• A fishing license is required to catch or take reptiles and amphibians from the lands and waters of the Commonwealth.
• Unless otherwise indicated, reptiles and amphibians may only be taken by hand, hook, snake tongs, turtle hooks, traps and nets less than four feet square or four feet in diameter.
• It is unlawful to take, catch or kill a reptile or amphibian through the use of firearms, chemicals, explosives, winches, jacks or other devices.
• It is unlawful to damage or disrupt the nest or eggs of a reptile or to gather, take or possess the eggs of any reptile in the natural environment of this Commonwealth.
• It is unlawful to damage or destroy habitat in the pursuit of a reptile or amphibian.
• It is unlawful to take, catch, kill or possess for the purposes of selling or offering for sale, importing or exporting for consideration, trading or bartering or purchasing an amphibian or reptile whether dead or alive, in whole or in parts, including the eggs or any life stage that was taken from lands or waters within this Commonwealth.
• It is unlawful to transport or import into or within this Commonwealth a native species from another jurisdiction. It is also unlawful to receive a native species that was transported or imported into or within this Commonwealth from another jurisdiction.
• Taking, catching and possessing amphibians and reptiles in Department of Conservation and Natural Resources natural areas designated by posters is prohibited.

Frogs

• The use of artificial light to take frogs at night is illegal.
• Frogs may be taken with long bow and arrow, including compound bows, crossbows, spears or gigs. Spears or gigs may not have more than five barbs and cannot be used in stocked trout waters.

Turtles

• Set-lines, turtle traps, or other devices for catching turtles must include a tag indicating the name, address and phone number of the owner or user. Traps, nets or other devices must be of a floating or partially submerged design so as to allow for the release of untargeted turtles. Hooks must be at least 3.5 inches long with not less than one inch space between the point and shank of the hook. The number of lines or hooks per line is unlimited.

• A permit is required to hunt, take, catch, kill or possess Timber Rattlesnakes and Eastern Copperhead snakes.
• A permit is required to hunt, take, catch or kill common Snapping Turtles for the purpose of sale, barter or trade.
• The venomous snake permit fee for residents is $30.00 per year; the fee for non-residents is $60.00 per year.
• The Snapping Turtle permit fee for residents is $60.00 per year; the fee for non-residents is $120.00 per year.

To purchase Venomous Snake and Commercial Turtle permits, visit a license issuing agent. Commercial Turtle Permits can also be purchased online at huntfish.pa.gov.