As you read this column, you may have already started or are about to start your fishing trips for the local spring favorite: trout. There are thousands of miles of prime trout habitat streams in New York and PA that can be fished. Rivers such as the Delaware and Lackawaxen Rivers are also a good bet. There are many public lands that have some good trout streams to fish.

Spring is a good time to fish for trout, as all the trout species are cold-water fish and favor the cool spring waters before warm summer days raise the temperature of the water in most areas. Stocking also takes place before and during the season, with rainbow, brown, golden and brook trout being stocked depending on the state and stream location.

Many people fish with artificial flies (and tie their own). Other artificial lures, such as spinners, are popular as well. Natural baits do well. If you are fishing certain special-regulation waters, check the regulations for that stream; it might be catch and release only, and only with bait restrictions to artificial lures.

Trout have a few adversaries and issues in the wild. Eagles and otters are a couple of many species that prey on fish, including trout. A few may succumb to stress from excessively warm water, which is why fishermen take a break during the summer, especially when drought conditions are present. Conditions vary from year to year. A greater concern is contamination from sources such as road salt that drains into streams and causes chloride pollution. Perfluoro octane sulfonate (PFOS), a “forever chemical,” has caused a Do Not Eat advisory to be issued for two creeks in central PA this year; those creeks have been taken off the PA Fish and Boat Commission trout stocking schedule.

If you decide to get a fly in the water and are just starting out, your local sporting goods store or bait shop usually has some good local info. Helpful info can also be found at  dec.ny.gov/ if fishing New York and www.pa.gov/agencies/fishandboat if in PA.