Pennsylvania Fishing License Cost (2026)
A Pennsylvania resident annual fishing license costs $27.97. Non-residents pay $60.97 for an annual license. Short-term, senior, and combination licenses are listed below, plus current trout stamp prices, and where to buy.
A Pennsylvania fishing license is the baseline legal requirement for most anglers on the state's public waters, and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission sets the fees, exemptions, and license year. The table on this page reflects the agency's current published prices.
Statewide species rules cover most Pennsylvania waters, but special regulations on individual lakes take precedence where they exist; the official regulations digest is the authoritative reference. Pair this fee information with LakeQuality's Pennsylvania lake pages — each one carries the lake's water-quality grade, clarity readings, and trend data, which is useful context when deciding where that license gets used.
2026 License Fees
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Fishing License (ages 16-64) | $27.97 | — | All listed prices include the $1.00 issuing agent fee and $0.97 transaction fee. 3-, 5-, and 10-year multi-year versions also offered. |
| Non-Resident Annual Fishing License | — | $60.97 | |
| Senior Resident Annual (65 & up) | $14.47 | — | |
| Senior Resident Lifetime (65 & up) | $86.97 | — | One-time purchase; annual Trout/Lake Erie permits still purchased separately (Senior Lifetime Lake Erie Permit $9.97). |
| 1-Day Resident Fishing License | $14.47 | — | Not valid March 15 - April 30. |
| 1-Day Tourist Fishing License | — | $31.97 | Includes Trout and Lake Erie permit privileges; not valid March 15 - April 30. |
| 3-Day Tourist Fishing License | — | $31.97 | |
| 7-Day Tourist Fishing License | — | $39.47 | |
| Non-Resident PA Student Annual | — | $27.97 | Non-resident students enrolled in Pennsylvania schools pay the resident-equivalent rate. |
| Voluntary Youth Fishing License (under 16) | $2.97 | $2.97 | Optional - youth under 16 do not need a license; proceeds support youth fishing programs. Free Mentored Youth Fishing Permit also available. |
| Lake Erie Permit | $9.97 | $9.97 | Required add-on permit to fish Lake Erie and certain tributaries. |
| Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit | $20.97 | $20.97 | Covers both Trout Permit and Lake Erie Permit at a discount. |
Trout Stamp
Resident: $14.97 · Non-resident: $14.97
A Trout Permit is required in addition to a fishing license to fish for or possess trout or salmon (license holders 16+). A separate Lake Erie Permit ($9.97) is required for Lake Erie and certain tributaries; a Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit ($20.97) covers both. The 1-Day Tourist license already includes Trout and Lake Erie privileges.
Who Needs a License?
A valid Pennsylvania fishing license is required of all persons age 16 and over; children under 16 fish license-free (an optional $2.97 Voluntary Youth Fishing License and a free Mentored Youth Fishing Permit are available). Residents 65 and older qualify for a reduced Senior Resident annual license ($14.47) or a one-time Senior Resident Lifetime license ($86.97); disabled veterans and former POWs get free or $2.97 reduced licenses.
Season & Regulations
Fishing is open year-round for most species (muskellunge, pike, pickerel, panfish; bass are open year-round with a no-harvest window from the second Saturday in April to the second Saturday in June), but trout have a defined season: the regular statewide trout season opens at 8 a.m. on the first Saturday in April and runs through Labor Day, with an extended catch-and-release/harvest period Jan 1 - Feb 15 and the day after Labor Day through Dec 31. The 2026 license year runs Dec 1, 2025 through Dec 31, 2026 (licenses valid up to 13 months).
For complete bag limits, slot limits, and water-specific rules, see the Pennsylvania fishing regulations ↗.
Where to Buy
- Online: https://www.huntfish.pa.gov/ ↗
- In person: Sporting goods stores, bait shops, and county auditor / clerk offices that act as license agents.
- At DNR offices: Any Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission office.
Source: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, 2026.