PINE GROVE — Even more than packing away decorative snowmen for the year, nothing says spring more than the approach of trout season. It opens this year Saturday, April 4, in the Southeast Region, including Schuylkill County, and its related activities include two of the area’s major charity fishing events at Sweet Arrow Lake.
Up first is Angling for Miracles, benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger Medical Center on Saturday, April 18, the opening of the statewide trout season. The event raised more than $4,100 last year to provide pediatric equipment, programs and services throughout Geisinger Health System at Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, Danville; Geisinger Wyoming Valley; Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital; Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton; Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital and more than 40 medical groups and pediatric specialty outreach clinics.
Next is the Family Fun Fishing Event that benefits Sweet Arrow Lake County Park and outdoors activities of the Schuylkill County Sportsmen’s Advisory Board and Schuylkill County Sportsmen’s Association. Opening day of this year’s event is Sunday, May 3, with check-in and registration beginning at 6 a.m. near the clubhouse, where breakfast — and later lunch — will be served by members of the SCSA, and “lunker” trout and tagged fish stocked at 8 a.m.
This year’s event has been expanded to allow tags to be turned in and prizes claimed through the opening of next year’s event. Even ice fishermen will now have the opportunity to claim a prize.
On the day of the event, check-in and registration will begin at 6 a.m. at the clubhouse area and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boast Commission access area coordinated by Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited. All tagged fish and “lunkers” will be stocked beginning at 8 a.m., giving early arrivals time to have breakfast and redeem their food coupons at the clubhouse. Most of the “lunkers” and tagged fish will be float stocked to all areas of the lake.
“Through the support of title sponsors Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation and Pine Grove Fish and Game, the May 3 kickoff is just the beginning of the event that will continue the entire year,” Schuylkill County Sportsmen’s Advisory Board chairman Craig Morgan said. “This change will allow year-round enjoyment to catch one of the special fish worth up to $200, and any of the 100 prizes not redeemed by the 2016 event will be distributed via a drawing from this year’s entrants who have registered by May 3.
“We wish to continue utilizing the fishing and other outdoors activities to establish a lasting outdoors family fun bonding experience in addition to creating a greater awareness of Sweet Arrow Lake County Park and all its amenities. Partnering groups have the opportunity to publicize their group, provide hands-on activities and host fundraising opportunities, such as breakfast and lunch being served by the Schuylkill County Sportsmen’s Association at the clubhouse.
“Fishing can be done from shore or boats equipped with electric trolling motors, and a limited number of canoes and kayaks will be available for rent in an area near the clubhouse. Once again the ‘Heaviest Carp Contest’ is being held opening day, with no entry fee for this category, and the angler who weighs in the heaviest carp between 1-1:30 p.m. at the station near the clubhouse will receive a $50 cash prize.”
More than 1,300 people registered for the event last year, which allowed tags to be redeemed and prizes claimed through Labor Day and raised more than $3,800, with the majority consisting of families. More than 2,000 trout will be stocked this year, including more than 100 “lunker” trout measuring a minimum of 18 inches that will be stocked by the Sweet Arrow Lake Lunker Committee.
Morgan said that sponsorships to date assure that more than $3,000 in prizes will be awarded, including a minimum of 100 trout and crappies with tags worth a minimum of $25 each. The top five prizes range from $100-$200. Those who register by April 18 will get a reduced rate of $15 for an individual or $30 per family, which includes one $5 individual and one $10 family food voucher to be redeemed at the clubhouse.
Each of the first 200 youngsters ages 5-12 who preregister will receive a prize that can be claimed the day of the event at the clubhouse or the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission access area. After April 18 and the day of the event, the fee is $20 for an individual and $40 per family.
Current partners for the event are Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation, Schuylkill County Commissioners, Pine Grove Fish and Game and Swatara co-operative trout nurseries, Sweet Arrow Lake Trout Lunker Committee, Sweet Arrow Lake Park Board, Sweet Arrow Anglers, Schuylkill County Department of Parks and Recreation, Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited, Northern Swatara Creek Watershed Association, Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association, Schuylkill Conservation District, Schuylkill County Sportsmen’s Association, A&A Bait Shop and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
To register for Angling for Miracles call (800) 322-5437, (570) 271-6188 or visit the website at
www.geisinger.org/cmn.
Registration forms for Family Fun Fishing Event are available on the Sweet Arrow Lake County Park website at
www.sweetarrowlakepark.com and A&A Bait Shop, Pine Grove; for information, call Craig Morgan at (570) 739-2627.