Conservation district, volunteers stock Kettle Creek with trout
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KETTLE CREEK -- As preparation for the opening day of fishing season nears, the Clinton County Conservation District teams up with the Kettle Creek community to help stock the waterway.
The conservation district teamed up with Kettle Creek Watershed Association and the Kettle Creek/Tamarack Sportsman's Club to stock Kettle Creek on Friday, March 24.
The PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) provides stocked trout throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for anglers to enjoy every year. They rely heavily on the support of local community volunteers to help get the fish from the truck into the water.
Without volunteers, and volunteering organizations such as the Kettle Creek Watershed Association and The Kettle Creek/Tamarack Sportsman's Club, The PFBC would have to unload trucks full of fish on their own, which is time consuming, labor intensive work and fish health is jeopardized the longer they remain in the tank.
Stocked trout provide fishing opportunities to anglers and, more importantly, an opportunity for family members to pass on a passion and tradition, as well as a love for the outdoors. Showing a new angler a fun and exciting day of fishing can organically create the next generation of environmental stewards and conservationists.
"It is so important to get out and help stock when you get the chance," says Jim Toth, Vietnam Veteran and chairman of the Board for the Kettle Creek Watershed Association. "You make connections with other volunteers who share your interest in fishing. That connection helps share the message of conservation and opens the door to extending the offer to join their local watershed association or sportsman's club, and help them understand what it means to be a steward of our natural resources."
The stocking trucks even made a stop at the Lucky Seven Camp where a large stream restoration project was completed by the Kettle Creek Watershed Association and its partners last summer.
"This project will help reduce an estimated 17 tons of sediment from entering the watershed per year, and will add habitat for trout and other coldwater fishes," says Toby Boyer, Watershed Specialist for the Clinton County Conservation District. "My hope is that fisherman get to see what was done here and will provide support and approval to similar projects in the future."
The first day of fishing season is April 1.