please Note: I do not believe this applies in State Parks, or State Game land.
My understanding like national parks, even Panning is not allowed there.

RECREATIONAL PROSPECTING IN THE COMMONWEALTH’S WATERWAYS
BACKGROUND
Recreational prospecting is the search for precious metals, gemstones and semi-precious minerals. In
Pennsylvania, hunting for gold is the most common form of recreational prospecting. Prospecting
enthusiasts often hunt for gold at public rights of way where bridges cross gold-bearing streams using a
shovel and gold pan. Prospecting equipment can be found at hobby stores, rock shops, metal detector
retailers and hardware stores in areas where gold hunting is popular.
METHODS AND EQUIPMENT NOT REQUIRING PERMITS
Non-motorized pans, shovels, pan or dish-type hand classifiers and picks.
Non-motorized sluice boxes, sieves, concentrators and mini-rocker boxes.
METHODS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRING PERMITS
Suction dredges with a nozzle no larger than four inches in diameter.
High-bankers or suction dredge/high-banker combinations with a water intake no larger than two
and one-half inches (inside) diameter, which are operated entirely below the ordinary high water
line.PERMITTING
If using a suction dredge or high-banker, first apply for a permit from the appropriate Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) regional office. Applicants are encouraged to have a pre-application
meeting with DEP to discuss the nature and scope of their proposed activities before applying for this
permit. To ensure that the pre-application meeting is as productive as possible for both parties,
applicants must be prepared to discuss the following issues:
The location of the proposed dredging.
The type of dredging equipment.
An estimate of the amount of material that will be dredged.
A plan for disposing of any excess material.
The proximity of any public drinking water sources.
When applying for a permit, applicants should also consider:
Stocked or wild trout streams with the following seasonal restrictions:
Stocked trout streams March 1 – June 15
Wild trout streams Oct. 1 – Dec. 31
Lake Erie tributaries Sept. 1 – April 30
The use of chemicals or other contaminants is prohibited.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
The removal of precious metals, gemstones or minerals from submerged lands of this commonwealth
in quantities which are commercially usable or marketable in conjunction with any permitted dredging
activity is subject to the royalty and agreement provisions of the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act.
DEP’s regional offices can help the applicant determine if they are prospecting on submerged lands.
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-90723/3150-FS-DEP4099.pdf
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-90723/3150-FS-DEP4099.pdf