Bowfishing Laws in Pennsylvania: What You Need to Know Before You Shoot
May 30, 2026
Bowfishing in Pennsylvania offers some genuinely exciting opportunities, especially on the lower Susquehanna River where carp and other rough fish are plentiful. But before you string up a bow and step onto a boat, you need to understand exactly what the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) allows — and what can land you a citation.
The rules around bowfishing in the Keystone State are specific. The PFBC governs everything from which fish you can target to how loud your generator can be at night. This guide breaks down the regulations so you can get on the water legally and confidently.
Is Bowfishing Legal in Pennsylvania
Yes, bowfishing is legal in Pennsylvania. Bow and arrow — including compound bows and crossbows — may be used for taking fish on all Commonwealth waters, day or night, subject to specific exceptions and restrictions set by the PFBC. The practice is governed primarily under 58 Pa. Code § 63.8, which covers long bows, crossbows, spears, and gigs.
That said, “legal” comes with meaningful limitations. You cannot bowfish anywhere you please, target any species you want, or use any equipment setup without checking the rules first. The PFBC has tightened bowfishing regulations in recent years, and the current rules reflect those updates.
Important Note: The PFBC can suspend or revoke your fishing privileges if you are convicted of a violation. Law enforcement officers have the authority to confiscate fish and equipment used to violate fishing laws, and the PFBC may suspend or revoke fishing or boating privileges of anyone convicted of a violation.
Pennsylvania is also a state where bowfishing has grown significantly in popularity. Night bowfishing has become extremely popular on the lower Susquehanna River in recent years, which is part of why the PFBC has added specific rules around lighting and noise for bowfishing operations. If you’re curious how coyote hunting laws in Pennsylvania compare in terms of regulatory complexity, the bowfishing framework is similarly detailed.
What Fish Can You Bowfish for in Pennsylvania
This is where many bowfishers run into trouble. Pennsylvania does not permit you to shoot any fish you see in the water. The PFBC strictly limits which species are legal targets.
Bow and arrow may be used for taking only snakeheads, carp, suckers, and catfish on all Commonwealth waters. Every other species is off-limits to bowfishing, including all game fish such as bass, walleye, pike, and trout.
- Common Carp — Legal statewide; the most popular bowfishing target in Pennsylvania
- Suckers — Legal statewide; includes species like white sucker and redhorse sucker
- Catfish — Legal statewide; channel catfish and flathead catfish are common targets
- Snakeheads — Legal; added after rulemaking due to their invasive status
Key Insight: Snakeheads are an invasive species found in some Commonwealth waters, primarily in the southeast region, and many surrounding states already permit bowfishing as a method for harvesting them to reduce their impact on aquatic resources. If you catch a snakehead, the PFBC recommends you do not release it.
It remains unlawful to possess and transport live snakeheads and to introduce live snakeheads into Pennsylvania waters. The PFBC recommends that all snakeheads caught should be disposed of properly and not released.
One important identification warning: a concern with bowfishing for snakeheads is that bowfins are often misidentified as snakeheads, so there is a real risk of bowfins being shot by mistake. Bowfins are native to Pennsylvania and are not a legal bowfishing target, so make sure you can positively identify your target before you shoot.
Legal fish species vary depending on where you are in the country, and some of the most common freshwater fish targeted by bowfishers include bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, catfish, and buffalo — many of which fall under the category of rough fish that are not commonly targeted by traditional anglers. Pennsylvania’s list aligns with this general pattern.
Bowfishing License Requirements in Pennsylvania
Bowfishing is treated as a form of fishing under Pennsylvania law, which means the standard fishing license requirements apply. There is no separate bowfishing license or permit — your regular fishing license covers you, provided you follow all other regulations.
A valid fishing permit is required for any person age 16 or older who fishes in Pennsylvania’s inland waters, Lake Erie, or its tributaries. This applies equally whether you are using a rod and reel or a bow and arrow.
As of the 2026 license year, a resident annual license costs $27.97 for anglers ages 16–64, seniors 65 and older pay $14.47, and non-residents pay $60.97 for an annual license. Licenses are valid through December 31, 2026, and can be purchased online at HuntFish.pa.gov, through the FishBoatPA mobile app, or at nearly 700 retail issuing agents statewide.
| License Type | Who It Covers | 2026 Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual | PA residents ages 16–64 | $27.97 |
| Senior Resident Annual | PA residents age 65+ | $14.47 |
| Non-Resident Annual | Out-of-state anglers | $60.97 |
| Voluntary Youth License | Anglers under 16 (optional) | $2.97 |
Anglers don’t have to display the license visibly but must carry it — either printed or on a digital device — and produce it on demand from a Waterways Conservation Officer. This applies on the water while bowfishing just as it does for any other form of angling.
Youth anglers under age 16 do not require a fishing license for standard fishing. Since bowfishing falls under the fishing license framework, anglers under 16 are not required to purchase a license to bowfish either, though a Voluntary Youth License is available for a small fee.
Keep in mind that if you plan to bowfish in Lake Erie waters, additional permits apply. A Lake Erie Permit is required on top of the base fishing license for anyone fishing those waters. You can review Pennsylvania’s broader wildlife removal laws in Pennsylvania for context on how the state handles other regulated wildlife activities.
Legal Bowfishing Equipment in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania law specifies what types of equipment you can use for bowfishing and places hard limits on certain gear configurations, particularly when operating from a watercraft at night.
Legal bow types include:
- Longbows (recurve and traditional)
- Compound bows
- Crossbows
Spears or gigs may not be mechanically propelled, may not have more than five barbed points, and may not be used in stocked trout waters. These restrictions apply alongside the bow-specific rules and are part of the same regulatory section.
When it comes to lighting for night bowfishing, the rules are firm. It is unlawful to cast direct rays of a spotlight, mounted headlight, or any other artificial light of any kind from any watercraft upon any occupied building or another watercraft. This rule came directly out of complaints from residents along the lower Susquehanna River, where “the biggest complaint law enforcement receives is the number of houses being lit up from this activity.”
Generator noise is also regulated. It is unlawful to use generators on board a watercraft engaged in bowfishing with a noise level that exceeds 90 dB(a), and the noise emission test measurement is made with the sound level meter at a distance of at least 4 feet above the water at the point where the transom gunwale and the port or starboard gunwale intersects.
Pro Tip: If you run a generator-powered lighting rig for night bowfishing, invest in a sound meter to verify your setup stays under 90 dB(a) before heading out. Exceeding the noise limit is a citable offense, and enforcement on popular rivers like the Susquehanna is active.
The changes that codified these rules also make it unlawful to cast direct rays of a spotlight, mounted headlight, or any other artificial light of any kind from any watercraft upon any occupied building or another watercraft, and limit noise from generators used aboard a boat while bowfishing to no more than 90 dB(a), consistent with regulations for noise produced by motorboats.
Where You Can and Cannot Bowfish in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania gives bowfishers access to a wide range of waters, but there are clear off-limits zones you need to know before you launch.
Where bowfishing IS permitted:
- Most Commonwealth inland waters — rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds
- The Susquehanna River and its tributaries (outside of special regulation sections)
- The Delaware River (outside of special regulation sections)
- Lake Erie and its tributaries (with a valid Lake Erie Permit)
- Other general-regulation waters statewide
Where bowfishing is PROHIBITED:
Bowfishing is strictly prohibited in stocked trout waters during the closed season, and bowfishing is strictly prohibited in special regulations trout waters. These are two distinct categories and both are off-limits.
Stocked trout waters have a seasonal restriction — you cannot bowfish there during the closed trout season. Special regulation trout waters, on the other hand, are permanently off-limits to bowfishing regardless of season. Special regulation trout waters include those classified as Catch and Release All Tackle, Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only, and Trophy Trout All Tackle, among others.
The goal of this rule is to minimize conflicts between bow anglers and trout anglers on waters designated especially for trout fishing.
Common Mistake: Assuming that because a river is open to general fishing, it is also open to bowfishing. Always check whether the specific stretch of water you plan to bowfish is designated as stocked trout water or a special regulation trout water before heading out. The PFBC’s eRegulations tool and the FishBoatPA app can help you verify this quickly.
The lower Susquehanna River — particularly from Washington Boro north to Harrisburg — is one of the most popular areas in Pennsylvania for bowfishing and remains open to the activity under current regulations. If you’re exploring other animal and outdoor activity laws in the state, you may also find the roadkill laws in Pennsylvania and outdoor cat laws in Pennsylvania useful for understanding how the state manages wildlife interactions broadly.
Night Bowfishing Rules in Pennsylvania
Night bowfishing is legal in Pennsylvania. Bow and arrow may be used for taking legal species on all Commonwealth waters, day or night, which explicitly permits nighttime activity. However, the nighttime context comes with the most specific set of restrictions in the entire bowfishing regulatory framework.
The three core night bowfishing rules are:
- No directing light at occupied structures. It is unlawful to cast direct rays of a spotlight, mounted headlight, or any other artificial light of any kind from any watercraft upon any occupied building or another watercraft.
- Generator noise limit of 90 dB(a). It is unlawful to use generators on board a watercraft engaged in bowfishing with a noise level that exceeds 90 dB(a).
- No bowfishing in special regulation trout waters, even at night. The prohibition on special regulation trout waters applies around the clock.
These rules exist because of the surge in night bowfishing popularity on rivers like the Susquehanna. Excessive noise from the generators that power the special lights used for bowfishing is a common complaint the Fish and Boat Commission hears, and according to agency officials, most complaints about bowfishing in Pennsylvania come from the South-Central Region, which includes Lancaster and York counties.
Beyond the regulatory minimums, good etiquette on the water matters. Keep your lights angled toward the water and away from the banks, communicate with other boaters, and be aware of residential areas near popular bowfishing stretches. Violations can result in citations, equipment seizure, and loss of fishing privileges. For a broader look at how Pennsylvania handles animal and outdoor activity regulations, check out the animal cruelty laws in Pennsylvania and kennel zoning laws in Pennsylvania for comparison.
Saltwater Bowfishing Rules in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a landlocked state with no ocean coastline, so there is no traditional saltwater bowfishing in the sense you would find in coastal states. However, Pennsylvania does have tidal waters — specifically the Delaware River Estuary — and these waters carry their own set of rules that overlap with saltwater fishing regulations.
The Delaware River Estuary is the closest Pennsylvania gets to a saltwater fishing environment. The following seasons, sizes, and creel daily limits apply to the Delaware River, West Branch Delaware River, and Delaware River tributaries from the mouths of the tributaries upstream to the limit of tidal influence, and the Lehigh River from its mouth upstream to the first dam in Easton, Pennsylvania — these are the Delaware River estuary waters.
For bowfishing specifically in these tidal waters, the same statewide bowfishing rules apply: you may only target carp, suckers, catfish, and snakeheads. Game fish found in the estuary — including striped bass and shad — are not legal bowfishing targets. In fact, it is unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any striped bass at any time when fishing in the Delaware Estuary, and bowfishing for striped bass would similarly be prohibited.
If you plan to fish the tidal Delaware for certain species, there is an additional registration requirement to be aware of. Anglers who target or catch shad, striped bass, or river herring from the Delaware River below Trenton Falls or in the Delaware Estuary must register for free with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission at HuntFish PA, register for a fee with the NOAA National Saltwater Angler Registry, or meet the saltwater angler registration requirements of another state.
Important Note: Even if you are bowfishing and not targeting shad or striped bass, be aware that incidental catch rules still apply. If you shoot a fish and it turns out to be a protected or game species, you may still be in violation. Know your target before you release.
Pennsylvania’s boundary water agreements also affect where your license is valid when fishing near state lines. A Pennsylvania or New York license is valid on the Delaware River between New York and Pennsylvania when fishing from a boat or from either shore, and a Pennsylvania or New Jersey license is valid on the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania when fishing from a boat or from either shore. These agreements apply to bowfishing just as they do to conventional angling.
Since Pennsylvania has no true ocean access, bowfishers looking for saltwater species would need to travel to neighboring states. If you’re exploring other Pennsylvania-specific animal laws, you might also find the beekeeping laws in Pennsylvania, goat ownership laws in Pennsylvania, and hedgehog ownership laws in Pennsylvania informative for understanding how the PFBC and state agencies regulate animal-related activities more broadly.
Always verify your plans against the current PFBC fishing regulations before heading out, as rules can change through the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The FishBoatPA mobile app and the official PFBC website at eRegulations Pennsylvania are the most reliable tools for confirming water-specific rules before you launch.