The annual open house at the Linesville State Fish Hatchery is scheduled for April 6 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 13300 Hartstown Road, Linesville, Crawford County.

Visitors will be able, among other things, to watch the walleye spawning process including fish sorting, and removing and fertilizing eggs; see native fish species in the 10,000-gallon viewing tank; learn how to tell the age of fish; tie knots, flies and cast, rig a rod, and fillet and cook fish; buy a $3 t-shirt and put a fish print on it; buy a Pennsylvania fishing license, posters, patches, and books; practice casting skills in the Kids Casting Area; visit the boating safety tent; and talk to staff from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and other partner agencies.

Shuttle service from the parking areas to the Visitor Center will be provided.

To get to the hatchery, turn off of Route 6 at the only light in downtown Linesville and go half a mile to the entrance.

Evergreen Outfitters will offer its annual kayak roll classes starting Feb. 5 at 7 p.m.  at Chautauqua Health and Fitness Center, Route 394, Chautauqua, N.Y.

Classes are non-sequential — it’s not necessary to attend every session — and continue every Tuesday night through February and March. Cost is $15 per session, and includes boat, paddle, spray skirt, and one-on-one instruction.

Spots are limited. Reserve your spot or ask questions by calling (716) 763-2266 or visiting the outfitter shop at 4845 Route 474, Ashville, N.Y.

The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation offers these tips for preparing your fishing gear and boat for winter storage:

10 tips for storing fishing equipment

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Starting Nov. 1, paddlers and small boat owners and passengers on all Pennsylvania waters will be required to wear a life jacket while under way or at anchor.

Boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak are subject to the state regulation passed in September by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The regulation will be in effect through April 30.

“Life jackets are the most important piece of safety equipment on a boat,” Laurel Anders, director of the PFBC Bureau of Boating and Outreach, said in a news release. “According to Pennsylvania’s boating accident reports, almost 80 percent of all boating fatalities happen to boaters not wearing a life jacket. A disproportionate number of the fatalities occur during the months of November through April. During these cold weather months, boaters are especially at risk due to the water temperature and the risk of sudden cold water immersion.”

Read up on boating safety.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District is waiving $3 daily boat launch fees for the remainder of the year at three launches on Shenango River Lake.

The Corps said Mahaney Recreation Area Launch, Clark Recreation Area Launch and the Shenango Recreation Area Launch fees will be waived because the lake level is 4 feet lower than target summer level. Three other boat launches have been closed: Hartford Road Launch, Parker’s Landing Launch and Golden Run Boat Launch.

Shenango River Lake is in Mercer County and in Trumbull County, Ohio. Its drainage area is 589 square miles.

For information, call (724) 646-1124 or (724) 962-7746.

The Paddle for Chautauqua Lake is scheduled to start Aug. 11 at 9:30 a.m. at Mayville Lakeside Park.

The event is a fundraiser for the Chautauqua Lake Association, which manages the weeds and cleans debris to keep the lake healthy.

Registration will run 8-9 a.m. Entry fee is $10 per person. Entrants also are challenged to collect 10 pledges of $10 each.

There will be a free continental breakfast before the launch and a free BBQ lunch afterward. Donate or collect pledges of $50 or more and you’ll get a T-shirt. There also will be prizes including a drawing for a kayak.

Evergreen Outfitters is taking reservations for kayak rentals. The $25 fee includes kayak, paddle, PFD and transportation of kayak to Lakeside State Park. Call (716) 763-2266 to make a reservation.

Volunteers also are needed to act as safety boats. Knowledge of open water rescue is required.

For information and registration forms, visit Paddle for Chautauqua Lake.

The public boat launch at East Branch Clarion River Lake in Wilcox, Elk County, is temporarily closed for access road construction.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said construction involves “placing and grading of base material including culvert installation along the access road to the boat launch.” The launch will be open July 28-29, then close from July 30-Aug. 3.

The finish has been moved twice in the past month.

New traffic signals and reduced speed limits are in place during the construction.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission says slips remain available for rent this season at Walnut Creek Marina.

Boats can be 23 feet long and 8 feet at the beam maximum. The fee is $725 for the season.

For information, call (814) 833-2464.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will conduct two Basic Boating courses in Erie County and one in Crawford County for novice boaters, future boaters, and experienced boaters.

Boating Safety Education Certificates are required for anyone operating a personal watercraft and anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, operating a boat powered by a motor greater than 25 horsepower.

The class covers basic boating safety, boating laws and regulations, and equipment. There is no charge for the course or materials, but advance registration is required.

The next course is April 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Corry Higher Education building, 221 N. Center St. To register, call Beth at (814) 664-9405.

On May 12, there will be a course from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Conneaut Lake Sportsman’s Club, 11861 Sportsman Road. Class size is limited to 40. To preregister, call Chad Foster at (814) 683-5126.

On May 19, a course will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Room 112 of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Drive. Class size is limited to 75. To register, call Chad Foster at (814) 683-5126. Bring a lunch or plan to eat out.

Students who successfully complete the course may apply for a Boating Safety Education Certificate issued by the Commission. The student must send a check or money order for $10 to the Commission. This course meets the mandatory education standards set by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators for motorboat operation and is accepted in most states with mandatory education requirements.

All the seasonally unexpected open water around northwestern Pennsylvania might make it tempting to break out the Jon Boat, canoe or kayak.

If you do, remember to put on your personal flotation devices, even in small craft that do not legally require you to do so.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission said that, over the past 15 years, cold-water incidents added up to just 8 percent of boating-related accidents, but to 24 percent of fatalities. A life jacket can be a live saver.

Starting Nov. 1, 2012, boaters will be required by law to wear life jackets on boats under 16 feet and any canoe or kayak during cold-weather months from Nov. 1 to April 30. That obviously will include the opening weeks of trout fishing season.

Why not get used to the jacket starting now?