Spotted Bass in Pennsylvania
Where spotted bass live in Pennsylvania, with the rules.
- 4 (combined species)limit
Pick for spotted bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of the species, not a Pennsylvania water: Dick Biggins, USFWS, Public domain
Pennsylvania spotted bass: the basics
Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) counts as game fish in Pennsylvania, and its limits appear under 2 water classes. lakes, rivers and streams: 4 (combined species); minimum 15 inches, open jan. 1 through april 10 and oct. 1 through dec. 31.
No record entry and no stocking row mention it.
For the spotted bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 Catching spotted bass, per the Fish and Boat Commission
- Weedy lakes and ponds, sluggish or backwater areas on rivers. Largemouth can tolerate a wide range of conditionsTypical cover
- Large minnows, crayfish fished on the bottom or under a bobberBaits
- Jigs, crankbaits, plastic worms, twisters & poppersTackle box picks
- Black, brown, purple and greenLure colors
- 6-14 lb. testLine
- 3/0-4Hook size
- 1/16 to 1 oz.Lure size
- DaytimeSpring
- Early morning, Early eveningSummer
- DaytimeFall
From the PFBC Catch PA Fish page for this species, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Every Summary row naming spotted bass
| Water class | Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth inland waters | Lakes, rivers and streams | 4 (combined species); minimum 15 inches | Jan. 1 through April 10 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 |
| Commonwealth inland waters | Lakes, rivers and streams | NO HARVEST – catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted) | April 11 through June 12 (no harvest begins 12:01 a.m.) |
| Commonwealth inland waters | Lakes, rivers and streams | 6 (combined species); minimum 12 inches | June 13 through Sept. 30 |
| Commonwealth inland waters | Commonwealth inland waters (all waters not under Lake Erie, Pymatuning, Conowingo or Delaware River and Estuary rules or | 0 | CLOSED YEAR-ROUND |
| Lake Erie | Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and peninsular waters and tributaries | 0 | CLOSED 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.
Pages that list spotted bass
Pennsylvania streams for spotted bass
- Allegheny RiverPotter County
- Monongahela RiverAllegheny County
- Ohio RiverBeaver County
PFBC species listings, Class A and stocked trout layers, the 2026 stocking schedule and state records; largest waters first.
Guide services naming spotted bass
- Bass Fishing Charters With Capt. George Mrocharter, Sarver, (724) 816-4035
- Big Fat Bass Guide Servicefishing guide, Erie, (724) 790-4232
- Bassonlinefishing guide, Fairview, (724) 333-3898
- Big Bass Energy Llcfishing guide, Lancaster, (717) 278-2716
- The Bass Tutor Guide Servicefishing guide, Dalton, (570) 904-4978
Neighbors of spotted bass on the PFBC list
- Largemouth Bassgame fish
- Smallmouth 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
- Walleyegame fish
Pennsylvania scenery within reach of Spotted Bass
Photo: George Neat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
_on_the_border_of_Ewing_Township,_Mercer_County,_New_Jersey_and_Lower_Makefield_Township,_Bucks_County,_Pennsylvania.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Cards84664, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: RichardRichardson7628, CC BY 4.0
Pennsylvania spotted bass, answered briefly
How many spotted bass can I keep in Pennsylvania?
4 (combined species); minimum 15 inches on lakes, rivers and streams, season jan. 1 through april 10 and oct. 1 through dec. 31; other water classes have their own rows.
Where was the Pennsylvania record spotted bass caught?
There is no record entry.
Which Keystone water is a good bet for spotted bass?
3 water pages here list it, led by Allegheny River, Monongahela River and Ohio River.
Where are spotted bass stocked?
Not on the 2026 PFBC stocking lists.
How is spotted bass listed by the PFBC?
Micropterus punctulatus; listed as game fish.
When is spotted bass season open in Pennsylvania?
Jan. 1 through April 10 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 on lakes, rivers and streams.
Do I need a permit to fish for spotted bass?
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 spotted bass?
5 listings mention it, among them Bass Fishing Charters With Capt. George Mro.
Find spotted bass close to home
Every listed lake and stream has a page here.