Trout stamp
- Thread starter wbranch
- Start date
Bamboozle
Well-known member
Yes a Trout Stamp or permit is required...
Why, I would venture to guess because it simplifies the law enforcement issues.
From page 5 of the 2025 Summary:
Why, I would venture to guess because it simplifies the law enforcement issues.
From page 5 of the 2025 Summary:
Mikey2006
Well-known member
Technically, under that definition of “fishing for trout” one could fish natural repro streams that aren’t class a and unlisted wild trout streams, and then claim they were targeting creek chubs. Good luck getting the warden to buy that story though.
I find it weird that you have to have one to fish for trout at all. It would make more sense to require one to keep a trout.
I find it weird that you have to have one to fish for trout at all. It would make more sense to require one to keep a trout.
dudemanspecial
Well-known member
Does the money from trout stamps only go towards the stocking program or is it also used to fund surveying and whatever else is related to managing wild trout water?
wildtrout2
Well-known member
We'll likely never know the true answer to that question. 😉
Bamboozle
Well-known member
The operative word is "possesses."
Catch a trout regardless if it is the targeted species or you decide to lie and you are in violation...
Which only goes to shows why the regulation is in effect...
You could contact the PFBC and ask...
HoboWithAFlyRod
Active member
Mikey2006
Well-known member
My comment was only half serious. I just find the rules surrounding trout stamps a little strange. I have a trout stamp even though most years I never keep any
Bamboozle
Well-known member
I never keep any fish of any kind but I look at it the same way I look at the other PFBC donations I make...
It doesn't have to be about me or what is most important to me, it just has to be about putting a smile on the face of someone who fishes and plays by the rules...
It doesn't have to be about me or what is most important to me, it just has to be about putting a smile on the face of someone who fishes and plays by the rules...
wildtrout2
Well-known member
What, and set myself up to be lied to? I personally couldn't care less what they do with those funds. They require me to have a Trout Stamp to fish for trout, and I abide by that requirement. I don't fish for stocked trout, so whatever they do with that money has little to no influence on my fishing whatsoever.
Mikey2006
Well-known member
I wasn’t trying to imply that I have a problem with getting a trout stamp for catch and release fishing. Even though I don’t understand why a trout stamp should be required to fish on public land for wild fish that aren’t stocked by the entity I pay the trout stamp too, I get the trout stamp anyway and will continue to do so.
I just thought there was an issue in how they defined “fishing for trout” which created a loophole.
dudemanspecial
Well-known member
Interesting. Thanks.
Yes. Also, my understanding is the trout stamp revenue alone does not cover the cost of the stocking program and revenue for the general license sales is also used for stocked trout.
ChuckofWagon
New member
As prices for everything keeps going up, the cost of hatchery raising is no different. The fish commission IIRC cannot just increase a license cost without legislative approval. I could be wrong on that.
So, the "invention" of the trout stamp.
So, the "invention" of the trout stamp.
A few years ago the legislature approved a bill allowing the PFBC to raise license fees to keep up with increased costs without their approval, but the amount of increase is limited.
My understanding is trout stamp pricing in an amount to cover trout stocking would be too high for anglers to pay since the cost of the stocking program is far and away the highest ticket item in the PFBC budget. Also, I believe pensions to employees are also a big part of the budget.
tomgamber
Well-known member
Based on nearly every thread on this board titled, "Wild or Stocked" should answer the OP question.
Yes. Why is it required? Because they tell us we have to.
You can always just say "no, I am not fishing for trout." We could do that in a wild trout stream that is unstocked. What are they going to do? Tell you "yes, I can tell you're fishing for trout."
I could be fishing a brook trout stream and say I am fishing for dace. Or fishing a brown trout stream and say I am fishing for chubs or suckers or SMB.
I buy the permit because I can afford to. I also generally support the PFBC (I might be in the minority there), and I would rather just buy it so I can fish anywhere and everywhere legally.
