Fishing Regulations in Pennsylvania
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official Pennsylvania fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
Pennsylvania requires a fishing license for anglers 16 and older. Resident and non-resident annual licenses are available, along with 1-day, 3-day, 7-day, and tourist licenses. A trout/salmon permit is required to fish for trout and salmon during the stocked trout season. A Lake Erie permit is required for Lake Erie and tributaries.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 6 per day | 12 inches minimum | Mid-June through mid-April (harvest); catch-and-release year-round | Check PFBC regulations for specific water body rules. |
| smallmouth-bass | 6 per day (combined with largemouth) | 12 inches minimum | Mid-June through mid-April (harvest) | |
| walleye | 6 per day | 15 inches minimum | Year-round (varies by water) | |
| musky | 1 per day | 40 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| northern-pike | 2 per day | 24 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| rainbow-trout | 5 per day | 7 inches minimum | Stocked trout season opens mid-April | Trout/salmon permit required. Special regulations on many streams. |
| brown-trout | 5 per day (combined with trout) | 7 inches minimum | Stocked trout season opens mid-April | |
| channel-catfish | 5 per day | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| crappie | 20 per day | 7 inches minimum | Year-round |
Bag Limit: 6 per day
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Mid-June through mid-April (harvest); catch-and-release year-round
Notes: Check PFBC regulations for specific water body rules.
Bag Limit: 6 per day (combined with largemouth)
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Mid-June through mid-April (harvest)
Bag Limit: 6 per day
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum
Season: Year-round (varies by water)
Bag Limit: 1 per day
Size Limit: 40 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 2 per day
Size Limit: 24 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 7 inches minimum
Season: Stocked trout season opens mid-April
Notes: Trout/salmon permit required. Special regulations on many streams.
Bag Limit: 5 per day (combined with trout)
Size Limit: 7 inches minimum
Season: Stocked trout season opens mid-April
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 20 per day
Size Limit: 7 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Top Fishing Waters
Lake Erie
lakeSpecies: walleye, smallmouth-bass, yellow-perch, musky, channel-catfish
Susquehanna River
riverSpecies: smallmouth-bass, walleye, musky, channel-catfish, carp
Delaware River
riverSpecies: rainbow-trout, brown-trout, smallmouth-bass, walleye, channel-catfish
Pymatuning Reservoir
reservoirSpecies: walleye, musky, crappie, largemouth-bass, yellow-perch
Raystown Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, smallmouth-bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish
Allegheny River
riverSpecies: smallmouth-bass, walleye, musky, northern-pike, channel-catfish
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 11 lbs 3 oz | 1983 | Birch Run Reservoir |
| smallmouth-bass | 8 lbs 8 oz | 2007 | Scotts Run Lake |
| walleye | 17 lbs 9 oz | 1980 | Allegheny Reservoir |
| musky | 54 lbs 3 oz | 1924 | Conneaut Lake |
| northern-pike | 35 lbs 0 oz | 1949 | Edinboro Lake |
| rainbow-trout | 20 lbs 3 oz | 2006 | Lake Erie tributary |
| brown-trout | 19 lbs 10 oz | 2001 | Elk Creek |
| brook-trout | 7 lbs 0 oz | 1996 | Pine Creek |
| channel-catfish | 35 lbs 3 oz | 1990 | Lake Wallenpaupack |