Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2019 - 32

VOLUNTARY PERMITS-

New Investments in Aquatic Resources
Voluntary Bass Permit

by Christian A. Shane
photos by the author
"The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC)
operates primarily on funds generated through the sale of
fishing licenses, boating registrations and associated fees.
The PFBC receives no Pennsylvania General Fund tax
revenues to support its programs." www.pa.gov website.
In addition to purchasing fishing licenses this season, many
Pennsylvania anglers contributed to new permit offerings
identified as voluntary permits. The PFBC has purposed
voluntary permit funds into four specific categories of angler
preference. Voluntary permits allow anglers to channel their
financial support into individual programs and projects
overseen by PFBC.
The PFBC states that "while the purchase supports
individual programs, possession of a voluntary permit does
not entitle the holder to any additional privileges." Thus,
permits are considered a tax deductible donation to allow
anglers and others to support the various program areas and
expand the great work of PFBC.
Voluntary permits are available to anglers in four
increments-1-year, 3-year, 5-year or 10-year. At any point
in the fishing season, outdoor enthusiasts can purchase a
voluntary permit. Using these funds, PFBC plans to go above
and beyond their normal projects in 2020.

32

Annual Permit Cost: $10 plus $1.00 issuing agent fee
and $0.90 PALS transaction fee
If you enjoy a
Largemouth Bass
exploding on a Jitterbug
lure or can appreciate
watching a Smallmouth
Bass tail away after a
successful release, this
may be the permit for
5-year permit
you. The monetary
resources raised from the Voluntary Bass Permit allow the
Commission to manage bass fisheries in multiple ways. Efforts
and initiatives include improvements to boat area access in key
bass fishing waters, habitat improvement to increase natural
bass reproduction, maintaining and improving Pennsylvania's
Best Fishing Waters for bass, and financial support for PFBC
hatcheries to improve bass culture methods and increase the
size of bass fingerlings stocked.
Andrew L. Shiels, PFBC Deputy Director, Office of Field
Operations, said, "For bass, we may use funds to study
tournament fishing methods and ways to improve how they
are operated and how fish are handled." Furthermore, permit
monies going into bass habitat work may also benefit flowing
water bass populations.

Voluntary Musky Permit

Annual Permit Cost: $10 plus $1.00 issuing agent fee
and $0.90 PALS transaction fee
Anglers who target the
"fish of 10,000 casts" may
donate to this voluntary
permit. The PFBC will
use the Voluntary Musky
Permit funds to expand
muskellunge fishing
opportunities. Some funds
3-year permit
will be used to purchase
additional hatchery equipment, allowing the Commission to
raise more musky fingerlings and update rearing tanks. Like
the Pennsylvania's Best Fishing Waters for bass, PFBC may also
establish enhanced and designated Musky Waters for anglers.
With the purchase of additional forage minnows to feed
fingerlings, PFBC can also stock larger fingerlings thus leading
to a greater survival rate post stocking. Shiels suggests that
some funds for research may also be utilized for opportunities
such as tagging, tracking or genetic studies in wild muskies.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2019	

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2019

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