This deal's a keeper

Fishing licenses at pennies a day HARRISBURG - The calendar may say otherwise, but for anglers the New Year has begun. That’s because 2007 Pennsylvania Fishing Licenses went on sale Dec. 1. Not only are the 2007 licenses available in December, they’re also valid immediately at the time of purchase. In essence, buying a Pennsylvania fishing license in December is like getting an extra month at no additional fee. It’s easy to take advantage of this “baker’s dozen” of months of fishing fun. To purchase a license from the convenience of your own home, simply fish the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) web site at www.fishandboat.com and click on the yellow link marked, Get Your Fishing License. You can then complete your transaction online and print out a valid license on a home printer. For those who need to pick up some new gear to go with their license, visit one of more than 1,300 fishing license issuing agents statewide. Issuing agents include bait and tackle shops and the sporting goods departments of many major department stores. Many county treasurers offices also carry fishing licenses. A complete list of issuing agents is posted on the PFBC site. Don’t worry if you haven’t fished for a few years and don’t remember every rule. Issuing agents hand out a free Summary of Pennsylvania Fishing Regulations and Laws with each license purchased. This same information is available online. A few things to know up front: a valid Pennsylvania license is required for anglers 16 years of age and older. Additional permits may also be required, such as a trout/salmon stamp for those fishing for trout. “At pennies a day, it’s hard to beat an annual fishing license. Of course, the real value of a Pennsylvania fishing license is the full year’s worth of fun with friends and family on some of the best fishing waters around,” said PFBC Executive Director Doug Austen. “With more than 83,000 miles of rivers and streams and some 4,000 lakes and ponds across the state - not to mention 470,000 acres of Lake Erie - there are great fishing opportunities close by for everyone.” License types and fees for 2007 are the same low cost as the past two years.