The Stroud Center’s Affordable Programs Introduce Youth, Adult Groups to Freshwater Science and Stewardship While Learning to Fish
By Steve Mohapp
Are you or your students new to fishing? Know someone who is? Just want to dust up on your skills? Get started with a science-informed approach led by Stroud Water Research Center educators.
Our free or low-cost fishing programs are open to school, Scout, camp, and community groups. These programs provide you with the skills and knowledge to enjoy fishing and practice freshwater stewardship. You’ll learn the basics, explore freshwater science through the eyes of an angler, and be inspired to care for your favorite fishing spots.
Want to join us? Here’s what to expect.
Where We Fish
Fishing programs are held at parks local to you.
Supplies
The Stroud Center provides all fishing and safety equipment.
Safety First
A typical day fishing with the Stroud Center starts with learning to be a responsible and effective angler. Through hands-on instruction, you’ll gain safety skills to protect yourself, fellow anglers, and your environment. Next, it’s time to pick your fishing rod from our inventory and practice casting. Before trying to catch a fish, it’s important to review proper fish handling for the safety of everyone — fish and people!
Practice Makes Perfect
After safety instruction, you’ll spend the rest of the time fishing, gaining skills and confidence.
How to Keep Fishing on Your Own
The fun doesn’t stop at the end of a fishing program. We provide the information and resources needed to fish on your own too, such as how to purchase licenses and where to find stocking schedules.
Freshwater Science and Stewardship
If you want to catch a trout, you first need clean water. Our programs not only teach fishing skills; they engage you in freshwater science to evaluate water quality and fish habitat. Experiments may include testing dissolved oxygen concentration and water temperature. While finding the best flies to tie at the end of your rod, you can also learn about macroinvertebrates as indicators of stream health.
School groups can learn more about trout, freshwater ecology, and watershed conservation through Pa. Trout in the Classroom, a program made possible by a partnership between the Pa. Council of Trout Unlimited and the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission. Throughout the school year, students learn about the trout life cycle, impacts on stream water quality, and conservation efforts to improve streams for trout and other wildlife, all while raising trout in their own classroom aquarium. Students track the trouts’ growth and monitor the water quality in their aquarium to promote healthy development. The program culminates in a trip to an approved stream to release the fish and take part in other educational activities.
The Stroud Center supports schools participating in Pa. Trout in the Classroom by providing lesson ideas and resources, aquarium maintenance support, and educational programming including during the trout release day.
Learn to Fish With Us!
To learn more, contact the Education Department at educationprograms@stroudcenter.org.
Thank you to the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission, which provides funding support for many Stroud Center education programs.
