The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission has announced the 2024 fishing licenses and permits sale just in time for Christmas. They have also released important dates anglers will want to circle on their calendars.

2024 fishing licenses and permits went on sale on Dec. 1. Making the licenses available before the end of the year allows anglers to fish uninterrupted 365 days a year. No worrying that spending New Year’s Day on the local stream will require finding an open vendor.

Licenses can be purchased from over 700 authorized agents at any PFBC headquarters or region offices or online at fishandboat.com. Those purchasing a license in person will receive the standard printed version on water-resistant paper. If a permit is purchased online, you can save an electronic copy, which is valid if inspected by a Waterways Conservation Officer.

Anglers can also purchase a Trout Stamp, Lake Erie Permit, Combination Permit, or any of the voluntary permits simultaneously with their license. A Trout Stamp is required when fishing approved trout waters. A Lake Erie Permit is required when fishing Lake Erie and select tributaries. The Voluntary Permits are never needed but assist the commission in addressing several special interest conservation programs, including musky, bass, water conservation, habitat and wild trout.

For those interested in adding to their License Button collection, the commission has also announced it will continue producing these highly sought-after items for the 2024 season. Buyers may order the button at the time of license purchase, but the button will be mailed later. Each button will include a dark blue background with golden yellow wording and a keystone emblem. Unlike earlier licenses with your CID number, the button will be numbered 00001 through 10,000.

The commission also announced the dates for opening day of Trout Season and Mentored Youth Trout Day for the 2024 season.

Mentored Youth Day: March 30, 2024

Opening Day: April 6, 2024

Anglers under 16 do not need a license except when participating in the Mentored Youth Day. For this event, they will have a Free Youth Mentor Permit or a Voluntary Youth License. The latter allows the commission to devote additional funds to youth programs and gives the young anglers a sense of ownership in their outdoor experience.

Anglers will notice that 2024 license costs are slightly higher than 2023. The commission approved the following increases during their spring 2023 meeting:

The Resident Annual license has increased $2.50 from $23.50 to $26.00. The Non-Resident Annual license has increased $4 from $55 to $59. The Senior Resident Annual license has increased $1.25 from $11.25 to $12.50. The Senior Resident Lifetime license has increased $10 from $75 to $85. The 3-Day Tourist license has increased $2.50 from $27.50 to $30. The 7-Day Tourist license has increased $2.50 from $35 to $37.50. The 1-Day Resident license has increased $1.25 from $11.25 to $12.50. The 1-Day Tourist license has increased $2.50 from $27.50 to $30. The Trout Permit has increased $2.50 from $10.50 to $13.00. The Lake Erie Permit has stayed the same at $8. The Combination Permit has increased $2.50 from $16.50 to $19.

When announcing the price increases, the commission stated it was necessary due to increased costs related to inflation, growing infrastructure needs, upgrades required to equipment & vehicles, and customers’ demand for more conservation & education programs. Although the commission is a Commonwealth Agency, it does not generate income from the General Fund. Unlike most Commonwealth Agencies, the Fish & Boat Commission and the Game Commission depend on license sales for most of their funding. The rest is provided via matching Federal funds, law enforcement fines, and administrative service fees.

Anglers are reminded that once they purchase a license, it is automatically valid, even if purchased before Jan. 1.

Good luck, good fishing.