Trout fishermen in Pennsylvania can expect bigger, but fewer trout beginning in 2007.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission approved the change at a meeting Wednesday. Fish stocking will be reduced by 20 percent, but fish will be 30 percent heavier and brown trout production will be cut in half. The predominant species to be stocked will be rainbows, since the commission said they are easier to grow in hatcheries.

The commissioners also voted to seek public comment on proposed changes to trout fishing regulations before taking a final vote in July. The changes include replacing Delayed Harvest Fly Fishing Only and Heritage Trout Angling waters with a Catch and Release Fly Fishing Only program; changing the Trophy Trout program to Trophy Trout Artificial Lures Only; changing the creel limit on trophy trout waters from two a day of least 14 inches to one a day at least 24 inches; and eliminating the barbed hook, no wading and daylight-only fishing restrictions.

Anglers are encouraged to send their comments to: Executive Director, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, Pa., 17106-7000, or e-mailed using the form at www.state.pa.us/Fish/regcomments.

Contest update

Dan Seaman at Elk Creek Sports said he's at the break-even point with his March steelhead contest. Though he won't reveal the numbers, he had said earlier he needs 350 entries to stay out of the red.

As of last week, Pat Camp of Springfield leads with a 12-pound, 4-ounce male landed on a little green jig on Turkey Creek. The previous leaders include Mike Ondrehko of Erie, with an 11-pound, 13-ounce steelhead from Elk Creek; and Nick Antolik of Girard with a 10-pound, 11- ounce catch from Elk.

Seaman said he is conducting an exit poll among contest participants so he can address issues his critics have raised about angler conduct and harm to the fishery.

A new job

Former Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission executive director Pete Colangelo is in a new job as Penn Hills Borough manager at a salary of $88,000 a year.

A Penn Hills native, Colangelo left the Commission in May 2003 under pressure from legislators after the $80 million hatchery crisis and other infrastructure problems came to light, and amid talk of a possible fish and game commission merger. He had served the Fish and Boat Commission for nine years.

Trout Unlimited results

Penn's Woods West Trout Unlimited reports a record-setting attendance at its recent Cabin Fever in Mars. The fly fishing expo attracted 1,000 people, according to event organizer Bill Hayes.

Guides available

Grassroots watershed groups and local governments can order free planning and resource guides from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The guides provide help with securing funding and recruiting volunteers, assessing the watershed, developing a management plan, implementing the plan and monitoring its success. For more on the guide, visit DEP at www.dep.state.pa.us or call 717-787-3730.

Money available

Almost $2 million in federal money will soon be made available for high-priority conservation projects for endangered, threatened and at-risk species, through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. To stretch the money, it will be awarded to conservation partners who can put up matching funds. The deadline is April 25. For applications and more, visit www.pgc.state.pa.us, click on "Wildlife" and choose "State Wildlife Grants Program."