Pennsylvania Fishing License Cost
Prices checked against official sources on
A Pennsylvania resident fishing license costs $27.97 for anglers 16 to 64, and $14.47 for residents 65 and older. Nonresidents pay $60.97 for the year. Trout and salmon need a separate $14.97 trout permit, and Lake Erie needs a $9.97 permit.
Ready to buy? Licenses are sold by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). Official license page ↗
Pennsylvania fishing license prices
2026 license year prices. Each annual license and permit includes a $1.00 issuing agent fee and a $0.97 transaction fee.
Annual licenses
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| Resident (ages 16–64) | $27.97 |
| Senior resident, annual (65+) | $14.47 |
| Senior resident, lifetime (65+) | $86.97 |
| Nonresident (16+) | $60.97 |
| Nonresident Pennsylvania student | $27.97 |
| Voluntary youth license (under 16) | $2.97 |
| Mentored youth permit (under 16) | Free |
Short-term licenses
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| 1-day resident (16+) | $14.47 |
| 1-day tourist, includes trout and Lake Erie permits | $31.97 |
| 3-day tourist | $31.97 |
| 7-day tourist | $39.47 |
Permits (on top of a license)
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| Trout permit | $14.97 |
| Lake Erie permit | $9.97 |
| Combination trout / Lake Erie permit | $20.97 |
Multi-year licenses
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| 3-year resident | $79.97 |
| 5-year resident | $131.97 |
| 10-year resident | $261.97 |
| 3-year senior resident | $39.47 |
| 5-year senior resident | $64.47 |
| 3-year nonresident | $178.97 |
| 5-year nonresident | $296.97 |
| 10-year nonresident | $591.97 |
What common trips cost
Totals worked out from the official prices above.
| Situation | What to buy | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Resident who fishes for trout | License $27.97 + trout permit $14.97 | $42.94 |
| Resident who fishes trout and Lake Erie | License $27.97 + combination permit $20.97 | $48.94 |
| Senior resident (65+) who fishes for trout | Senior annual $14.47 + trout permit $14.97 | $29.44 |
| Nonresident, one day of trout fishing (outside Mar 15–Apr 30) | 1-day tourist license, permits included | $31.97 |
| Nonresident, full season | Nonresident annual $60.97 (+ permits as needed) | $60.97+ |
Who needs a fishing license in Pennsylvania
- Anyone 16 or older needs a Pennsylvania fishing license.
- An adult helping a child cast, retrieve or bait a hook does not need a license, as long as the child stays within arm's reach and is actively fishing.
- Blind or severely impaired anglers can fish without a license if they use one legal device and stay within 10 feet of it; their attendant is also exempt while helping.
- Landowners, and family members who live on the land year-round, can fish on that land without a license. Members of homeowners associations or private clubs still need one.
- Some Pennsylvania residents on active military duty, stationed outside the state and home on authorized leave, can fish under a military waiver.
When the license is valid
Pennsylvania sells licenses by calendar year. 2026 licenses went on sale December 1, 2025 and are valid through December 31, 2026, so buying in December gives you up to 13 months. Licenses for the next year normally go on sale on December 1.
Free fishing days in Pennsylvania
The PFBC announces its Fish-for-Free Days each year in its newsroom. We list the dates here once they are announced; on those days no license or permit is needed, but every other regulation still applies.
Where to buy
Online through HuntFishPA, at licensed issuing agents (many tackle and sporting goods stores), at County Treasurer offices, or at PFBC offices.
How to pay less, and what to watch out for
1-day licenses don't work in early spring
Both 1-day licenses (the $14.47 resident one and the $31.97 tourist one) are not valid from March 15 through April 30. That window covers the run-up to trout season, so anyone planning a short trip then needs at least a 3-day tourist license or an annual one.
The tourist 1-day license is the all-in option
The $31.97 1-day tourist license already includes the trout and Lake Erie permits. The 3-day tourist license costs the same, $31.97, so if you might fish more than one day, the 3-day license is the better buy.
When a multi-year license pays off
A 3-year resident license costs $79.97, against $83.91 for three annual licenses at today's price. The 5-year license ($131.97) saves about $8 over five annual licenses, and it also protects you from future price increases.
Trout, salmon and steelhead
To fish for or keep trout, salmon or steelhead, you need the trout permit in addition to your license. If you also fish Lake Erie, its tributaries or Presque Isle Bay, the $20.97 combination permit is cheaper than buying both permits separately ($24.94).
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing license in Pennsylvania for a resident?
$27.97 a year for residents 16 to 64, including fees. Residents 65 and older pay $14.47 a year or $86.97 for a lifetime license.
Do I need a trout permit in Pennsylvania?
Yes, if you fish for trout, salmon or steelhead. It costs $14.97 on top of your license.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Pennsylvania?
At 16. Children under 16 can fish without one, or get a free mentored youth permit or a $2.97 voluntary youth license.
Do I have to carry my license?
You don't have to display it, but you must be able to show it, on paper or on a phone, when an officer asks.
Sources
Every price and rule on this page comes from these official pages. If the agency changes a fee, its page wins over ours; tell us and we'll correct it.