Smelt in Pennsylvania
PFBC limits, the record and waters for smelt.
- No daily limitlimit
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Presque Isle State Park: Cards84664, CC BY-SA 4.0
Pennsylvania smelt at a glance
Smelt (Osmerus mordax) sits on the PFBC fish list as game fish, with Summary rows in 1 water class. The lake erie, presque isle bay and peninsular waters and tributaries row reads no daily limit, with the season open year-round.
It is missing from both the record list and the stocking schedule.
Pennsylvania seasons and limits for smelt
| Water class | Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Erie | Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and peninsular waters and tributaries | No daily limit | 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.
More Pennsylvania fish near smelt on the list
- Largemouth Bassgame fish
- Smallmouth Bassgame fish
- Spotted Bassgame fish
- Rock Bassgame fish
- Striped Bassgame fish
- White Bassgame fish
- Bluegillgame fish
- Pumpkinseedgame fish
- Redbreast Sunfishgame fish
- Crappiegame fish
- Yellow Perchgame fish
- White Perchgame fish
A photo look at the water by Smelt
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
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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
smelt across the Commonwealth: questions
How many smelt does a Pennsylvania angler take home?
No daily limit on lake erie, presque isle bay and peninsular waters and tributaries, season open year-round; other water classes have their own rows.
Is there a PFBC record for smelt?
No state record is listed for it.
Which Pennsylvania lakes hold smelt?
Water pages on this site leave it out for now.
Are smelt stocked in Pennsylvania?
The PFBC lists no 2026 stocking for it.
How does the PFBC class smelt?
Osmerus mordax; listed as game fish.
In which months may smelt be kept?
Open year-round on lake erie, presque isle bay and peninsular waters and tributaries.
Must visitors buy a license for smelt?
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.
Do outfitters list smelt?
None of the guide listings mention it.
Head out for Keystone smelt
Choose a lake or stream above and check its limits.