Pennsylvania regulations
Smallmouth Bass Regulations in Pennsylvania 2026
Pennsylvania smallmouth bass 2026 open seasons vary by 79 management regions. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from Fish & Boat Commission.
Rules (259)
Beaverdam Run ReservoirCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Blue Marsh LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Bradys Run LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Bridgeport ReservoirCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Canoe Creek Lake (State Park) To Include Two Small Ponds And Raceway Adjacent To Canoe LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Carsonia LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Chambers LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Colyer LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Commonwealth Inland Waters
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
Jan 1 – Apr 11 / Oct 1 – Dec 31
Commonwealth Inland Waters -
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Oct 1-Dec 31, Combined Species Oct 1-Dec 31
Conowingo Reservoir Up To Holtwood DamIn season
- Season opens
- Jun 16
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
combined species
Cross Creek LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Delaware RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
NO HARVEST - immediate release only combined species
Delaware River And EstuaryCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
NO HARVEST combined species
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, PennsylvaniaCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
NO HARVEST - immediate release only combined species
Donegal Lake - Big Bass Program
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
Jan 1-Apr 10 And Jun 13-Dec 31
Duman LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Frances Slocum Lake (State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Glade Run LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Gouldsboro LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Harris PondCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Hinckston Run ReservoirCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Hopewell LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Hunters Lake — Commonwealth Inland Waters
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day combined
Jun 13–Sept 30
Indian Creek Reservoir (Mill Run Reservoir)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Indian LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Juniata RiverClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
From April 12 to June 13: No tournaments permitted.
Juniata River (31.7 Miles) From Sr0075 Bridge At Port Royal Downstream To The Mouth Including All Tributaries To A Point ½ Mile Upstream From The Confluence.Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
January 1 to December 31: NO HARVEST CATCH AND IMMEDIATE RELEASE ONLY. It is unlawful for an angler to cast repeatedly into a clearly visible bass spawning nest or redd in an effort to catch or take bass as with Commonwealth Inland Waters fishing regulations. From January 1 to April 11 and June 14 to December 31: Catch-measure-immediate release tournaments permitted. From April 12 to June 13: No tournaments permitted.
Kaercher Creek DamCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Keystone LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Keystone Lake (State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lackawanna Lake (State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lake Arthur (Moraine State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lake ChillisquaqueCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lake ErieOut of season
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
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 Marburg (Codorus State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lake NessmukCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lake RedmanCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lake TowheeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lake WilliamsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lakes (Big Bass Program)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. combined species
Lakes, Rivers And StreamsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Jun 14
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
NO HARVEST - Catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted); begins at 12:01 a.m. combined species
Leaser LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Lily LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Little Bufalo Lake(Holman Lake)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Mammoth DamCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Marsh Creek Lake (State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Marshall LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Mauch Chunk LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Nockamixon Lake (State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
North Park LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Northmoreland LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Opossum LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Peters Twp. Lake(Res. #2)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Pinchot Lake(State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Pymatuning ReservoirOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5
- Min size
- 12"
Quemahoning ReservoirCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Rose Valley LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Shawnee Lake (State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Shenango River LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Speedwell Forge LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Stevens LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Sugar LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Susquehanna RiverClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
From April 12 to June 13: No tournaments permitted.
Susquehanna River (98.0 Miles) From The Inflatable Dam Near Sunbury Downstream To Holtwood Dam Including All Tributaries To A Point ½ Mile Upstream From The Confluence.Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
January 1 to December 31: NO HARVEST CATCH AND IMMEDIATE RELEASE ONLY. It is unlawful for an angler to cast repeatedly into a clearly visible bass spawning nest or redd in an effort to catch or take bass as with Commonwealth Inland Waters fishing regulations. From January 1 to April 11 and June 14 to December 31: Catch-measure-immediate release tournaments permitted. From April 12 to June 13: No tournaments permitted.
Tamarack LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Twin Lake Number Two Reservoir(Upper)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Twin Lakes Number One Reservoir (Lower)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Two Mile Run Reservoir (Justus Lake)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Upper, Middle And Lower Deer LakesCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Virgin Run Lake – Commonwealth Inland Waters
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
(combined species); June 13–Sept 30
Wilmore DamCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 12
- Season closes
- Jun 13
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Yellow Creek Lake (State Park)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 combined species
- Min size
- 15"
April 12 through June 13 (no tournaments permitted). NO HARVEST begins at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1 through April 11 and June 14 through Dec. 31
Smallmouth Bass on famous Pennsylvania waters
Dedicated rule pages for Smallmouth Bass 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
- Crappie (Black & White)61 rules
- Muskie (Muskellunge)59 rules
- Bluegill (Sunfish)48 rules
- Northern Pike38 rules
- Yellow Perch33 rules
- Walleye30 rules
- Channel Catfish12 rules
- Lake Trout3 rules
Also known as
Smallmouth Bass is also called smallies. 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 Smallmouth Bass season in Pennsylvania?
Smallmouth Bass season in Pennsylvania runs from Apr 12 to Jun 13 per Fish & Boat Commission.
What is the size limit for Smallmouth Bass in Pennsylvania?
Minimum size for Smallmouth Bass in Pennsylvania is 15 inches in Beaverdam Run Reservoir, per Fish & Boat Commission. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Smallmouth Bass in Pennsylvania?
Daily bag limit for Smallmouth Bass in Pennsylvania is 4 combined species in Beaverdam Run Reservoir, per Fish & Boat Commission.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/25PAFW_LR.pdf
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/resources/PA/25PAFW_LR.pdf
- https://www.fishandboat.com
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with Fish & Boat Commission before keeping a catch.