Watershed association seeks donations in order to stock the Kiski River with trout

As the covid-19 pandemic walloped many fundraisers, the Kiski Watershed Association is scrambling to raise money to stock trout in the Kiski River.

It’s a 15-plus-year tradition that draws residents and visitors alike.

Typically, the watershed association would work with local business and others to raise the money to buy the fish, which costs about $1,000. They raised about $400 as of Wednesday.

“To generate money, we had metal pin-on badges and solicited businesses, but some of those business aren’t real busy and covid has impacted people’s finances,” said Genay Hess of Parks Township, watershed association president.

So, the watershed association is casting a wide net, asking for donations via its Facebook page: “The annual trout stocking is an important symbol of the rivers revival. We realize these are unusual times, but a small donation could help us get where we need to be.”

The state Fish and Boat Commission does not stock the Kiski River with trout. Although the Kiski River is not a cold water fishery, the preferred environment for trout, the stocked fish do find their way to Kiski River tributaries where some live, according to Hess.

The trout stocking and fishing have become quite the social outing.

“People come out to see trout in buckets and put them in,” Hess said. “It’s especially popular with dads and kids because they get to see the trout up close.”

Typically, the fish are stocked in the river in Kiski Township near Roaring Run, Parks Township and near the Leechburg Bridge.

In Pennsylvania, anglers 16 and older must have a trout permit to fish for trout.

To learn more, visit the state Fish and Boat Commission website.