Non-Resident

PA Fishing Licenses – Non-Resident

In 1919, the Pa Fish & Boat Commission required all non-residents to purchase a fishing license. From 1919 until 1925 they were issued only in a paper format and cost $5.00, which was a lot of money at that time. These are quite rare. In 1926, the first non-resident button was issued, and continued until 1959. In 1960, the format was changed back to paper. In 1974 and 1975 a button was again issued. In 1976, the paper format was again used and continued until today.

Besides the early paper licenses, the 1926 and 1936, are the rarest of the buttons. The 1936 button is rare due to the inception of the non-resident tourist in 1935, and only 2,081 licenses were issued. I have had the opportunity to own 2 with the original paper work. I know of only one other that has the accompanying paper work of who it was isssued to. The 1933 is a difficult license to obtain in excellent condition. Its cream color, when it got wet, showed stains easily. I am always looking to upgrade licenses in this collection with lower numbers and those with paperwork.