HARRISBURG, Pa. (March 1) – A year after the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) launched its first mobile smartphone application – called FishBoatPA – more than 33,500 users have downloaded the free app, which shows anglers which waters have been stocked with trout and provides driving directions using a phone’s GPS coordinates.
According to PFBC Executive Director John Arway, the app has been a hit with anglers who, like much of the general public, are increasingly using smartphones.
“Our goal is always to find ways to improve the fishing and boating experience for our anglers and boaters, and this app does just that,” he said. “Now our customers can spend less time looking for information and more time outside fishing and boating.”
The “FishBoatPA” app is available for free on bothGoogle’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store.
On the PFBC website, the stocking page is the most visited by far, with anglers generating more than 1.2 million visits to the page each year. So when the FishBoatPA app opens, one of the first item anglers see is an “Upcoming Trout Stocking” link, which updates in real-time.
Users can sort stocking schedules by county. The app is tied directly into the PFBC’s online stocking schedule, so anglers can see past and upcoming stockings and the type of trout placed in a water. GIS coordinates allow users to use mapping apps installed on their phones to get directions to their favorite stocking site.
The “Near Me” feature uses a phone’s GIS coordinates to locate and display trout waters within 5, 15, 25 and 50 miles of the user.
“Another option is a ‘My Trophies’ section where anglers can post pictures to share with others using the app,” Arway added. “Users can add a title, fish weight and length, the date they landed the fish, and their comments, like the type of lure they used. They can then share their trophies by email, text message or through social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.”
Another prominent feature on the app home page is the link “Get a license today.” This enables users to find an issuing agent near them and to see pricing options for licenses.
The app also links to a “Fish ID” guide with color pictures; a “Learn” section with links to helpful information like tying knots and learning how to properly handle fish; and to PFBC rules and regulations.
Media Contact
Eric Levis, Press Secretary
717-705-7806
elevis@pa.gov