HARRISBURG, Pa. (June 26) – Families and friends visiting Pennsylvania’s state parks, lakes and other popular outdoor spots over the Independence Day holiday can enjoy a day of free fishing, thanks to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC).
Wednesday, July 4, marks the second of two free fishing days in the Commonwealth. The first was May 27.
First established in 1984 as part of the PFBC’s public outreach efforts, Fish-for-Free days allow anyone – residents and non-residents – to legally fish in Pennsylvania without a fishing license. From 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on both days, no fishing license is needed to fish in Pennsylvania's waterways. All other fishing regulations apply.
“The dates around Memorial Day and Independence Day were chosen because they are popular picnic and camping days, with many families already spending the day at lakes and parks throughout the state,” said Steve Kralik, director of the PFBC Bureau of Outreach, Education and Marketing. “Fish-for-Free days offer an easy, convenient way to introduce friends and family to the sport of fishing, or to reconnect with the sport if someone hasn’t fished in some time. On these days, individuals can fish at no cost.”
To make the fishing experience more convenient, people can borrow equipment from dozens of fishing tackle loaner sites across the state. Many of the sites are at state parks, which are always a popular place for visitors on the Independence Day holiday. Loaner sites are also available at county parks and some public libraries.
Click here for the list of loaner sites.
More information is available on the PFBC website, which includes interactive maps, regional fishing reports, and tips on fishing fundamentals.
Smartphone users can view the information through the PFBC’s free FishBoatPA smartphone app, which is available from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app has been downloaded more than 105,000 times.
To continue your fishing experiences after this free fishing day, please visit GoneFishingPa.com to purchase your 2018 or multi-year fishing license.
Regional Media Contacts – Please contact a regional Outreach and Education staff member for more information and to set up on-the-water interviews with Waterways Conservation Officers.
Northwest Region (Counties – Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Warren)
Chad Foster
(814) 336-2426
chfoster@pa.gov
Southwest Region (Counties – Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland)
Mandy Smith
(814) 443-9841
mirsmith@pa.gov
Northcentral Region (Counties – Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Tioga, Union)
Amidea Daniel
(814) 359-5127
adaniel@pa.gov
Southcentral Region (Counties – Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, York)
Adam Spangler
(717) 486-7352
adspangler@pa.gov
Northeast Region (Counties – Bradford, Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming)
Allan Schreffler
(570) 477-2206
alschreffl@pa.gov
Southeast Region (Counties – Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Schuylkill)
Andy Desko
(215) 968-3631
adesko@pa.gov