Fishing

Pennsylvania is home to over 86,000 miles of streams and rivers, along with 4,000 inland lakes and ponds. Plus, Lake Erie boasts another 470,000 acres for fishing opportunities. Learn everything you need to know for a successful fishing adventure, plus how to fish, when to fish and where to fish.

Photo of a 2025 Resident Annual Fishing License with a Trout Permit

Buy a Fishing License/Permit

Fishing fun can begin as soon as you have a fishing license and, if needed, a permit for trout fishing or fishing on Lake Erie.

Buy a Fishing License/Permit
Close-up of a man casting his fishing rod out on a lake

Fishing Basics

From basic gear to finding the best fishing holes in Pennsylvania, we've got you covered.

Fishing Basics
Close-up of a person holding a black crappie caught in F.J. Sayers Lake at Bald Eagle State Park

All About Fish

Read more about our numerous Pennsylvania fish species and State Record catches.

All About Fish
Cover page of the PFBC Summer Book of Regulations

Fishing Regulations

Find what you need to know about where and when you can fish, and the seasons and sizes for catching the many Pennsylvania species.

Fishing Regulations
Man tossing trout from a white bucket into a stream from the shoreline

Stocking

Learn more about our stocking program and where we stock streams and lakes with Trout, Muskellunge, Walleye, panfish, etc.

Stocking
Wide shot of the Susquehanna River from the perspective of the shoreline.

Where to Fish

Check out our detailed maps to prep for your next fishing adventure.

Where to Fish