HARRISBURG, Pa. (March 25) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) reminds anglers that Mentored Youth Trout Day will happen on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. This is a statewide event open to youth anglers ages 15 and under and their licensed adult mentors on hundreds of waters in all 67 counties.
"This is a special day where our youngest anglers have a chance to have fun and learn fishing skills they can carry with them for a lifetime," said John Mahn, Jr., PFBC Board President and District 2 Commissioner.
The purpose of Mentored Youth Trout Day, created in 2013, is to provide an opportunity for young anglers to have fun while learning fishing skills a week before large crowds arrive for the busy Statewide Opening Day of Trout Season on April 4, 2026.
"The focus of every adult mentor should be on teaching kids to fish, including helping them to bait a hook, cast a line into the water, and hopefully, sharing the precious memories of catching a few trout.” added Mahn. “Remember, the most effective mentoring experience is when just one adult accompanies each child. Throughout the day, mentors should provide positive feedback and leave the youngsters with a positive experience, so they’ll want to keep fishing for many seasons to come."
Before participating in Mentored Youth Trout Day, anglers should become familiar with fishing regulations and review the following information:
Find Stocked Trout Waters
While PFBC pre-season trout stocking is well underway in advance of the statewide Opening Day of Trout Season on April 4, not all waters will be stocked with trout prior to Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day on March 28. To ensure an enjoyable experience and locate waters that have already been stocked, please review the 2026 Trout Stocking Schedule on the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com).
Who Can Participate?
Youth anglers require either a Voluntary Youth Fishing License ($2.97) or Mentored Youth Permit (free) and must be accompanied by a licensed adult mentor (age 16+) to participate. With their License or Permit, youth anglers can keep a total of two trout (combined species) with a minimum length of 7 inches.
Adult mentors (age 16+) require a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License and a current Trout Permit. To participate in Mentored Youth Trout Day, all anglers ages 16 and older must be accompanied by an eligible holder of a Mentored Youth Fishing Permit or a Voluntary Youth Fishing License. While adult mentors are permitted to fish while assisting a youth angler, adult anglers are prohibited from possessing trout.
Mentored Youth Trout Day is not intended for large groups of youth fishing with minimal adult supervision.
Get Your Licenses and Permits
Permits and licenses are available using the HuntFish.pa.gov online portal and in-person at nearly 700 license issuing agents. Instructions for logging in to your account, creating a new account, and recovering a child’s account from a previous year can be found on the Mentored Youth Trout Day page of the PFBC website.
Why Buy a Voluntary Youth Fishing License?
The PFBC is a user-funded agency which receives no PA General Fund tax revenue to support its programs, including world-class trout stocking operations. For each Voluntary Youth Fishing License purchased for $2.97, the PFBC receives approximately $5 in funding as a federal reimbursement. These funds are dedicated for use only in youth outreach and education programs. The PFBC does not receive any funding to support programs through the issuing of free Mentored Youth Trout Permits.
Fishing from a Boat?
Anglers who plan to fish from a boat on Mentored Youth Trout Day and Opening Day of Trout Season are reminded that the PFBC's cold weather life jacket requirement is in effect from November 1 through April 30. Under this rule, anyone aboard a boat less than 16 feet in length, including all canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards, is required to wear a life jacket. Children ages 12 and under should always wear a life jacket while boating in Pennsylvania.