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| Requirements & Law |
| PERMITS |
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| TROUT/SALMON PERMIT |
| A current Pennsylvania trout/salmon permit is required to fish for trout or salmon in Pennsylvania waters. An angler “fishes for trout or salmon” when he or she:
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| LAKE ERIE PERMIT |
| All anglers fishing Pennsylvania 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/Salmon/Lake Erie permit. See Lake Erie and tributary regulations for a list of main tributaries that require a permit. |
| COMBINATION TROUT/SALMON/LAKE ERIE PERMIT |
| In many cases an angler may need both a trout/salmon permit and a Lake Erie permit to fish in waters in the Erie area. Rather than purchasing these individually, a Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie permit may be purchased. |
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| EXEMPTIONS
The following persons are NOT required to possess a trout/salmon permit or Lake Erie permit:
- Persons under 16 years of age.
- Disabled persons and other individuals who are exempt from fishing license requirements, or who are authorized to fish using an institutional license.
- Persons who possess a 1-day tourist license.
Persons who possess a RESIDENT SENIOR LIFETIME license dated before January 1, 1991 are not required to purchase a trout/salmon permit.
RESIDENT SENIOR LIFETIME license holders are required to purchase only one permit for a lifetime. |
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| 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 $100 for residents and $400 for non-residents. Permit applications are available from the Harrisburg
office, regional headquarters, or our Charter Boat/Fishing Guide page. 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 for a fish species or location you wish to fish, go to our Charter Boat/Fishing Guide page. |
| CAST AND THROW NET PERMIT |
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission issues permits for use of cast nets or throw nets for taking gizzard shad 8 inches or less in length and alewife only in waters determined by the executive director. The executive director has determined that the Commission will issue cast net or throw net permits only for the waterways listed below. A separate permit is required for each area. (Net permit application) |
| County |
Water Area |
| Berks |
Blue Marsh Lake |
| Bucks |
Nockamixon Lake |
| Carbon |
Beltsville Lake |
| Huntingdon |
Raystown Lake |
| Wayne / Pike |
Lake Wallenpaupack |
| Butler |
Lake Arthur |
| Mercer |
Shenango River Lake |
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Lake Erie Net Permit – The PFBC is accepting applications for the Lake Erie Net Permit. |
| The use of a cast net or throw net in any other Commonwealth waters is a violation of the Fish and Boat Code and is punishable by a fine and may result in the loss of fishing privileges. Cast nets or throw nets shall not exceed 10 feet in radius or 20 feet in diameter and possess a mesh size of at least 3/8-inch. The holder of the cast net or throw net permit may take, catch, kill or possess a daily creel limit of 100 gizzard shad and alewife (combined species). The holder of the permit shall carry the permit on his/her person while using the net or while possessing more than 50 gizzard shad or alewife (combined species). The permit shall be available for inspection by a waterways conservation officer.
It is unlawful to:
- use a cast net or throw net in the waterways listed above without the required permit;
- use a cast net or throw net in any other Commonwealth waters except those listed above;
- use a cast net or throw net to take, catch, kill or possess any fish species except gizzard shad 8 inches or less in length and alewife;
- use gizzard shad or alewife taken under the required permit as live bait in any water other than the water from which it was taken;
- use a cast net or throw net without possessing a valid fishing license.
Cast net and throw net permits are available online at The Outdoor Shop. A printable net permit application is also available. |
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| Summary Book Index |
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