Chinook Salmon in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania rules and water for Chinook salmon.
- 3 (combined species)limit
- 28 lb 15 ozrecord
Pick for salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the species, not a Pennsylvania water: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Chinook salmon in the Keystone State, in short
The Fish and Boat Commission treats Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) as game fish; the 2026 Summary gives it rules across 1 water class. Anglers on lake erie, presque isle bay and peninsular waters and tributaries may keep 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.
In 1990 Gregory Lasko set the record of 28 lb 15 oz on Lake Erie.
For the salmon herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Chinook salmon in the 2026 Summary tables
| 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.
Record Chinook salmon weights in Pennsylvania
| Entry | Weight | Angler | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon, Chinook | 28 lb 15 oz | Gregory Lasko | Lake Erie | Erie | 1990 |
PFBC State Record Fish page, retrieved October 23, 2026; records are kept by weight only.
Related species to Chinook salmon
- Steelheadgame fish
- Coho Salmongame fish
- Pink Salmongame fish
- Atlantic Salmongame fish
- Largemouth Bassgame fish
- Smallmouth Bassgame fish
- Spotted Bassgame fish
- Rock Bassgame fish
- Striped Bassgame fish
- White Bassgame fish
- Bluegillgame fish
- Pumpkinseedgame fish
Keystone water near Chinook Salmon, photographed
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Roy Luck, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: RichardRichardson7628, CC BY 4.0
Before chasing Chinook salmon here: common questions
May I keep Chinook 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.
How big is the Pennsylvania record Chinook salmon?
28 lb 15 oz from Lake Erie in Erie County, caught by Gregory Lasko in 1990.
Where do Chinook salmon live in Pennsylvania?
It is not on any water page yet.
How many Chinook salmon will the PFBC stock?
None are scheduled for 2026.
Is Chinook salmon a game fish in Pennsylvania?
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha; listed as game fish.
Does Pennsylvania close the Chinook salmon season?
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.
Is the trout permit needed for Chinook salmon?
Fishing for trout here needs a trout permit ($14.97) on top of the license ($27.97 resident, $60.97 nonresident).
Do Pennsylvania guides fish for Chinook salmon?
The guides page groups permit holders by county instead.
Pick water for Chinook salmon
The pages above carry access areas and rules.