Most of the final preseason trout stocking in Lehigh County was done last week with Coplay and Cedar creeks receiving fish, and on another day, the Jordan Creek from Wehr’s Dam to the State Game Lands off Route 100 were done.

Later in the week the remainder of the Jordan Creek was stocked and that includes the portion that runs through the Trexler Game Preserve (Trexler Zoo) where a section from the covered bridge to the ford was hit, which is set aside as a kids-only section. It’s been reported that the fish in the Jordan were sizable in the 23-25-inch range.

The upper Little Lehigh Creek from Chris’s Bait and Tackle Shop in the Mertztown-Longswamp area and included the fly stretch and beyond portion.

Laurel Run in Coopersburg was stocked as was the lower Jordan. And this week Leaser Lake will be stocked as well as Big Trout Run in Slatington.

There have been social posts saying that Leaser Lake can’t be fished until the trout season opens. That’s not true. It can be fished but if a trout is caught by accident while fishing for panfish for example, the trout must be safety released.

Since the statewide trout season gets underway April 4, now’s a good time to get the gear in order. Of most importance is spooling the reel with fresh line. It’s a chore that can be done by yourself, or with the help of an assistant to hold the new line spool on a pencil so it rolls easily while another person cranks the handle to put fresh line on. I found a better way, that avoids unevenness or kinks on the reel, it to have a tackle shop do it with their line winding machine that will also remove the old line down to the reel backing if you use it. And it can be done quicker with even winding. Not too many shops do line winding as it’s time consuming and if you wait too long to have it done, like a day before the opener, it’s a time when tackle shops are busy selling bait and tackle.

I called a few local shops to see if they do it and learned Chris’ Bait and Tackle in Mertztown; Coplay News Agency, Coplay; Dicks Sporting Goods, Whitehall; Archery at the Glenn at 7 Auburn St, Allentown; and Mike’s Bait and Tackle in Nazareth still do it.

In addition to traditional local bait shops, Bob’s Taxidermy in Orefield, also has live bait, lures and terminal tackle. And if you catch a lunker trout, his shop will also mount it for you.

The statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day is set for March 28 when youths accompanied by a licensed adult can trout fish that single day ahead of the normal heavy turnout on the statewide opener. It gives kids a chance to experience the excitement of catching a trout before the crowds line the creeks. It a great chance to introduce a youngster to a sport that can hook them for life.