Pennsylvania Game Fish Records

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Updated: June 2024

The following table lists the current state records for freshwater fish caught in Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.

See the table below to find a bit more information about how to claim a new state record in Pennsylvania and where to get the appropriate application and other information.

Bass, Largemouth
11 lbs, 3 oz
Birch Run Reservoir,
Adams County
Donald Shade
1983
Bass, Rock
3 lbs, 2 oz
Elk Creek,
Erie County
David L. Weber
1971
Bass, Smallmouth
8 lbs, 8 oz
Scotts Run Lake,
Berks County
Robert T. Steelman
1997
Bass, Striped – Inland
53 lbs, 12 oz
Raystown Lake,
Huntingdon County
Robert Price
1994
Bass, Striped – Marine
53 lbs, 13 oz
Delaware River,
Delaware County
Donald J. Clark
1989
Bass, White
4 lbs, 0 oz
Conneaut Lake,
Crawford County
Robert H. Hornstrom
2002
Carp, Common
52 lbs
Juniata River,
Huntingdon County
George Brown
1962
Catfish, Bullhead
4 lbs, 10 oz
Beltzville Lake,
Carbon County
Ian C. Radler
2011
Catfish, Channel
35 lbs, 3 oz
Lehigh Canal,
Northampton County
Austin E. Roth III
1991
Catfish, Flathead
66 lbs, 6 oz
Lake Aldred,
Lancaster County
Michael Wherley
2023
Crappie
4 lbs, 3 oz
Hammond LakeRichard A. Pino
2000
Drum, Freshwater
19 lbs, 14 oz
Monongahela River,
Washington County
Tim Rogers
1994
Muskellunge
54 lbs, 3 oz
Conneaut Lake,
Crawford County
Lewis Walker, Jr
1924
Perch, White
2 lbs, 1 oz
Delaware River,
Delaware County
Christopher Barrett
2024
Perch, Yellow
3 lbs, 0 oz
Lake Erie,
Erie County
Kirk Rudzinski
2021
Pickerel, Chain
8 lbs, 15 oz
Long Pond,
Wayne County
Dave Wilson
2002
Pike, Northern
35 lbs
Allegheny Reservoir,
McKean County
Carl Stoltz
2003
Salmon, Atlantic
17 lbs, 2 oz
Raystown Lake,
Huntingdon County
Brian Keller
2001
Salmon, Chinook
28 lbs, 15 oz
Lake Erie,
Erie County
Gregory Lasko
1990
Salmon, Coho
15 lbs, 5 oz
Lake Erie,
Erie County
Jack Scheirer
1985
Salmon, Pink
4 lbs, 8 oz
Elk Creek,
Erie County
David A. Rabatin
1995
Sauger
4 lbs
Susquehanna River,
Lycoming County
Tim Waltz
2001
Shad, American
9 lbs, 9 oz
Delaware River,
Pike County
Anthony Mecca
1986
Suckers
12 lbs, 14 oz
Allegheny River,
Forest County
Raymond C. Szalewicz
2003
Sunfish, Bluegill
2 lbs, 9 oz
Keystone Lake,
Armstrong County
Tom Twincheck
1983
Trout, Brook
7 lbs
Fishing Creek,
Clinton County
Vonada Ranck
1996
Trout, Brown
20 lbs, 9 oz
Lake Erie,
Erie County
Robert J. Ferraro
2020
Trout, Golden Rainbow
13 lbs, 8 oz
Mahoning Creek,
Schuylkill County
Eli Borger
2008
Trout, Lake
31 lbs, 13 oz
Lake Erie,
Erie County
Keith Miller
2019
Trout, Rainbow
15 lbs, 6 oz
Jordan Creek,
Lehigh County
Dennis L. Clouse
1986
Trout, Steelhead
20 lbs, 3 oz
Walnut Creek,
Erie County
Corey T. Brown
2001
Walleye
18 lbs, 1 oz
Youghiogheny River,
Fayette County
Richard E. Nicholson
2021
Source: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

Did You Catch a State Record?

The most important thing to know is what actions to take if you think you just caught a new Pennsylvania game fish record.

After comparing your catch to the listing of state records, if you think your fish is close in weight, the best thing you can do it get it weighed as soon as possible on a certified scales. Keep it on ice until then, as fish will lose weight after they are caught, and they’ll lose more weight if they dry out.

Certified scales are located where businesses sell products by weight. The most common locations are in grocery stores with produce sections.

If the fish is at least 2 ounces over the current state record, you’ll need to fill out the application available from the PA Fish & Boat Commission’s website and follow the steps on that document.

Bear in mind that you’ll need signatures of the scales operator and another person who witnessed the weighing. You’ll also need a photo of your fish.

If you indeed caught a record by weight, you’ll next need to contact the Commission to have a qualified employee professionally identify your record fish. Use the phone numbers on the linked page to contact the office nearest you and keep that fish on ice or refrigerated until you get it verified.

Those are the most important parts of the process, but do check that linked website page for additional steps you’ll take to claim your record.