http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7894.html or call (631) 444-0430 for the most updated regulations.
The official New York Saltwater fishing regulations 2021, by the Department of State are the official source of NYSDEC regulations.
Before fishing, you must call 1-866-933-2257 or visit https://decals.dec.ny.gov/DECALSCitizenWeb to register with the NYS Recreation Marine Fishing Registry. New York Shark Regulations can be found here,https://nyangler.com/blog/fishing-regulation-2019-fish-limits-sharks/
DEC requires that anglers use circle hooks when fishing for striped bass with bait.
(1) Total length is the longest straight-line measurement from the tip of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the longest lobe of the tail, with the lobes squeezed together, and the fish laid flat on the measuring device. Exception: Black sea bass are measured from the tip of the snout (or jaw), with the mouth closed, to the farthest extremity of the tail, not including the tail filament.
(2) A party/charter boat customer who lands and possesses more than 50 scup during September 1 - October 31 must obtain a dated original fare receipt from the licensed vessel.
(3) Summer flounder may not have heads or tails removed or be otherwise cleaned, cut, filleted, or skinned until brought to shore, with the following exception: the white side fillet or white skin only of a legal size fluke may be removed to use as bait. The carcass of the fluke with the dark side completely intact must be retained for inspection of the size limit and counts against the possession limit.
(4) Anglers aboard federally permitted party or charter vessels may possess any number of Atlantic cod, consistent with federal rules.
(5) The fillet length is the longest straight-line measurement from end to end of any fleshy side portion of the fish cut lengthwise away from the backbone, which must have the skin intact, laid flat on the measuring device.
(6) Dressed length is the longest straight-line measurement from the most anterior portion of the fish, with the head removed, to the longest lobe of the caudal fin(tail), with the caudal fin intact and with the lobes squeezed together, laid flat on the measuring device.
(7) Anadromous river herring is defined in 6 NYCRR Part 10 (except the Hudson River and its tributaries and embayments north of the George Washington Bridge at river mile 11).
The official New York Saltwater fishing regulations 2021, by the Department of State are the official source of NYSDEC regulations.
Before fishing, you must call 1-866-933-2257 or visit https://decals.dec.ny.gov/DECALSCitizenWeb to register with the NYS Recreation Marine Fishing Registry. New York Shark Regulations can be found here,https://nyangler.com/blog/fishing-regulation-2019-fish-limits-sharks/
DEC requires that anglers use circle hooks when fishing for striped bass with bait.
- Non-offset (inline) circle hooks are required when fishing for striped bass using bait which is defined as any whole or part of a marine or aquatic organism or terrestrial invertebrate, live or dead. A non-offset or inline circle hook means the point and barb of the hook are in the same plane as the shank and the tip of the hook is turned perpendicularly back towards the shank.
- Circle hooks are not required when fishing with an artificial lure, whether or not they are tipped with bait as previously described. Some examples of artificial lure exemptions include pork rinds on bucktail jigs, eel skin plugs, tube and worm, and any man-made flies.
- Visit Best Practices for Saltwater Fishing for more information on circle hooks and fish handling tips that help improve survivability.
- Visit Striped Bass Cooperative Anglers Program to learn more about how recreational fishing data helps DEC better understand New York's striped bass fishery.
- Visit our podcast and listen to George Scocca's interview of NYSDEC officials
| SPECIES | MINIMUM SIZE (1) (Total Length in Inches) | DAILY POSSESSION LIMITS (Number of Fish) | OPEN SEASONS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter flounder | 12 | 2 | April 1 - May 30 |
| Striped bass: Hudson River (North of George Washington Bridge) | Slot size: 18 - 28 (not less than 18" nor greater than 28") | 1 | April 1 - Nov 30 |
| Striped bass: marine waters (South of George Washington Bridge) | Slot size: 28 - 35 (not less than 28" nor greater than 35") | 1 | April 15 - Dec 15 |
| Scup (Porgy) | 9 | 30 | All year |
| Scup (Porgy) (2) Anglers aboard licensed party/charter boats | 9 | 50 | Sept 1 – Oct 31 |
| Summer flounder (fluke) (4) | 18.5 | 4 | May 1 - Oct 1 |
| Black Sea Bass | 15 | 3 7 | June 23 – Aug 31 Sept 1 –Dec 31 |
| Oyster toadfish | 10 | 3 | July 16 - May 14 |
| Tautog (blackfish) Long Island Sound Region | 16 | 2 3 | April 1 – April 30 Oct 11 - Dec 9 |
| Tautog (blackfish) NY Bight Region | 16 | 2 4 | April 1 – April 30 Oct 15 - Dec 22 |
| American eel | 9 | 25 for individuals 50 for Anglers aboard licensed party/charter boats | All year |
| American eel (New York City: Harlem and East Rivers, Hudson River north to Troy Dam) | 9 – 14 for use as bait only, otherwise possession prohibited | 25 for use as bait only, otherwise possession prohibited | All year for use as bait only, otherwise possession prohibited |
| Atlantic cod (4) | 22 | 10 | All year |
| Atlantic menhaden | No size limit | 100 | All year |
| Bluefish (including "snappers") | No Size Limit | 3 for individuals 5 for Anglers aboard licensed party/charter boats | All year |
| Cobia | 37 | 2 | All year |
| Haddock | 18 | No limit | All year |
| Hickory shad | No size limit | 5 | All year |
| King mackerel | 23 | 3 | All year |
| Monkfish (goosefish) | 17 11" tail length | No limit | All year |
| Pollock | 19 | No limit | All year |
| Red drum | No size limit | No limit for fish less than 27" TL Fish greater than 27" TL shall not be possessed | All year |
| Spanish mackerel | 14 | 15 | All year |
| Weakfish | 16 10" filleted (5) 12" dressed (6) | 1 | All year |
| Yellowtail flounder | 13 | No limit | All year |
| Anadromous river herring (North of George Washington Bridge) | No size limit | 10 per angler 50 per boat/day | March 15 – June 15 |
| Anadromous river herring (7) (South of George Washington Bridge) | No possession | No possession allowed | No possession allowed |
| American shad | No possession | No possession allowed | No possession allowed |
| Atlantic sturgeon | Moratorium | No possession allowed | No possession allowed |
(2) A party/charter boat customer who lands and possesses more than 50 scup during September 1 - October 31 must obtain a dated original fare receipt from the licensed vessel.
(3) Summer flounder may not have heads or tails removed or be otherwise cleaned, cut, filleted, or skinned until brought to shore, with the following exception: the white side fillet or white skin only of a legal size fluke may be removed to use as bait. The carcass of the fluke with the dark side completely intact must be retained for inspection of the size limit and counts against the possession limit.
(4) Anglers aboard federally permitted party or charter vessels may possess any number of Atlantic cod, consistent with federal rules.
(5) The fillet length is the longest straight-line measurement from end to end of any fleshy side portion of the fish cut lengthwise away from the backbone, which must have the skin intact, laid flat on the measuring device.
(6) Dressed length is the longest straight-line measurement from the most anterior portion of the fish, with the head removed, to the longest lobe of the caudal fin(tail), with the caudal fin intact and with the lobes squeezed together, laid flat on the measuring device.
(7) Anadromous river herring is defined in 6 NYCRR Part 10 (except the Hudson River and its tributaries and embayments north of the George Washington Bridge at river mile 11).
