Simple Fishing Questions

[LemonEars]

I haven't gone fishing for about 15 years. This year my grandkids are old enough so I am taking them fishing tomorrow. Two simple questions:

1. The last time I fished everyone had to display the license. Most had it in a holder attached to their cap. Is this still necessary?
2. I am going to fish in a small local lake that is stocked with trout. I don't intend to keep any that I catch. Do I need a trout permit?

 

[Ranger Dan]

yes you need a trout stamp and license. No you don’t need to display it any longer.

 

[Gitzit]

I never displayed when you had to and never got fined. You can actually fish any stocked lake this season until midnight tonight. They made this strange rule due to covid.

 

[Agoodnap]

I haven't gone fishing for about 15 years. This year my grandkids are old enough so I am taking them fishing tomorrow. Two simple questions:

1. The last time I fished everyone had to display the license. Most had it in a holder attached to their cap. Is this still necessary?
2. I am going to fish in a small local lake that is stocked with trout. I don't intend to keep any that I catch. Do I need a trout permit?

Depending on the age/experience of the grandkids you probably won't get to fish...at all. Plan accordingly.

 

[PearlSUJam]

I never displayed when you had to and never got fined. You can actually fish any stocked lake this season until midnight tonight. They made this strange rule due to covid.

Did you see that on the tube? (Get it? Gitzit--->tube) 😀

 

[Gitzit]

Dis you see that on the tube? (Get it? Gitzit--->tube) 😀

They were called Gitzit before tube
I should mention you can't keep trout from lakes until tomorrow at 8am

 

[bkmtnittany1]

I haven't gone fishing for about 15 years. This year my grandkids are old enough so I am taking them fishing tomorrow. Two simple questions:

1. The last time I fished everyone had to display the license. Most had it in a holder attached to their cap. Is this still necessary?
2. I am going to fish in a small local lake that is stocked with trout. I don't intend to keep any that I catch. Do I need a trout permit?

Take lots of beer!

 

[PearlSUJam]

They were called Gitzit before tube
I should mention you can't keep trout from lakes until tomorrow at 8am

I learned of them fishing Lake Winnipesaukee in the 80's.

 

[PearlSUJam]

Take lots of beer!

The kids will need it!

 

[Gitzit]

Not many knew you could fish lakes before season. A couple weeks ago I took my wife to Whipples Dam and she must have caught 50 brook trout.

 

[PearlSUJam]

Not many knew you could fish lakes before season. A couple weeks ago I took my wife to Whipples Dam and she must have caught 50 brook trout.

Certain lakes had lifted restrictions years ago. Look at the special regs in the rules book.

 

[Pardlion]

Not many knew you could fish lakes before season. A couple weeks ago I took my wife to Whipples Dam and she must have caught 50 brook trout.

Wtf? I thought that thing only had perch.

 

[Gitzit]

Whipples was drained for a long time and refilled this year, but before that, it has always been stocked with Brook Trout.

 

[TheBigUglies]

Whipples was drained for a long time and refilled this year, but before that, it has always been stocked with Brook Trout.

After they filled it recently, they restocked it. When they drained it, they took all the fishes over to Lake Perez at Stone Valley.

https://www.wearecentralpa.com/news/local-news/whipple-dam-stocked-with-over-4000-trout/

Thanks for this thread. I used to fish a lot but my kids got involved in every sport imaginable thru high school which left little time to fish. Time to get back at it since they are off to college.

 

[Lattner]

Get them decent rods/reels, makes it more enjoyable.

 

[PAgeologist]

If you got them the pre-lined reels, immediately strip all that off and put new line on them. The line they come loaded with is way too heavy and junk. Get some good 6lb test.

 

[bkmtnittany1]

The kids will need it!

Me too! Where I am headed tomorrow will be a balmy 22 degrees at 8am! To catch fish that I don't eat!! I give everyone away....

 

[PAgeologist]

You can also get your license online now, save it as a pdf, and print it from home. It's real handy if you lose it (I managed to already), just print another copy.

 

[PAgeologist]

Me too! Where I am headed tomorrow will be a balmy 22 degrees at 8am! To catch fish that I don't eat!! I give everyone away....

Yikes. It's going to be a heat wave here in Potter. 34 at the start and 46 for a high.

 

[bkmtnittany1]

Yikes. It's going to be a heat wave here in Potter. 34 at the start and 46 for a high.

Wonder what the water temp will be...i can see the fish being quite sluggish. The creeks I am fishing were stocked over a week ago....

 

[MJG-90]

I’m hitting the yellow breeches tomorrow morning. I’ve never caught anything there but I also don’t go near the crowds who congregate where they stock the creek. It’s just fun trying.

 

[Thomas1945]

I haven't gone fishing for about 15 years. This year my grandkids are old enough so I am taking them fishing tomorrow. Two simple questions:

1. The last time I fished everyone had to display the license. Most had it in a holder attached to their cap. Is this still necessary?
2. I am going to fish in a small local lake that is stocked with trout. I don't intend to keep any that I catch. Do I need a trout permit?

The best part is that you’re taking them 🎣. My grandfather taught me how almost 70 years ago and those experiences are still some of my most treasured memories. Congratulations and good luck 👍.

 

[Obliviax]

The best part is that you’re taking them 🎣. My grandfather taught me how almost 70 years ago and those experiences are still some of my most treasured memories. Congratulations and good luck 👍.

Absolutely. It is the journey, not the destination.

My uncle used to take me. We used to just put a nightcrawler on one line and a shiner (minnow) on the other. We put the bait on the bottom of the lake and just wait. Sometimes we'd use a bobber if we knew the depth of the lake, sometimes we'd just make the line taught and see what happens. Then we'd just talk or play cards but it was always great fun and exciting.

 

[Thomas1945]

Absolutely. It is the journey, not the destination.

My uncle used to take me. We used to just put a nightcrawler on one line and a shiner (minnow) on the other. We put the bait on the bottom of the lake and just wait. Sometimes we'd use a bobber if we knew the depth of the lake, sometimes we'd just make the line taught and see what happens. Then we'd just talk or play cards but it was always great fun and exciting.

Funny, after 70 years and tens of thousands of dollars spent on fishing equipment when I’m frustrated I do exactly as you described above. And damn it still works today.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Depending on the age/experience of the grandkids you probably won't get to fish...at all. Plan accordingly.

You do need a license to help a kid to fish...

 

[Obliviax]

Funny, after 70 years and tens of thousands of dollars spent on fishing equipment when I’m frustrated I do exactly as you described above. And damn it still works today.

yeah...I don't have a lot of time to fish anymore but when I do, I just put a worm on the bottom of the lake. I know guys using jigs and lures and rubber whatevers but that never seems to work for me. We use salmon eggs and cheese sometimes as well.

Once, my uncle caught a big fish and it pulled the poll into the lake. He jumped in and swam after it. He caught the poll and the fish but lost his prescription glasses that were probably three times the value. We used to just lean the poll up against a stick in the shape of a "Y" with the bottom part stuck in the mud. He invested in these fishing pole holders after that.

I like this idea, though.

 

[PAgeologist]

Wonder what the water temp will be...i can see the fish being quite sluggish. The creeks I am fishing were stocked over a week ago....

In a word. Cold. We're already up here and we're scouting. Slow and small I'm thinking. Sun's out, so that will help a little.

 

[CWertz]

If you got them the pre-lined reels, immediately strip all that off and put new line on them. The line they come loaded with is way too heavy and junk. Get some good 6lb test.

Great advice, I actually have a small 4lb test rod and reel and caught a really nice and big Brownie earlier this week and also a big carp and it held up fine. The light line fishing is fun for trout.

 

[Gitzit]

I'm not much of a trout fisherman, but what worked at Whipple dam was split shot to gulp powerbait stuff in a small jar, fished on the bottom. We tried worms and salmon eggs on a bobber but the power bait must have looked more like what they fed them in the hatchery lol.
Kids get bored easy so don't over do it, you can always take them to a pond or lake later when its warmer, and catch bluegills. I guess depending on their age.

 

[step.eng69]

Once, my uncle caught a big fish and it pulled the poll into the lake. He jumped in and swam after it. He caught the poll and the fish but lost his prescription glasses that were probably three times the value. We used to just lean the poll up against a stick in the shape of a "Y" with the bottom part stuck in the mud.

Is this the punch line of one of those Polish jokes?

 

[LemonEars]

To further illustrate my fishing ignorance, I will ask another question.

I intend to fish at a local lake. The biggest fish in the lake is probably a 16 inch trout. What test line does the board recommend I use on my spinning reel? What type or brand of line is best?

 

[PSU1282]

6 0r 8#

 

[Agoodnap]

To further illustrate my fishing ignorance, I will ask another question.

I intend to fish at a local lake. The biggest fish in the lake is probably a 16 inch trout. What test line does the board recommend I use on my spinning reel? What type or brand of line is best?

4 pounds or less.

 

[Thomas1945]

6 0r 8#

4 pounds or less.

Both good answers, but if it’s their first outing may I suggest some 150lb deep sea goat rope. When they hopelessly tangle up the lines in your reels you will thank me.

 

[PSU1282]

I'd agree with the 4# but they're kids and they will get snags. A little heavier is better. Go with Stren. It's a decent choice and not too expensive. Walmart carries it.

 

[thewholebit]

Heck, boys I still use a Zebco 33. I’ll switch when I find one better.

 

[Agoodnap]

Type of rod doesn't matter, as long as it's reasonably small.

I used to fish with two other guys on opening day, every year, for about 10 straight years. The one guy had a house on the stream and we usually fished together in one or two holes along his property line. One used 6# test, one 4# (me), and one with 2#. Back when the limit was 8 fish per day and here is our typical results. 2# test usually done fishing by 8:20, 4# test usually done fishing by 9:30, 6# test guy never caught more than 2 fish, all day. We all fished the same baits and setups with the only difference being line weight.

 

[LemonEars]

Type of rod doesn't matter, as long as it's reasonably small.

I used to fish with two other guys on opening day, every year, for about 10 straight years. The one guy had a house on the stream and we usually fished together in one or two holes along his property line. One used 6# test, one 4# (me), and one with 2#. Back when the limit was 8 fish per day and here is our typical results. 2# test usually done fishing by 8:20, 4# test usually done fishing by 9:30, 6# test guy never caught more than 2 fish, all day. We all fished the same baits and setups with the only difference being line weight.

Why would line weight have such a significant effect on the number of fish caught?

 

[LemonEars]

Both good answers, but if it’s their first outing may I suggest some 150lb deep sea goat rope. When they hopelessly tangle up the lines in your reels you will thank me.

LOL. Actually 3 grandkids are 13, 13, and 14 years old. The only problem with them will be keeping them off their iPhones. The other one is a 4 year old wildcat. The plan is to tie her to the end of a line and use her for bait. I'm sure she will grab half the fish in the lake in less than an hour.

 

[Thomas1945]

Why would line weight have such a significant effect on the number of fish caught?

Stop asking stupid questions. The first thing you to learn about fishing 🎣 is that everyone else knows more than you if you’re naive enough to ask for advice. You never ask questions. You wait until someone else asks a question, then you answer the question as if you know what you’re talking about. That’s how we all got to be experts. You have much to learn grasshopper. Just don’t try and learn it all by asking questions. I trust this clarifies things for you. Now go out and slaughter some fish.