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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Fishing Regulations

    Check Pennsylvania's fishing regulations before you head out on your next adventure. Learn where you can fish and what permits you might need for different waterways and species. Also, read about the seasons and sizes for catching sport fish and other species. 

    Regulations on Where and When to Fish

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

    Permits are needed for commercial fishing. View our commercial permits by filtering using the "Commercial" filter on our Forms and Permits page. Or visit our e-commerce platform, HuntFishPA.

    Check out important fishing dates to add to your calendar below.

    Cover page of the PFBC Summer Book of Regulations

    Summary Book

    A summary of fish species, waterways, season and equipment you can use to fish Pennsylvania's waterways.

    View Full Summary Book
    Close-up of a person holding a smallmouth bass while standing out in a stream

    Seasons, Sizes and Creel Limits

    Seasons, minimum size and daily harvest limits for various fish species across Pennsylvania.

    Seasons, Sizes and Creel Limits
    A close-up of a hand reaching into a tackle box to grab bait to hook onto a fishing rod.

    Tackle, Equipment and Bait

    General fishing regulations for which types of rods, hooks and fishing line permitted for use.

    Tackle, Equipment and Bait
    Close-up of someone holding a brown trout out of the water.

    Trout Fishing Regulations

    Regulations on stocked trout waters, catch and release waters, and more.

    Trout Fishing Regulations
    A close-up of a Class A designated waterway in Pennsylvania

    Trout Water Classifications

    These waterways are classified based on water quality and their support of naturally reproducing trout.

    Trout Water Classifications
    A large snapping turtle basking on a rock in the middle of a stream.

    Reptiles and Amphibians

    Some species of reptiles and amphibians are legal to catch and take from PA, but require special permits.

    Reptiles and Amphibians

    Fishing Dates to Remember

    Trout and Salmon – Regular Season

    From 8 a.m. on the first Saturday in April, to midnight, Labor Day.

    Trout and Salmon – Extended Season

    All stocked trout waters, streams plus lakes and ponds:  From January 1 to 
    February 18, 2024; and from 12:01 a.m. the day after Labor Day to December 31.

    Learn about Trout

    Bass – Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted

    Open year round.

    NO HARVEST:  12:01 a.m. the second Saturday in April to 12:01 a.m. the second Saturday in June.

    During the no harvest season, anglers must immediately return any bass to the water and are prohibited from casting into spawning beds.

    Learn about Bass

    Muskellunge, Pickerel and Pike

    Open year-round.

    Learn about Musky
    Learn about Pickerel
    Learn about Pike

    Walleye, Sauger

    From January 1 to March 14; and from 12:01 a.m. of the first Saturday in May to December 31.

    Learn about Walleye and Sauger

    Fish-for-Free Days

    Sunday, May 26, 2024 and Thursday, July 4, 2024

    Fish-for-Free Days allow anyone (resident or non-resident) ​to legally fish on Pennsylvania waterways on the designated days with NO FISHING LICENSE REQUIRED (Trout/Salmon and Lake Erie permits are also NOT required). All other fishing regulations still apply.​

    Fish-for-Free Days are great ways for families to “catch” the fun of fishing!

    A grandfather rigs a fishing rod for his grandson who is looking up at him admirably.

    Mentored Youth Fishing Days

    Mentored Youth Day is the Saturday before Regular Season Opening Day.

    Learn about the Mentored Youth Program