" Remove Principio Creek in Cecil County from the list of put and take fishing areas. The area is entirely on private property and stocking and angler access is extremely limited. "

According to DNR's stream stocking map, two access and stocking areas have been lost and one gained. In fact DNR has just built ladders to cross the fences. This brings the stocking and access points to 4. While limited, it does not constitute " extremely limited ". These are only road side points. Anglers have the opportunity to walk the creek in many areas. This expands the put and take areas. In talking with local angler Ken Kline, he thought DNR might lack the man power to bucket the fish down stream to properly distribute them. I am positive that volunteers would be available to bucket fish further in if needed. PA uses floating fish boxes which can then be walked downstream to spread the fish out properly.

I have also suggested to DNR an area which I feel has A strong possibility of being added as A stocking and access area. It encompasses approximately 4 miles of Principio Creek in the lower 'high quality' water region. To date , I have not received A reply ?

It appears DNR hasn't made much effort to look for new access areas or new streams ?

Principio has been stocked for over 25 years. It is one of only two stocked streams in Cecil County. This is A put and take fishery, and not mean to re-establish A trout population. According to the US Census Bureau and MD DNR, Cecil County has approx 86,000 residents as of the year 2000. Cecil County was allotted 12,000 Trout. Garret County has approx 30,000 residents and was allotted 108,000 Trout ! A put and take fishery should put the fish where the most anglers can reach them ! If DNR has extra trout then by all means, stock another Garret County stream. But it would be A great injustice to take Principio's allotment and move it to A far less accessible area for MD anglers. Cecil County also lost Basin Run last year due to A native Brown trout population. Principio does not have A native population.

I strongly feel that if DNR is still suggesting to remove Principio from the fishery after the comment period that there Must be A public meeting in Cecil County near the stream to discuss it further.

Thank You for the opportunity to comment on-line.

S. Carlson, Cecil County

Beaver Creek:
Good idea to enlarge the Catch & Return area to the north side of Interstate 70. The area above this section should return to statewide regulations of two trout-per-day. The Put-Take Trout fishing sections of Beaver Creek are large enough and the stream is small above I-70 so lets not complicate things, place the stream under statewide regulations of two trout-per-day. I have caught & released several brook trout there.

Middle Creek:
I support the change of the definition of the Put-and-Take Trout fishing area on Middle Creek. I have been fishing from Brittle Road Bridge down through Doubs Park for the past few years. The trout especially the big ones travel downstream and I have been extremely successful throughout that area. The amount of pressure on Middle Creek from Ellerton Bridge upstream has really been heavy & I have chosen to fish from Brittle Bridge downstream to find seclusion. Now you will stock the section of stream from Brittle Road Bridge down through the park. You are going to place more fishermen into my spots, well why not share. The big picture, you will only make Middle Creek even better downstream (below the Park), probably where you'll find me now.

Culling trout:
I hate my fellow fishermen (the bait casters especially) who do this. THEY are ruining our sport. Prosecute them. Trout are too delicate and some fishermen look @ trout as "I paid for them so I can do whatever I want with them". TOO few fishermen truly know how to practice catch & release. Our fellow spinner fishermen, who profess to be Catch & Release advocates, probably kill more trout than the bait casters, as long as they use barbed treble hooks. The only way to practice Catch & Release is to use flies. DNR has stocked really fabulously large trout the past few years, yet our fellow fishermen are still greedy, looking for the biggest.

Brownsville Pond:
Brownsville Pond is just a large manhole. I support closing it as a Put-and-Take Trout fishing area. The Brunswick Pond is not currently managed under the statewide regulations of two trout-per-day, so why do it now. Just designate the Brunswick Pond as a Put-and-Take Trout fishing area. My fishing buddy who has two young daughters, lives in Brunswick & could use the pond to teach the girls to appreciate fishing and thus help insure there will be future trout fishermen.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment. - J. DePalma, Montgomery Co
 

This also applies to the proposal for Pax River. - J. Brognard
 

I have two boats and I fish ponds, lakes and the Chesapeake Bay. However, I feel for the lonesome angler who uses only his walking stick and legs to angle around in search of the elusive prize trout.

I am a member of the MSSA, Delaware Valley Womens FlyFishing Association, and I teach for DNRs BOW course in both Maryland and Delaware. I'm also a fishing instructor volunteer for HOFNOD as well.

I pay many dues and devote many hours to various fishing organizations to keep fishing alive and well in Maryland. Please don't close the Principio creek. - L. Doricchi
 

At the present time, we only have two streams and two ponds which are stocked in Cecil County. The proposal to eliminate Principio Creek from your stocking program and to stock another stream in Garrett County, which already has 12 stocked streams is by no means fair.

You say there is not much access to Principio Creek. York Sand and Gravel Company, which owns quite a bit of property along this stream has no problerm letting people access this stream through their property.

There also are several bridges, on state roads, that cross over this creek where stocking can be done. And, I am sure there are other places where this stream can be accessed for fishing.

There are lots of kids who fish this stream for trout, who, otherwise might be doing something they should not be doing, if they were not fishing.

Please do not discontinue the stocking of Principio Creek. - E. Benjamin, Cecil County
 

The Youghiogheny River Watershed Association has been working on several projects in the Snowy Creek, Laurel Run, Upper Youghiogheny River area that would mitigate the effects of acid mine drainage. To designate Snowy Creek as a put and take stream would contribute to the efforts to improve the water quality . The public and local residents would become more aware that the affected streams are a beneficial asset and source of recreational opportunity. The local youth will be able to walk to Snowy Creek and catch fish. This activity will result in the youth and parents becoming more aware of the value of clean water. As the local residents see the value of the streams as a source of recreation for their youth, they will be motivated to care for the water front areas.

Therefore the Youghiogheny River Watershed Association supports the plan for including Snowy Creek as a put and take trout stream. We look forward to seeing people walking the banks of Snowy Creek in pursuit of a fried fish dinner.

E. Harman, Youghiogheny River Watershed Association