Redbreast Sunfish in Pennsylvania
Where redbreast sunfish live in Pennsylvania, with the rules.
- 50 (combined specieslimit
Pick for sunfishPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of the species, not a Pennsylvania water: Bclegg77, CC BY-SA 4.0
Pennsylvania redbreast sunfish: the basics
Redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) 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.
PFBC species listings name it on 5 lakes with pages here.
For the sunfish herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Catching redbreast sunfish, per the Fish and Boat Commission
- Rocky areas of ponds and lakes. Riffles and pockets behind rock in rivers and streamsTypical cover
- Minnows, crayfish, grubs, nightcrawlers, hellgrammites, on a light wire hook-drifted along bottom. Weight with a few split shotBaits
- Small spinners & twistersTackle box picks
- Black, brown and greenLure colors
- 4-8 lb. testLine
- 4-8Hook size
- 1/16 to 1/8 ozLure size
- Mid-daySpring
- Early/late daySummer
- Early/late dayFall
From the PFBC Catch PA Fish page for this species, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Every Summary row naming redbreast sunfish
| 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 PFBC manages redbreast sunfish on lakes
| Lake | County | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Beltzville Lake | Carbon | 946 |
| Lake Redman | York | 290 |
| Lake Williams | York | 220 |
| Kettle Creek Lake | Clinton | 160 |
| Sweet Arrow Lake | Schuylkill | 100 |
PFBC warmwater/coolwater species listing per lake (WWCW layer), retrieved October 23, 2026; largest lakes first.
Pages that list redbreast sunfish
Pennsylvania lakes for redbreast sunfish
- Beltzville Lake946 acres
- Lake Redman290 acres
- Lake Williams220 acres
- Kettle Creek Lake160 acres
- Sweet Arrow Lake100 acres
Pennsylvania streams for redbreast sunfish
- Delaware RiverNorthampton County
- West Branch Susquehanna RiverCambria County
- Schuylkill RiverSchuylkill County
- Conodoguinet CreekFranklin County
- Bald Eagle Creek, Centre CountyCentre County
- Penns CreekUnion County
- West Branch Brandywine CreekChester County
- Middle Creek, Snyder CountySnyder County
- East Branch Perkiomen CreekBucks County
- South Branch Codorus CreekYork County
- Chester CreekDelaware County
- Maiden CreekBerks County
PFBC species listings, Class A and stocked trout layers, the 2026 stocking schedule and state records; largest waters first.
Neighbors of redbreast sunfish on the PFBC list
- Rock Bassgame fish
- White Bassgame fish
- Bluegillgame fish
- Pumpkinseedgame fish
- Crappiegame fish
- Yellow Perchgame fish
- White Perchgame fish
- Channel Catfishgame fish
- Flathead Catfishgame fish
- Bullhead Catfishgame fish
- Common Carpgame fish
- Freshwater Drumgame fish
Pennsylvania scenery within reach of Redbreast Sunfish
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: George Neat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Cards84664, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: RichardRichardson7628, CC BY 4.0
Pennsylvania redbreast sunfish, answered briefly
How many redbreast sunfish 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 redbreast sunfish caught?
There is no record entry.
Which Keystone water is a good bet for redbreast sunfish?
17 water pages here list it, led by Beltzville Lake, Lake Redman and Lake Williams.
Where are redbreast sunfish stocked?
Not on the 2026 PFBC stocking lists.
How is redbreast sunfish listed by the PFBC?
Lepomis auritus; listed as game fish.
When is redbreast sunfish 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 redbreast sunfish?
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 redbreast sunfish?
None do by name; see the guides page.
Find redbreast sunfish close to home
Every listed lake and stream has a page here.