Young anglers and their adult counterparts are gearing up for a day of fishing and learning with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's (PFBC) Mentored Youth Trout Day this Saturday, March 30, 2024. The event, which starts at the bright hour of 8 a.m., spreads across all 67 counties offering a chance for those 15 and under to get their hands on a fishing rod with the help of experienced mentors.

PFBC President and District 7 Commissioner William Gibney emphasized the value this day holds for prospective young fishermen. "If you want to spend quality time sharing the joy of fishing while teaching a young person the skills they can carry with them for a lifetime, Mentored Youth Trout Day is a fantastic opportunity," Gibney reportedly said. He also highlighted the importance of mentors focusing their efforts on equipping these youngsters with the necessary skills to be future ambassadors of ethical angling and conservation, according to a statement on the commission's website.

While the waters are being stocked in preparation for the approaching statewide Opening Day of Trout Season on April 6, anglers should be aware that not all locations will be ready for action on Mentored Youth Trout Day. The PFBC has provided a 2024 Trout Stocking Schedule on its website for participants to review and find a stocked location, ensuring a rewarding experience. Youth anglers, who must be accompanied by a licensed adult, have the opportunity to take home up to two trout of at least seven inches on this special day with the proper permit or license.

Regarding adult involvement, "Mentors should be entirely focused on helping kids to fish, with such things as baiting a hook, helping to cast, and hopefully, helping to safely remove a few trout from the line when needed," Gibney stated. Adult mentors cannot harvest trout on this day, reinforcing the emphasis on the youth's experience - an opportunity for memories and a potentially lifelong appreciation for the sport. For those opting to fish from a boat, they should remember that life jackets are a must on watercraft 16 feet or under from November 1 through April 30. Also, children ages 12 and under are always required to wear a life jacket while boating in Pennsylvania waters.

As for those who catch but choose not to keep their fish, the PFBC advocates for proper catch-and-release techniques to ensure fish health and population for future anglers. They advise handling the fish as little as possible, using wet hands when necessary, and allowing the fish ample time to recover before releasing it back into the water. Techniques such as using barbless hooks or pinch-down barbs on existing hooks with small pliers are recommended to facilitate an easy release.