Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 35

1970s

Until 1974, paper licenses continued. The years 1974
and 1975 were special for license holders as these were the
only years when metal button licenses were again available
to anglers. In 1974, the resident angler needed to affix a
transparent, sticky tape serial number on the badge. The
senior resident badge was also available for the first time.
Then, in 1975, a slightly larger button was created and used
in licensure. These were the only two years in which the
metal buttons were created due to their prohibitive cost.
To celebrate the bicentennial in 1976, the license displayed
a large, blue Liberty Bell with red text. Paper licenses
continued for the rest of the 70s.

1980s

Different fish species artwork was displayed on the
licenses of the 1980s. These licenses still required the angler's
information to be filled in by hand.

1990s

The Pennsylvania Fish Commission, now called the
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC), added the
$5 Trout/Salmon Permit colored stamp to the paper licenses.
These included fish artwork and fishing scenes from across
Pennsylvania. Felt badges were also made available, matching
the stamps. Fishing license fees increased for the first time
since 1983 in 1996 to $16.25 with over 850,000 license sales.
The Commission also established its website.

2000s

By the 21st century, the acquisition of licensure was
changing. Online internet sales became available to anglers
to purchase their licenses through the "Outdoor Shop."
Using their personal printers, anglers could print their own
licenses from home. In 2005, the Lake Erie permit and
combination trout-salmon Lake Erie permit were added.
The year 2006 brought the updated P.O.S. electronic system
in which anglers used the new Pennsylvania Automated License
System (PALS) for the 2007 fishing season. Licenses from
this stage on would no longer be written by hand but saved
in the computer-based databank for future years providing
convenience for anglers. For a smooth transition, traditional
paper licenses were still sold this year.
For almost 100 years, anglers have supported their fishing
opportunities on Pennsylvania waters by purchasing a
license. License fees help pay for many important programs
and resources such as fishery and hatchery management,
fishing and conservation education, habitat development
and protection of endangered species. When you purchase a
fishing license, you're helping protect, preserve and enhance
the sport of fishing today and for generations to come.
Currently, anglers have the option of not only the annual
license, but now the 3-year and 5-year licenses are available.
If you haven't purchased your fishing license for the 2014
fishing season and on, there are a variety of ways to do so
including by mail, in person (at any issuing agent) or online at
www.GoneFishingPa.com.
PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com

For more information on
Pennsylvania licenses and
PFBC history, visit www.
fishandboat.com/chrono.
htm. A great resource for
more information about
Pennsylvania fishing license
badges is Pennsylvania Fishing
License Badges & Patches
written by Ira W. Cotton.
This book is a great resource
for collectors.

RESIDENT FISHING
LICENSE FEES
Year
Cost
1922 .......$ 1.00
1928 .......$ 1.50
1948 .......$ 2.00
1954 .......$ 2.50
1957 .......$ 3.25
1964 .......$ 5.00
1974 .......$ 7.50
1979 .......$ 9.00
1983 .......$12.00
1996 .......$16.25
2005 .......$21.00

Christian Shane is a teacher
at the North Allegheny School
District in Pittsburgh. He is an
avid fly angler, fly tyer and outdoor writer. He has his
own collection of Pennsylvania fishing licenses, lures
and memorabilia.

Brought back by popular demand

In March 2014, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat
Commission (PFBC) is re-introducing the availability of
a Pennsylvania fishing license button. This custom button
is similar to the buttons offered by the Commission in
the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, and in 1974 and 1975. Each
button will measure 1¾ inches (same as past, vintage
buttons) with a high-quality pin-back design and feature
the angler's customer identification number (CID), same
as the number displayed on a paper license.
As a result of a recent regulation change, as long as the
angler is carrying a valid paper license, a valid button is
the only display requirement while fishing. This optional
button is $5 each and will be available for purchase
through the Commission's online store (The Outdoor
Shop, www.GoneFishingPa.com) and at limited PFBC
locations. The purchase of an annual or multi-year
Resident, Non-Resident or Senior Resident fishing
license is required in order to purchase a license button.
The purchase of a button is not a requirement in addition
to the purchase of a license. The button is also available
with the Mentored Youth fishing permit and Voluntary
Youth fishing license. As an annual button, the color and
date on the button will
change each year.
In January, the PFBC
posted an online ballot
through its website and
social media, encouraging
the public to vote for their
favorite button color.
The selected color (blue)
for the 2014 button is
a result of this
popular vote.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * March/April 2014

35
http://www.fishandboat.com/chrono.htm http://www.fishandboat.com/chrono.htm http://www.fishandboat.com/chrono.htm http://www.GoneFishingPa.com http://www.GoneFishingPa.com http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014
