I purchased a multi-year license this year.
A 3 year fishing license only thinking that if I decided to trout fish anytime in the next three years, I could purchase the trout stamp on a year to year basis.
I was wrong and must have mis-read something somewhere.
If you purchase a 3 year license then the only option you have is to purchase, or add, a 3 year trout stamp at 25.00.
I read all the stuff about 'saving the poor fish commission money' by purchasing the multi-year and I SURE regret it.
I emailed the fish commission and this was the response that I received:
 
I understand your frustration Paul, and it is something that is currently being worked on. But, it has to go through the House to be approved. We are trying to make it so that you can purchase just a 1-year Trout Stamp on a multi-year license, but I don’t know a time-frame of when that could happen.

Thanks!
Danielle Hoover
Accounting Asst.
PA FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION
(danhoover@pa.gov)

It saved me four bucks and the need to buy a new license on the day I decide to go ice fishing.
I got suckered in trying to save the Fish Commission a few bucks. You know, maybe they could stock an extra trout or two that I won't fish for!
Ha Ha.
It's a money making scam for them.
Just a heads up for fellow fisherpersons.

I didn't do it, I am sticking to buying it year to year. Only money saved is that of what the bait shop or place you buy it from would of made. It took the minute amount of money the licensing agent makes from selling a license out of their pocket, that's it. Did you think the Fish commission was going to let go of any funds for themselves..

We ( places that sell licenses) do NOT lose any money.... we get 3 or 5 years of fees up front....I have only sold one  5 year and three 3 year, and I am not really promoting the idea very much. Not really a saving...IMHO
 
one other draw back.. IF you were to lose your license during that time the replacement free chews up any saving you may have got...
 
I can tell you that the PFBC is not getting the response they were hoping for at all....
 
on the lighter side..we got a letter from the PFBC suggesting that to help promote the ideas maybe we could GIVE AWAY hats or T-shirts to those buying them.. YEAH RIGHT !!!!!

3 yr license with combo stamp bought online was a win for me. Print out as many copies as I need and save the PDF file on the hard drive and keep it in my email inbox so i can get to it anywhere. The convenience of not having to think about it every year and do it is better than the few dollars saved. Jmho....

eyesandgillz

3 yr license with combo stamp bought online was a win for me. Print out as many copies as I need and save the PDF file on the hard drive and keep it in my email inbox so i can get to it anywhere. The convenience of not having to think about it every year and do it is better than the few dollars saved. Jmho....

Exactly the same thing I did, except I did the 5 year.  I certainly didn't do it for the price savings.  I don't have to worry about it for another 5 years.

I have never, and will never feel sorry for, or complain about the price of a fishing license... I have personally seen where and how the money is spent and know there is no waste... and as for stocking a few more trout, walk farther.

I don't complain about the price because I don't know of anything else in PA that I can do for a whole year, that is as much fun as fishing, that costs less than a fishing license. I get my money's worth.
 
As far as a multi-year license, doing what Bogey did is an excellent idea.

Just received an email with a coupon for a 10% discount to Fish USA with $50 purchase, a reward for purchasing multi-year license. Just an FYI and a little incentive.
 
I did the same thing as others mention above. Got the 5-year license and Erie stamp, printed multiple copies, saved the PDF.

I 100% agree with slabdaddy. For less than $40, what can you do for 365 days....I can't stand when people on the charter boat complain about the price of a license....after they spend $40 on gas driving up from pitt, $10 for breakfast, $50 on their brand new rod/reel/line/rigs, $$$ to get their fish cleaned,  $90 for a hotel room, etc etc etc.... And $11 for a one day license.. come on.