| 1. |
Do I need a license to fish in Pennsylvania? |
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Yes. A current Pennsylvania fishing license, signed in ink and displayed (attach to
a hat or outer garment), is required of persons age 16 and over to fish or angle for any species of fish. A license
is also needed to take fishbait or baitfish. Casting and/or retrieving whether by rod, reel and line, or by handline,
for oneself or another person, requires a current license unless specifically exempted by law.
Licenses are not needed on Fish for Free days, see Question 9 for more about fish for free days, all other fishing
regulations still apply on fish for free days....go to Question 9.
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| 2. |
How/where do I get a fishing license or required permits (stamps)? |
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Licenses, stamps and permits can be obtained 1 of 3 ways:
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| 3. |
How much does a license cost? What types of licenses, stamps and permits are
available? |
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| Type of Fishing License or Permit |
Age |
Cost |
| Resident |
16-64 |
$22.70 |
| Senior Resident |
65 & up |
11.70 |
| Senior Resident - Lifetime |
65 & up |
51.70 |
| 1-day Resident |
16 & up |
11.70 |
| National Guard & Armed Forces Reserve (resident)* |
16 & up |
2.70 |
| Prisoner of War (resident)* |
16 & up |
2.70 |
| Prisoner of War - Senior Lifetime (resident)* |
65 & up |
2.70 |
| Non-resident |
16 & up |
52.70 |
| 7-day Tourist |
16 & up |
34.70 |
| 3-day Tourist |
16 & up |
26.70 |
| 1-day Tourist (includes all privileges) |
16 & up |
26.70 |
| Trout/Salmon Stamp |
16 & up |
9.70 |
| Lake Erie Permit |
16 & up |
9.70 |
| Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie Permit |
16 & up |
15.70 |
* Licenses are only available at Commission and county treasurer offices. Locations are contained within our
complete agent listing, county treasurers are generally located at county court offices....go to a list of our agents.
Prices listed include all agent and transaction fees.
Visit the fishing licenses section of our Summary Book for more about PA fishing license requirements....go
to the fishing licenses page.
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| 4. |
When do licenses go on sale? |
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Fishing licenses and trout/salmon stamps are usually available December 1 of the year
prior to the license year. For example, a 2007 license is available December 1, 2006. Licenses, stamps and permits
are available at any of our Fishing License Issuing Agents....go to a list of our agents.
This also means the license is valid for the month of December in the prior year. You actually get 13 months of
fishing for any one license.
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| 5. |
What is a Trout/Salmon Stamp and do I need one? |
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The Trout/Salmon Stamp is a permit required when anglers fish for trout and salmon in
Pennsylvania waters. A person fishes for trout or salmon when one of the following applies:
- The person takes, kills or possesses a trout or salmon while in the act of fishing on or in waters of Pennsylvania
or boundary waters.
- The person fishes in waters under special trout regulations, wilderness trout streams or their tributaries,
or Class A wild trout waters or their tributaries....go to special trout regulation areas, wilderness
trout streams, or Class A wild trout waters.
- The person fishes in streams or rivers designated as approved trout waters or their tributaries during the period
from 8 a.m. on the opening day of trout season until 12:01 a.m. on the first Saturday in May. Approved trout
waters are listed in the Commission's Summary of PA Fishing Regulations and Laws....go to
the online copy of the summary book.
Collector quality stamps were printed from 1991 through 2006. Starting in 2007, the Commission switched to an
electronic Point-of-Sale licensing system (POS). POS licenses indicate if a stamp (permit) was
purchased, this eliminated the need for printed stamps. The Commission does not sell past year
stamps, they may be available on secondary markets....view stamps from 1991-2006.
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| 6. |
What are Lake Erie and Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie permits? |
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A Lake Erie permit is required for anyone who fishes in or on the Pennsylvania waters
of Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and their tributaries (only applies to the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie). The
permit is to be affixed to the fishing license at the designated location.
In many cases an angler may need both a trout/salmon stamp and a Lake Erie permit to fish in waters in the Erie
area. Rather than purchasing these individually, a Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie (combo) permit may be purchased.
The combo permit costs less than buying an individual trout/salmon stamp and Lake Erie permit.
As with the trout/salmon stamp and Lake Erie permit, the combo permit must be signed and affixed to the fishing
license at the place indicated.
A separate Lake Erie stamp program was conducted during the mid 1990’s to provide funding for the removal
of gill net fishing operations from Lake Erie. That program no longer exists - the Lake Erie stamps issued from
it are no longer valid and cannot be used as a substitute for the current Lake Erie permit. The current program
is designed to provide funding for new and improved fishing access to Lake Erie and its watersheds.
If you are the holder of a lifetime fishing license with a valid trout/salmon permit from a previous, there is
no need to buy a Combination Trout-Salmon Permit to fish Lake Erie and its tributaries. Instead, you need
only to buy a Lake Erie Permit. See question 23 on this page to find out more about Senior
Lifetime Licenses and the Lake Erie and Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie permits.
...view regulations for permits.
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| 7. |
What are Pennsylvania's fishing regulations & laws? |
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Regulations and laws are outlined in our Summary of Fishing Regulations & Laws.
The
"Summary Book" is filled with useful information; including:
- seasons/sizes/creel limits
- listings of special regulation areas and approved trout waters
- tips on fish and fishing
- fish consumption advisories
- reptile & amphibian seasons and limits
- Commission property regulations
- and much more!...go to the online copy of the summary book.
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| 8. |
Where can I get a summary book? |
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We highly recommend reviewing the summary book before fishing. Paper copies are free
and available at any of our issuing agents....go to a list of our agents.
An online version is available on this web site....go to the online copy of the summary
book.
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| 9. |
When is opening day? Fish for free days? |
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Opening days, seasons and fish for free days are listed online. It is also possible
to figure out future dates....view the opening days page.
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| 10. |
Do I need to display my license? |
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Yes. Most times a clearly displayed license allows a Commission Waterways Conservation
Officer to quickly and easily verify that anglers are legally licensed without inconveniencing a fisherman.
Anglers should be aware they are required to carry another positive means of identification, a valid driver's
license, for example, to establish their identity if requested by a Conservation Officer.
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| 11. |
Do I need to provide my social security number? |
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Yes. The U.S. Congress has enacted a number of laws to improve enforcement of child
support obligations. As part of a broad "welfare reform" effort, the U.S. Government has required that
states implement requirements to encourage payment of child support. States that fail to implement these requirements
face possible loss of federal welfare funds.
The "welfare reform" legislation contains hundreds of provisions. Out of this massive law, a handful
of the new federal requirements affect purchasers and holders of recreational licenses, including hunting and fishing
licenses.
One provision requires states to deny hunting and fishing licenses to certain persons in arrears on child support
when a court issues an order revoking or denying such licenses. Another requires government agencies to obtain Social
Security numbers from applicants for recreational licenses, including fishing licenses....go
to the fact sheet.
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| 12. |
I lost my license, now what? |
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A lost fishing license is replaced by applying to any issuing agent. The cost
is $6.70 for the license, price includes the cost of any trout/salmon or Lake Erie privileges that
were purchased with the original license.
...view fishing license information from our Summary Book.
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| 13. |
Who can get a resident license? |
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Only bona fide residents of Pennsylvania are eligible for resident licenses. A bona
fide resident of Pennsylvania is a permanent resident of this state who has a fixed intent to return to the Commonwealth
when he leaves it and who maintains a permanent place of abode here. For fishing license purposes, a person may not
be a bona fide resident of Pennsylvania while claiming residence in another state.
The "permanent home address" measure is a good litmus test for most residency questions. For example:
a student from Pittsburgh who attends college eight months a year in Virginia is a considered a resident as long
as Pennsylvania remains the student's permanent home address. Conversely, a student whose home is outside the state
is not a resident even though they attend a Pennsylvania university.
Positive proof of legal residency, usually a valid PA drivers license, will be required by the issuing agent when
purchasing a Resident, Senior Resident or Senior Resident Lifetime fishing license.
....view
the fishing licenses page of our Summary Book for acceptable proofs of identification.
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| 14. |
Do military personnel need a fishing license? |
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Military personnel are required to purchase a fishing license. Those who are stationed
in Pennsylvania under permanent change of station orders (PCS) of duration of 6 months or more or who produce documentation
proving same qualify for a resident fishing license. All others must obtain a non-resident or tourist license.
Certain active duty military personnel are exempt from Pennsylvania's fishing license requirement. To be eligible
for the military waiver, an angler must:
- be a bona fide Pennsylvania resident,
- be on active duty,
- be stationed outside Pennsylvania, and,
- be here on authorized leave.
While in the act of fishing, the military personnel must carry proof of each of these requirements, such as a
Pennsylvania driver's license, a military ID, and valid military orders showing the place of assignment and leave
status.
Under the law, a qualifying soldier, sailor, airman or marine does not receive a free Pennsylvania fishing license.
Instead, eligible active duty military personnel can legally fish without a license under the limited circumstances
outlined in the law. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission recommends that anyone taking advantage of this
provision display a military ID while in the act of fishing in much the same way as one would display a conventional
fishing license.
Persons who are exempt from license requirements are similarly exempt from the requirements for a trout/salmon
permit (58 Pa. Code section 63.20(e)) and a Lake Erie permit (30 Pa. C.S. section 2907.2(c)).
The law does not exempt military personnel on leave from any other requirements of fishing or boating laws and
regulations.
National Guard & Armed Forces Reserve licenses are available to those persons who provide documentation that
within the previous 24 months the person was deployed overseas as a member of the reserve component of the armed
forces for a period of 180 consecutive days or more or was released early from service because of an injury or disease
incurred in the line of duty. This license is only available at Commission and county treasurer offices. Locations
are contained within our complete agent listing, county treasurers are generally located at county court offices....go to a list of our agents.
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| 15. |
Can I purchase a license as a gift for someone else? |
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A gift voucher for licenses and permits (stamps) can be purchased for another individual
through the same outlets that are used when purchasing a license for yourself. The purchaser only needs to provide
the gift recipient's name when purchasing a voucher.
A voucher is not and cannot be used as a fishing license. Vouchers can be redeemed at any issuing agent. The voucher
is non-refundable and expires as noted. Individuals wishing to purchase vouchers
for Christmas presents need to wait until December 1 of that year to make the purchase.
....go to our licensing page for purchasing options.
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| 16. |
I have a question about a license purchased via the internet (The
Outdoor Shop)? |
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We have a page dedicated to frequenty asked questions about The
Outdoor Shop and fishing licenses purchased there....go
to the FAQ.
If you can't find the information you are looking for, either use our web
form for Fishing Licenses to submit the question electronically or call our
Fishing License section at 717-705-7930....go
to the web form.
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| 17. |
Who is eligible for a free license? |
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Disabled veterans who meet certain criteria. To qualify for a free fishing license,
an applicant must:
Be a bona fide resident of Pennsylvania;
And qualify as one of the following:
(1) Have a disability incurred in any war or armed conflict consisting of
(a) loss of one or more limbs;
(b) loss of use of one or more limbs; or
(c) total blindness.
OR
(2) Be 100% disabled as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
We have a separate fact sheet that discusses free licenses for disabled veterans....go
to fact sheet.
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| 18. |
Are permanently disabled persons eligible for a free license? |
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No, they are not, however, they do NOT need a PA fishing license at all, if;
- they are totally blind, or have such severe physical or mental impairments that they are unable to cast or
retrieve a line or bait hooks and remove fish if only one legal device is used and they are within 10 feet of
the device being used.
The attendant of the blind or impaired person also does not need a license while assisting in using the device.
In 2001, the Commission submitted a report on the subject of licenses for persons with disabilities to the House
Game and Fisheries Committee....click here to see the report (PDF format).
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| 19. |
Does an existing Disabled Veteran (DAV) license holder need to obtain a Combination
Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie Permit? |
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Yes. Existing DAV lifetime license holders that already have a trout/salmon stamp need
to obtain a Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie Permit, permits are available from county treasurers and the Commission's
regional offices and headquarters in Harrisburg. Locations are contained within our complete agent listing, county
treasurers are generally located at county court offices....go to a list of our agents.
New DAV licenses (lifetime and annual) will be issued with a Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie Permit.
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| 20. |
Do I need a fishing license to take my young child fishing? |
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An adult who assists a child by casting or retrieving a fishing line or fishing rod
is not required to possess a valid fishing license provided that the child remains within arms’ reach of the
assisting adult and is actively involved in the fishing activity.
An adult may assist a child by baiting hooks, removing fish from the line, netting fish, preparing the fishing
rod for use and untangling the line without possessing a valid fishing license.
There are a number of Pennsylvania waters that are available to fishing exclusively for children 12 years of age
and younger and persons who have certain physical or mental impairments....view
the listing.
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| 21. |
Do I need a license to fish on my own land? |
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The law provides that no person 16 years of age or older shall fish in any of
the waters of Pennsylvania or in any boundary waters without first procuring a license. However, there is an
exemption in the law. The exemption allows landowners who reside on their land throughout the year and members
of their families residing thereon to fish on their land in waters wholly within said land without a license. This
exemption does not apply to any person temporarily residing upon the land or any tenant who is not a member
of the family of the owner. The exemption also does not apply to any servant or employee of the owner.
A pond or lake that is wholly within land owned by a homeowners association or a private club does not exempt
the individual homeowners or club members from having a fishing license.
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| 22. |
How many fishing licenses and trout/salmon stamps does the Commission sell? |
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Sales reports are posted online....view sales report page.
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| 23. |
How do I get a Senior Resident Lifetime license? |
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Senior Resident Lifetime license are ONLY issued to PA residents 65 and over. Buyers
may purchase a license anytime during the calendar year they reach 65.
Senior Resident Lifetime license can be purchased at License Issuing Agents, County Treasurer offices, or Fish & Boat
Commission offices....go to a list of our agents.
Or you can complete a license application online, print it, and then send it to the address listed along with
a check or money order. A photocopy of a valid PA driver's license must be sent in with the application....go to the online application.
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| 24. |
I have/want a Senior Resident Lifetime license...do I have to buy a
new trout/salmon stamp and/or Lake Erie permit each year? |
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No. A trout/salmon stamp, Lake Erie permit or Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie permit
only needs to be purchased once. It must be signed and affixed to your lifetime license. You do NOT have to buy a
new stamp or permit each year. If you bought your senior lifetime license after January 1, 1991, you must purchase
one single valid trout/salmon stamp. If you bought your senior lifetime license before January 1, 1991, you are exempt
from having a trout/salmon stamp on your license.
This "grandfather" exemption is not applicable for a Lake Erie permit.
If fishing in Lake Erie or its tributaries, senior lifetime license holders need to purchase (one time) either
a Lake Erie permit or a Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie Permit. If you are not fishing for trout/salmon, already
posses a valid trout-salmon permit or are exempt from the requirements for a trout-salmon stamp, the Lake Erie Permit
is the way to go. If you intend to fish for trout/salmon, but do not yet have a trout/salmon stamp, the Combination
Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie permit is recommended.
See question 6 above to find out more about the Lake Erie and Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie
permits.
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| 25. |
I bought a Senior Resident Lifetime license when I lived in Pennsylvania.
I have since moved to another state. Can I still use this license when I return to PA? |
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No. In order to legally use a senior resident lifetime fishing license, you must be
a bona fide resident (A bona fide resident of Pennsylvania is a permanent resident of this state who has a fixed
intent to return to the Commonwealth when he leaves it and who maintains a permanent place of abode here. A person
may not be a bona fide resident of Pennsylvania for fishing license purposes while claiming residence in another
state for any purpose.) of Pennsylvania, not just at the time you purchased the license, but also at the time
you go fishing in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania does not have a non-resident lifetime fishing license.
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