Looking for a scenic stream with catchable-size stocked trout?

How about a few native brookies?

Maybe a big-water option where river-raised oversized trout exist?

Clear Creek State Park in Jefferson County offers all of these opportunities.

As its name implies, Clear Creek is the centerpiece of this 1,676-acre park and is easily accessible from most portions of the park.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocks nearly 2Z\x miles of Clear Creek with adult trout.

This spring, the stream is scheduled to receive a preseason stocking as well as two in-season stockings. Brook trout will comprise the preseason stocking, while brown trout will be added during the season. Clear Creek also sees a fall stocking of brown trout.

The put-and-take portion of Clear Creek runs from the mouth of English Run down to where the creek joins the Clarion River. This is a freestone stream that averages about 20 feet across. A portion is dammed, creating a swimming area for the park during the summer.

Fishing is permitted in the swimming area from the opener until mid-May. From mid-May until Labor Day, the swimming portion of the creek is off-limits to anglers.

Besides the general trout fishing experience, part of the attraction of Clear Creek its beauty. The stream flows through a heavily forested valley. This canopy keeps water temperatures low, as anyone who swims in the impounded portion will attest.

Wild trout also are part of the mix in Clear Creek State Park. Don't expect many of the fish to exceed the seven-inch length limit, however.

Brook trout dominate the wild trout fishery. While some native brookies can be found in the stocked portion of Clear Creek, odds favor those who venture upstream. Investigate the native brook trout possibilities found in Turby Creek, English Run and Little Clear Creek.

The Clarion River adds yet another component to the area's trout fishing scene. The main stem of the Clarion is managed for trout by way of fingerling stockings of brown trout.

The program has been in effect for many years, and it has created a low-density fishery of trout, some of which are quite large. It's not uncommon to hear of brown trout in excess of 20 inches being taken from the Clarion.

Stockies that filter into the river likely add to the fish recruited from the fingerling stocking.

Several other stocked trout streams, such as Millstone, enter the Clarion above Clear Creek. Fishing access to the river at Clear Creek State Park is good.

The section of the Clarion managed with fingerling brown trout runs from Ridgway to Cooksburg. In general, the trout fishing is better farther upriver toward Ridgway.

Clear Creek State Park has several lodging options, including cabins, yurts and a campground.

Regarding cabins, 22 rustic cabins and two yurts are located within the park. The season for these begins the second Friday of March, making them available for the trout season opener.

During the summer months, rentals must be one week. Cabins have either a wood stove or propane heater. The yurts feature electric heat.

There are 53 tent and trailer campsites located within the park's campground. The campground is slated to open the second Friday of April as well.

Access is not guaranteed, though, as the weather be the deciding factor.

It's wise to contact the state park office beforehand at 814-752-2368. Reservations can be made by calling 888-PA-PARKS.

Clear Creek State Park is located about 12 miles north of Brookville, along State Route 949. Take Route 36 north from Brookville, then go north on Route 949 at Sigel.

Jeff Knapp is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.