Pennsylvania anglers release well over half the trout they catch, according to a new study by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Penn State University, which compared anglers fishing stocked streams for the first eight weeks of the 2005 trout season with those fishing wild trout streams mid-April to Labor Day in 2004.

The stocked stream anglers averaged more than one fish per hour and released 63.1 percent of their catch, while the wild trout anglers averaged one brook or brown trout every two hours on large streams and two brook trout per hour on small streams, and released 92.7 percent of their catch. They preferred large over small streams by a ratio of 57.5 percent to 42.5 percent.

More than 21 percent of the 2.1 million stocked stream trips were made on opening day weekend. The stocked stream anglers contributed $65.7 million to the state's economy, while the wild trout fishermen contributed more than $7.16 million.

For more information, visit www.fish.state.pa.us.

It's that time of year

Fly tying classes for Erie steelhead are scheduled for each Thursday evenings in September, beginning this week, at the Sportsmen's Warehouse, off I-279 north at Camp Horne Road.

Registration and materials for two sessions is $10. Bring your own vice and tools. Vince Schweitzer will teach.

For more, visit www.sportsmanswarehouse.com

Erie test results

Water samples conducted on Lake Erie tributaries last week to try to determine the source of pollution plaguing Presque Isle State Park beaches show high levels of E coli, a bacteria associated with human and other animal waste, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which directed the studies.

Walnut and Elk creeks appear to be especially affected, although all Erie streams were sampled, from Kelso Run to Raccoon Creek, and each one showed an E coli problem, DEP said.

Public comment sought

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is seeking public comment on plans to designate certain muskie brood stock lakes catch and release only for the months of April and May, in a departure from the year-round harvest that will be allowed on all other waters, beginning next year.

It is unlikely the comments would have much impact, though, according to commission spokesman Dan Tredinnick. Because brood muskies are treated with an anesthetic in the breeding process, the FDA bans consumption during their withdrawal from the drug.

The brood lakes would include Canadohta, Edinboro, Sugar, Conneaut, Union City, Woodcock and Tamarack.

Museum underway

Ground was broken recently on the Hunting and Fishing Museum of Pennsylvania on 22-acre Lighthouse Island on the Allegheny River near Tionesta. About half the $12 million needed to build the 25,000 square foot museum has been raised so far, according to executive director Julia McCray, who said construction could begin next week. For more, visit www.huntfishmuseum.org.