Carp Fishing in Pennsylvania: Best Lakes, Rivers & Rules
Last updated: October 27, 2026 · Written by Erni, World Classic Baits
In Pennsylvania, a 10 lb carp counts as small. That’s how the state’s own fisheries agency puts it, and fish over 20 pounds are “not uncommon.” This guide lists the lakes and rivers the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) flags for carp. It also covers the 2026 license fees and rules you need before you go.
The short version
- Carp are open all year, with no minimum size and a 50-fish daily limit shared with other species.
- The state record is 52 lb, caught in the Juniata River in 1962.
- PFBC flags 13 lakes and 9 rivers as best waters for common carp, from Raystown Lake to the Monongahela.
- You can fish up to three rods on open water, as long as you stay in control of all of them.
- Check before you eat one. Some waters carry “Do Not Eat” advisories for carp.
Is Pennsylvania good for carp fishing?
Yes. PFBC says common carp “can be found in most Pennsylvania waters.” The same page sets the bar high. “In most waters 10 pound fish could be considered small, and captures exceeding 20 pounds are not uncommon.”
PFBC also notes that carp fishing is making a comeback in the U.S., with “a growing carp tournament scene.” The state record shows what’s possible. George Brown of Saltillo caught a 52 lb common carp in the Juniata River, Huntingdon County, in 1962. It still stands.
Which Pennsylvania lakes are best for carp?
PFBC keeps a “Best Fishing Waters” map with a layer for common carp. It flags 13 lakes. Raystown Lake is by far the largest, at about 8,300 acres. The smallest is Bridgeport Reservoir in Westmoreland County, at 70 acres.
| Lake | County | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Raystown Lake | Huntingdon | 8,297 acres |
| Shenango River Lake | Mercer | 3,559 acres |
| Lake Arthur (Moraine State Park) | Butler | 3,224 acres |
| Lake Wilhelm | Mercer | 1,739 acres |
| Foster Joseph Sayers Lake | Centre | 1,729 acres |
| Lake Marburg (Codorus State Park) | York | 1,275 acres |
| Keystone Lake | Armstrong | 950 acres |
| Conneaut Lake | Crawford | 929 acres |
| Hammond Lake | Tioga | 640 acres |
| Shawnee Lake (State Park) | Bedford | 451 acres |
| Lake Galena | Bucks | 365 acres |
| Pinchot Lake (State Park) | York | 340 acres |
| Bridgeport Reservoir | Westmoreland | 70 acres |
PFBC does not publish fish sizes for individual waters. To dig deeper, use the maps linked from the PFBC carp page: Best Fishing Waters, the county guide and the biologist reports.
Which Pennsylvania rivers hold the most carp?
The big rivers. PFBC’s carp layer flags sections of nine rivers and creeks, in both halves of the state. The Susquehanna and Juniata cover the center. The Allegheny and Monongahela cover the Pittsburgh area.
| River | Flagged sections (county) |
|---|---|
| Susquehanna River | Dauphin, Lancaster, Northumberland |
| North Branch Susquehanna | Luzerne, Columbia, Northumberland |
| Juniata River | Perry, Juniata, Mifflin |
| Allegheny River | Allegheny, Westmoreland, Armstrong |
| Monongahela River | Allegheny, Washington, Fayette |
| Lehigh River | Northampton |
| Schuylkill River | Schuylkill (upper river) |
| Neshaminy Creek | Bucks |
| Darby Creek | Delaware |
New to river carp? Look for deep holes with little current near cover, backwaters and side channels. Our step-by-step guide on how to fish for carp explains why.
Do you need a license to fish for carp in Pennsylvania?
Yes, from age 16. PFBC states that “a valid Pennsylvania fishing license is required of persons age 16 and over.” Anglers under 16 don’t need one. These are the 2026 prices PFBC lists, including the issuing agent and transaction fees.
| License | Price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Resident annual (16-64) | $27.97 |
| Senior resident annual (65+) | $14.47 |
| 1-day resident (not valid March 15-April 30) | $14.47 |
| Non-resident annual | $60.97 |
| 1-day tourist (includes Trout and Lake Erie permits; not valid March 15-April 30) | $31.97 |
| 3-day tourist | $31.97 |
| 7-day tourist | $39.47 |
Fishing Lake Erie or Presque Isle Bay? PFBC’s license page covers “the waters of Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and their tributaries.” There, anglers need a Trout Permit, a Lake Erie Permit or a combination permit. A Lake Erie Permit costs $9.97. Ask PFBC which one fits your trip.
Want to try it free? Pennsylvania runs Fish-for-Free Days when no license is needed. In 2026 they fell on May 24 and July 4. PFBC had not announced the 2027 dates as of 10/27/2026.
What are the carp fishing rules in Pennsylvania?
Carp sit in a general group with sunfish, perch, catfish and suckers in the 2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary. The rules that matter most for a carp session are below.
| Question | Pennsylvania rule |
|---|---|
| Season and size | Open year-round, no minimum size |
| Daily limit | 50 a day on inland waters, combined with other species in the same group. Conowingo Reservoir: 15 carp |
| How many rods? | No more than three rods on open water, all under your immediate control |
| Carp as bait? | No. Common carp may not be used or kept as baitfish |
| Night fishing | No general night ban. Lake Erie tributaries close 10 p.m.-5 a.m. from Sept. 8 to the April trout opener |
| Bowfishing | Legal for carp on all Commonwealth waters, day or night. Banned in stocked trout waters during the closed season and in special-regulation trout waters |
| Chumming | The summary does not mention it. It does ban leaving litter in or along waters |
About chumming. PFBC’s rules don’t address baiting a swim either way. Feed sensibly, take your bags and cans home, and ask PFBC or the park office if you’re unsure. State parks may set their own rules.
What about invasive carp in Pennsylvania?
Bighead, silver and black carp are banned outright. PFBC’s summary says it is “unlawful to possess, introduce or import, transport, sell, purchase, offer for sale or barter these species in Pennsylvania.” Grass carp are also called invasive carp. Only sterile (triploid) grass carp may be stocked, and only with a PFBC permit.
PFBC does not spell out what to do with a live bighead or silver carp you hook. If you catch one, contact PFBC before you keep or move it. Common carp has none of these restrictions. Our guide to carp fishing in the USA shows how to tell the species apart.
Can you eat carp from Pennsylvania waters?
Sometimes, but check the advisory first. The 2026 summary lists fish consumption advisories for carp because of PCBs. PFBC notes these are advice, not regulations. For the latest list, it points anglers to the Department of Environmental Protection.
| Water | Carp advisory (2026) |
|---|---|
| Schuylkill River, Black Rock Dam to Fairmount Dam (Philadelphia) | Do not eat |
| Beaver River | Do not eat |
| Lake Erie, open waters | Do not eat carp over 20 in |
| Delaware Estuary and Schuylkill below Fairmount Dam | 6 meals a year |
| Presque Isle Bay | 1 meal a month |
| Allegheny, Monongahela, Ohio and Lehigh rivers (listed sections) | 1 meal a month |
Releasing your catch? Keep it wet, support its body with both hands, and never lift it by the gill cover. Our how-to guide covers safe release step by step.
What bait works for carp in Pennsylvania?
The same baits that work across the country: corn, dough baits and boilies. Corn is the easiest start. Boilies on a hair rig are the usual choice when you target bigger fish.
- Corn: Flavored Corn or Jumbo Corn for the hook and the swim.
- Boilies: 16mm or 20mm boilies on a hair rig for bigger fish.
- Groundbait: Erni’s Method Mix to hold fish in one spot.
- Dough baits: our dough bait range for quick bank sessions.
Not sure which to choose? Our guide to the best bait for carp matches baits to what carp eat in the wild.
How do you set a Pennsylvania state record?
Beat 52 lb by at least 2 ounces. PFBC’s state record rules require a weigh-in on a certified scale and an application within 60 days of the catch. There is no catch-and-release category. Fish from farm and private ponds, regulated fishing lakes and club-only waters don’t count.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Pennsylvania state record carp?
A 52 lb common carp caught by George Brown of Saltillo in the Juniata River, Huntingdon County, in 1962. It was still the record on PFBC’s list as of 10/27/2026.
Is there a limit on carp in Pennsylvania?
Yes. On inland waters you can keep 50 a day, combined with sunfish, perch, catfish, suckers and other species in the same group. Conowingo Reservoir has its own carp limit of 15. There’s no minimum size and no closed season.
How many rods can you use in Pennsylvania?
Up to three rods on open water. Every rod, line and hook must stay under your immediate control. There’s no limit on the number of hooks per line.
Where is the best carp fishing in Pennsylvania?
PFBC’s Best Fishing Waters data flags 13 lakes, led by Raystown Lake, Shenango River Lake and Lake Arthur. It also flags sections of the Susquehanna, Juniata, Allegheny and Monongahela rivers. The state record came from the Juniata.
About the author
Erni is the bait maker behind World Classic Baits, which has made groundbaits, boilies, and pellets for carp in the USA since 2008. Every recipe is tested in real fishing sessions before it reaches you.
Sources
- PFBC – All about carp
- PFBC – Pennsylvania state record fish
- PFBC – State record fish rules and application
- PFBC – Buy a fishing license or permit
- PFBC – 2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary
- PFBC Best Fishing Waters data (common carp), via the Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access (PASDA) map service, November 2024 layer
Rules, fees and advisories were read on 10/27/2026 and change from season to season. Confirm the current rules with PFBC before you fish.
