2009 Trout Season Information

Each year, thousands of Pennsylvanians take to state waters for the annual opening day of trout season.  On Saturday, April 4, 2009, at 8:00 a.m. trout season opens for 18 southeastern Pennsylvania counties.  The season opens state-wide on Saturday, April 18th.  With over 83,000 miles of streams and rivers, the Commonwealth offers ample opportunities to pursue trout in all 67 counties.

Approved trout waters are stocked annually by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) with rainbow, brown, and brook trout.  Beginning on the opening day of the season, anglers may keep 5 trout (combined species) 7 inches in length or larger.  A Pennsylvania fishing license is required of all anglers 16 years of age and older.  A license can be purchased online through the PFBC’s website www.fish.state.pa.us.  The PFBC website also lists Fishing License Issuing Agents by county.

Before going out, be sure to check the regulations on the streams you intend to fish.  For a list of approved trout waters, stocking information, and current rules and regulations, please visit The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s website or review the regulations provided with your fishing license. 

Also on the website, the PFBC County Guide is an interactive map where anglers can search by county for places to fish, local stocking information, regulations, with links to driving directions. 

Trout Season opens in the following counties on Saturday, April 4, 2009:

All waters in Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York counties.

Southeastern PA Regional Opening Day: Saturday, April 4
Time: 8 a.m.
Minimum Size: Seven (7) inches
Fishing Hours: 24 hours a day, after the 8 a.m. opener
Creel limits:
Regular season (opening day thru Labor Day) -- 5 (combined species)
Extended season (Jan. 1-Feb. 28) & (day after Labor Day-Dec. 31) -- 3 (combined species)
Creel limits apply to the majority of trout fishing waters (inland waters). Other rules apply for Special Regulation Areas.  Anglers should consult the Summary of PA Fishing Laws and Regulations, distributed free with their licenses, for more details.

Fishing Licenses:

In addition to a fishing license, trout anglers 16 and older must possess a Trout/Salmon Stamp (or Combination Trout-Salmon Stamp/Lake Erie Permit) to fish for trout.

A Lake Erie Permit (or Combination Trout-Salmon Stamp/Lake Erie Permit) is also needed to fish for trout, salmon and steelhead in Lake Erie and its tributaries.

Licenses, stamps and permits must be signed in ink and displayed on an outer garment. Anglers must also be able to provide positive proof of identification (other than the fishing license) upon request of a Waterways Conservation Officer.

2009 licenses, stamps and permits are valid December 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009 (except 1, 3 and 7-day licenses) and are available at issuing agents statewide and online.

License / Stamp Age Requirements and Cost:

Resident 16 – 64:   $22.70
Senior Resident 65 & up:  $11.70
Senior Resident - Lifetime 65 & up:  $51.70
1-day Resident (not valid March 15-April 30) 16 & up:  $11.70
National Guard & Armed Forces Reserve (resident):  16 & up $2.70
Prisoner of War (resident):  16 & up $2.70
Prisoner of War - Senior Lifetime (resident):  65 & up:  $51.70
Non-resident 16 & up:  $52.70
7-day Tourist 16 & up:  $34.70
3-day Tourist 16 & up:  $26.70
1-day Tourist (includes all stamps, not valid March 15-April 30) 16 & up:  $26.70
Trout / Salmon Stamp 16 & up:  $9.70
Lake Erie Permit 16 & up:  $9.70
Combination Trout-Salmon / Lake Erie Permit 16 & up:  $15.70