The Fish and Boat Commission is a user-funded agency - meaning it receives no PA
General Fund tax revenue to support its programs. The Commission operates out of two special funds: the Fish Fund and
the Boat Fund. The principal sources of revenue for the Fish Fund are fishing licenses and fees (about 66%) and federal
funds (about 22%) obtained from taxes on fishing-related items. For the Boat Fund, boat registration/titling fees,
refunds of liquid fuels taxes on gas used by motorboats and federal aid are the top revenue categories.
Infrastructure
The Commission continues to work to secure funding for necessary hatchery upgrades and repairs on
Commonwealth-owned dams and remains optimistic that a funding source outside of the day-to-day operating revenues
in the fish and boat funds will be found for the substantial infrastructure improvement needs the Commonwealth of
PA has. The total need for dam repairs alone is estimated at more than $83 million (2006).
