HARRISBURG, PA (September 10) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is now accepting applications for the Erie Access Improvement Program. The application can be found on the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com).
Through this grant program, funding is available to support projects that provide public fishing access or protect or improve fish habitat for Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay, their tributaries, and waters that flow into those tributaries. Eligible applicants include townships, boroughs, counties, municipalities, and 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations such as land trusts, conservancies, and watershed groups.
Applicants may seek grants for site acquisition, access development, expansion, and other types of projects that benefit recreational fishing and public fishing access. Projects to rehabilitate existing access sites, such as construction of access roads and parking lots, or projects that enhance accessibility and compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act standards are also eligible for funding. Habitat projects, fisheries research, and the development of fish cleaning stations may also qualify.
Site visits are mandatory as part of the application process and a 50% funding match is required.
The deadline for applications is December 1, 2026.
The Pennsylvania Fishing and Boating Access Strategy, developed jointly by the PFBC and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is available to help communities identify access needs, overcome barriers to access, and prioritize improvements.
For more information, visit the PFBC website or contact Mark Morrison at (717) 346-8196 or RA-boatgrants@pa.gov