Pennsylvania · Fishing regulations

Fishing regulations in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania is the trout fly-fishing core of the East — limestone spring creeks like the Letort, Penns Creek, and Yellow Breeches are touchstones, and Lake Erie steelhead add a separate destination fishery.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission · License: Anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid fishing license to fish in Pennsylvania. Resident and non-resident licenses are sold online through the PFBC and at most sporting goods retailers. Annual, multi-day, and lifetime licenses are typically available. Senior, military, and youth discounts apply in most cases. A trout permit is required to harvest trout. License costs and exact age thresholds change — verify with the PFBC before purchase.

Freshwater

Trout fishing dominates — Pennsylvania has more limestone spring creeks than any other state, plus thousands of miles of stocked and wild trout streams. Smallmouth bass on the Susquehanna and Juniata. Lake Erie tributaries get fall and spring steelhead runs.

Rivers

Penns Creek, Spring Creek, Letort, Yellow Breeches, and Big Fishing Creek are the limestone marquee. The Little Juniata holds wild browns. Lake Erie tributaries (Walnut, Elk, Crooked) get massive steelhead runs. The Delaware on the eastern border is a separate world-class fishery.

Special

The PFBC has multiple specialty waters: Class A Wild Trout, Trophy Trout, Heritage Trout Angling, Catch and Release, and Delayed Harvest — each with specific gear and harvest rules. The Lake Erie steelhead program has tributary-specific seasons and rules.

Popular species

Brown trout · Rainbow trout · Brook trout · Steelhead · Smallmouth bass · Largemouth bass · Walleye

State agency

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

Agency site →

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