Fishing Licenses & Permits

Trout Permit

A current Pennsylvania trout permit is required to fish for trout in Pennsylvania waters. Permits are printed on the license.

An angler “fishes for trout” when the angler:

• Takes, kills or possesses, while in the act of fishing, a trout from any Pennsylvania or boundary waters.
• Fishes in waters under special trout regulations.
• Fishes in any Class A Wild Trout Waters or Wilderness Trout Streams or their tributaries.
• Fishes in any streams and rivers designated as stocked trout waters on February 17 through May 31. See Commonwealth Inland Waters Regulations.

Lake Erie Permit

All anglers fishing in the waters of Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and their tributaries including waters that flow into those tributaries are required to possess a valid Lake Erie permit or Combination trout/Lake Erie permit. See Lake Erie Regulations for a list of main tributaries that require a permit.

Combination Trout Lake Erie Permit

In many cases, an angler may need both a trout permit and a Lake Erie permit to fish in waters in the Erie area. Rather than purchasing these individually, a combination Trout Lake Erie permit may be purchased.

Charter Boat/ Fishing Guide Permits

Charter boat operators and fishing guides are required to obtain a permit when conducting business on the waters of the Commonwealth including the boundary waters. The annual fee for the permit is $101.97 for residents and $401.97 for non-residents. Pricing includes issuing agent fee of $1.00 and $0.97 transaction fee. For additional information about Charter Boat/Fishing Guide permits, contact the Bureau of Law Enforcement at 717-705-7861.

Anglers:

To find a charter boat operator or fishing guide by species or location, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website.

Multi-Year Fishing Licenses

A 3-year fishing license is valid through 2027, a 5-year fishing license is valid through 2029, and a 10-year fishing license is valid through 2034. Customers who buy multi-year licenses save money by not having to pay agent/transaction fees each year. Anglers can also purchase multi-year trout, Lake Erie and combo permits and experience similar savings or purchase single year trout, Lake Erie and combo permits.

Voluntary Permits

Voluntary Permits are designed to help maintain funding levels for several key fishing-related programs. Revenues generated from the sale of these permits will be reinvested into the Habitat/Waterways Conservation, Musky, Wild Trout & Enhanced Waters or Bass programs. The Wild Trout & Enhanced Waters Permit does not meet the requirement to fish for trout in Pennsylvania waters.

Voluntary Youth Fishing License

To participate in a Mentored Youth Fishing Day, anglers 16 years of age or older (adult anglers) must possess a valid Pennsylvania fishing license and be accompanied by a youth (less than 16 years of age) who has obtained a Mentored Youth Permit OR a Voluntary Youth Fishing License. In addition to a valid fishing license, the adult angler (mentor) must posses a valid trout permit when the Mentored Youth Fishing Day relates to trout. While mentors will be permitted to fish for trout, they are not permitted to harvest trout and must release them unharmed. Youth may harvest up to two trout (combined species) with a minimum size of 7 inches. All other Commonwealth Inland Waters Regulations apply.

• The Mentored Youth Permit is free, and the Voluntary Youth Fishing License is $2.97 ($1.00 cost plus $1.97 in agent/transaction fee).
• While both the permit and the Voluntary Youth Fishing License provide the opportunity for youth to fish on Mentored Youth Fishing Days, the Voluntary Youth Fishing License provides an extended return for both Pennsylvania’s youth and the Commission. For each license purchased for $2.97, the Commission receives $5 back in funding as a federal reimbursement. The same applies for each Voluntary Youth Fishing License Voucher, once it is redeemed. The Commission receives no federal reimbursement for Mentored Youth Permits.
• The funds received from the sales of the license reimbursement are then dedicated toward investment in youth outreach and education programs.
• While both the permit and the license provide the opportunity to participate in Mentored Youth Fishing Days, the Commission encourages anglers to purchase either a Voluntary Youth Fishing License or a Voluntary Youth Fishing License Voucher—for the future of fishing!