Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2018 - 59

number at closer to 3 million visitors. All of these people, even
those who don't fish or hike, or spend much time outdoors,
have an effect on the watershed due to increased demands for
water. This is the challenge Laurel Hill Creek faces, dwindling
water supply. Brought about, in part, by people who may not
even realize their impact, or more frightening, may not care.
How serious is the water issue? In 2009, Laurel Hill Creek
was listed at seventh on American Rivers "Most Endangered
Rivers" list, due to "...the creek lacks safeguards to protect it
from excessive water withdrawals." This designation led to
Laurel Hill Creek being named as part of Act 220 of the State
Water Plan. Unfortunately, progress has been limited due to
budget constraints. Laurel Hill Creek is still a viable fishery, and
many attempts are being made to halt the siphoning of water,
but that doesn't mean the challenges aren't still there.

For more information:
Chestnut Ridge Trout Unlimited
www.chestnutridgetu.org
Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only areas are posted by the
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.

water, helping trout in Laurel Hill Creek withstand brutal
summer temperatures.
The second DHALO section, from the footbridge on
State Game Lands #111 Road in Humbert downstream to
Paddytown Hollow Run. This section has limited road access,
and an angler has a better chance at escaping the crowds if he
or she is willing to walk a bit. Here, the creek gets wide and
shallow. Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, crappies and other
warmwater fish, along with trout, may end up on your line.

Challenges ahead

Laurel Hill Creek appears to be a fantastic creek in an
ideal situation. Not only does it have two DHALO sections,
intensive stocking allotments, good landowner/ angler
relations, all nestled in the beautiful Laurel Highlands
region, but there are numerous organizations including
Chestnut Ridge Trout Unlimited, Casselman River Watershed
Association and Somerset Conservation District keeping
an eye on it. Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving. These
are troubling times for the creek. According to Ben Moyer
in a March 16, 2008 Pittsburgh Post Gazette article, former
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Bureau of Law
Enforcement Caption Emil Svetahor called Laurel Hill Creek
"...the most popular creek in the region, and it has a big
following from Allegheny County." But, popularity has its
drawbacks. Conservative figures from the Laurel Highlands
Visitors Bureau, estimate that 1.5 to 2 million people annually
visit the Laurel Highlands region. Other estimates put the
www.fishandboat.com

Casselman River Watershed Association
www.casselmanwatershed.org
Somerset Conservation District
www.somersetcd.com

Delayed Harvest
Artificial Lures Only regulations
* Open to fishing year-round.
* Fishing is permitted on a 24 hour basis.
* Minimum size is 9 inches, caught on, or in possession on,
the waters under these regulations from one hour before
sunrise on June 15 to one hour after sunset on Labor Day.
* The daily creel limit is three trout (combined species) from
June 15 through Labor Day caught on, or in possession on,
the waters under these regulations. From the day after Labor
Day until June 15, the daily creel limit is zero.
* Fishing may be done with artificial lures only constructed of
metal, plastic, rubber or wood, or with flies and streamers
constructed of natural or synthetic materials. All such lures
may be used with spinning or fly fishing gear.
* Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited.
* An angler in a boat may possess bait and fish caught in
compliance with the seasons, sizes and creel limits in effect for
a water from which it was take, provided that the boat angler
floats through the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area
without stopping or engaging in the act of fishing or the boat
angler puts in or takes out his or her boat at an access point
within the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area.
* A current Trout-Salmon Permit (or combination TroutSalmon/Lake Erie Permit) is required.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * January/February 2018

http://www.chestnutridgetu.org http://www.casselmanwatershed.org http://www.somersetcd.com http://www.fishandboat.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2018