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Learn to fish the right way.

Safety first. Then the good stuff. Every one of these is free and made by people who know fishing. Click whatever looks good to you.

Safety First

🎣 Learn this before you go.

You need to know how to stay safe before you put a line in the water. These cover what to wear, how to hold a rod, and what to do when something goes wrong.

⛑️ Kids Fishing Safety From Take Me Fishing. Safety tips for young anglers. 📺 Kids Teaching Kids (Video) From Trout Unlimited. Kids showing kids how to fish safely. 🎬 How to Fish (Easy for Kids!) Video from The Kidsplainer. Start to finish, made for kids.
⚡ Quick Tip: The number one rule is simple. Tell a grown-up where you are going, and take a buddy. Never fish alone.

Know Your Fish

🐟 Know what you are catching.

Pennsylvania has good fish in it. Learn what is in our water, how to tell them apart, and where they hold. The more you know, the better you get.

🎨 Coloring Pages & Fish Puzzles Official PA Fish & Boat Commission. Fifteen coloring pages, word searches, and puzzles. 🐟 All About Trout The Brook Trout is our state fish and the only trout native to Pennsylvania. Here is the whole story. 🚫 Banned Baitfish in PA (PDF) For grown-ups. Eight species are illegal to use as bait here. Know them before you buy. ✏️ How to Draw a Fish (Videos) Draw a Brook Trout, Channel Catfish, Musky, or Smallmouth Bass step by step
💡 Pro Move: When you catch something, look it up, then write it in your catch log. In a year you will know more fish than most grown-ups do.

Follow the Rules

📋 The rules, plain and simple.

Pennsylvania has rules so the fish stay healthy and everybody gets a fair shot. Here is what you need to know.

🎉 Kids under 16: You do not need a fishing license in Pennsylvania. None. You can go fishing today. If you want one anyway, a Voluntary Youth License is $2.97, and the Mentored Youth Permit is free. At 16 you need a real one.
🎟️ Get Your Fishing License Official PA site. Find out if you need a license and how to get one. ❓ Fishing FAQ Questions answered about licenses, seasons, size limits, and more 🌍 Pennsylvania Fishing Guide One-stop guide to PA fishing from Take Me Fishing
🔔 Remember: Check the season dates and size limits before you go. They change by water and by fish. The PA Fish and Boat Commission site has all of it.

Ready to Go?

🚀 Your first trip, start to finish.

Here is what to do before you cast a line.

  1. Watch one safety video. Pick any one from the top of this page.
  2. Learn one fish. Trout is a good place to start in Pennsylvania.
  3. Check if you need a license. Under 16 in Pennsylvania, you do not. Sixteen and up, you do.
  4. Find a buddy or a mentor. Never go alone. Learn from somebody who has done it.
  5. Join a Fishing Friends Network chapter. Local people will show you where the fish are.
  6. Go fishing!
  7. Log your catch. Write down what you caught while you still remember it.

Ready to Get Started?

Joining is free. Keep a catch log, find people to fish with near you, and get the rest of the learning.

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