Oct 4, 2014 2 min read

HARRISBURG (AP) – For the first time in its history, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will reduce the price of annual fishing licenses next season, a promotional move agency leaders said is intended to highlight the sport’s affordability to families and younger audiences and to persuade lapsed anglers to return.

Beginning Dec. 1, prices will be reduced by $1 for resident and nonresident annual licenses purchased throughout the year. Anglers who buy 3-year and 5-year licenses will see a reduction of $3 and $5, accordingly, if they buy the license during the month of December. The discounts also apply to gift vouchers for annual licenses purchased throughout the year and to gift vouchers for multi-year licenses purchased in December.

“We believe the price cut will catch the attention of many people who haven’t fished in a few years, or who have wanted to try fishing, but mistakenly have thought that prices have increased like they have for other products and activities,” PFBC Executive Director John Arway said.

“The fact is, the price of a fishing license hasn’t increased in nearly a decade, since 2005,” he said. “Fishing has always been an affordable and fun family activity that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. If we can capture the attention of potential new and returning anglers, we know they’ll be surprised at how inexpensive it is to fish and how easy it is to enjoy the sport.”

The PFBC sells approximately 850,000 licenses annually, but survey research from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2011 national survey estimated that 1.1 million people ages 16 and older either fished in the Commonwealth in 2010 or planned to fish in the state in 2011.

“This 250,000 gap and the anglers who do not purchase a license every consecutive year represent a segment of potential customers who may better recognize the value of a license at a discounted rate,” said Board President Norm Gavlick, who represents the northeast district. “At the same time, the discount should be a pleasant gift to current anglers when they buy their license for the next season, especially the discounts for the multi-year licenses over the holiday season.”

With the discount, the price of a resident annual license will be just $21.70; nonresident annual $51.70; 3-year resident $61.70; 3-year nonresident $151.70; 5-year resident $101.70; and 5-year nonresident $251.70. Trout/salmon permits, Lake Erie permits and combo permits are not included in the price reduction.