Atlantic Salmon in Pennsylvania
Atlantic salmon under the 2026 Summary.
- 3 (combined species)limit
- 17 lb 2 ozrecord
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A Pennsylvania profile of Atlantic salmon
Under PFBC rules Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is game fish, covered by 1 water class. Inland, on lake erie, presque isle bay and peninsular waters and tributaries, the rule is 3 (combined species); minimum 15 inches; season 8 a.m. opening day of the regular trout season until 12:01 a.m. the friday before opening day the following year.
The state record weighed 17 lb 2 oz, caught by Brian Keller at Raystown Lake in 2001.
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| Water class | Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Erie | Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and peninsular waters and tributaries | 3 (combined species); minimum 15 inches | 8 a.m. opening day of the regular trout season until 12:01 a.m. the Friday before opening day the following year |
2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PA Fish and Boat Commission; in effect or proposed as of October 1, 2025, PDF revised February 27, 2026), page 10 to 14. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
Pennsylvania record Atlantic salmon
| Entry | Weight | Angler | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon, Atlantic | 17 lb 2 oz | Brian Keller | Raystown Lake | Huntingdon | 2001 |
PFBC State Record Fish page, retrieved October 23, 2026; records are kept by weight only.
Keystone lakes and creeks holding Atlantic salmon
Lake pages naming Atlantic salmon
- Raystown Lake8,297 acres
PFBC species listings, Class A and stocked trout layers, the 2026 stocking schedule and state records; largest waters first.
Fish that share rules with Atlantic salmon
- Steelheadgame fish
- Chinook Salmongame fish
- Coho Salmongame fish
- Pink Salmongame fish
- Largemouth Bassgame fish
- Smallmouth Bassgame fish
- Spotted Bassgame fish
- Rock Bassgame fish
- Striped Bassgame fish
- White Bassgame fish
- Bluegillgame fish
- Pumpkinseedgame fish
Ridges, rivers and lakes around Atlantic Salmon, pictured
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Questions on catching Atlantic salmon in Pennsylvania
What size limit covers Atlantic salmon in Pennsylvania?
3 (combined species); minimum 15 inches on lake erie, presque isle bay and peninsular waters and tributaries, season 8 a.m. opening day of the regular trout season until 12:01 a.m. the friday before opening day the following year; other water classes have their own rows.
Who holds the Pennsylvania Atlantic salmon record?
17 lb 2 oz from Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County, caught by Brian Keller in 2001.
Which pages name Atlantic salmon?
1 water page here list it, led by Raystown Lake.
Is Atlantic salmon on the 2026 stocking lists?
The 2026 lists include no stockings of it.
Which Latin binomial does the PFBC print for Atlantic salmon?
Salmo salar; listed as game fish.
Can I fish for Atlantic salmon all year in Pennsylvania?
8 a.m. opening day of the regular trout season until 12:01 a.m. the Friday before opening day the following year on lake erie, presque isle bay and peninsular waters and tributaries.
How much does a license for Atlantic salmon cost?
Fishing for trout here needs a trout permit ($14.97) on top of the license ($27.97 resident, $60.97 nonresident).
Is there a guide for Atlantic salmon here?
No permitted guide lists it.