Sentinel file photo
Ava Druckenmiller, 5, of Thompsontown, does her best to cast her lure into the water while her brother Ian Druckenmiller, 9, watches. Young anglers will have the opportunity today to participate in Mentored Youth Trout Day.

From staff reports

LEWISTOWN — Today kicks off Mentored Youth Trout Day for anglers.

The statewide event is open to youth ages 15 and under from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and their licensed adult mentors on hundreds of waters across all 67 counties.

“This is a special day where our youngest anglers have a chance to have fun and learn fishing skills they can carry with them for a lifetime,” said Richard Kauffman, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat District 8 Commissioner.

The purpose of Mentored Youth Trout Day — created in 2013 — is to provide an opportunity for young anglers to have fun while learning fishing skills a week before the large crowds arrive for the busy Statewide Opening Day of Trout Season on April 5.

“On this special day, the focus of every adult mentor should be on helping kids to fish, including teaching them how to bait a hook, cast a line, and hopefully, help them to safely reel in a few trout.” added Kauffman. “Remember, mentoring is most effective when just one adult accompanies each child, and the main goal should be to provide a positive experience for the kids, so they’ll want to keep fishing for many seasons to come.”

Before participating in Mentored Youth Trout Day, anglers should become familiar with fishing regulations and review the following information:

Find Stocked Trout Waters

According to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, young anglers can currently fish at multiple areas throughout Kish Creek, Honey Creek, Meadow Creek, Strodes Run, East Licking Creek, West Licking Creek, Havice Creek, Lingle Creek, Treaster Run in Mifflin County.

In Juniata County, anglers can visit Big Run, Horning Run, Lost Creek, East Licking Creek, Tuscarora Creek, West Branch Mahantango Creek, Horse Valley Run, Laurel Run, Backlog Creek, Cocolamus Creek and Delaware Creek.

For more specific locations, visit the Fish and Boat Commission website.

Who Can Participate?

Youth anglers require either a Voluntary Youth Fishing License ($2.97) or Mentored Youth Permit (free) and must be accompanied by a licensed adult mentor (age 16+) to participate. With their License or Permit, youth anglers can keep a total of two trout (combined species) with a minimum length of 7 inches.

Adult mentors (age16+) require a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License and a current Trout Permit. To participate in Mentored Youth Trout Day, anglers ages 16 and older must be accompanied by an eligible holder of a Mentored Youth Fishing Permit or a Voluntary Youth Fishing License. While adult mentors are permitted to fish while in the act of assisting a youth angler, adult anglers are prohibited from possessing trout.

Mentored Youth Trout Day is not intended for large groups of youth fishing with minimal adult supervision.

Get Your Licenses and Permits

Permits and licenses are available using the HuntFishPA online portal and in-person at nearly 700 license issuing agents. All anglers, including youth, are required to have their own account within the licensing system, which can be created either online or at a retail license issuing location. Upon creation of an account, anglers are issued a permanent, individual Customer Identification Number (CID#) that can be used for an improved, user-friendly experience during future transactions.

Why Buy a Voluntary Youth Fishing License?

The PFBC is a user-funded agency which receives no PA General Fund tax revenue to support its programs, including world-class trout stocking operations. For each Voluntary Youth Fishing License purchased for $2.97, the PFBC receives approximately $5 in funding as a federal reimbursement. These funds are dedicated for use only in youth outreach and education programs. The PFBC does not receive any funding to support programs through the issuing of free Mentored Youth Trout Permits.

Fishing from a Boat?

Anglers who plan to fish from a boat on Mentored Youth Trout Day and Opening Day of Trout Season are reminded that the PFBC’s cold weather life jacket requirement is in effect from November 1 through April 30. Under this rule, anyone aboard a boat 16 feet or less, including all canoes and kayaks, is required to wear a life jacket. Children ages 12 and under are always required to wear a life jacket while boating in Pennsylvania.

Prepare for Fun.

Whether you’re fishing for trout or any other species of fish this season, take advantage of the PFBC’s online maps to find great places to fish, learn about different types of fishing such as fly fishing and ice fishing, and review catch-and-release techniques for handling fish on the Get Started Fishing page on the PFBC website.