Fishing in Pennsylvania is a real treat to any fishing enthusiast. Pennsylvania offers a wide variety of fish to satisfy every angler’s favorite. The waters of Pennsylvania are home to bass, bluegills, trout, perch, sunfish, black crappie, channel catfish, brown bullhead, flatheads, walleyed, muskies, pickerel, pike, and salmon just to list some. However, unless you are under the age of 16, you must obtain a fishing license in order to partake in your angling adventures.

Obtaining a fishing license in Pennsylvania is really quite simple and can be obtained in three ways; in person at a local licensing issuing agent, online, or by mail.

In person: If living or visiting in the state of Pennsylvania, you can walk into any license issuing agent and buy a Pennsylvania fishing license on the spot. Common licensing issuing agents found throughout Pennsylvania are the County Treasurer, Wal-Mart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bait and Tackle shops, True Value Hardware stores, and K Mart. To find an extensive list of the licensing agents available in a particular region of Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission online. Select the region you are interested in and you will get a complete listing of the licensing agents available in that area.

Online: The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission offers The Outdoor Shop on their site where you can purchase your Pennsylvania fishing license online and print it out immediately, putting you on the water in no time flat.

By Mail: The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission offers mail in applications that you can download, fill out, and mail in if you are not comfortable purchasing items online. Once downloaded and printed out, simply fill out the application and mail it with the application fee and you will receive your license within two weeks.

The costs of fishing license and special permits in Pennsylvania are:

• Residents - ages 16 to 64: $22.70
• Senior Resident – ages 65 and up: $11.70
• Senior Residents (lifetime) - ages 65 and up: $51.70
• 1 day resident – ages 16 and up: $11.70
• National Guard & Armed Forces Reserve (resident) - ages 16 and up: $2.70
• Prisoner of War (resident) - ages 16 and up: $2.70
• Prisoner of War - Senior Lifetime (resident) - ages 65 and up: $2.70
• Non-resident - ages 16 and up: $52.70
• 7-day Tourist - ages 16 and up: $34.70
• 3-day Tourist - ages 16 and up: $26.70
• 1-day Tourist (includes all privileges) - ages 16 and up: $26.70
• Trout/Salmon Stamp - ages 16 and up: $9.70
• Lake Erie Permit - ages 16 and up: $9.70
• Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie Permit - ages 16 and up: $15.70

For the National Guard, Armed Forces Reserves, and Prisoners’ of War, Pennsylvania Fishing License can only be obtained at the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission or a Pennsylvania county treasurer office. To get a complete listing of these locations visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission online and happy fishing.