Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2021 - 56

CURRENTS
2021 Pennsylvania Fishing Licenses, Permits, and Gift Vouchers on Sale

56

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * January/February 2021	

photo-Mike Parker

During a time when more people than ever
are looking for fun and affordable ways to enjoy
the outdoors by themselves or safely with family
and friends, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
Commission (PFBC) reminds anglers that 2021
fishing licenses are now on sale.
Fishing licenses, permits, and vouchers can
be purchased online at www.fishandboat.com
or by visiting one of nearly 700 license-issuing
agents. Licenses, permits, and vouchers that are
purchased for 2021 are valid immediately for up
to 13 months, from December 1, 2020 through
December 31, 2021.
" Whether you're looking to get a jump on
next season, or you've got holiday gift giving
in mind, a fishing license or voucher will keep
you and others connected to the outdoors, " said
Amber Nabors, Director of the PFBC Bureau of
Outreach, Education, and Marketing. " When you
buy a fishing license now, you really get the most value for
your dollar, and you'll be covered for every fishing season
for the rest of this year and next year. "
Purchasing a fishing license can be done easily,
conveniently, and safely online from your computer or
smartphone. Licenses may be printed immediately upon
purchase or saved digitally to a smart device, which serves
as proof of possession. While many customers still prefer
to purchase fishing licenses in person from local retailers,
online purchases can save time and limit exposure to large
crowds in stores during the holiday season, and can help
you avoid long lines when many anglers purchase their
licenses closer to the spring trout season.
In addition to licenses and permits, such as the trout or Lake
Erie permits, customers may choose to purchase vouchers that
can be given as gifts and be redeemed by recipients.
" Vouchers make great gifts for the avid angler in your
life, but they can also be a great way to introduce someone
new the sport, " said Nabors. " If you know someone who
you think would enjoy fishing, especially now when we
can all use more time outdoors, buying them a license
voucher can be the nudge they need to join you on the
water this year. "
Once again for the 2021 license year, customers can
purchase a collectible fishing license button for $10.00.
This year's button features a Chain Pickerel design and is
customized with the angler's individual license number.
Please note that buttons are not issued at the time of
purchase and will be mailed to the buyer typically within
3 to 4 weeks.
Anglers who visit a license issuing agent in person can
receive the 2021 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating
Handbook free of charge. The book outlines current
fishing and boating regulations, seasons and creel limits,
and safety information. A digital version of the book can

be viewed and printed for free on the PFBC's website at
www.fishandboat.com, or viewed on the free Fish Boat PA
mobile app for smartphones.
" Pennsylvania anglers really have a lot to look forward
to in 2021, " said Nabors. " We made a lot of exciting
improvements to our stocking operations ahead of
the 2020 season that included doubling the number
of trophy-sized trout that had been stocked in lakes
and streams across the state in previous years. We also
increased the number of golden Rainbow Trout that we
stocked prior to last year's spring trout season and began
stocking them in-season for the first time ever. Those
improvements will once again be in place in 2021, so
the chances that you'll catch one of these special trout
continues to be better than ever. "
Customers who purchase a 2021 fishing license can
once again support their favorite PFBC programs through
the purchase of Voluntary Permits for Bass, Musky,
Wild Trout & Enhanced Waters, and Habitat/Waterways
Conservation. These permits are not required for fishing
and carry no additional privileges, but all funds generated
through permits are reinvested into respective programs.
Thanks to the generosity of anglers, the PFBC has invested
more than $125,000 into special projects funded by the
sale of Voluntary Permits since 2019.
While youth anglers under age 16 do not require a
fishing license, they must have either a Voluntary Youth
Fishing License or a free Mentored Youth Permit to
participate in various youth opportunities throughout
the 2021 season. This includes the Mentored Youth Trout
Days, which occur on the Saturdays before the openings
of the regional and statewide seasons. Voluntary Youth
Fishing Licenses purchased in advance of the 2020
Mentored Youth Trout Days that were canceled due to
COVID-19 will be honored in 2021.
www.fishandboat.com
http://www.fishandboat.com http://www.fishandboat.com http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2021
