Suckers in Pennsylvania
Where to find suckers, what to keep and the record.
- 50 (combined specieslimit
- 12 lb 14 ozrecord
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Allegheny River: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
suckers across Pennsylvania: rules, record, waters
In the Keystone State Suckers (Family Catostomidae) is game fish, with rows printed for 3 water classes. On commonwealth inland waters (all waters not under lake erie, pymatuning, conowing, the Summary allows 50 (combined species); season open year-round.
Raymond C. Szalewicz holds the record at 12 lb 14 oz, from Allegheny River (2003).
The PFBC rules that apply to suckers
| 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 | 30 | 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 heaviest suckers on the PFBC list
| Entry | Weight | Angler | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suckers | 12 lb 14 oz | Raymond C. Szalewicz | Allegheny River | Forest | 2003 |
PFBC State Record Fish page, retrieved October 23, 2026; records are kept by weight only.
Pennsylvania water that holds suckers
Creeks with suckers
- Allegheny RiverPotter 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 Species grouped with suckers
- 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
- Common Carpgame fish
Images of the water near Suckers
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael A. Orlando, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: George Neat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Short answers about Keystone suckers
Which PFBC rule sets the suckers limit?
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.
When was the suckers record set in Pennsylvania?
12 lb 14 oz from Allegheny River in Forest County, caught by Raymond C. Szalewicz in 2003.
What Pennsylvania water has suckers?
1 water page here list it, led by Allegheny River.
Does the PFBC stock suckers?
No 2026 stocking row names it.
Which Latin name goes with suckers?
Family Catostomidae; listed as game fish.
Is the Keystone suckers season open today?
Open year-round on commonwealth inland waters (all waters not under lake erie, pymatuning, conowing.
Which Pennsylvania license should a suckers angler buy?
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 any PFBC-permitted guides list suckers?
No listing names it; the guides page has every permit holder.
Chase suckers this year
Each water listed above has ramps, species and limits on its own page.