Pennsylvania regulations
Channel Catfish Regulations in Pennsylvania 2026
Pennsylvania channel catfish 2026 open seasons vary by 7 management regions. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from Fish & Boat Commission.
Rules (12)
- Gear
- Bow And Arrow
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 50 fish/day
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 50 fish
Channel Catfish on famous Pennsylvania waters
Dedicated rule pages for Channel Catfish on the most-targeted destinations in Pennsylvania.
Other Pennsylvania fish regulations
Other regulated species in Pennsylvania with current rule pages — same Fish & Boat Commission source, same verification cadence.
- Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow)501 rules
- Largemouth Bass259 rules
- Smallmouth Bass259 rules
- Crappie (Black & White)61 rules
- Muskie (Muskellunge)59 rules
- Bluegill (Sunfish)48 rules
- Northern Pike38 rules
- Yellow Perch33 rules
- Walleye30 rules
- Lake Trout3 rules
Also known as
Channel Catfish is also called Catfish. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in Pennsylvania.
Frequently asked questions
When is Channel Catfish season in Pennsylvania?
Channel Catfish season in Pennsylvania runs from Jan 1 to Dec 31 per Fish & Boat Commission.
What is the size limit for Channel Catfish in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania does not publish a state-wide minimum size for Channel Catfish. Check zone-specific rules above.
What is the daily bag limit for Channel Catfish in Pennsylvania?
Daily bag limit for Channel Catfish in Pennsylvania is 50 fish/day in Commonwealth Inland Waters, per Fish & Boat Commission.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/resources/PA/25PAFW_LR.pdf
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/25PAFW_LR.pdf
- https://www.fishandboat.com/agencies/fishandboat/fishing/regulations/seasons-sizes-and-creel-limits