Poe Valley State Park Reopens, Offers Expanded Fishing Opportunities

Trout Opener Prompts Reminder on Wildfire Dangers, State Forest Road Closures

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A newly reopened Poe Valley State Park and its lake – once again stocked with trout -- await anglers traveling to central and northern Pennsylvania for Saturday's opening of the regular trout season.

The park in Centre County was closed four years ago for a large-scale rehabilitation project. It is now accepting reservations for its camping season that begins Friday.

"We know Poe Valley and its 25-acre Poe Lake have been traditional favorites of trout fishermen, as well as canoeists, kayakers and other small boat enthusiasts, so we want everyone to know that the campground will soon open and the lake has been restored to its normal level and stocked with trout," said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources acting Secretary John Quigley.

The 620-acre Poe Valley State Park is enveloped in the Bald Eagle State Forest, and is a short distance from Poe Paddy State Park, which adjoins another anglers' favorite, Penns Creek. Campers and other park visitors returning to Poe Valley will find that the pit toilets, beach house, concession stands and other outdated facilities have been replaced with new, modern buildings, including campground shower house and beach house with bathroom, changing facilities and a concession stand.

Also, pets now are permitted on certain campsites; new water and sewer systems have been installed; the boat launch, campsites and dam have been renovated; and a new playground, docks, dam control tower and other improvements have been added. The concession stand and boat rental will be open from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.

While anglers are anxious to visit Poe Lake and streams throughout the region, Quigley cautioned that visitors will encounter heightened wildfire dangers and some state forest roads that are closed.

"Fire danger ranges from high to very high across much of the state and, with trout anglers and other visitors heading into our woodlands this weekend, it is imperative that vigilance be the watchword," advised Quigley. "A lack of green foliage in the spring, scant rainfall, low humidity and sunny, windy days all increase chances of forest and brush fires spreading, and their cause is almost always traced to one source: human carelessness. More than 800 fires were reported so far this month in woodlands across the state."

Campers and other visitors are reminded that open fires are forbidden on state forestlands when the fire danger is listed as high, very high or extreme.

The past winter's harsh weather also took a toll on state forest roads in the northern counties, forcing the closure of more than half the roadways in Loyalsock State Forest, Sullivan County.

"A combination of heavy rains in late January, coupled with a deep snow pack and frozen ground, brought severe run-off that scoured many of our state forests roads, but nowhere was it as severe as in the Loyalsock State Forest," Quigley noted. "Despite the best efforts of district personnel, anglers, cabin owners and other state forest visitors may face state forest road closings until resources for repair and rehabilitation work become available."

The following Loyalsock State Forest roads are open to motor vehicles: Little Bear, Gray's Run, Dry Run, Hagerman, Brunnerdale, Millcreek, Hillsgrove to Masten, Pleasant Stream, Long Run, Rock Run, Sand Springs, Coal Mine and Browns.  Shanersburg Road is open from Route 154 to Pole Bridge Trail; High Knob only to Ketchum Run; and Dry Run to Ketchum Run.

For more information on Loyalsock State Forest road closures, telephone the district office at 570-946-4049.

Repairs have been made at Worlds End State Park, where flood waters from Loyalsock Creek severely damaged a road leading to rustic cabin and organized group-camping areas.

For Poe Valley State Park information, contact Reeds Gap State Park Complex manager Rory G. Bower at 717-667-3622. For reservations, contact the Pennsylvania State Parks Reservation System at 1-888-727-2757 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, or visit www.visitPAparks.com.

For more wildfire prevention information, contact local district foresters; the Bureau of Forestry at 717-787-2925; or visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us (select "Find a Forest").

Media contact: Terry Brady, 717-772-9101

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources