New York
saltwater rules

Q: Do I need a license to fish saltwater in New York?

New York has no saltwater fishing license, but anglers 16 and older must enroll in the free Recreational Marine Fishing Registry to fish the marine and coastal district or for migratory sea fish in the tidal Hudson, Delaware and Mohawk waters. Enrollment lasts 365 days; anglers aboard a licensed party or charter boat are exempt.

Q: How far out do New York state waters go?

3 nautical miles from shore. Inside that line the New York Department of Environmental Conservation sets the rules on this page. Beyond it, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council sets the federal rules, and where New York has no rule of its own this page shows the federal one, labelled.

Q: What if a fish is not listed for New York?

New York sets no specific rule for it. Size: No size limit. Bag: No bag limit. Season: Open year-round. NY DEC lists no blanket rule for unlisted species; species absent from the marine tables carry no state size, bag, or season limits, but federal HMS rules govern tunas, billfish, and swordfish.

Q: Which federal catches must be reported to NOAA?

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish. HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Q: How current are these New York rules?

Every row shows its source and the day it was last checked; the latest is Oct 29, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency pages nightly and the date advances when they are unchanged. Rules change mid-season by proclamation, so the official rulebook is the final word.

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation sets the rules inside New York’s state waters, out to 3 nautical miles from shore. Beyond that, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council writes the federal rules.

Nearby waters: Connecticut · New Jersey

67 species with a rule on file, checked Oct 29, 2026. 17 of them carry a federal-waters rule because New York lists none of its own; those rows say so. Every row names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

Albacore

Longfin, Longfin tuna Thunnus alalunga

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New York lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

No recreational limits, unlike yellowfin's 3-fish/27-inch rule — but the boat still needs an HMS Angling permit.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-10-28
Alewife

River herring, Buckie Alosa pseudoharengus

Size
No possession

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year (marine district)

Put it back

No possession south of GW Bridge; north of GWB 10/angler (50/boat) Mar 15 - Jun 15.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
American Eel

Yellow eel, Silver eel Anguilla rostrata

Size
9 in min · Hudson, Harlem, East rivers: 9–14 in, bait only

Bag
25 (50 on party/charter)

Season
Open year-round

Check

Hudson River from the Battery to the Troy Dam (and tributaries), and the Harlem and East Rivers: eels 9–14 in may be kept as bait only; none may be kept to eat. Elsewhere: 9 in minimum, 25 per person (50 on party and charter boats).
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
American Shad

Alosa sapidissima

Size
No possession

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year

Put it back

No possession allowed in NY waters.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus thynnus

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New York lists none of its own.

Size
27" curved FL min; keepable slot 27–<73"

Bag
2 per vessel per day through Dec 31, 2026 (only 1 of 47–<73") · 1 per vessel per day from Jan 1, 2027 (NOAA's default unless it announces a change)

Season
Open under in-season limits

Open

HMS Angling permit required. Retention limits are adjusted in-season by NOAA — verify the current limit before keeping a fish. Trophy (73"+) quotas are set by area (Gulf of Maine, Southern New England, south of 39°18′ N, Gulf of America); all four are closed for 2026 and reopen Jan 1, 2027. In the Gulf of America no bluefin under 73" may be kept.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Atlantic Butterfish

Dollarfish Peprilus triacanthus

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). New York lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open all year

Open

Federally managed but no recreational size or possession limits.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Atlantic Cod

Codfish Gadus morhua

Size
23"

Bag
5

Season
Sept 1 - May 31

Open

Closed June 1 - Aug 31; reopens Sept 1.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Atlantic Mackerel

Boston mackerel, Tinker (small) Scomber scombrus

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). New York lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
25 per person per trip (private); 50 per person per trip (for-hire)

Season
All year

Open

Mode-specific limits raised from 20 fish in 2026 under MSB Framework Adjustment 17 (NOAA species page updated Aug 2026).
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Atlantic Menhaden

Bunker, Pogy, Fatback Brevoortia tyrannus

Size
No size limit

Bag
100

Season
Open year-round

Open

NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 additional per angler per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Allowed in addition to the 1-per-vessel shark limit.
Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Atlantic Sturgeon

Acipenser oxyrinchus

Size
No possession

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year

Put it back

Coastwide moratorium; release immediately.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Bigeye Tuna

Thunnus obesus

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New York lists none of its own.

Size
27 in curved fork length min

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

Federal rule in all Atlantic and Gulf waters; the boat needs an HMS Angling permit. Head off: at least 27 in from the forward edge of the cut to the fork.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked 2026-10-28
Black Sea Bass

Sea bass Centropristis striata

Size
16"

Bag
3 (May 16-Aug 31) · 6 (Sept 1-Dec 31)

Season
May 16 - Dec 31

Open

Bag rises from 3 to 6 on Sept 1; 2026 measures liberalized under 20% coastwide increase.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Blacknose Shark

Carcharhinus acronotus

Size
No possession

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year

Put it back

On NY prohibited shark list; release immediately.
Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Blacktip Shark

Carcharhinus limbatus

Size
54" FL

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Blue Marlin

Makaira nigricans

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New York lists none of its own.

Size
99" LJFL min

Bag
No federal bag limit; annual US 250-marlin landings cap (blue + white combined)

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS permit required.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Blue Shark

Blue dog Prionace glauca

Size
54" FL

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Blueback Herring

River herring Alosa aestivalis

Size
No possession

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year (marine district)

Put it back

No possession south of GW Bridge; north of GWB 10/angler (50/boat) Mar 15 - Jun 15.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Bluefish

Chopper, Snapper blue Pomatomus saltatrix

Size
No size limit

Bag
5 (7 on party/charter)

Season
Open year-round

Open

NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Blueline Tilefish

Caulolatilus microps

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). New York lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
3 per person (private); 5 (uninspected for-hire); 7 (inspected for-hire)

Season
May 15 - Nov 14

Open

Private boats need a Private Recreational Tilefish Permit north of the VA/NC border; rod-and-reel only, max 5 hooks per rod.
Gear: Free federal Private Recreational Tilefish Permit required before fishing for or possessing golden or blueline tilefish in federal waters north of the NC/VA line; Electronic trip report within 24 hours of returning to port for every trip that targeted or kept tilefish, even with no catch; Golden tilefish: rod and reel only, no more than five hooks per rod.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

Sixgill shark, Cow shark Hexanchus griseus

Size
No possession

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (bluntnose sixgill) — release in the water with minimal injury.
Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Bonnethead

Sphyrna tiburo

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 additional per angler per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Allowed in addition to the 1-per-vessel shark limit.
Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas

Size
54" FL

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Caribbean Reef Shark

Carcharhinus perezii

Size
No possession

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year

Put it back

Listed as "reef" on NY prohibited shark list; release immediately.
Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Clearnose Skate

Brier skate Rostroraja eglanteria

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). New York lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open all year

Open

Clearnose, little, rosette, and winter skates open with no limits; barndoor, smooth, and thorny skates are prohibited.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28 · likely
Cobia

Ling, Lemonfish Rachycentron canadum

Size
43"

Bag
1 per angler (max 2 per vessel)

Season
Open year-round

Open

Shore: 1 per angler; vessel: 1 per angler, max 2 per vessel.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Common Thresher

Thresher, Whiptail Alopias vulpinus

Size
54" FL

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Dusky Shark

Carcharhinus obscurus

Size
No possession

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year

Put it back

On NY prohibited shark list; release immediately.
Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Finetooth Shark

Carcharhinus isodon

Size
No size limit

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

No minimum size; counts toward the vessel shark limit.
Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Galapagos Shark

Carcharhinus galapagensis

Size
No possession

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (Galapagos) — release in the water with minimal injury.
Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Golden Tilefish

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). New York lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
8 per person per trip

Season
Open all year

Open

Private boats need a Private Recreational Tilefish Permit; rod-and-reel only, max 5 hooks per rod; eVTR within 24 hours.
Gear: Free federal Private Recreational Tilefish Permit required before fishing for or possessing golden or blueline tilefish in federal waters north of the NC/VA line; Electronic trip report within 24 hours of returning to port for every trip that targeted or kept tilefish, even with no catch; Golden tilefish: rod and reel only, no more than five hooks per rod.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Great Hammerhead

Sphyrna mokarran

Size
78" FL

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Great White Shark

White shark Carcharodon carcharias

Size
No possession

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year

Put it back

Listed as "white" on NY prohibited shark list; release immediately.
Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Haddock

Melanogrammus aeglefinus

Size
18"

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Hickory Shad

Alosa mediocris

Size
No size limit

Bag
5

Season
Open year-round

Open

NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
King Mackerel

King, Kingfish, Smoker Scomberomorus cavalla

Size
23"

Bag
3

Season
Open year-round

Open

NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Lemon Shark

Negaprion brevirostris

Size
54" FL

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Monkfish

Goosefish, Anglerfish Lophius americanus

Size
17" (or 11" tail)

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

11" minimum tail length alternative.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Nurse Shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Size
54" FL

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus

Size
No possession

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (oceanic whitetip) — release in the water with minimal injury. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Oyster Toadfish

Opsanus tau

Size
10"

Bag
3

Season
Jul 16 - May 14

Open

Closed May 15 - July 15.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Pollock

Boston bluefish Pollachius virens

Size
19"

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Porbeagle

Lamna nasus

Size
54" FL

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Red Drum

Redfish, Puppy drum, Channel bass, Spottail bass Sciaenops ocellatus

Size
No minimum; max 27"

Bag
No limit under 27"

Season
Open year-round

Open

Fish over 27" TL may not be possessed.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New York lists none of its own.

Size
63" LJFL min

Bag
No federal bag limit

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS permit required.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Sand Tiger

Carcharias taurus

Size
No possession

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year

Put it back

On NY prohibited shark list; release immediately.
Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Sandbar Shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Size
No possession

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year

Put it back

On NY prohibited shark list; release immediately.
Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

Size
78" FL

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Scup

Stenotomus chrysops

Size
9.5 in shore / 11 in vessel

Bag
30 (party/charter: 40 Sept 1-Oct 31)

Season
May 1 - Dec 31

Open

Shore anglers 9.5 in minimum, vessel-based 11 in; party/charter bonus limit requires dated fare receipt.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Shortfin Mako

Isurus oxyrinchus

Size
No possession

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year

Put it back

On NY prohibited shark list; release immediately.
Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Silky Shark

Ridgeback shark Carcharhinus falciformis

Size
No possession

Bag
0

Season
Closed all year

Put it back

Federally prohibited shark (silky) — release in the water with minimal injury.
Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Skipjack Tuna

Skippy, Oceanic bonito Katsuwonus pelamis

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New York lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open year-round

Open

The boat needs an HMS Angling permit to fish for Atlantic tunas.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2025 · checked 2026-10-28
Smooth Dogfish

Mustelus canis

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New York lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No federal recreational limit

Season
Year-round

Open

Smoothhound group — no federal size or bag limit; state rules may be stricter.
Gear: Non-offset, corrodible (non-stainless) circle hooks required in federal waters except when fishing with flies; HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required in federal waters.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Smooth Hammerhead

Sphyrna zygaena

Size
78" FL

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Scomberomorus maculatus

Size
14"

Bag
15

Season
Open year-round

Open

NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Spinner Shark

Carcharhinus brevipinna

Size
54" FL

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Spiny Dogfish

Squalus acanthias

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). New York lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open all year

Open

No limits for private anglers; party/charter vessels with federal permits must follow commercial rules.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Striped Bass

Striper, Rockfish Morone saxatilis

Size
28–31 in · Hudson above the GWB: 23–28 in

Bag
1 per person

Season
Apr 15–Dec 15 · Hudson: Apr 1–Nov 30

Check

Marine waters south of the George Washington Bridge: 28–31 in, open Apr 15–Dec 15. Hudson River north of the bridge (to the Troy Dam): 23–28 in, open Apr 1–Nov 30.
Gear: Non-offset (inline) circle hooks required when fishing for striped bass with any natural bait; artificial lures are exempt even if tipped with bait; a bass on any other baited hook goes back at once; No gaffing striped bass; angling or spearing only.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Summer Flounder

Fluke Paralichthys dentatus

Size
19" (May 4-Aug 1), 19.5" (Aug 2-Oct 15)

Bag
3

Season
May 4 - Oct 15

Closed

Minimum size stepped up to 19.5" on Aug 2, 2026; current minimum shown.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Swordfish

Xiphias gladius

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New York lists none of its own.

Size
47" LJFL min

Bag
1 per person, up to 4 per vessel per trip (private); higher for-hire vessel caps

Season
Year-round

Open

May not be retained if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is aboard.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Tautog

Tautoga onitis

Size
16 in minimum

Bag
2 in April · 3–4 in the fall

Season
Depends on where

Check

Long Island Sound (east of the Throgs Neck Bridge): Apr 1–30 and Oct 11–Dec 9, 3 fish in the fall. Elsewhere (south shore, NY Harbor, Peconics, Montauk): Apr 1–30 and Oct 15–Dec 22, 4 fish in the fall. 2 fish in April everywhere.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Size
54" FL

Bag
1 shark per vessel per trip

Season
Open year-round

Open

Head, tail, and fins must remain attached through landing.
Gear: Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks required with baited hooks for sharks (spiny dogfish excepted), state and federal waters; Rod and reel or hand-retrieved handline only; wire or bolt cutters on board and immediately available to cut the leader or hook for release.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Weakfish

Gray trout, Squeteague Cynoscion regalis

Size
16"

Bag
1

Season
Open year-round

Open

10" filleted / 12" dressed equivalents apply.
NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
White Marlin

Kajikia albida

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New York lists none of its own.

Size
66" LJFL min

Bag
No federal bag limit; annual US 250-marlin landings cap (blue + white combined)

Season
Year-round

Open

HMS permit required.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait in billfish tournaments; Any landed billfish or swordfish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked 2026-10-28
Winter Flounder

Blackback, Lemon sole (big ones) Pseudopleuronectes americanus

Size
12"

Bag
2

Season
Apr 1 - May 30

Closed

NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29
Winter Skate

Leucoraja ocellata

Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters). New York lists none of its own.

Size
No size limit

Bag
No bag limit

Season
Open all year

Open

Open with no limits; barndoor, smooth, and thorny skates are prohibited.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-10-28 · likely
Yellowfin Tuna

Ahi Thunnus albacares

Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). New York lists none of its own.

Size
27 in curved fork length min

Bag
3 per person per day; no more than 3 per person on board regardless of trip length

Season
Open year-round

Open

Federal rule in all Atlantic and Gulf waters; the boat needs an HMS Angling permit. Head off: at least 27 in from the forward edge of the cut to the fork.
Gear: HMS Angling permit required for the vessel in federal waters; Bluefin tuna landings and dead discards must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked 2026-10-28

Every other species

NY DEC lists no blanket rule for unlisted species; species absent from the marine tables carry no state size, bag, or season limits, but federal HMS rules govern tunas, billfish, and swordfish.

Size: No size limit
Bag: No bag limit
Season: Open year-round

NY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-10-29

Report to NOAA within 24 hours

HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat permit holders must report every bluefin tuna landing or dead discard, and every swordfish, marlin, or sailfish landing, within 24 hours of returning — online at hmspermits.noaa.gov, in the Catch Reporting app, or by phone.

Species: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish.

How to report · NOAA HMS · checked 2026-09-04

Licences and the fine print

New York has no saltwater fishing license, but anglers 16 and older must enroll in the free Recreational Marine Fishing Registry to fish the marine and coastal district or for migratory sea fish in the tidal Hudson, Delaware and Mohawk waters. Enrollment lasts 365 days; anglers aboard a licensed party or charter boat are exempt.

Enroll in New York's free marine registry

Nearby waters: Connecticut · New Jersey · all 19 rulebooks

Questions anglers ask about New York

Do I need a license to fish saltwater in New York?