Pumpkinseed in Pennsylvania
Seasons, the record and stocking for pumpkinseed.
- 50 (combined specieslimit
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of the species, not a Pennsylvania water: Tommy Andriollo, CC BY 4.0
Where pumpkinseed fit in Pennsylvania fishing
Pennsylvania lists Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) as game fish, regulated in 3 water classes. For commonwealth inland waters (all waters not under lake erie, pymatuning, conowing the PFBC sets 50 (combined species) and a season of open year-round.
It has no PFBC record and no 2026 stocking entry.
Tackle notes on pumpkinseed from the PFBC
- Weedy shorelines of lakes and ponds, gravel and rocky areasHome water
- Piece of nightcrawler, wax worm or meal worm fished on a hook below a bobberBait that works
- Small twisters & poppersLure choices
- White, yellow and chartreuseLure colors
- 6-12 lb. testLine
- 6-12Hook size
- 1/32 to 1/8 oz.Lure size
- Early morningSpring
- Late daySummer
- Late dayFall
From the PFBC Catch PA Fish page for this species, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Keeping pumpkinseed under PFBC rules
| 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 (combined species) | 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.
Where pumpkinseed live in the Commonwealth
Rivers holding pumpkinseed
- Delaware RiverNorthampton County
- West Branch Susquehanna RiverCambria County
- Lehigh RiverMonroe County
- Pine Creek, Tioga CountyTioga County
- Beaver RiverBeaver County
- Lackawaxen RiverPike County
- Slippery Rock CreekLawrence County
- Connoquenessing CreekButler County
- Shenango RiverMercer County
- Bald Eagle Creek, Centre CountyCentre County
- Penns CreekUnion County
- Muncy CreekLycoming County
- Middle Creek, Snyder CountySnyder County
- Maiden CreekBerks 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 Fish listed alongside pumpkinseed
- Rock Bassgame fish
- White Bassgame fish
- Bluegillgame fish
- Redbreast Sunfishgame fish
- Crappiegame fish
- Yellow Perchgame fish
- White Perchgame fish
- Channel Catfishgame fish
- Flathead Catfishgame fish
- Bullhead Catfishgame fish
- Common Carpgame fish
- Freshwater Drumgame fish
Photographs of lakes and creeks by Pumpkinseed
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: George Neat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael A. Orlando, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0
Keystone pumpkinseed: the questions that come up
What is the Pennsylvania creel limit for pumpkinseed?
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.
What is the state record pumpkinseed in Pennsylvania?
The record page skips it.
Which waters list pumpkinseed?
14 water pages here list it, led by Delaware River, West Branch Susquehanna River and Lehigh River.
Do Pennsylvania hatcheries raise pumpkinseed?
It is not stocked on the 2026 lists.
What family name do biologists use for pumpkinseed?
Lepomis gibbosus; listed as game fish.
What dates cover pumpkinseed?
Open year-round on commonwealth inland waters (all waters not under lake erie, pymatuning, conowing.
Which Pennsylvania license and permit cover pumpkinseed?
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.
Is a permitted Pennsylvania guide available for pumpkinseed?
No guide listing names it.
Plan a pumpkinseed trip
Open any listed water for ramps and seasons.