NO NEED TO GO WEST YOUNG MAN!

Many anglers think the fall is the time to fish big bass chasing bait balls to put on weight before the cold-water weather sets in. For others, it’s that last chance to put walleye in the freezer before its time to gas up the auger and set up the icehouse. But for many anglers in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast fall fishing is all about trout. Fall trout-stocking to supplement native populations makes fall trout fishing in PA, NY and NJ some of the best trout fishing in the country. You don’t have to book a flight to Idaho, Wyoming or Montana to experience the blazing colors of autumn and the taste of sautéed trout on the campfire.

Let’s start with the Garden State. The New Jersey DEP Fish and Wildlife will stock a total of 20,000 two-year old Rainbow Trout, averaging 14-16 inches over a two-week period in early October. In addition to these trout, up to 1,000 broodstock trout (three-year old rainbow trout, averaging 18-22 inches) will also be stocked. Broodstock trout are mixed in with each truckload of fish. Check the NJDEPF&W website for the schedule by waterway. The complete list of fall-stocked waters is available through the Fall Trout Stocking Schedule webpage or the Trout Stocking Hotline 609-322-9524.

There are NJ waters that offer very good trout fishing even though they are not stocked in the fall. Holdover trout thrive in Lake Aeroflex and Lake Wawayanda which allow year-round trout fishing opportunities. Those waters, along with Tilcon Lake in Allamuchy Mountain State Park, are also included in the landlocked salmon stocking program. Two of the best trophy trout lakes in NJ are Round Valley and Merrill Creek Reservoirs. Shoreline fishing on Round Valley is particularly popular as big rainbows are known to cruise the shallows in fall.

In the Keystone State of PA trout stockings are year-round, well planned and publicized happenings. Stocked and native populations provide some of the best trout fishing in the eastern US.  The Poconos region, the limestone streams of the south-central part of the state, and the mountain regions of the north and west parts of the state all provide great opportunities- and many of those opportunities are within easy reach of the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg population centers. One could even argue that the amount of accessible, quality fishing in Pennsylvania is on par with legendary trout states like Montana and Colorado. With such a big selection, settling in on the right trout water for you might seem daunting, Here are a few suggestions.

Spring Creek north of Harrisburg towards State College is a well-known limestone creek with a healthy population of wild brown trout. Spring Creek flows through miles of picturesque woods and provides consistent year-round fishery for fly and spin anglers of all abilities.

The opposite of that all-angler experience is Letort Spring Run, a famous limestone stream in Cumberland County with a reputation for challenging fishing conditions. I once sank up over my knees along its tricky banks. This is a master class fishery, but the rewards are very nice sized wild brown trout. Many anglers consider the Letort to be the birthplace of American fly fishing.

Not far from the bogs of the Letort is the Yellow Breeches Creek. The Breeches has both fly only and open designated areas, but most anglers want to take on this top 10 east coast trout fishery with a fly rod. It offers healthy populations of trout, both stocked and wild strains. It also offers easy access and a variety of fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.

A little more off the beaten trail lies Penns Creek, a limestone stream in Centre County known for prolific bug hatches and healthy populations of wild brown trout. Penn’s famed Green Drake hatch is a spring happening but fall anglers can find some of the creek’s largest fish by adjusting to wet patterns. Penns creek is not as challenging as the Letort but is more for experienced anglers. Also in the center part of the state is the Little Juniata River, yet another of the classic limestone streams with a reputation for large wild trout. A less experienced angler could fare well on the "Little J" with some coaching from a more experienced friend or local tackle shop.

Haven’t had enough of the central part of the state? Big Spring Creek in Cumberland County is a limestone stream known for its cold, clear water. Big Spring has always yielded excellent trout fishing. It has a thriving population of wild brown and rainbow trout that can be targeted any month of the year.

At some of the creeks mentioned, you may be challenged to “be alone” and you will need to share the water especially on the beautiful extended summer weekends for which PA is famous. Oil Creek, an Allegheny River tributary in the western part of the can provide a slightly different experience as it is designated a Pennsylvania Scenic River. It is known for its beauty and healthy populations of both wild and stocked fish, plus it offers more of a remote and peaceful fishing experience.

Located not too far outside the City of Brotherly Love is Tulpehocken Creek, a healthy, insect filled tailwater fishery. Tulpehocken is known for consistent flows and hungry stocked and wild rainbow and brown trout that can be fooled with good presentations. This is a good place for all levels of fishing including families.

As for big water and big water tributaries, the fall on Lake Erie is a lot more than Walleye. By mid-September, Steelhead will be staging for their fall run up the tributary rivers and streams. Walnut Creek, which flows between Fairview and Erie, is one of the spots where you can catch Steelhead. The streams in the area are great to explore, including Twenty Mile Creek, Sixteen Mile Creek, and Elk Creek.

When you get into late fall, weather is more of an issue but If the weather favors you, trout waters like the Lehigh River, Aquashicola Creek, and Mauch Chunk Creek can be good places to catch trout. Just remember that trout spawn at this time of year, so if you go wading, make sure to watch your footing and look for cone-shaped depressions in the gravel, called redds, which can be anywhere from a few to 15 inches deep, where females will deposit their eggs.

New York is a bit different from the other two states as Trout season is only open through Oct. 15. The Catskills offer famous fishing waters that provide anglers with good opportunities for a successful day on the water beneath a colorful canopy of fall foliage.  

The Willowemoc Creek and the Beaver Kill are located near Livingston Manor and Roscoe in Sullivan County. Roscoe is the self-proclaimed "Trout Town USA" for fly-fishermen from around the world. Anglers will be able to geta rise out of the trout at these creeks until the end of the season, and as a bonus, the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum is in Livingston Manor.

Moving further into the Catskill region, anglers can fish The Ashokan Watershed located in Ulster County near Woodstock. The Ashokan features many small streams with good fishing and easy access. Esopus Creek has earned a reputation as a wild rainbow trout stream, and it also hosts large brown trout. Anglers can find brook trout in the cooler headwaters of most streams.  Over 200,000 brown trout are stocked annually by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in Esopus Creek. Many of them make it through the summer to rise to the fall angler's cast.

The Upper Delaware River and reservoir tailwaters of western Delaware County are home to excellent trout fishing that continues well after Labor Day. The trout populations of the east branch of the river, below the Pepacton Reservoir, and the west branch, below the Cannonsville Reservoir, benefit from cold-water releases. These branches meet at Hancock to form the famous Delaware, aka Big D. This area has many DEC fishing access areas, resorts and guides who will add a professional touch to any fishing experience.

Speaking of reservoirs and proximity to the big city, New York City reservoirs in the Catskills offer fishing experiences all their own. Huge fish lurk in the depths of Pepacton and Cannonsville reservoirs in Delaware County, as well as in the Ashokan Reservoir in Ulster County, Schoharie Reservoir in western Schoharie County, Neversink Reservoir in Sullivan County, and the Rondout Reservoir on the Ulster-Sullivan border. Each requires a special permit (FREE), which can be obtained from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

Now that you know where, here are a few ideas on how to catch fall trout. For fly fisherman, you know the match the hatch drill, and I am probably not going to offer you anything you did not already know.  But for those not hauling, casting and mending, I have one basic go to: in-line spinners catch trout. Whether you prefer Worden, Mepps, Panther Martin, Blue Fox or your own combination of blades, beads, feathers and treble hooks, these age-old revolving blades are easy to work and effective. You will need to match the spinner to the body of water, and the size and type of trout expected. If you are uncertain, downsize. A 00 or 0 Mepps Aglia might be perfect for small stream rainbows and brookies, while on a larger stream, creek or lake a No. 1 or 2 might be needed to coax that brown to bite. If you are on bigger water trolling for browns or steelhead you might go as big as a No. 4 or 5. Color makes a difference. I prefer gold blades, especially on sunny days, but for trout I also use blades that mimic natural baits like shiner minnow, rainbow trout, brown trout and crayfish-type patterns. When water clarity, stain or weather conditions call for them, silver blades and non-natural colors like fire tiger, chartreuse, black with chartreuse or orange dots will get the job done.

Working the spinner is not difficult but requires some thought. Cast upstream and retrieve just slightly faster than the current. Pay attention to the bottom third of the water column. In my experience, fall trout spend more time looking down and hunting crayfish and other bottom-dwellers than looking towards the surface, so choose a size lure that will run at the depth where the fish are feeding. Currents breaks, log jams and lay downs, and depth change seams hold fish waiting to ambush a meal. Probe pockets of deep water by casting upstream and maintaining a high rod-tip while allowing the spinner to tumble into position before you retrieve.

Especially when it comes to trout, many anglers look down their noses at  live bait, but you are out there to catch and have fun, so if live bait or gulp-type imitators- especially if you are mimicking mealworms, wax worms or crickets- should be embraced. Wherever you choose to fish and whatever style of trout fishing you choose, remember to #LiveThePassion!