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Statewide Angling Regulations
The following statewide angling regulations apply to all waters for which special regulations have not been established. Special regulations for specific waters follow from section Statewide Angling Regulations – General Regulations.
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Statewide Angling Regulations |
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Species |
Open Season |
Minimum Length |
Daily Limit |
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Trout—Brook, Brown and Rainbow and hybrids of these species; and Splake |
April 1 through Oct 15 |
Any size |
5 |
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Lake Trout |
April 1 through Oct 15 |
21″ |
3 |
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Landlocked (LL)/ Atlantic Salmon |
April 1 through Oct 15 |
15″ |
3 |
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It is illegal to take Atlantic Salmon from the waters of the marine and coastal district. |
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Kokanee |
April 1 through Oct 15 |
Any size |
10 |
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Coho & Chinook Salmon |
See Great Lakes Regulations on section Special Regulations for Great Lakes Tributaries - General Regulations. |
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Black Bass (Largemouth/Smallmouth) |
3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 |
12″ |
5 |
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Dec 1 through Fri preceding the 3rd Sat in June |
Catch and |
Artificial lures only |
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Muskellunge |
3rd Sat in June through Nov 30 |
30″ |
1 |
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Northern Pike |
1st Sat in May through March 15 |
18″ |
5 |
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Pickerel |
1st Sat in May through March 15 |
15″ |
5 |
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Tiger Muskellunge |
1st Sat in May through March 15 |
30″ |
1 |
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Walleye |
1st Sat in May through March 15 |
15″ |
5 |
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Crappie |
All year |
9″ |
25 |
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Atlantic, Shortnose & Lake Sturgeon; Paddlefish |
Closed |
Fishing for and possession prohibited |
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Lake Whitefish |
All year |
Any size |
5 |
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Striped Bass—Hudson River and all inland waters except Delaware River (see section Border Waters Regulations) |
March 16 through Nov 30 |
18″ |
1 |
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American Shad |
Fishing for (including catch and release) or possessing American shad in the Hudson River or Marine District is prohibited. |
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Hickory Shad |
Aug 1 through Nov 30 |
Any size |
5 |
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Anadromous River Herring (Alewife and Blueback Herring) |
Possession prohibited except in Hudson River and tributaries (see section Tidal Hudson River Regulations). |
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Yellow Perch |
All year |
Any size |
50 |
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Sunfish (Bluegill, Pumpkinseed and Redbreast Sunfish) |
All year |
Any size |
50 |
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American Eel—all waters except Hudson River, St. Lawrence R., L. Niagara R., Lake Ontario and tributaries to these waters. |
All year |
6” |
50 |
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All endangered or threatened fish species |
Fishing for and possession prohibited |
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All other species (except those listed elsewhere in special regulation tables in this guide). |
All year |
Any size |
Any number |
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A person may not fish for a species (not even Catch-and-Release) outside of the open season for that species on a given water. |
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Sportsmen Education… make sure you qualify
All first-time hunters, bowhunters or trappers planning to go afield this upcoming hunting and trapping season must first complete a hunter or trapper education course before they can get a license in New York.
For previously licensed hunters who plan to hunt out of state, let this be a reminder to check with the state you plan to hunt in to see what requirements need to be met. All states accept New York’s hunter education course but states differ on what is required as proof of completion. Many will need to see your original ‘Hunter Education Certificate’ in order to purchase their license. Check to see if you have your certificate, replacements can be time consuming.
All courses are free of charge, and as hunting seasons approach, classes fill quickly. SIGN UP EARLY!
To locate a nearby class and course list visit DEC’s website or contact a local DEC regional office.
Regulations in red are new this year.
Purple text indicates an important note.
