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There’s one thing the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission can’t do for those interested in giving fishing a try — cast.
Other than that, the agency has done everything it can to make it easy to give the sport a try during the May 28 Fish for Free Day.
The Sunday during Memorial Day weekend marks the first of two free fishing days in the state.
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.
To make the day even easier for those thinking about giving fishing a try, there are several places throughout the region where equipment such as rods and reels can be borrowed for the day.
“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 you haven’t fished in a while,” said Steve Kralik, director of the Bureau of Outreach, Education and Marketing. “Many families already spend the day at lakes and parks throughout the state. Now they can try fishing at no cost.”
According to Eric Levis, communications director for PFBC, the agency implemented Fish for Free Days in 1994, offered as two back-to-back days in June. In 1997, the program was changed to two separate days – one in June to coincide with National Fishing and Boating Week, and the other in September on National Hunting and Fishing Day.
It wasn’t until 2013 that one of the days was linked to July 4 and, in 2015, the other Fish for Free Day started on the Sunday before Memorial Day.
“We’ve chosen these dates around Memorial Day and Independence Day because we know that they are popular picnic and camping days, and we think that since individuals are enjoying the outdoors at these events they may be more inclined to try the sport,” Levis said.
Allan Schreffler, the PFBC’s Northeast Region education specialist, said state parks are good places for families to fish together and several parks are loaner sites for fishing equipment.
“This program benefits anyone wanting to try the sport. Many times it may be a family member who doesn’t have a license but can now join the rest of their family and fish together,” Schreffler said.
And if families fish together, the likelihood of them staying involved in the sport increase.
Waterways Conservation Officer John Cummings, whose district includes northern Luzerne and northern Columbia counties, said he’s encountered families at Harveys Lake over the years who get together for the holiday weekend and take advantage of the free fishing day.
“People get together at the lake and they might not plan on fishing, but there’s equipment there and they can give it a try,” Cummings said. “The Fish for Free Day gives them an opportunity to try the sport while they have access to it.”
Cummings recommended Harveys Lake, Moon Lake, Frances Slocum State Park and Harris Pond in Sweet Valley as good places for people to give angling a try. For those who have never fished before, he recommended using a medium or lightweight rod, a close-faced reel with 4-pound test line, size 8 hooks and a bobber and find a place with panfish, which are easy to catch.
Adding to the potential of the day is the fact that water temperatures – while cold right now, are warming and Cummings said conditions for panfish should be perfect by Memorial Day weekend.
And to make it even easier to get involved in fishing, Cummings said if a person takes advantage of Fish for Free Day and wants to do it again, licenses can be purchased online at the PFBC website (fish.state.pa.us).
“I don’t know what else you can do to make it any easier,” he said. “The opportunity is there for anyone to get involved in fishing.”
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