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.
Permits are needed for commercial fishing. Find commercial permits here or through our e-commerce platform, HuntFishPA.
Check out important fishing dates to add to your calendar below.
FISHING DATES TO REMEMBER
Trout and Salmon – Regular Season
From 8 a.m. on the first Saturday in April, to midnight, Labor Day.
[ Trout Info ]
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.
Muskellunge, Pike, Pickerel
Open year-round.
[ Musky Info, Pike Info, Pickerel Info ]
Walleye, Sauger
From January 1 to March 14; and from 12:01 a.m. of the first Saturday in May to December 31.
[ Walleye Info ]
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.
[ Bass Info ]
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.
Mentored Youth Fishing Days
Mentored Youth Day is the Saturday before Regular Season Opening Day.