Legal Considerations Regulations Concerning Fish in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is the agency that has jurisdiction over fish in Pennsylvania. All species of fish in Pennsylvania are protected to some degree. Collecting or catching any species of fish for any purpose requires a valid fishing license. Collecting any non-game fish, or any game fish while out of season, for any purpose, requires a valid collectors permit.
Specific regulations govern the catching of each species game fish.
Regulations are updated on an annual basis. Endangered or threatened species of fish may not be caught, collected or disturbed without a special permit.