People Of Levittown: Local Man Never Missed Trout Season Opening Day

Every year, the opening day of trout season in Pennsylvania draws in many who jump at the chance to land a fish.

In past years, the banks of Levittown Lake in Tullytown would be packed shoulder to shoulder while boats floated on top of the body of water. This year, that scene was a little different. On April 4, opening day for trout season, the wind forced many people home early. By noon, there were only a handful of die-hards left populating the lake.

Joe Wall was one of them, and continues to be one of the constants of opening trout day each year at Levittown Lake. Wall has been coming to Levittown Lake since 1980, the year he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School.

“We had more luck than bad luck,” Wall said. Explaining that he used to come with friends, but today, he was there alone. Some moved away, some were busy.

“It’s traditional and close by,” said Wall. “I just grew up doing it here.”

Although the fishing was great before, the action has died down  in the last ten or so years, according to Wall.

Before he came to Levittown Lake, Wall spent some time at the canal which is also stocked with trout in anticipation of opening day. During his outing, Wall was using small minnows and powerbait to see if the trout would hit. “You just never know what they want. It’s a crapshoot, a waiting game. you just never know what they like.”

Wall describes his appearances at the lake a tradition and says it is a way for him to relax; “After a rough week working, it’s nice to get out and get away,” he explained. According to Wall, he spends about two or three hours on the water whenever he comes out, depending on the weather and how the fish are biting.

The lowering action in recent years has Wall worried as well.

“I’m concerned we won’t have a reliable fishing spot in Lower Bucks for trout,” he explained.

Wall said that he caught the biggest Trout of his life at Levittown Lake a number of years ago.

“Any given day, that’s why it’s a patience sport, you know, you’ve got to be patient,” he explained.

Wall explained that his favorite ways to fish for trout are with minnows and spinners.