Fishing

On July 10, 2006, Environmental Protection Southeast Regional Director Joseph A. Feola announced that the health advisory to avoid recreational activity in the Wissahickon Creek has been lifted. When health advisories are in effect, people and pets should avoid contact with water in the creek and not swim, wade, boat, row, or fish.

According to Philly River Cast, a compound containing cyanide was released on June 13 and 14 from a Merck and Co. facility in West Point, Montgomery County.  The material entered the creek via the Upper Gwynedd sewage treatment plant and killed fish in a 2-mile stretch downstream of the sewage treatment plant. As a preventive measure, Philadelphia shut down its drinking water intakes on the Schuylkill River 18 miles downstream until it was shown that there was no impact on the Schuylkill River. While stream conditions are returning to normal, residents are reminded that risks do exist in the recreational use of urban surface waters such as the Wissahickon Creek. For more information and updates, go to www.phillyrivercast.org. People may also call the city Water Department at 215-685-6300.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocks the Wissahickon Creek with trout three times a year – in the spring, summer and early fall. Most of the trout are Brown trout or Rainbow trout. Plenty of sunfish, smallmouth and largemouth bass can also be caught in the creek.

Anglers age 16 and over must secure a fishing license. If you are going after trout, you must pay extra for a trout stamp. Fishing licenses are available at many sporting goods stores. You can also print out a form from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website and mail it in with the required fee.

State officials urge people to limit their consumption of fish from Pennsylvania waters. The Wissahickon Creek is not specifically cited, but the state warns that people should eat no more than one meal of fish from Pennsylvania waters per week, due to contamination from mercury or polychlorinated biphenyls. [see Philadelphia Inquirer, 6-17-06]