Pennsylvania regulations
Northern Pike Regulations in Pennsylvania 2026
Pennsylvania northern pike 2026 open seasons vary by 17 management regions. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from Fish & Boat Commission.
Rules (38)
Conneaut Creek
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 24"
Open year-round 2 24 inches
Conneaut LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
From April 1 through May 31, fishing for these species is permitted on a catch and release/no harvest basis. It is unlawful to take or possess any Muskellunge, Tiger Muskellunge (hybrids), Northern Pike and pickerel from these lakes during this period. When caught, these fish species shall be immediately returned unharmed.
Conowingo Reservoir Up To Holtwood DamOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 2
- Min size
- 30"
Delaware RiverOpen
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 24"
Open year-round
Delaware River And EstuaryOpen
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 24"
Open year-round
Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River And Delaware River Tributaries, From The Mouths Of The Tributaries Upstream To The Limit Of The Tidal Influence And The Lehigh River From Its Mouth Upstream To The First Dam In Easton, PennsylvaniaOpen
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 24"
Open year-round
Edinboro LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
From April 1 through May 31, fishing for these species is permitted on a catch and release/no harvest basis. It is unlawful to take or possess any Muskellunge, Tiger Muskellunge (hybrids), Northern Pike and pickerel from these lakes during this period. When caught, these fish species shall be immediately returned unharmed.
Howard Eaton ReservoirCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
From April 1 through May 31, fishing for these species is permitted on a catch and release/no harvest basis. It is unlawful to take or possess any Muskellunge, Tiger Muskellunge (hybrids), Northern Pike and pickerel from these lakes during this period. When caught, these fish species shall be immediately returned unharmed.
Lake CanadohtaCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
From April 1 through May 31, fishing for these species is permitted on a catch and release/no harvest basis. It is unlawful to take or possess any Muskellunge, Tiger Muskellunge (hybrids), Northern Pike and pickerel from these lakes during this period. When caught, these fish species shall be immediately returned unharmed.
Lake ErieOpen
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 24"
Applies to Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and peninsular waters, all Lake Erie tributaries in their entirety, which include Cascade Creek, Conneaut Creek, Crooked Creek, East Branch Conneaut Creek, Eightmile Creek, Elk Creek, Fourmile Creek, Middle Branch Conneaut Creek, Marsh Run, Mill Creek, Mud Run, Raccoon Creek, Sevenmile Creek, Sixmile Creek, Sixteenmile Creek, Stone Run, Temple Run, Turkey Creek, Twelvemile Creek, Twentymile Creek, Walnut Creek, West Branch Conneaut Creek and all waters that flow into these tributaries.
Lake WilhelmCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
From April 1 through May 31, fishing for these species is permitted on a catch and release/no harvest basis. It is unlawful to take or possess any Muskellunge, Tiger Muskellunge (hybrids), Northern Pike and pickerel from these lakes during this period. When caught, these fish species shall be immediately returned unharmed.
LakesCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- May 31
From April 1 through May 31, fishing for these species is permitted on a catch and release/no harvest basis.
Neshaminy CreekOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 24"
Open year-round 2 24 inches
West Branch Delaware River
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 24"
Open year-round 2 24 inches
Woodcock Creek LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
From April 1 through May 31, fishing for these species is permitted on a catch and release/no harvest basis. It is unlawful to take or possess any Muskellunge, Tiger Muskellunge (hybrids), Northern Pike and pickerel from these lakes during this period. When caught, these fish species shall be immediately returned unharmed.
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
- Yellow Perch33 rules
- Walleye30 rules
- Channel Catfish12 rules
- Lake Trout3 rules
Frequently asked questions
When is Northern Pike season in Pennsylvania?
Northern Pike season in Pennsylvania runs from Jan 1 to Dec 31 per Fish & Boat Commission.
What is the size limit for Northern Pike in Pennsylvania?
Minimum size for Northern Pike in Pennsylvania is 24 inches in Commonwealth Inland Waters, per Fish & Boat Commission. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Northern Pike in Pennsylvania?
Daily bag limit for Northern Pike in Pennsylvania is 2 fish/day in Commonwealth Inland Waters, per Fish & Boat Commission.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/25PAFW_LR.pdf
- https://www.eregulations.com/pennsylvania/fishing
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/resources/PA/25PAFW_LR.pdf
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with Fish & Boat Commission before keeping a catch.