Pennsylvania Fishing Regulations: Bag Limits, Size Limits and Seasons

These are the statewide daily bag limits and length limits Pennsylvania anglers work under, taken from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) guide for January 1 to December 31, 2026. Statewide means the default: most states, Pennsylvania included, override these on specific lakes, rivers and coastal zones, so treat this page as the baseline and the official guide as the rule for the water you are standing on.

Pennsylvania seasons run by species. Trout: regular season from 8 a.m. on the first Saturday in April through Labor Day, then an extended season (3 fish on stocked waters, catch-and-release on wild waters) through the winter. Bass: open all year, but no harvest from the second Saturday in April to the second Saturday in June; the limit is 6 at 12 in. in summer and 4 at 15 in. from October through the spring closure. Walleye closes March 15 and reopens the first Saturday in May. Lake Erie and its tributaries have their own tables. You will still need the Pennsylvania fishing license, which runs $27.97 for residents and $60.97 for non-residents; the Pennsylvania fishing license page covers short-term options, exemptions and where to buy.

AgencyPennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC)
Regulation yearJanuary 1 to December 31, 2026
Free fishingTwo Fish-for-Free Days a year, set by PFBC (Sunday May 24 and Saturday July 4 in 2026). No license or trout permit needed; all limits apply.
Official regulation guide License cost

Limits last verified 2026-09-16.

Pennsylvania freshwater bag and length limits

Statewide freshwater limits. Water-specific exceptions in the official guide take precedence.
Species Daily bag Length
Trout (all species), regular seasonRises to a 9 in. minimum on January 1, 2027. Extended season: 3 on stocked waters, none on wild waters. 5 7 in. minimum
Bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted), summer4 at 15 in. from October 1 through the spring no-harvest period. 6 combined 12 in. minimum
Walleye and sauger 6 15 in. minimum
Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge 1 40 in. minimum
Northern pike 2 24 in. minimum
Pickerel 4 18 in. minimum
Striped bass and hybrids 2 20 in. minimum
Panfish (sunfish, crappie, perch, catfish, rock bass and others) 50 combined None
American shadCatch-and-release only on the Lehigh and Schuylkill; closed on the Susquehanna. 3 None

How to read a bag limit

A daily bag limit is the number of that species one angler may keep in a day, and in most states also the number you may have in possession on the water. Where a row says "combined", the number is shared across every species named in it. A minimum length is measured from the tip of the closed mouth to the tip of the tail with the tail pinched; a slot means fish inside the range must go back. When a lake has its own rule in the official guide, that rule replaces the statewide one for that water only.

Related: the Pennsylvania fishing license page for the fee and where to buy, non-resident fishing license fees across states, and fishing regulations for every state.

Frequently asked questions

What is the bass limit in Pennsylvania?

Statewide, Pennsylvania allows 6 combined bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted), summer per day, with a length rule of 12 in. minimum. 4 at 15 in. from October 1 through the spring no-harvest period. Individual lakes often carry a different slot or minimum, so check the water-specific exceptions in the official guide.

How many crappie can you keep in Pennsylvania?

The statewide daily limit is 50 combined, size rule none.

What is the catfish limit in Pennsylvania?

Panfish (sunfish, crappie, perch, catfish, rock bass and others): 50 combined per day, none.

What is the trout limit in Pennsylvania?

Trout (all species), regular season: 5 per day, 7 in. minimum. Rises to a 9 in. minimum on January 1, 2027. Extended season: 3 on stocked waters, none on wild waters.

Is there a closed season for fishing in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania seasons run by species. Trout: regular season from 8 a.m. on the first Saturday in April through Labor Day, then an extended season (3 fish on stocked waters, catch-and-release on wild waters) through the winter. Bass: open all year, but no harvest from the second Saturday in April to the second Saturday in June; the limit is 6 at 12 in. in summer and 4 at 15 in. from October through the spring closure. Walleye closes March 15 and reopens the first Saturday in May. Lake Erie and its tributaries have their own tables.

When can you fish without a license in Pennsylvania?

Two Fish-for-Free Days a year, set by PFBC (Sunday May 24 and Saturday July 4 in 2026). No license or trout permit needed; all limits apply.

Do I need a license to fish in Pennsylvania?

Yes for most adults. The annual Pennsylvania fishing license costs $27.97 for residents and $60.97 for non-residents. Prices include the $1 issuing-agent fee and $0.97 transaction fee. Trout permit is $14.97; Lake Erie permit is $9.97; combo trout/Lake Erie is $20.97. Senior resident (65+) annual is $14.47; senior lifetime is $86.97. Non-resident PA students pay the resident rate. 1-day resident licenses are not valid March 15–April 30. See the Pennsylvania fishing license page for short-term options and where to buy.

Where do these Pennsylvania limits come from?

Every figure on this page was read from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) regulation guide for January 1 to December 31, 2026 and last checked on 2026-09-16. The guide, not this page, is the legal document. Use the official source link above before you keep a fish.