HARRISBURG – Families and friends visiting Pennsylvania’s popular outdoor spots on the Labor Day holiday weekend can enjoy a day of free fishing thanks to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). Labor Day - Monday, Sept. 3 – marks the second of two free fishing days in the Commonwealth.

Fish For Free Days allow anyone – residents and non-residents – to legally fish in Pennsylvania. From 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on both days, no fishing license is needed to fish in Pennsylvania's waterways. All other fishing regulations apply.

To make it even easier to get started – or restarted – in fishing, the PFBC will host Family Fishing Programs at three locations on Saturday, Sept. 1. 

Participating families will learn basic fishing skills and have an opportunity to practice those skills while fishing together during the program.

The programs will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at these locations:             

• Mauch Chunk Lake County Park, Carbon County            
• Bald Eagle State Park, Centre County            
• Maurice K. Goddard State Park, Mercer County 

The fishing license requirement is waived for registered program participants 16 and older. The program is open to all ages. However, the program is designed for children ages 5 and older. 

All equipment, bait and tackle will be provided. Space is limited at the event, so pre-registration is required.

Deadline for registration is Aug. 31, and there will be no registration taken the day of the event. Visit takemefishingpa.com to register and learn more about these events and Labor Day’s Fish-for-Free Day.