null
HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 4) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and the Glade Run Lake Conservancy are inviting the public to celebrate the reopening of the Butler County lake by participating in “Lake Week.”
“Following rehabilitation of the dam and spillway, extensive habitat improvements and construction of a new handicapped accessible fishing pier, Glade Run Lake is refilled and ready to fish and boat again,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “We particularly want to thank the Conservancy, which led the effort to raise funds and to install the habitat structures and new fishing pier.”
The lake will receive its preseason stocking of hatchery trout at noon on April 5, allowing young anglers and their mentors to participate in the statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day on April 8. Other events during Lake Week include a free public presentation on April 8 from 7-9 p.m. at the Middlesex Township Firehall and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the lake from 11 a.m. to noon on April 12. Events will culminate with the statewide opening day of trout season at 8 a.m. on April 15.
“We’re thrilled to be able to reopen this lake for our community,” said Siggy Pehel, President of the Conservancy. “Lakes are a tremendous asset to the local economy, in terms of both tourism and quality of life. We couldn’t have achieved this without the coordinated effort of all the involved parties.”
Saturday, April 8, marks the statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day. Now in its fourth year, the popular program provides adult mentors with an opportunity to take kids fishing before the traditional rush of the regional and statewide opening days of trout season.
Last year, more than 25,600 kids signed up to participate, either by purchasing a $1 voluntary youth fishing license or by acquiring a free mentored youth fishing permit.
On these two days, participants can fish in any PFBC stocked trout water. Kids can keep two trout, which must measure at least seven inches. Mentors must have a fishing license and trout stamp. Because the program is focused on kids, adult mentors are encouraged to fish with the children and provide encouragement and tips, but they must release their catch to the water unharmed.
To participate, adult anglers (16 years or older) must have a valid fishing license and trout/salmon permit and be accompanied by a youth. Youth anglers must obtain a free PFBC-issued permit, or a voluntary youth fishing license. Both are available at www.GoneFishingPA.com or at any of the more than 900 licensing agents across the state.
For every voluntary youth license sold, the PFBC will receive approximately $5 in federal revenue from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Act program, which provides funds to states based on a formula that includes the number of licenses a state sells. All revenues earned from a voluntary youth fishing license will be dedicated to youth fishing programs.
The PFBC drained the 52-acre lake in 2011 after determining that the dam was unsafe and needed to be rebuilt. It is owned by the Commonwealth and managed by the PFBC.
###
Media Contact: Eric Levis, Press Secretary
717.705.7806 or elevis@pa.gov