The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) voted to approve a new minimum size limit (MSL) for all species of trout. Effective January 1st, 2027, all trout must be at least 9 inches long to be harvested, an increase from the previous MSL of 7 inches. The move is intended to protect the state’s wild trout population.
The decision, receiving unanimous support within PFBC, stems from a combination of wild brook trout data PFBC staff collected through electrofishing surveys over the past 10 years and angler opinion data that was collected through the commission’s 2023 Pennsylvania Trout Angler Survey. Based on the analysis, this move would prohibit harvest of more than 99% of the wild brook trout in the state.
Commissioner Eric Hussar from Union County told GoErie, “I think it’s a step in the right direction. I think biologically that 1% of brook trout that we’re talking about that are over the nine-inch, seven-inch fish. They are the strongest fish in their habitat. They have the best genes, they live long enough for whatever reason to get that big.”
The PFBC hasn’t touched MSL for trout since 1983, in which it was raised from 6 to 7 inches as part of Operation Future to provide additional protection for wild brook trout populations. Earlier this year, Connecticut issued a minimum size limit increase for brook trout to 9 inches.
