Pennsylvania’s 2025 trout season is rapidly approaching, with stocking operations beginning February 17 and the statewide Opening Day set for Saturday, April 5. With approximately 3.2 million adult trout being stocked across 691 streams and 130 lakes, anglers throughout the state are preparing for what promises to be an exceptional fishing season. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Pennsylvania’s trout stocking schedule and licensing requirements for 2025.
Key Dates for Pennsylvania’s 2025 Trout Season
Mark your calendars for these important dates:
- Statewide Opening Day: Saturday, April 5, 2025
- Mentored Youth Trout Day: Saturday, March 29, 2025
- Stocking Operations Begin: Week of February 17, 2025
- Closed Season on Stocked Waters: February 17 to April 5, 2025 (8 a.m.)
- Extended Trout Season: January 1 to February 16, 2025, and day after Labor Day to December 31, 2025
- Fish-for-Free Days: Sunday, May 25, 2025, and Friday, July 4, 2025
Note: Fishing is not permitted on lakes and streams designated as Stocked Trout Waters during the closed season, except during the Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day.
2025 Trout Stocking Details
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will stock approximately 3.2 million adult trout across the state in 2025. Here’s the breakdown:
| Trout Species | Quantity | Average Size |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | 2.4 million | 11 inches/0.58 lbs |
| Brown Trout | 693,000 | 11 inches/0.58 lbs |
| Brook Trout | 125,000 | 11 inches/0.58 lbs |
| Golden Rainbow Trout | 14,000 | 1.5 lbs average |
Trophy-Sized Trout Opportunities
In 2025, approximately 72,000 trophy-sized brood fish measuring 14-20 inches will be stocked:
- 70% during preseason (before April 5)
- 30% during in-season replenishment stockings
The golden Rainbow Trout distribution follows a similar pattern with 75% stocked preseason and 25% stocked in-season.
Cooperative Nursery Contributions
In addition to PFBC hatcheries, sportsmen’s clubs and other organizations will contribute approximately 1.2 million more trout through cooperative nurseries.
Accessing the 2025 Stocking Schedule
The complete 2025 trout stocking schedule is now available online at FishandBoat.com. The schedule provides:
- County-by-county listings of stocked waterways
- Stocking dates and meeting locations for volunteers
- Species of trout planned for each location
You can search by county to find when and where your favorite fishing spots will be stocked.
Changes to the 2025 Trout Stocking Program
Waters Added or Extended for 2025
Several waters have been added or extended for the 2025 season:
- Caroline Lake (Bucks County): 8-acre impoundment added with preseason and in-season stocking
- Harvest Fields Ponds (Centre County): 3.1-acre impoundment near State College
- Mosquito Creek (Clearfield County): 2.3-mile section near Karthaus
- Big Cove Creek (Fulton County): Extended 0.2 miles upstream
- Toms Creek (Adams County): Extended 1.8 miles downstream
- White Deer Creek (Union County): Extended to 0.7 miles upstream of Dyer Road
Waters Removed or Modified
Some waters have been removed from the stocking program:
- Bald Eagle Creek (York County): 2.3-mile section removed due to increased landowner posting
- Lions Lake (Lebanon County): 7-acre impoundment temporarily removed for dam maintenance
- Lower Little Swatara Creek (Schuylkill County): Stocking limits revised due to landowner posting
- Riggles Gap Run (Blair County): 2.1-mile section removed due to decreased access
2025 Pennsylvania Fishing License Requirements
License and Permit Requirements
To fish for trout in Pennsylvania waters, anglers 16 years and older need:
- A valid fishing license
- A trout permit (or combination permit)
Additional permits may be required for specific waters:
- Lake Erie Permit: Required for fishing in Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay, and their tributaries
- Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit: Covers both trout fishing and Lake Erie waters
License and Permit Pricing for 2025
Annual Fishing Licenses:
| Type | Age | Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Resident | 16-64 | $27.97 |
| Senior Resident | 65 & up | $14.47 |
| Senior Resident (Lifetime) | 65 & up | $86.97 |
| Disabled Veterans Reduced | 16 & up | $2.97 |
| Non-Resident | 16 & up | $60.97 |
| Mentored Youth Permit | Less than 16 | $0.00 |
Permits:
| Type | Age | Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Trout Permit | 16 & up | $14.97 |
| Lake Erie Permit | 16 & up | $9.97 |
| Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit | 16 & up | $20.97 |
*Includes issuing agent fee of $1.00 and $0.97 transaction fee
Multi-Year License Options
Pennsylvania offers multi-year fishing licenses for 3, 5, and 10 years. For example:
| Type | 3-Year | 5-Year | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | $79.97 | $131.97 | $261.97 |
| Non-Resident | $178.97 | $296.97 | $591.97 |
| Trout Permit | $40.97 | $66.97 | $131.97 |
View all multi-year options on the Pennsylvania licensing page.
How and Where to Purchase Licenses
Licenses, permits, and gift vouchers for the 2025 season are available:
- Online: Through the HuntFishPA portal
- Mobile: Using the FishBoatPA mobile app
- In-person: At approximately 700 retail license issuing agents across Pennsylvania
Licenses purchased now are valid immediately through December 31, 2025. Digital licenses stored on smartphones are acceptable as proof of possession.
For more information on Pennsylvania license options, visit US Fishing Licenses – Pennsylvania.
Special Programs and Opportunities
Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters
The Keystone Select program features 24 streams across Pennsylvania stocked with large trout (14-20 inches):
- Approximately 10,000 large trout will be distributed
- Stocking rate: 175-225 trout per mile
- Managed under special regulations (Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only or Miscellaneous Special regulations)
Volunteer Opportunities
The PFBC welcomes volunteers to help with trout stocking:
- Individual volunteers (1-4 people) can simply show up at stocking locations
- Larger groups should contact their regional PFBC law enforcement office in advance
- Meeting locations and times are listed in the online stocking schedule
Fish-for-Free Days
Pennsylvania offers two Fish-for-Free Days in 2025:
- Sunday, May 25, 2025
- Friday, July 4, 2025
On these days, anyone can fish in Pennsylvania waters without a fishing license, though all other fishing regulations still apply.
Conservation and Funding
License sales directly support Pennsylvania’s fisheries and conservation efforts. The PFBC receives no Pennsylvania General Fund tax revenue, relying instead on fishing license sales to fund:
- Hatchery operations
- Fisheries management
- Law enforcement
- Infrastructure improvements for public access
For more information on how license fees support conservation in Pennsylvania, visit US Fishing Licenses – Pennsylvania Fishing License Costs.
Additional Resources
- Pennsylvania’s best fishing hotspots
- Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission official website
- Lifetime fishing license options in Pennsylvania
- 2025 PA fishing license cost guide
With the 2025 trout season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to purchase your license, plan your fishing trips, and mark your calendar for Pennsylvania’s Opening Day on April 5, 2025.
