you can buy
launch permits at the state park offices right before you launch. they are good at all state parks and places that require launch permits.
Asked for permit
I was on the Allegheny yesterday for the first time since I tried back in the spring when I got my kayak. I’m living in the middle of nowhere and launched at the claimed "smallest city in America (Parker, PA). Upon carrying my boat down to the water, I was approached by a DCNR official/officer/ranger, whatever their title is. The permit is red and happens to be attached on the red part of my boat and he didn’t see it.
So, if I can be asked pretty much in the middle of nowhere, then the chance of them catching you is pretty good.
He was really cool and we chatted for a good while about the river, launches, Lake Erie where I want to get in the water an he use to work.
yup
A t any PA launch area, even if unimproved, if it is state land and under DCNR or Fish and Game jurisdiction, they will demand the permit. I’ve been turned away firmly from muddy streamsides in the middle of nowhere in PA by stony-faced Fish Police for having an expired sticker.
BTW, it is simple to order the stickers on line at the PA DCNR site. They will send to you witin 10 days but meanwhile you print out the receipt and carry it with you and you’re good to go. I just make a habit niw of renewing all my boat stickers on New Years day after they expire.
I think my present LED headlight was from the $4.99 table at a motor parts store. Nothing fancy. And the jewel lights, that clip on the accessory patche s on PFD’s were bought years ago ai REI. Some bike stores have them though white lights are harder to find than red. Oddball places like Harbor Freight Tools and Tuesday Morning stores ha ve yielded some handy outdoor lights on the cheap.
I appreciate this thread.
I live in New York, near the PA border, and almost went down to Honesdale for a regatta last spring. I plan to go next spring, and it never occurred to me that I’d need a permit for that.
come to MI
Our DNR is so shortstaffed that even if a permit were required, there’d be no one to perform enforcement!
Ditto, come to Northern Michigan
and paddle our Great Lakes, inland lakes, and rivers free of charge. We don’t even require registration for private nonmotorized canoes, kayaks, rafts, or surfboards, sailboards, etc. Length makes no difference.
There are loads of DNR public access sites which require only that you leave nothing but footprints behind; some access sites may have signage that a DNR Recreational Passport is needed for entry (or you have to pay a fee), but many aren’t staffed and if a ranger happens to show up after the fact, no tickets are issued; just a leaflet telling you how you can buy the pass.
Most waterfront towns have parks (with ample parking) and good launch sites - Google Earth comes in handy for that.
no wonder they are so cranky
Geez, the Fish cops only get $65 per day and have to buy their own guns and ammo?. No wonder they are so touchy and gruff, Kinda puts that in perspective. Still, I wish they would focus their attention on game poachers and fracking waste tanker drivers trying to sneak and dump in creeks rather than driving off paddlers with expired $10 stickers.
$65?
Sixty-five bucks for an 8 hour day would be below minimum wage for my state. But maybe these guys could qualify for food stamps and rent subsidy.
Interesting
The pay is just embarrassing.
I actually tried to get one of these positions two years ago…2013. I was told that they would put me on the waiting list because they had so many applicants.
I too was mainly interested in the experience.
I followed up with a couple of calls and was told that they would get in touch with me if there were any spots open. I never heard from them.
Parker
is one they watch.
The outfitters have a tendency not to get their boats registered and Parker is a destination for the renters.
As to “rip off” the fish comm is one of the few things in PA that doesnt come 100% out of taxes. They do a pretty good job and most launches are decent. You do NOT have to buy a permit to float the river, but you may not launch or land at a Fish comm launch or use state park waters. So if you pay for a private launch to launch at and pay for a private launch to land at a few times, like twice a year, the 18 bucks for 2 years isnt that bad.
horrible isn’t it
The recreation passport has been a resounding success. Simple and logical approach.
Deputies
Not full time.
Its basically a subsidized volunteer program, for real conservationists who put their time in.
hey chuck
does Wanda have a launch permit?
I paid $18.00 for my Permit.
At Marsh Creek Lake. It’s good for only two years. Use an out of state address and you’ll pay 10.00 more.
so if you’re out of state
and use a dnr or state park ramp out got to have a permit in advance? and I got to pay more if I come from out of state? Is that right?
that’s how it works in many places
no one wants to pay permit or admission
fees, but everyone wants a clean park and park rules enforced. Go figure.
Washington had multiple overlapping
– Last Updated: Aug-19-15 8:47 PM EST –
example the fee for swimming in 013 ran out when the fee for breathing was still running but then there were 2 new entry fees, state regional and county.
I watched several parties trying to argue thier way in with expired stickers ... and we're not talking $5 here but 25-50-75....
But Ranger... if sticker A is current then sticker B is current...like that. How can you swim if you're not breathing ?
Pa is applauded for moving on the Tupperware crowd for safety equipment and awareness.
TAPE IT
if the Gflex went onto the loose rivets then tape the sticker
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_WW/VHB_Tapes/Home/Resources/three/