Video: 4,700 rainbows stocked in Pennsylvania’s Frances Slocum Lake

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) stocked approximately 4,700 Rainbow and golden Rainbow Trout at Frances Slocum Lake in Luzerne County this week.  

Because the lake remains frozen, a hole had to be cut into the ice so the trout could be stocked using a hose connected to the hatchery truck. Some of the larger trophy-sized fish were placed in the lake using nets.

In 2025, the PFBC will stock approximately 3.2 million adult trout in 691 streams and 130 lakes open to public angling. The average trout being stocked is 11 inches long and weighs just over a half-pound.  

“They vary in size,” said waterways conservation officer Ty Moon. “They’ll average usually about 11 or 12 inches, but we get some nice brood stock mixed in there to get them up to 20 or up towards 25 inches at times. There’s some really nice fish out there.”

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The statewide opening day of trout season for 2025 is Saturday, April 5th. A Mentored Youth Trout Day will be held on Saturday, March 29th.

“It’s always a great time,” Moon said. “People get out there and get their spots early, and find a nice spot along a stream or lake in the Commonwealth. Should be a good day there on April 5th. Hopefully, we have good weather.”