Fish-for-Free Days allow anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish on Pennsylvania waterways on the designated days with NO FISHING LICENSE REQUIRED (Trout/Salmon and Lake Erie permits are also NOT required). All other fishing regulations still apply.
Fish-for-Free Days are great ways for families to “catch” the fun of fishing!
2024 dates are: Sunday, May 26 and Thursday, July 4 {Independence Day}.
You can find out more information about these days here and check them out in our calendar here.
And if you are wondering where the best places to fish are around Washington County and Southwest PA, this link will take you to a website with the report.
Mentored Youth Trout Day 2024
March 30, 8a.m. - 7:30p.m.
The day set aside for youth to fish Stocked Trout Waters listed for the Opening Day of Trout Season
Be a part of making a young person a lifelong angler and lover of our natural resources. Get them started on Mentored Youth Trout Day. On this special day, youth get a jump start on fishing in PA's stocked trout waters. And buy a voluntary youth license and support youth programs all year long.
Eligible Anglers
Youth anglers need a Mentored Youth Permit OR a Voluntary Youth Fishing License from the Commission and to be accompanied by a licensed adult angler to participate. With their License OR Permit, they can take a total of two trout (combined species) with a minimum length of 7 inches. Adult anglers are prohibited from possessing trout.
Anglers 16 years of age or older are adult anglers and need a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License and a current Trout Permit. To participate on MYTD, anglers over 16 must be accompanied by an eligible holder of a Mentored Youth Fishing Permit OR a Voluntary Youth Fishing License from the Commission.
Guidance for mentors
- Youth should be capable of fishing on their own, with limited assistance from mentor.
- Mentor should be fishing within a reasonable distance of actively fishing youth.
- This day is for mentors and their MY, and not designed for large groups of youth fishing, with minimal adult supervision.
Commonwealth Inland Water regulations apply. Special regulation areas are not included in the program. It is unlawful to fish in waters designated as part of the Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program except when participating in the program.
Cost to fish on MYTD:
The Mentored Youth Permit is free. OR
The Voluntary Youth License is $2.97 ($1 cost + $1 issuing agent fee + $0.97 PALS transaction fee).
(Adult Anglers need an annual fishing license and current trout/salmon permit)
Get the youth permit/ buy the youth voluntary license at HuntFishPA or at a licensing agent.
Voluntary Youth Licenses support youth programs
While both the permit and the Voluntary Youth License provide the opportunity for youth to fish on Mentored Youth Fishing Days, the Voluntary Youth License provides an extended return for both Pennsylvania’s youth and the Commission, the Commission encourages anglers to purchase either a Voluntary Youth License or a Voluntary Youth License Voucher—for the future of fishing!
Think about your youth and the youth of tomorrow. Make an investment in the future of fishing!
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission also offers free education programs throughout the year. They can be found on our events calendar: https://www.register-ed.com/programs/landing/schedule/agency:38
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