Evaluation of brook trout enhancement regulations in northcentral Pennsylvania

In 2004, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission adopted Wild Brook Trout Enhancement regulations on select waters to evaluate the effectiveness of catch and release regulations on improving the size structure of brook trout populations.  Under these regulations, angling is permitted on a year-round basis with no tackle restrictions, and no brook trout may be harvested at any time.  Statewide regulations (178 mm; 7 inch minimum length limit and 5 trout/day creel limit from the opening day of trout season through Labor Day, and no harvest for remainder of year) apply to other trout species.  Brook trout populations were sampled in 6 treatment and 2 control streams using backpack electrofishing gear for at least 1 year prior to regulation implementation and periodically over at least a 5-year period post-implementation. We analyzed electrofishing catch data to evaluate if the abundance of large brook trout (≥ 178 mm; 7 inches) increased as a result of the regulations. Preliminary results 5 years into the regulation evaluation suggest that abundance of large brook trout has varied considerably over time with no strong increasing trend in the treatment or control groups. Final program evaluation is scheduled for 2011.