Whitehall-Coplay Press

Lehigh Valley trout anglers will have to wait a bit longer for the trout fishing opener.

The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) has announced that they’re consolidating opening days to one amid concern for the COVID-19 virus.

The separate early opening in 18 southeastern counties that was set for April 4 was canceled and has been reset for April 18 when the remainder of the counties had their usual and statewide opener.

This also affects Mentored Youth Trout Day that will now take place on Saturday, April 11.

They’re known as the harbingers of spring and I spotted four of them last week.

Yes, the American Robin has returned to the Lehigh Valley, although some do stay in the area year-round.

It’s been said robins return from their overwintering spots in Mexico and southern areas when daytime temperatures average around 37 degrees. And we’ve had that, and then some.

If you’re an avid paddler and itching for some whitewater boating action, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is promoting a whitewater release for your enjoyment.

The DCNR will release water from Lake Nockamixon into Tohickon Creek in Bucks County on Saturday and Sunday, March 21-22.

If you visited the recent Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, or traveled to Atlantic City for the gigantic Atlantic City Boat Show, and spied a boat rig you’d like to have, perhaps you may need to start shopping for a loan to finance it.

The Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the nation’s largest advocacy, services and safety group, urges boaters to be smart when it comes to financing a new or used boat. They offer three tips to help you avoid common problems when applying for a loan.

Perhaps it’s because we’ve had a mild winter so far, but trout anglers are getting the itch to fish. And if the weather holds, preseason trout stockings will get underway March 3 in Lehigh and Northampton counties.

As for the latter, Minsi Lake in Northampton County, is also on the schedule to be stocked since it was closed and drained for dam repairs in 2017. The dam work is completed and the lake is scheduled to be stocked with trout on March 24 ahead of the Regional Mentored Youth Day, according to the PF&BC.

Southwick Associates, the folks who do yearly surveys on hunting and fishing preferences, has released their recent Fall Hunter/Shooter Survey showing the most popular hunting, shooting equipment purchases by sportsmen and sports gals, and the species they pursued.

The panel, composed of hunters and shooters from across the country who volunteer to participate, track hunter/shooter participation and purchases.

Pennsylvania’s final bear harvest figures are in and have set a new state record over a 30-day season.

According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), hunters took 4,653 bears, a one-third increase over the 2018 seasons when 3,153 bears were taken. Pennsylvania’s top bear harvest was 4,350 bears in the 2011 season.

During their recent business meeting, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission approved the removal of their long-standing and traditional regulation that requires anglers display their fishing license on an outer garment while fishing.

The new ruling replaces that regulation and now follows a general possession requirement, which would require anglers to only have the license on them while fishing and present the license to a PFBC law enforcement officer upon request.

If cabin fever is beginning to set it, you can enjoy and sample a taste of the great outdoors by attending Blue Mountain Resort’s 11th annual Winter Fest on Jan. 25-26.

Even if you’re not a skier or snowboarder, the event will cater to all, including youngsters.

The two-day event will take place at the Summit Lodge at the top of Pennsylvania’s highest vertical on School Hill on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 26 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Although we’re finally getting some below freezing temperatures, safe ice fishing is still some cold days away. And what seems like far too many rainy days, also prevents anglers to walk on water.

But as happens every year at this time, ice fishermen have to travel to the Poconos to find hard water. Places like Shohola, Promised Land, Gouldsboro, Tobyhanna and Fairview lakes usually freeze first.