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Tidal Hudson River Regulations

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Statewide Angling Regulations apply except as listed below:

Species	Location	Open Season	Minimum Length	Daily Limit
American eel	From the Battery to the Troy Dam and all tributaries upstream to the first barrier impassable by fish	All year	Eels 6–14″ only may be possessed in any number for bait. No eels greater than 14″ may be possessed. No eels may be possessed for food.
Black Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)	Hudson River from the Troy Dam downstream and all tributaries in this section to the first barrier impassable by fish.	3rd Sat. in June through Nov 30	15″ minimum length	Daily limit 5
Black Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)	Note: It is illegal to fish for (including catch & release) largemouth bass and smallmouth bass during the closed season of December 1 through the Friday preceding the 3rd Saturday in June.
Striped Bass	Hudson River & Tributaries north of George Washington Bridge	Mar. 16 through Nov 30	18” minimum length	Daily limit 1
American Shad	Fishing for or possessing American Shad on the Hudson River or in the marine district is prohibited.
Hickory Shad	Hudson River & Tributaries north of Tappan Zee Bridge	Aug. 1 through Nov 30	Any Size	Daily limit 5
River herring (anadromous alewife & blueback herring)	Hudson River & tributaries north of G. Washington Bridge to Lock 1 above Troy	Regulation change proposed. See: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/76525.html

License Requirements

Anglers 16 years of age and older who desire to fish in the marine and coastal district of New York, or for migratory marine species in all waters of the state, including the Hudson River, must enroll in the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry. Anglers targeting solely freshwater species such as largemouth and smallmouth bass on the Hudson River require only a “freshwater” fishing license.

Circle Hook Recommendation

If you plan to use natural baits for striped bass, please use non-offset circle hooks. Circle hooks increase the percentage of fish that are hooked in the mouth, decreasing hooking mortality in released fish. If you plan on practicing catch-and-release fishing, you should only use circle hooks for natural baits.

Blue Crab Regulations

50 blue crabs per day. Minimum carapice length across the back is:

Hard crab: 4 1/2 inches
Soft shell crab: 3 1/2 inches
Peeler crab: 3 1/2 inches

No license is required to collect blue crabs.

Regulations in red are new this year.

Purple text indicates an important note.

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