Trout Fishing Regulations

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Color-coded map of Pennsylvania divided into six trout fishing regions: Northwest, Southwest, Northcentral, Southcentral, Northeast, and Southeast. — Map of Pennsylvania showing designated trout fishing regions—Northwest, Southwest, Northcentral, Southcentral, Northeast, and Southeast. These regions help manage stocking schedules, trout season dates, and angler resources across the state.

Find the Regulation that Applies to Where You Want to Fish

To assist trout anglers in knowing the regulations that apply to locations where they fish, the trout regulations are separated by PFBC Regions. For the trout regulations specific to each region, please refer to the following sections: Northwest Region, Northcentral Region, Northeast Region, Southwest Region, Southcentral Region and Southeast Region regulated trout waters. Each region contains a listing of its counties separated by specific trout regulations. An explanation of each regulation and its requirements is listed below.

Stocked Trout Waters

Many streams, lakes, ponds and reservoirs are officially classified as “stocked trout waters.” This means that these waters contain significant portions that are open to public fishing and are stocked with trout. The waters listed here are open to trout harvest during the “extended season” (see the trout section of the Commonwealth Inland Waters regulations). Unlisted streams (those not included in this list of “stocked trout waters”) are not open to harvest of trout during the “extended season.” Only stocked trout waters are open to harvest during this period. Spearing fish is not permitted in any of these waters at any time of the year.

These waters are closed to all fishing (including taking of minnows) from February 17 to 8 a.m. on the opening day of the trout season. A person shall be deemed to be fishing if he or she has in possession any fishing line, rod or other device that can be used for fishing while on or in any water or on the banks within 25 feet of any water where fishing is prohibited. Unless geographically designated in the Region Regulated Trout Waters section, the term stocked trout waters includes the entire stream from headwaters to mouth.

Special note: It is possible that some streams may later be deleted or added as “stocked trout waters” because of last-minute changes in water quality conditions. Check with the nearest Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission office (see Region Offices) if there is any question about whether or not a water area is “stocked.”

Stocked Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing

Waters with this designation are considered “stocked trout waters.” From 8 a.m. opening day of trout through September 1, Commonwealth inland sizes and creel limits apply. From January 1 through February 16, and from September 2 through December 31, “extended season” sizes and creel limits apply. These waters are open to fishing from

February 17 to opening day of trout season; however, no trout may be taken or possessed on these waters during this period. It is unlawful to fish in rivers and streams designated as stocked trout waters open to year-round fishing without a current trout permit. A trout permit is not required to fish in lakes and ponds that have been designated as stocked trout waters open to year-round fishing unless the person takes, kills or possesses, while in the act of fishing, a trout on or in these waters.

Special Regulation Areas

The Commission establishes specially regulated areas on some trout waters. These specially regulated areas are assigned to one of the programs on this page with the regulations for each program included. These program regulations apply only to those waters designated by the Commission as being part of that program, not to all trout waters. When applicable, a list of specially regulated waters appears at the end of the stocked trout waters section for each region of the state.

ALL TACKLE TROPHY TROUT

Open to fishing year-round.
Fishing is permitted on a 24-hour basis.
Minimum size – 18 inches, caught on, or in possession on, the waters under these regulations from 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular trout season through Labor Day.
The daily creel limit is one trout – except for the period from the day after Labor Day to 8 a.m. of the first Saturday in April of the following year, when no trout may be killed or had in possession.
There are no tackle restrictions.
An angler in a boat may possess bait and fish caught in compliance with the seasons, sizes and creel limits in effect for a water from which it was taken, provided that the boat angler floats through the All Tackle Trophy Trout area without stopping or engaging in the act of fishing or the boat angler puts in or takes out his or her boat at an access point within the All Tackle Trophy Trout area.
A current trout permit is required.
The regulations apply to trout only; all other species, inland regulations apply.

ALL TACKLE TROUT SLOT LIMIT

Open to fishing year-round.
Fishing is permitted on a 24-hour basis.
From 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular season for trout through Labor Day, the daily creel limit of trout is two (combined species). Trout must be at least 7 inches but less than 12 inches in length to be killed or possessed.
From the day after Labor Day until 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular season for trout, no trout may be killed or possessed.
There are no tackle restrictions.
A current trout permit is required.

ARTIFICIAL LURES ONLY TROUT SLOT LIMIT

Open to fishing year-round.
Fishing is permitted on a 24-hour basis.
From 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular season for trout through Labor Day, the daily creel limit of trout is two (combined species). Trout must be at least 7 inches but less than 12 inches in length to be killed or possessed.
From the day after Labor Day until 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular season for trout, no trout may be killed or possessed.
Fishing may be done with artificial lures only constructed of metal, plastic, rubber or wood; or with flies and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic materials. Lures may be used with spinning or fly fishing gear. Use or possession of other lures or substances is prohibited.
Taking of baitfish or fishbait is prohibited.
A current trout permit is required.
An angler in a boat may possess bait and fish caught in compliance with seasons, sizes and creel limits in effect for the water from which taken, provided that the boat angler floats through the Artificial Lures Only Trout Slot Limit area without stopping or engaging in the act of fishing or the boat angler puts in or takes out his or her boat at an access point within the Artificial Lures Only Trout Slot Limit area.

CATCH AND RELEASE ALL TACKLE

Open to fishing year-round.
Fishing is permitted on a 24-hour basis.
No trout may be killed or had in possession.
There are no tackle restrictions.
An angler in a boat may possess bait and fish caught in compliance with the seasons, sizes and creel limits in effect for a water from which it was taken, provided that the boat angler floats through the Catch and Release All Tackle area without stopping or engaging in the act of fishing or the boat angler puts in or takes out his or her boat at an access point within the Catch and Release All Tackle area.
A current trout permit is required.

CATCH AND RELEASE ARTIFICIAL LURES ONLY

Open to fishing year-round.
Fishing is permitted on a 24-hour basis.
No trout may be killed or had in possession.
Fishing may be done with artificial lures only constructed of metal, plastic, rubber or wood, or with flies or streamers constructed of natural or synthetic materials. All such lures may be used with spinning or fly fishing gear. Use or possession of any other lures or substance is prohibited.
Wading is permitted unless otherwise posted.
Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited.
An angler in a boat may possess bait and fish caught in compliance with the seasons, sizes and creel limits in effect for a water from which it was taken, provided that the boat angler floats through the Catch and Release Artificial Lures Only area without stopping or engaging in the act of fishing or the boat angler puts in or takes out his or her boat at an access point within the Catch and Release Artificial Lures Only area.
A current trout permit is required.

CATCH AND RELEASE FLY-FISHING ONLY

Open to fishing year-round.
Fishing is permitted on a 24-hour basis.
No trout may be killed or had in possession.
Fishing may be done with artificial flies and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic materials, so long as all flies are constructed in a normal fashion with components wound on or about the hook. Fishing must be done with tackle limited to fly rods, fly reels and fly line with leader material of monofilament line attached. Anything other than these items is prohibited.
Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited.
Wading is permitted unless otherwise posted.
An angler in a boat may possess bait and fish caught in compliance with the seasons, sizes and creel limits in effect for a water from which it was taken, provided that the boat angler floats through the Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only area without stopping or engaging in the act of fishing or the boat angler puts in or takes out his or her boat at an access point within the Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only area.
A current trout permit is required.

DELAYED HARVEST ARTIFICIAL LURES ONLY

Open to fishing year-round.
Fishing is permitted on a 24-hour basis.
Minimum size – 9 inches, caught on or in possession on, the waters under these regulations from June 15 through Labor Day.
The daily creel limit is three trout (combined species) from June 15 through Labor Day, caught on or in possession on the waters under these regulations. From the day after Labor Day until June 15, the daily creel limit is zero.
Fishing may be done with artificial lures only constructed of metal, plastic, rubber or wood, or with flies and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic materials. All such lures may be used with spinning or fly fishing gear.
The use or possession of any natural bait, baitfish, fishbait, bait paste and similar substances, fish eggs (natural or molded) or any other edible substance is prohibited.
Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited.
An angler in a boat may possess bait and fish caught in compliance with the seasons, sizes and creel limits in effect for a water from which it was taken, provided that the boat angler floats through the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area without stopping or engaging in the act of fishing or the boat angler puts in or takes out his or her boat at an access point within the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area.
A current trout permit is required.

TROPHY TROUT ARTIFICIAL LURES ONLY

Open to fishing year-round.
Fishing is permitted on a 24-hour basis.
Minimum size – 18 inches, caught on, or in possession on, the waters under these regulations from 8 a.m. on the opening day of the regular trout season through Labor Day.
The daily creel limit is one trout – except for the period from the day after Labor Day to 8 a.m. of the first Saturday in April of the following year, when no trout may be killed or had in possession.
Fishing may be done with artificial lures only, constructed of metal, plastic, rubber or wood, or with flies and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic materials. All lures may be used with spinning or fly fishing gear.
Taking baitfish or fishbait is prohibited.
An angler in a boat may possess bait and fish caught in compliance with the seasons, sizes and creel limits in effect for a water from which it was taken, provided that the boat angler floats through the Trophy Trout Artificial Lures Only area without stopping or engaging in the act of fishing or the boat angler puts in or takes out his or her boat at an access point within the Trophy Trout Artificial Lures Only area.
A current trout permit is required.

The Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters Program

The Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters program provides anglers with an exciting opportunity to fish for larger trout. Under the program, approximately 10,000 large trout, 2- to 3-years old and measuring between 14 to 20 inches, are distributed among these select waters under the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Special Regulations and one water managed with Miscellaneous Special Regulations. These larger trout are stocked only during the spring stocking periods to coincide with the period of peak angler use. As with many waters managed with Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only and Miscellaneous Special Regulations, not all waters in the Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters program receive a fall stocking. Fall stocking is limited to stream sections that are considered destination fisheries and provide relatively high angler use during fall. Currently, 16 of the 24 stream sections in this program receive a fall stocking. In the stocked trout water listings for each region and the Miscellaneous Waters with Special Regulations, look for this red keystone, which indicates that this water is a Keystone Select Stocked Trout Water:

Icon indicating this is a Keystone Select Stocked Trout Water in Pennsylvania