What Pennsylvania Fishing Licenses Cost

A Pennsylvania resident fishing license costs $20.97 for a one-year license. A three-day license costs $11.97. A one-day license costs $8.97. Non-residents pay $40.97 for a one-year license, $24.97 for a seven-day license, and $11.97 for a one-day license.

These prices are current as of 2024 and include a $0.97 processing fee on all licenses. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission sets the base price, and the fee covers the cost of issuing and managing the license. Prices have remained stable for several years, though the commission can adjust them.

You can buy a license online through the Fish and Boat Commission website, by phone at 717-705-7800, or in person at a license agent — usually a sporting goods store, bait shop, or hardware store in your area. Online purchases are when ready; phone and in-person purchases take a few minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Pennsylvania resident licenses cost $20.97 for one year, $11.97 for three days, or $8.97 for one day.
  • Non-residents pay $40.97 for one year, $24.97 for seven days, or $11.97 for one day.
  • You can buy online when ready, by phone, or at a local license agent such as a bait shop or sporting goods store.
  • A license covers freshwater fishing only; saltwater or trout stamps require separate purchases.

Trout Stamps and Special Permits

If you plan to fish for trout in Pennsylvania, you need a trout stamp in addition to your base fishing license. A trout stamp costs $11.97 for residents and $16.97 for non-residents and covers one calendar year. You can buy it at the same time as your license or separately.

Some waters in Pennsylvania are designated trout lakes or streams where trout fishing is allowed year-round or during specific seasons. The trout stamp is required on all of them. Without it, you cannot legally keep trout, though you can catch and release without a stamp on some waters — check the specific water's rules on the Fish and Boat Commission website.

Other special permits exist for specific situations: a mentored youth license costs $8.97 and is for children ages 12 to 16 fishing under direct supervision of an adult. A disabled person license costs $5.97. A senior resident license (age 65 and older) costs $8.97.

Where to Buy and How Long It Takes

The fastest way to get a license is online at the Fish and Boat Commission's license portal. You pay, print your license when ready, and can fish the same day. You need your Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid payment method.

Buying by phone takes about five minutes. Call 717-705-7800 during business hours, have your payment method ready, and the agent will email or mail your license. Mailed licenses arrive in three to five business days; email delivery is when ready.

License agents throughout Pennsylvania — bait and tackle shops, sporting goods stores, and some hardware stores — sell licenses in person. They have the same prices as online and can issue a license on the spot. Use the Fish and Boat Commission's agent locator tool on their website to find one near you.

Resident vs. Non-Resident Status

You are a Pennsylvania resident for licensing purposes if you have lived in the state for at least 60 consecutive days before buying your license. Military members stationed in Pennsylvania count as residents. If you moved to Pennsylvania recently, you must wait 60 days from your move-in date before you can buy a resident license.

Non-residents include anyone who does not meet the 60-day requirement, including people who own property in Pennsylvania but live elsewhere. Non-resident licenses cost roughly twice as much as resident licenses. If you fish in Pennsylvania only occasionally, a short-term non-resident license (one day or seven days) may be cheaper than a full-year license.

What Your License Covers

A Pennsylvania fishing license allows you to fish for most freshwater species — bass, catfish, panfish, and others — in public waters throughout the state. It does not cover trout unless you buy a separate trout stamp. It does not cover saltwater fishing, which requires a different license.

Your license is valid for the calendar year (January 1 through December 31) if you buy a one-year license. Three-day and one-day licenses are valid for exactly three or one consecutive calendar days from the date of purchase. A license purchased on December 30 for three days covers December 30, 31, and January 1.

You must carry your license with you while fishing. If you buy online and print it, bring the printed copy. If you buy by phone or in person, you receive a card or printed license — keep it in your wallet or tackle box.

License Exemptions and Free Fishing Days

You do not need a license if you are under age 16 and fishing with a licensed adult, or if you are fishing on your own property in a private pond that does not connect to public water. You also do not need a license to fish in a licensed pay-to-fish facility, though the facility may have its own rules.

Pennsylvania offers free fishing days several times a year when anyone can fish without a license. These dates change annually; check the Fish and Boat Commission website in January for the current year's schedule. Free fishing days are usually in early June and late September, but dates vary.

Refunds and License Replacement

Pennsylvania does not refund fishing licenses once issued. If you buy a license and decide not to fish, you cannot get your money back. If your license is lost or damaged, you can request a replacement from the Fish and Boat Commission for a $5 fee.

To request a replacement, contact the Fish and Boat Commission by phone at 717-705-7800 or through their website. Have your original license number if you have it, or your date of birth and Social Security number. Replacements are mailed within five to seven business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a Pennsylvania fishing license if I live out of state?

Yes. Non-residents can buy online, by phone, or through a license agent. You will pay the non-resident price. If you fish in Pennsylvania only once or twice a year, a one-day or seven-day non-resident license is cheaper than a full-year license.

Do I need a separate license for each type of fish?

No. One fishing license covers most freshwater species. Trout requires a separate stamp. Saltwater fishing requires a different license entirely, which is managed separately by the Fish and Boat Commission.

What happens if I fish without a license?

Fishing without a valid license is a violation of Pennsylvania law. Penalties include fines starting at $50 and can go much higher depending on the violation. A conservation officer can check your license at any time while you are fishing.

Can I buy a license for someone else?

Yes, you can buy a license online or by phone using another person's information, or you can give them money to buy their own. The license is issued in their name and they must carry it while fishing.

Does my license work in all Pennsylvania waters?

Your license works in all public freshwater in Pennsylvania, but some waters have special rules. Some are catch-and-release only, some have size or bag limits that differ from statewide rules, and some require a trout stamp. Check the Fish and Boat Commission's water-specific regulations before you fish a new location.