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| HELPING STOCK TROUT |
 Every year, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission stocks trout in thousands of
stream miles and dozens of lakes, in spring, fall and winter. Interested anglers and
other citizens often arrive to help or watch individual stockings. The safety of all
in attendance often becomes a significant concern, as does the effective stocking of
the delicate cargo brought to the water from our hatcheries.
A planned fish
stocking can be disrupted or delayed because of unsafe conditions created by factors
including the weather, road and traffic conditions, the number of participant
vehicles, access to the water by the stocking truck and officer, and participant
conduct. When attending a fish stocking, it's important for everyone to abide by the
directions given by the waterways conservation officer (WCO) or his/her designee at
all times, and:
- Arrive in time to hear the WCO's briefing of safety and stocking
instructions.
- Don't help carry fish if you have any health problems.
- Do not park ahead of the stocking procession's lead vehicle or behind the
designated tail safety vehicle.
- Keep your vehicle at least 40 feet behind the stocking truck at all times.
- Do not jump ahead of the stocking truck and park in off-road spots that will
be used by the truck. Doing so can cause the truck to bypass that stocking
location.
- Do not park your vehicle in a manner that obstructs traffic. Park safely off the roadway in a legal manner.
- Carpool with other participants, if possible.
- If you're going to help carry buckets, always off-load the buckets from the
back of the truck.
- Fish don't survive long in a bucket, so carry your buckets as quickly as
possible from the truck to the water. Bring the bucket back to the truck
promptly so that the stocking can continue without delay.
- Don't pour buckets of fish into shallow, muddy or silted areas. Be sure the
water is deep enough to prevent the fish from dying because of clogged gills.
- Always stay alert to moving traffic. Keep children under immediate safe
control, and do not stand in traffic lanes while watching or helping to stock.
The Fish & Boat Commission is not liable for any injury to stocking assistants or
damage to their vehicles. Please help make fish stockings safe, efficient and
enjoyable by always staying safety alert!
NOTE: Stockings and public participation are coordinated by the
Commission's Bureau of Law Enforcement. If you have any further questions, contact
the regional office for your area, contact information is listed on our Region Office directory page. |
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