HARRISBURG, Pa. (March 23) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) reminds anglers that Mentored Youth Trout Day will happen on Saturday, March 25, 2023, beginning at 8 a.m.  This is a statewide event open to youth anglers ages 15 and under and their licensed adult mentors on hundreds of waters in all 67 counties.

“Mentored youth day is a fantastic opportunity to introduce youngsters to Pennsylvania’s proud trout fishing traditions while teaching them skills they can carry with them for a lifetime,” said Robert B.J. Small, PFBC President and District 6 Commissioner.  “On this special day, kids get to enjoy the water a week before the busy statewide opening day of trout season. We hope that mentors give these young anglers the attention they need to become successful, ethical anglers, and contribute to the future of conservation.”

Participants should note that while PFBC pre-season trout stocking is well underway in advance of the statewide Opening Day of trout season on April 1, not all waters will be stocked with trout prior to Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day on March 25.  To ensure an enjoyable experience and locate waters that have already been stocked, please review the complete 2023 trout stocking schedule on the FishBoatPA app and PFBC website. 

To participate in any Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day, anglers ages 15 and under must obtain either a Voluntary Youth Fishing License ($2.97) or a free Mentored Youth Permit from the PFBC and be accompanied by a licensed adult angler with a trout permit.  Permits and licenses are available using the FishBoatPA mobile app, online at www.fishandboat.com, and in-person at nearly 700 license issuing agents.  To purchase a fishing license or obtain related permits, all anglers, including youth, are required to have their own account within the licensing system, which can be created either online or at a retail license issuing location.  Upon creation of an account, anglers are issued a permanent, individual Customer Identification Number (CID#) that can be used for an improved, user-friendly experience during future transactions.

Adult mentors (anglers 16 years of age or older) participating in Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day must possess a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License and a Trout Permit and be accompanied by a properly permitted or licensed youth (less than 16 years of age).  While mentors are permitted to fish for trout while in the act of assisting a youth angler, they are not permitted to harvest trout and must release them immediately, unharmed.

“Adult mentors should be focused entirely on helping kids to fish, with such things as baiting a hook, helping to cast, and hopefully, helping to safely remove a few trout from the line, when needed,” said Small.  “Remember, this day is for the young anglers. The most effective mentoring experience happens when just one adult accompanies each youth angler.  Fishing with young children or an inexperienced youth angler can be extremely rewarding.  Most importantly, mentors and youths should have fun and make some great memories that will keep the kids wanting to return to the water year after year.”

Why buy a Voluntary Youth Fishing License?

The Fish and Boat Commission is a user-funded agency which receives no PA General Fund tax revenue to support its programs, including the world-class trout stocking operations.  For each Voluntary Youth Fishing License purchased for $2.97, the PFBC receives approximately $5 in funding as a federal reimbursement.  These funds are dedicated for use only in youth outreach and education programs.  The PFBC does not receive any funding to support programs through the issuing of free Mentored Youth Trout Permits.

Fishing from a Boat?

Anglers who plan to fish from a boat on Mentored Youth Trout Day and Opening Day of Trout Season are reminded that the PFBC’s cold weather life jacket requirement is in effect from November 1 through April 30.  Under this rule, anyone aboard a boat 16 feet or less, including all canoes and kayaks, is required to wear a life jacket.  Children ages 12 and under are always required to wear a lifejacket while boating in Pennsylvania.

The PFBC reminds boaters that regulations have changed on lakes that permit only the use of electric motors, including all PFBC owned or controlled lakes, some state park lakes, and other special regulation lakes specified under 58 Pa. Code § Chapter 111.  Under these changes, electric motors of any size may be used, but they must not exceed slow, no wake speed on these select waters.

Catch-and-Release Fishing Techniques

The PFBC reminds anglers of proper catch-and-release fishing techniques when harvest is not permitted or when anglers choose to practice catch-and-release fishing during Mentored Youth Day.  The techniques listed below will ensure that released fish have the best chance to survive and contribute to future angling enjoyment.

• Land your fish as quickly as possible and don’t play the fish to exhaustion.  Excessive stress and exhaustion increases post-release mortality.
•  Use a landing net (rubber or rubberized mesh is best) to better control your catch and reduce trauma associated with handling.
• Keep the fish in the water as much as possible.  The chance of a fish being injured increases the longer it is held out of the water.
• Wet your hands, your net, and other materials that touch the fish.  Don’t handle fish with a towel or rag.  This helps to keep a fish’s protective mucus or slime layer in place.
• Hold the fish upside down while removing the hook.  This can calm the fish for quicker unhooking and release.
• Use hemostats or long nose pliers to aid in removing a hook quickly and safely.  Use barbless hooks or pinch down barbs on existing hooks with small pliers to make removing hooks easier.
• When not possible to remove the hook without harming the fish, cut the line or harvest to eat (subject to season, length, and creel limits).  
• Avoid contact with the gills and do not handle by placing your fingers under the operculum (gill cover).
• Hold the fish upright underwater after unhooking until it can swim away on its own.  If necessary, gently hold the fish out of strong current until it revives.