2026 regulation year
Pennsylvania Fishing Regulations 2026 — License Fees, Seasons, Bag Limits
Last updated
Pennsylvania licences run on a calendar year and are sold by the PA Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC). The base licence does NOT cover trout fishing or Lake Erie — a Trout Permit is required to take or possess trout statewide, and a Lake Erie Permit is required to fish Lake Erie and its tributaries. A Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit covers both. The headline event each year is the statewide stocked-trout opener on the first Saturday of April, preceded by a Mentored Youth Trout Day. Susquehanna, Juniata, and Allegheny smallmouth bass are managed under special-regulation reaches with extended catch-and-immediate-release windows. The Delaware River main stem is shared with New Jersey under a documented reciprocity agreement, and Pymatuning Reservoir is reciprocal with Ohio.
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License fees
| Licence | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident annual | $27.97 | |
| Resident 1-day | $11.97 | |
| Resident 3-year | $80.97 | |
| Resident 5-year | $135.97 | |
| Resident senior (65+) annual | $13.97 | |
| Resident senior (65+) lifetime | $54.97 | One-time fee |
| Resident youth (under 16) annual | Free | Not required under age 16 |
| Resident voluntary youth permit | $2.97 | Supports PFBC youth-angler programs |
| Trout permit (add-on) | $10.97 | Required to take or possess trout statewide |
| Lake Erie permit (add-on) | $10.97 | Required to fish Lake Erie and listed tributaries |
| Combination Trout/Lake Erie permit | $15.97 | Both endorsements bundled |
| Licence | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident annual | $54.97 | |
| Non-resident 7-day | $34.97 | |
| Non-resident 3-day | $26.97 | |
| Non-resident 1-day | $26.97 | |
| Non-resident multi-year (3-year) | $135.97 | |
| Trout permit (add-on) | $10.97 | |
| Lake Erie permit (add-on) | $10.97 | |
| Combination Trout/Lake Erie permit | $15.97 |
Buy directly from Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Fees may include processing surcharges at point of sale.
Top species — season, bag, size
| Species | Season | Daily bag | Size / slot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trout (stocked rainbow / brown / brook)Compare across states → | Statewide opener: first Saturday in April; Erie tributaries Sept 1 – Apr 30 | 5 / day combined (inland regular); 3 / day Lake Erie tributaries | 7 in minimum inland; 15 in minimum Lake Erie tributaries |
| Smallmouth bassCompare across states → | Harvest season mid-June – April 14; year-round catch-and-immediate-release on most rivers | 5 / day combined black bass | 12 in minimum statewide; special-regulation reaches vary |
| WalleyeCompare across states → | Open May 1 – March 14 most inland; Lake Erie + connecting waters year-round | 6 / day Lake Erie + connecting waters; 6 / day inland (most waters) | 15 in minimum statewide |
| Steelhead (Lake Erie tributaries)Compare across states → | Sept 1 – Apr 30 stocked Lake Erie tributaries | 3 / day | 15 in minimum |
| Largemouth bassCompare across states → | Harvest season mid-June – April 14; year-round catch-and-immediate-release on most waters | 5 / day combined black bass | 12 in minimum most reservoirs; 15 in on select Big Bass Program waters |
| MuskellungeCompare across states → | Open year-round (broodstock lakes C&R Apr 1 – May 31) | 1 / day (combined with tiger muskellunge) | 40 in minimum |
| Northern pikeCompare across states → | Open year-round | 2 / day | 24 in minimum |
| Yellow perchCompare across states → | Open year-round | 50 / day (combined panfish); Lake Erie 30 / day | No minimum size |
Notable water-body special regulations
Lake Erie (Pennsylvania waters)
Lake Erie Permit required (in addition to base licence) to fish the lake and listed tributaries; walleye 6 / day, 15 in min; yellow perch 30 / day; steelhead 3 / day, 15 in min
Walnut Creek (Lake Erie tributary)
Steelhead Alley flagship — heavily stocked PFBC steelhead tributary; Lake Erie Permit required; 3 / day, 15 in min steelhead Sept 1 – Apr 30
Elk Creek (Lake Erie tributary)
Steelhead Alley — second-largest PA stocked steelhead tributary; Lake Erie Permit required
Trout Run (Lake Erie tributary)
Stocked-fish nursery water — 200-yard sanctuary at mouth closed to all fishing; broodstock collection point
Twentymile Creek (Lake Erie tributary, OH/PA boundary)
Steelhead Alley — easternmost OH tributary, westernmost PA tributary in the system; Lake Erie Permit required on the PA side
Lake Erie Permit required; OH/PA boundary creek near mouth
Susquehanna River (Sunbury to Holtwood Dam)
Special-regulation reach: catch-and-immediate-release ONLY for smallmouth bass year-round; no harvest
Susquehanna River (West Branch)
Smallmouth river with seasonal special-regulation sections; consult current PFBC chart
Premier PA smallmouth river — extended catch-and-immediate-release year-round on listed reaches
Walleye + muskellunge + smallmouth; some reaches have special tackle restrictions near tailwaters
Delaware River main stem (PA/NJ boundary)
Reciprocal: PA or NJ licence honoured on the non-tidal main stem from NY line to Trenton Falls
Boundary water with West Virginia + Ohio; PA licence covers the river to the PA side; trophy flathead + blue catfish regs apply
Pymatuning Reservoir (PA/OH boundary)
Reciprocal walleye / crappie / panfish regs with Ohio; either licence honoured on the open water — confirm tributary boundary
Statewide rules apply; PA Big Bass Program water — 15 in minimum, 4 / day combined black bass; striped bass to 30 in / 2 / day from May 1 – Sep 30
Northeastern PA flagship reservoir — largemouth, walleye, and stocked trout; standard statewide rules
Lake Arthur (Moraine State Park)
PA Big Bass Program water — 15 in min, 4 / day combined black bass
PA Big Bass Program water — 15 in min, 4 / day combined black bass
Heritage Trout Angling water — fly fishing only, catch-and-immediate-release; no harvest of trout
All-Tackle Trophy Trout reach (railroad bridge east of Ironville to the mouth) — 18 in min, 1 trout / day from 8 a.m. opening day through Labor Day, no harvest the rest of the year; open year-round; no tackle restriction; Trout Permit required
All-Tackle Trophy Trout tailwater (Ramcat Run to the SR 381 bridge at Ohiopyle) — 18 in min, 1 trout / day opening day through Labor Day, no harvest otherwise; open year-round; Trout Permit required
Trophy Trout Artificial Lures Only — 18 in min, 1 trout / day opening day through Labor Day, no harvest otherwise; artificial lures and flies only (no bait); open year-round; Trout Permit required
Catch-and-Release All-Tackle trout reach (branch confluence to the Main St / SR 948 bridge in Ridgway) — no trout may be killed or possessed; no tackle restriction; open year-round; Trout Permit required
Driftwood Branch Sinnemahoning Creek
Catch-and-Release Fly-Fishing Only — no harvest; fly tackle only, no baitfish / fishbait; open year-round; Trout Permit required
Catch-and-Release Fly-Fishing Only on the Resica Falls Scout Reservation reach — no harvest; fly tackle only; open year-round; Trout Permit required
Catch-and-Release Fly-Fishing Only through McConnells Mill State Park — no harvest; fly tackle only, no baitfish; open year-round; Trout Permit required
Catch-and-Release Fly-Fishing Only — storied limestone-spring wild-trout stream; no harvest; fly tackle only, no baitfish; open year-round; Trout Permit required
Big Spring Creek (Cumberland County)
Catch-and-Release Fly-Fishing Only — limestone spring creek; no harvest; fly tackle only, no baitfish; open year-round; Trout Permit required
Catch-and-Release Artificial Lures Only at the Children's Lake outfall (Boiling Springs / Allenberry) — no harvest; artificial lures and flies only, no bait; open year-round; Trout Permit required
Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only — no harvest except 3 trout / day at 9 in min from Jun 15 through Labor Day; artificial lures and flies only; open year-round; Trout Permit required
Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only below Saylorsville Dam — no harvest except 3 trout / day at 9 in min Jun 15 – Labor Day; artificial lures and flies only; open year-round; Trout Permit required
Falling Spring Branch (Franklin County)
Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only — wild-trout limestone stream; no harvest except 3 trout / day at 9 in min Jun 15 – Labor Day; artificial lures and flies only; open year-round; Trout Permit required
Keystone Select Stocked Trout Water (DHALO) — stocked with 14–20 in trophy trout; no harvest except 3 trout / day at 9 in min Jun 15 – Labor Day; artificial lures and flies only; open year-round; Trout Permit required
Laurel Hill Creek (Somerset County)
Keystone Select Stocked Trout Water (DHALO) — trophy-stocked; no harvest except 3 trout / day at 9 in min Jun 15 – Labor Day; artificial lures and flies only; open year-round; Trout Permit required
Keystone Select Stocked Trout Water (DHALO) — trophy-stocked reach near Oil Creek State Park; no harvest except 3 trout / day at 9 in min Jun 15 – Labor Day; artificial lures and flies only; open year-round; Trout Permit required
Nockamixon Lake (Bucks County)
PA Big Bass Program lake (Nockamixon State Park) — largemouth / smallmouth / spotted bass 15 in min, 4 / day combined; catch-and-immediate-release only Apr 11 – Jun 12 (no tournaments); other species follow statewide rules
Somerset Lake (Somerset County)
Catch-and-Release Lake — all species managed year-round as catch-and-release; it is unlawful to kill or possess any fish; immediate release required
Panfish Enhancement water — crappie 9 in min, sunfish 7 in min, yellow perch 9 in min; 20 / species daily (50 combined cap); other species follow statewide rules
Owl Creek Reservoir (Schuylkill County)
Catch-and-Release Lake — all species managed year-round as catch-and-release; unlawful to kill or possess any fish; immediate release required
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a fishing license to fish in Pennsylvania?
- Yes. Pennsylvania requires residents and non-residents alike to hold a valid fishing license, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. Buy directly from Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission; resident and non-resident fees are listed in the tables above.
- How much is a fishing license in Pennsylvania?
- Resident fees range from $2.97 (resident voluntary youth permit) to $135.97 (resident 5-year); Non-resident fees range from $10.97 (trout permit (add-on)) to $135.97 (non-resident multi-year (3-year)). The full breakdown — annual, multi-day, senior, and lifetime options — is in the license-fee tables above, and you can compare Pennsylvania against every other state on the license-fee comparator.
- What fish can you catch in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania anglers most commonly target Trout (stocked rainbow / brown / brook), Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Steelhead (Lake Erie tributaries), Largemouth bass, Muskellunge, and others. Each species sets its own season, daily bag, and size or slot limit — compare them in the species table above, or open a species page for the full 2026 rule.
- When does fishing season open in Pennsylvania?
- It depends on the species — Pennsylvania sets a separate season for each. Warmwater fish like bass, catfish, and panfish are open year-round in most of the state, while trout, walleye, salmon, and other cold-water or migratory species have dated seasons. The season column in the table above shows each one, and Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission can shift dates by emergency order.
- Are there special fishing rules on specific Pennsylvania waters?
- Yes. 38 named Pennsylvania waters carry regulations that differ from the statewide rule, including Lake Erie (Pennsylvania waters), Walnut Creek (Lake Erie tributary), Elk Creek (Lake Erie tributary), and 35 more. See the notable water-body special regulations above for the exact rule on each.
Official source
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission is the authoritative source for Pennsylvania fishing regulations. Always verify rules before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override published booklets.
Visit official Pennsylvania fishing regulations →
Emergency-order channel
In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission's emergency-order feed — check it before any Pennsylvania trip during the active season.