junior division.

Richards placed second, Hritz third and Wilkerson fourth in the Senior Rifle Division, earning a trip to the 2017 4-H Shooting Sports Event in Grand Island, Neb., next June. Only Senior Division shooters can advance to the national shoot.

In the Senior Air Rifle competition Dahlquist placed second and Huffman earned fourth place. Both qualified for the national event next summer.

All of the local shooters train at the Frazier-Simplex Rifle Club.

• A group of Great Lake charter boat captains have petitioned Congress regarding stopping Asian carp from invading the lakes.

Denny Grinold of Fish N’ Grin Charter Service in Michigan told the Associated Press he fears lawmakers are getting “Asian carp fatigue” and are losing interest in a permanent fix.

Dave Spangler of Lake Erie Charter Boat Association said a carp invasion would devastate the lake’s walleye and perch populations.

There is no doubt both men are right regarding this invasive species. Asian carp getting into the Great Lakes have long-lasting effects on the already struggling game fish populations in those waterways.

Stopping their march toward some of the country’s best freshwater fisheries, however, is no easy fix.

Outdoors Editor F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.