New York vs Pennsylvania fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, New York is $3.97 cheaper than Pennsylvania. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, New York is $10.97 cheaper than Pennsylvania. You need a license from age 16 in New York and in Pennsylvania.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | New York | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $10 | $31.97 |
| 3 days | $28 | $31.97 |
| 7 days | $28 | $39.47 |
| 1 year | $50 | $60.97 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $25 | $27.97 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| New York | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Resident annual freshwater fishing license (70 and over): $5 (ages 70+) Resident lifetime freshwater fishing license (70 and over): $65 (ages 70+) | Senior resident annual fishing license (65 and over): $14.47 (ages 65+) Senior resident lifetime fishing license (65 and over): $86.97 (ages 65+) 3-year senior resident fishing license: $39.47 (ages 65+) 5-year senior resident fishing license: $64.47 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | None |
| Next free fishing day | Wed, Nov 11, 2026 Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license |
| License on your phone | Accepted | Accepted |
| Annual licenses last | 12 months from purchase | To 12-31 |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: New York fishing license · Pennsylvania fishing license
Shared waters
Delaware River and West Branch (Pennsylvania) (New York rules)
A New York license is valid on the Pennsylvania portion. Official source
Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, St. Lawrence and Niagara rivers (New York rules)
A New York license is not valid on the Ontario, Quebec or Pennsylvania portions. Official source
Delaware River (New York) (Pennsylvania rules)
A Pennsylvania or New York license is valid from a boat or either shore. Official source
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | New York | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass |
| Trout |
Trout in inland streams (brook, brown, rainbow, splake) Trout in lakes and ponds |
Trout (all species) |
| Walleye |
15" minimum; bag 5 |
Walleye and saugeye |
| Crappie |
Crappie (black and white) |
Sunfish, yellow perch, crappie, catfish and other panfish |
| Striped bass |
23" to 28" slot; bag 1 (Hudson River north of the George Washington Bridge; 1 more) |
Striped bass and hybrid striped bass |
| Northern pike |
18" minimum; bag 5 |
24" minimum; bag 2 |
| Yellow perch |
No minimum; bag 50 |
Sunfish, yellow perch, crappie, catfish and other panfish |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge |
Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge |
Questions
Is a New York fishing license valid in Pennsylvania?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Delaware River and West Branch (Pennsylvania); Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, St. Lawrence and Niagara rivers; Delaware River (New York).
Which is cheaper for visitors, New York or Pennsylvania?
1 day (fresh water): New York $10, Pennsylvania $31.97. 1 year (fresh water): New York $50, Pennsylvania $60.97.
At what age do you need a fishing license in New York and Pennsylvania?
You need a license from age 16 in New York and in Pennsylvania.