FISHING LICENSE INFORMATION

THE 2010 FISHING LICENSES ARE CURRENTLY ON SALE  AT THE ELK COUNTY TREASURER'S OFFICE  FISH FOR FREE DAYS MAY 22 AND JUNE 6, 2010

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TWO TROUT OPENERS: APRIL 3 IN 18 SOUTHEASTERN COUNTIES

                                                 APRIL 17 REGULAR OPENING DAY FOR TROUT STATEWIDE

Effective 2/1/07 the Elk County Treasurer's Office went live with the POS (point of sale) with the PA Fish and Boat Commission. Fishing licenses will be printed directly from the point of sale and all information will be placed in a state data base.  Please have your Drivers license and Social Security number with you when purchasing a fishing license.

Effective February 14, 2008 Governor Rendell signed into law Act 2 of 2008. These changes will be activated in PALS on February 14, 2008, and require the Fish and Boat Commission to:

                 1.    Recover the transaction costs associated with PALS.
                
                 2.    Issue replacement fishing licenses and all previously purchased
                        permits or stamps for a single replacement fee.

                 3.    Expand the black-out period for when One-Day Tourist and
                        One Day Resident licenses are not valid.

PALS TRANSACTION FEES:

                1.    Each license sold will include a $.70 electronic processing fee.
                      2.    Each permit or stamp sold will include a $.70 electronic processing fee.

REPLACEMENT FISHING LICENSES, PERMITS AND STAMPS:

                Replacement fishing licenses now include all permits or stamps previously purchased by the customer.  The total cost for a replacement fishing license and all permits or stamps is $6.70.  Customers may purchase additional
permits.

ONE-DAY TOURIST AND ONE-DAY RESIDENT LICENSE:

One-Day Tourist and One-Day Resident licenses are not valid for fishing during the period from March 15th to April 30th of any year.  One-Day Tourist or One-Day Resident licenses issued to be used on March 14 will expire at 11:59 p.m. on March 14 regardless of what time the license begins.                             

Lake Erie Permit-This permit must be purchased by anyone who wishes to fish on the Pennsylvania water of Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and their tributaries including waters that flow into those tributaries.  This is a new program that is designed to provide funding for new and improved fishing access to Lake Erie and its watersheds. (Also see page 7 of fishing summary).

Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie Permit-This permit may be purchased in lieu of the trout-salmon stamp and the new Lake Erie permit. The combo permit costs less than buying the stamps individually. 

National Guard-Issued by the Commission or a County Treasurer only.
       
Customer must provide documentation that within the previous 24 months that person  was deployed overseas as a member of the National Guard or 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.    

The  "NEW" Fee package is as follows:

MILITARY PERSONNEL EXEMPTION

 NO FISHING LICENSE NEEDED IF:

 SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER REQUIREMENTS

Since 1998, the purchasers of Pennsylvania fishing license have been required to provide their Social Security numbers when they apply to purchase a fishing license.  This requirement is set forth in federal and state laws on enforcement of child support obligations.  Similar requirements apply to other state licenses, including drivers' licenses and hunting licenses, in Pennsylvania and other states. Although the Fish and Boat Commission believes this is not an effective mechanism to enforce child support, it is the law and all purchasers of license must comply with this law.

ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN

An adult who assists a child (12 years of age and under) 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.

An adult is required to possess a fishing license if they intend to set the hook for the child.

PERSONS  WITH  DISABILITIES

Persons with disabilities who wish to participate in a Fish & Boat Commission program and who anticipate the need for special accommodations should telephone (717) 705-7833. 

Persons who are deprived of the use of a leg or both legs or who are disabled in a manner that significantly limits their mobility may apply for a permit to use an off-road motorized vehicle to access fishing and boating opportunities. Permit applications may be requested in writing from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Bureau of Law Enforcement, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000.

For a listing of waters available exclusively for children 12 years of age and younger and persons with disabilities, please contact a region office or visit www.fish.state.pa.us.

• Download a Fishing License Application

        For more information visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commissions web site at:
        www.fish.state.pa.us