(includes the Youghiogheny River Lake and SEASONS, SIZES, AND CREEL LIMITS – Except for trout season, COMMONWEALTH INLAND WATERS-2021 does not include special regulation areas) which begins at 8 a.m., all regulatory periods in the fishing regulations PENNSYLVANIA are based on the calendar day, one of which ends at midnight and the 2021 Mentored Youth Trout Day: FISHING LICENSE Species Seasons Daily Limit Minimum Size next of which begins immediately thereafter. March 27 (statewide) ** Except those species in waters listed in the Brood Stock Take part in the Commission’s Mentored Youth Trout Day. Youth under BUTTON ALL SPECIES OF TROUT Statewide Opening Day of Trout Season 5 (combined species) 7 inches Lakes Program. Tiger Muskellunge is a muskellunge hybrid. Additional regulations may apply - see Trout April 3 at 8 a.m. - Sept. 6 streams, lakes, and ponds *** Unlawful to take, catch, or kill American Shad in the Susquehanna the age of 16 can join a mentor (adult) angler who has a current fishing These annual buttons are available to River and all its tributaries. River Herring (Alewife and Blueback license and trout permit to fish onSaturday, March 27 on stocked trout 2021 all current, adult and youth Pennsylvania Regulations for stream sections that are both Extended Season: Stocked trout waters and all waters downstream Herring) has a closed year-round season with zero daily limit 3 7 inches waters statewide. For more information, visit www.fishandboat.com/ Seasons, Sizes, fishing license customers who possess a valid Stocked Trout Waters and Class A Wild of stocked trout waters. Jan. 1 - Feb. 15 and Sept. 7 - Dec. 31 (combined species) applied to Susquehanna River and tributaries, Lehigh River and tributaries, Schuylkill River and tributaries, West Branch Delaware mentoredyouth.htm. Pennsylvania fishing license that enables them to fish for the entire Trout Waters. Extended Season: Class A wild trout stream sections. NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only and Creel Limits Jan. 1 - Feb. 15 and Sept. 7 - Dec. 31 Class A stream listing: www.fishandboat.com/classa.pdf River, Delaware River, Delaware estuary, Delaware River tributaries year. Lifetime Senior License and Multi-Year License holders can also upstream to the limit of the tidal influence, and Conowingo Reservoir. Jan. 1 - April 16 and Nov. 1 - Dec. 31 4 15 inches purchase the buttons. For all eligible customers, the buttons are NOT BASS-LAKES (combined species) **** Lehigh River upstream of the first dam in Easton, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania’s Best Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted April 17 - June 11 See catch-and-release guidelines. and its tributaries and the Schuylkill River upstream of the I-95 Bridge required by law, and fishing license buttons are an optional purchase. NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted) Fishing Waters is a Additional regulations may apply. 6 (combined species) 12 inches and its tributaries. program established The fee is $10.00 per button. June 12 - Oct. 31 NOTES: It is not a violation of the bass regulations if a bass is BASS-RIVERS AND STREAMS Jan. 1 - April 16 and Oct. 1 - Dec. 31 4 (combined species) 15 inches immediately returned unharmed to the waters from which it was taken. by the Commission, Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted April 17 - June 11 NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted) It is unlawful for an angler to cast repeatedly into a clearly visible bass using the expertise spawning nest or redd in an effort to catch or take bass. and knowledge of its WHO MUST WEAR Additional regulations may apply. June 12 - Sept. 30 6 (combined species) 12 inches For bass regulations, power dam pools and recreational dam pools on fisheries biologists, A LIFE JACKET? Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge** Open year-round 1 (combined species) 40 inches the Susquehanna River and navigational dam pools on the Ohio River to highlight statewide • Children 12 years of age and younger on Pickerel** Open year-round 4 18 inches drainage are “rivers.” It is unlawful to conduct a fishing tournament on locations for different categories of fish to assist anglers in Commonwealth waters when underway on any Northern Pike** Open year-round 2 24 inches the North Branch, West Branch, or main stem of the Susquehanna River that allows a tournament angler to harvest bass. knowing the prime fishing hotspots. boat 20 feet or less in length and in all canoes Walleye and Saugeye (Hybrids) Jan. 1 - March 14 and May 1 - Dec. 31 6 15 inches Stocked trout waters are closed to fishing from February 15 to the and kayaks. Sauger Jan. 1 - March 14 and May 1 - Dec. 31 6 12 inches opening day of the regular trout season in April, unless included in the www.PaBestFishing.com • On Pittsburgh District United States Army Corps American Shad*** Open year-round 3 No minimum Stocked Trout Waters open to Year-Round Fishing Program. of Engineers lakes (only), everyone in boats less than 16 feet in length American Shad Open year-round - Lehigh River, Schuykill River****and tributaries NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only Landlocked Alewife less than 8 inches in length taken from inland CONVENIENT and in all canoes and kayaks. ponds, lakes, or reservoirs that are collected by legal means may be American Shad and River Herring*** CLOSED YEAR-ROUND - Susquehanna River and tributaries harvested for use as baitfish. MULTI-YEAR FISHING • All water skiers and anyone towed behind vessels, personal watercraft Hickory Shad*** It is legal to fish for trout in Class A trout streams year-round, with no CLOSED YEAR-ROUND Anglers can purchase a license (PWC) operators and passengers, and sailboarders (windsurfers). 50 No minimum harvest beginning the day after Labor Day through the opening day of Herring, Gizzard Shad Open year-round (combined species) trout season the following year. The exception is those stream sections for three years, five years, Inflatable life jackets are not acceptable for these activities. American Eel Open year-round 25 9 inches • From November 1 through April 30, boaters are required by law to designated as both Class A Wild Trout Streams and Stocked Trout or ten years with just one Striped Bass and Striped Bass/White Bass Hybrids Open year-round 2 (combined species) 20 inches Waters. These stream sections are closed to fishing from February 15 purchase. That’s right, no more wear life jackets on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak. Sunfish, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Crappies, Catfish, Open year-round 50 (combined species) No minimum until 8 a.m. on the opening day of trout season. remembering at the last minute Rock Bass, Suckers, Carp, White Bass, Bowfin, and *****BAITFISH includes all forms of minnows; suckers, chubs, to buy a license before opening day or that Purchase your fishing license www.WearItPennsylvania.com other gamefish not otherwise listed. Fallfish, lampreys; Gizzard Shad 8 inches or less; and all forms of weekend fishing opportunity with friends darters, killifishes, and stonecats (except those listed as threatened or In partnership with the National Safe Boating Council Additional regulations may apply - see Panfish Enhancement and family. To order and for more at an issuing agent or online Special Regulations. endangered species). Legally taken gamefish may be used as bait. information on licenses: Baitfish/Fishbait*****(except Mudbugs/includes Crayfish) Open year-round 50 (combined species) No minimum It is unlawful to use or possess goldfish, comets, koi, and Common at www.fishandboat.com, Carp as baitfish while fishing. FISHBAIT includes crayfish, crabs, and Mudbugs (Dragonfly Nymphs) Unlimited if taken from lake, ponds, swamps, No minimum www.fishandboat.com and be ready for the state’s Open year-round and adjacent areas. 50 per day if taken from the nymphs, larvae, and pupae of all insects spending any part of their moving waters (rivers and streams). life cycle in the water. For all crayfish species, the head must be trout opener on April 3 (statewide). immediately removed behind the eyes upon capture unless used In addition to information provided in this guide, check your Mussels/Clams and Paddlefish, Spotted Gar, and as bait in the water from which taken. other threatened and endangered species. CLOSED YEAR-ROUND Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook for more information. LEBANON COUNTY MONROE COUNTY BIG BASS WATERS SMALLMOUTH BASS AND LARGEMOUTH BASS GENERAL BOATING REGULATIONS Quittapahilla Creek McMichael Creek These special regulations apply to (lakes) that are in the Big Bass Program are does not pertain to stocked trout waters (lakes) open CATCH AND RELEASE 1.1 miles; from Spruce Street 2.42 miles; 0.13 km downstream largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass closed to all fishing from March 1 until the to year-round fishing. For all other species, inland BOATING – A Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket or personal flotation This program provides anglers with an Bridge on T-398 downstream to from the Turkey Hill Road (T-416) Counties Waters Season/Special Regulations device (PFD) is required for each occupant on all types of boats in all waters. opportunity to fish for larger trout in select Bridge downstream to Glenbrook in the waters listed. Stocked trout waters opening day of the trout season. This closure regulations apply. waters. Approximately 10,000 large trout, the SR 0934 Bridge Cumberland, Susquehanna River Motorboats (including boats powered by electric motors) must be registered, and Road (SR 2004) Bridge January 1 to December 31: measuring between 14 to 20 inches, will be LUZERNE COUNTY Dauphin, (98.0 miles) NO HARVEST CATCH AND they must be registered in their state of principal use. Boat operators of boats with greater than 25 horsepower and born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, may not operate unless distributed in these waters managed with Harveys Creek POTTER COUNTY County Water County Water County Water Juniata, from the inflatable dam IMMEDIATE RELEASE ONLY. they have obtained and have in possession a Boating Safety Education Certificate. All Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only 1.7 miles; from Jackson Road First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek Allegheny Upper, Middle, and Lower Deer Cambria Wilmore Dam Montour Lake Chillisquaque Lancaster, near Sunbury downstream It is unlawful for an angler to cast and Miscellaneous Special Regulations. 3.9 miles; Rt. 872 bridge at Schoolhouse PWC (personal watercraft) operators must have obtained and have in possession a (T-812) downstream to Pavlick Lakes Carbon Mauch Chunk Lake Perry Little Buffalo Lake (Holman Lake) Northumberland, to Holtwood Dam, repeatedly into a clearly visible Run downstream to Berge Run bass spawning nest or redd in Boating Safety Education Certificate. Persons 11 years of age or younger may NOT Road (T-497) until 8 a.m. on opening day of trout. Chester Chambers Lake Somerset Somerset Lake (lake drained) Perry including all tributaries to Allegheny Marshall Lake Chester Marsh Creek Lake Somerset Quemahoning Reservoir a point 1/2 mile upstream an effort to catch or take bass operate a boat with greater than 25 horsepower or a PWC. Persons 12–15 years LYCOMING COUNTY SNYDER COUNTY Allegheny North Park Lake (State Park) Venango Two Mile Run Reservoir from the confluence. as with Commonwealth Inland of age may not operate a PWC with any passengers on board 15 years of age or ARMSTRONG/BUTLER COUNTIES DAUPHIN COUNTY Middle Creek Waters fishing regulations. Little Pine Creek Armstrong Keystone Lake Clarion/Venango Kahle Lake (Justus Lake) younger or rent a PWC. Buffalo Creek Wiconisco Creek 2.0 miles; 0.3 mile upstream of Pine From January 1 to April 16 3.9 miles; Little Pine Creek Road Beaver Bradys Run Lake Crawford Sugar Lake Washington Cross Creek Lake Owners of unpowered boats (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, stand-up paddleboards, 3.7 miles; from Little Buffalo Run 0.74 mile; from the western edge of Swamp Road downstream to 0.6 and June 12 to December 31: bridge located 1.0 mile upstream Berks Blue Marsh Lake ● Cumberland Opossum Lake Washington Peters Twp. Lake (Res. #2) etc.) can launch their boats at Commission lakes, access areas and properties, and downstream to 0.6 mile above the Ned Smith Center for Nature and mile upstream Covered Bridge Road Dauphin, Juniata River Catch-measure-immediate Otter Run downstream to inflow of Berks Carsonia Lake Fayette Indian Creek Reservoir Wayne Lower Woods Pond (partial drawdown) at PA state parks and forests if their boats display the Commission’s launch use SR 4035 in Craigsville Art Walking Bridge downstream to the Juniata, (31.7 miles) release tournaments permitted Little Pine Lake SOMERSET COUNTY Berks Hopewell Lake (Mill Run Reservoir) Westmoreland Indian Lake permit OR boat registration, OR PA state parks launch permit OR mooring permit. An power line crossing located 1.7 miles from SR0075 bridge at (see www.fishandboat.com for Laurel Hill Creek Berks Kaercher Creek Dam Fayette/ Bridgeport Reservoir Westmoreland Keystone Lake (State Park) Perry unpowered boat may have a registration OR launch permit, but it is not required to BERKS COUNTY upstream from the mouth LYCOMING COUNTY Port Royal downstream tournament requirement details). 2.33 miles; from 200 yards downstream Bedford Shawnee Lake (State Park) Westmoreland Westmoreland Twin Lakes Number One have both. The Commission does NOT recognize launch permits from other states. Tulpehocken Creek Loyalsock Creek to the mouth, including From April 17 to June 11: FAYETTE COUNTY of the T-364 (Countryman Bridge) Blair Canoe Creek Lake (State Park) Indiana Yellow Creek Lake Reservoir (lower) 3.8 miles; from the first deflector 3.8 miles; 1.0 mile upstream all tributaries to a point No tournaments permitted. Meadow Run downstream to the T-364 Bridge to include two small ponds (State Park) Westmoreland Mammoth Dam below Blue Marsh Dam downstream Sullivan County line downstream 1/2 mile upstream from 2.2 miles; from the SR 2011 bridge upstream of Laurel Hill Lake and raceway adjacent to Lackawanna Lackawanna Lake Westmoreland Northmoreland Lake LIFE JACKET WEAR REQUIRED BY LAW to the T-921 covered bridge to unnamed tributary located the confluence. (Dinner Bell Road) adjacent to the Canoe Lake (State Park) Westmoreland Twin Lake Number Two 0.9 mile upstream Plunketts Creek TIOGA COUNTY NOVEMBER 1 TO APRIL 30 CAMBRIA COUNTY Ohiopyle St. Park office downstream Bucks Lake Towhee Luzerne Frances Slocum Lake Reservoir (upper) to mouth Pine Creek Bucks Nockamixon Lake (State Park) (State Park) Wyoming Stevens Lake Subscribe today! Chest Creek LYCOMING COUNTY 3.3 miles; Marsh Creek downstream Butler Lake Arthur Luzerne Harris Pond York Lake Marburg Boaters are required, by law, to wear life 2.5 miles; Ridge Avenue downstream FULTON COUNTY Lycoming Creek to Bear Run (Moraine State Park) Luzerne Lily Lake (Codorus State Park) jackets on boats less than 16 feet in length or to Thomas Mills Road Big Cove Creek 3.0 miles; 0.5 mile upstream Cambria Beaverdam Run Reservoir Lycoming Rose Valley Lake York Lake Redman any canoe or kayak during the cold weather 0.93 mile; from 200 yards downstream Daugherty Run downstream to VENANGO COUNTY Cambria Duman Dam Mercer Shenango River Lake York Lake Williams months from November 1 through April 30. CENTRE COUNTY of the SR 0928 Bridge downstream 0.1 mile downstream of the SR 0015 Oil Creek Cambria Hinckston Run Reservoir Monroe/Wayne Gouldsboro Lake York Pinchot Lake (State Park) This requirement is intended to protect boaters Bald Eagle Creek to the lower Buchanan State bridge (old Route 15) near Haleeka 1.55 miles; from bridge at Petroleum from the dangers of cold water shock if they fall 0.86 mile; from 0.38 mile upstream Forest boundary Center downstream to railroad bridge into the water. of Steel Hollow Run to 0.48 mile McKEAN COUNTY at Columbia Farm LACKAWANNA/ WYOMING COUNTIES Kinzua Creek LAKES Pennsylvania Angler & Boater is your The risk of an accident being fatal is downstream of Steel Hollow Run STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS! significantly higher when the air and water South Branch Tunkhannock Creek 4.77 miles; from Guffey Road WESTMORELAND COUNTY Season Minimum Size Daily Limit guide to great fishing and boating in CHESTER COUNTY 0.99 mile; from SR 6 downstream Bridge (Rocky Road) downstream to Loyalhanna Creek Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are plants and temperatures are colder in late fall through spring. Jan. 1 through 15 inches 4 (combined species) Pennsylvania. Get the informative and Middle Branch White Clay Creek through Keystone College campus Allegheny National Forest Boundary 1.67 miles; from SR 711 downstream April 16 and animals that have been introduced into new Over the last 15 years, cold water incidents entertaining magazine that readers 1.67 miles; from SR 3009 (Good near Westline to SR 2045 (Two Mile Run Road) June 12 through ecosystems and have environmental, recreational, represented only 8% of the boating-related LAWRENCE COUNTY have enjoyed since 1931. accidents, but they resulted in 40% of the Hope Road) downstream to the Dec. 31 economic, or health impacts. These invaders may Neshannock Creek Full-color magazine, six times a year. fatalities. Victims who are wearing life jackets confluence with the East Branch April 17 through NO HARVEST- Catch and immediate release damage equipment and compete with native species. 2.67 miles; from the base of the Mill Dam See the Pennsylvania Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook: when exposed to cold water have potentially life- in Volant downstream to the covered June 11 only (no tournaments permitted) Anglers and boaters may unknowingly introduce AIS into www.fishandboat.com saving advantages. bridge on T-476 www.fishandboat.com new waters. Go to www.fishandboat.com for more information.