Labor Day Marks PA's Second Mentored Youth Fishing Day

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Families and kids can now add a Mentored Youth Fishing Day as their preferred way to close out the summer season on the traditional Labor Day holiday.

Building on the excitement of the year's first mentored youth fishing day on May 10, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) last month announced that it would hold a second special fishing day on Labor Day, Sept. 1, on 17 Panfish Enhancement lakes.

"For many people, Labor Day offers the last long weekend to be on the water before getting back to the routine of school," said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. "After the first mentored youth day, anglers told us that they particularly liked the idea of having a dedicated day to fish with their families and friends. It made perfect sense to hold another special event on the extended Labor Day weekend."

Arway added that the event is also an opportunity to remind anglers that fishing is a year-round sport and doesn't end after trout or bass season or when kids return to the classroom.

"We have a rich history of trout and bass fishing in the Commonwealth and the opening days are truly traditional events enjoyed by families," he said. "But we also have many other outstanding fishing opportunities, including panfish. Fishing doesn't end when school starts. We want to show families where they can go and how easy it can be to fit fall fishing into their schedules."

Panfish include bluegill, pumpkinseed, and redear sunfish, which are collectively called sunfish; black and white crappies; and yellow perch.

To encourage participation on this day, the PFBC also announced that it has reduced the price of a 1-day adult resident and 1-day adult non-resident license to just $1 on Labor Day. With issuing agent and transaction fees, the total price for the 1-day adult license is $2.70.

A normal 1-day adult resident license costs $11.70 and a 1-day adult tourist license is $26.70.

The panfish enhancement lakes were chosen for the second mentored youth fishing day because these waters are managed to increase the number and size of fish.

"Kids should catch a lot of sunfish, crappies and perch, which makes the day fun," he said. "As an added incentive, we're also removing the minimum size limits, which are either seven or nine inches, depending on the species, for kids and their mentors on this day."

The reduced license should be attractive to anglers who don't want to pay full price at this point in the fishing season, said Arway, who noted that anglers can purchase the discounted 1-day license and fish anywhere in the Commonwealth on Labor Day.

"Legislators have given us the ability to be creative with our pricing and marketing strategies, so we're using the reduced cost license to attract people to this particular day and the mentored youth program," he said. "These are both substantial discounts, so customers should like it."

The 17 lakes will be open all day for mentored youth day participants and other anglers. The lakes included in the program are, by county:

• Berks - Blue Marsh Reservoir     
• Cambria - Beaverdam Run Reservoir, Hinkston Run Reservoir, Wilmore Dam          
• Centre - Foster Joseph Sayers Lake       
• Chester - Chambers Lake
• Montour - Lake Chillisquaque     
• Monroe - Bradys Lake, Gouldsboro Lake 
• Pike - Lower and Upper Promised Land Lakes     
• Somerset - High Point Lake, Quemahoning Reservoir       
• Washington - Cross Creek Lake 
• Westmoreland - Lower Twin Lake, Northmoreland Lake, Upper Twin Lake

To participate in the mentored youth program, adult anglers (16 years or older) must have a valid fishing license and be accompanied by a youth. Youth anglers must obtain a free PFBC-issued permit or a voluntary youth fishing license. Both are available at www.GoneFishingPA.com or at any of the more than 900 licensing agents across the state.

So far, more than 2,400 kids have obtained a free permit and another 1,700 have purchased a voluntary youth fishing license.

The Labor Day 1-day adult licenses are available through the PFBC's Outdoor Shop and licensing agents. Visit the PFBC website for a complete list of agents.

"We're excited to add this second day and are looking forward to hearing from anglers about their experiences," said Arway. "For many long-time anglers, including me, the first fish was a panfish. This program provides an opportunity for young anglers to catch their first fish and continue a time-honored tradition."

More information about this program, including a list of the panfish enhancement waters, is available at http://fishandboat.com/MentoredYouth.htm.

Media Contact:
Eric Levis, Press Secretary
717.705.7806 or [email protected]

SOURCE Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission