Common Carp in Pennsylvania
Where common carp live in Pennsylvania, with the rules.
- 50 (combined specieslimit
- 52 lbrecord
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of the species, not a Pennsylvania water: Dezidor, CC BY-SA 3.0
Pennsylvania common carp: the basics
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) counts as game fish in Pennsylvania, and its limits appear under 3 water classes. commonwealth inland waters (all waters not under lake erie, pymatuning, conowing: 50 (combined species), open open year-round.
Pennsylvania record: 52 lb, Juniata River, by George Brown in 1962.
Every Summary row naming common carp
| Water class | Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth inland waters | Commonwealth inland waters (all waters not under Lake Erie, Pymatuning, Conowingo or Delaware River and Estuary rules or | 50 (combined species) | Open year-round |
| Conowingo Reservoir (Susquehanna River boundary) | Conowingo Reservoir up to Holtwood Dam | 15 | Open year-round |
| Lake Erie | Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and peninsular waters and tributaries | 50 (combined species) | Open year-round |
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.
The biggest Pennsylvania common carp on file
| Entry | Weight | Angler | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carp, Common | 52 lb | George Brown | Juniata River | Huntingdon | 1962 |
PFBC State Record Fish page, retrieved October 23, 2026; records are kept by weight only.
Pages that list common carp
Pennsylvania streams for common carp
- Juniata RiverHuntingdon County
PFBC species listings, Class A and stocked trout layers, the 2026 stocking schedule and state records; largest waters first.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Neighbors of common carp on the PFBC list
- Rock Bassgame fish
- White Bassgame fish
- Bluegillgame fish
- Pumpkinseedgame fish
- Redbreast Sunfishgame fish
- Crappiegame fish
- Yellow Perchgame fish
- White Perchgame fish
- Channel Catfishgame fish
- Flathead Catfishgame fish
- Bullhead Catfishgame fish
- Freshwater Drumgame fish
Pennsylvania scenery within reach of Common Carp
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Cards84664, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Roy Luck, CC BY 2.0
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Pennsylvania common carp, answered briefly
How many common carp can I keep in Pennsylvania?
50 (combined species) on commonwealth inland waters (all waters not under lake erie, pymatuning, conowing, season open year-round; other water classes have their own rows.
Where was the Pennsylvania record common carp caught?
52 lb from Juniata River in Huntingdon County, caught by George Brown in 1962.
Which Keystone water is a good bet for common carp?
1 water page here list it, led by Juniata River.
Where are common carp stocked?
Not on the 2026 PFBC stocking lists.
How is common carp listed by the PFBC?
Cyprinus carpio; listed as game fish.
When is common carp season open in Pennsylvania?
Open year-round on commonwealth inland waters (all waters not under lake erie, pymatuning, conowing.
Do I need a permit to fish for common carp?
Anyone 16 or older needs a Pennsylvania fishing license: $27.97 for residents, $60.97 for nonresidents and $14.47 for resident seniors, fees included.
Which guides target common carp?
None do by name; see the guides page.
Find common carp close to home
Every listed lake and stream has a page here.