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Rules by state

New York
saltwater rules

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

65 species with a rule on file, checked Sep 16, 2026. 13 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.

  1. 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.

    NOAA HMS 2025 · checked

  2. 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

  3. American Eel

    Yellow eel, Silver eel Anguilla rostrata

    Size
    9"
    Bag
    25 (50 on party/charter)
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NYC tidal waters: bait use only, 9-14" window.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  4. 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

  5. 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
    Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026
    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.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. Atlantic Menhaden

    Bunker, Pogy, Fatback Brevoortia tyrannus

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    100
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  10. 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.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  11. Atlantic Sturgeon

    Acipenser oxyrinchus

    Size
    No possession
    Bag
    0
    Season
    Closed all year

    Put it back

    Coastwide moratorium; release immediately.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  12. 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

  13. Blacknose Shark

    Carcharhinus acronotus

    Size
    No possession
    Bag
    0
    Season
    Closed all year

    Put it back

    On NY prohibited shark list; release immediately.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  14. Blacktip Shark

    Carcharhinus limbatus

    Size
    54" FL
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  15. 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.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  16. Blue Shark

    Blue dog Prionace glauca

    Size
    54" FL
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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.

    NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked

  20. 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.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  21. 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.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  22. Bull Shark

    Carcharhinus leucas

    Size
    54" FL
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  23. 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.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  24. 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 · likely

  25. 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

  26. Common Thresher

    Thresher, Whiptail Alopias vulpinus

    Size
    54" FL
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  27. Dusky Shark

    Carcharhinus obscurus

    Size
    No possession
    Bag
    0
    Season
    Closed all year

    Put it back

    On NY prohibited shark list; release immediately.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  28. 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.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  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.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  30. 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.

    NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked

  31. Great Hammerhead

    Sphyrna mokarran

    Size
    78" FL
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  32. 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.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  33. Haddock

    Melanogrammus aeglefinus

    Size
    18"
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  34. Hickory Shad

    Alosa mediocris

    Size
    No size limit
    Bag
    5
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  35. King Mackerel

    King, Kingfish, Smoker Scomberomorus cavalla

    Size
    23"
    Bag
    3
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  36. Lemon Shark

    Negaprion brevirostris

    Size
    54" FL
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  37. 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

  38. Nurse Shark

    Ginglymostoma cirratum

    Size
    54" FL
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  39. 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.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  40. Oyster Toadfish

    Opsanus tau

    Size
    10"
    Bag
    3
    Season
    Jul 16 - May 14

    Open

    Closed May 15 - July 15.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  41. Pollock

    Boston bluefish Pollachius virens

    Size
    19"
    Bag
    No bag limit
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  42. Porbeagle

    Lamna nasus

    Size
    54" FL
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  43. 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

  44. 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.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  45. Sand Tiger

    Carcharias taurus

    Size
    No possession
    Bag
    0
    Season
    Closed all year

    Put it back

    On NY prohibited shark list; release immediately.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  46. Sandbar Shark

    Carcharhinus plumbeus

    Size
    No possession
    Bag
    0
    Season
    Closed all year

    Put it back

    On NY prohibited shark list; release immediately.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  47. Scalloped Hammerhead

    Sphyrna lewini

    Size
    78" FL
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  48. 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

  49. Shortfin Mako

    Isurus oxyrinchus

    Size
    No possession
    Bag
    0
    Season
    Closed all year

    Put it back

    On NY prohibited shark list; release immediately.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  50. 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.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  51. 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.

    NOAA HMS 2025 · checked

  52. Smooth Dogfish

    Mustelus canis

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

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  53. Smooth Hammerhead

    Sphyrna zygaena

    Size
    78" FL
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  54. Spanish Mackerel

    Spanish Scomberomorus maculatus

    Size
    14"
    Bag
    15
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  55. Spinner Shark

    Carcharhinus brevipinna

    Size
    54" FL
    Bag
    1 shark per vessel per trip
    Season
    Open year-round

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  56. Spiny Dogfish

    Squalus acanthias

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

    Open

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  57. Striped Bass

    Striper, Rockfish Morone saxatilis

    Size
    28-31" slot
    Bag
    1
    Season
    Apr 15 - Dec 15

    Open

    Marine waters slot; non-offset circle hooks required with bait; Hudson River north of GW Bridge uses a 23-28" slot Apr 1-Nov 30.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  58. Summer Flounder

    Fluke Paralichthys dentatus

    Size
    19" (May 4-Aug 1), 19.5" (Aug 2-Oct 15)
    Bag
    3
    Season
    May 4 - Oct 15

    Open

    Minimum size stepped up to 19.5" on Aug 2, 2026; current minimum shown.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  59. 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.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  60. Tautog

    Tautoga onitis

    Size
    16"
    Bag
    2 (April); 4 (fall, NY Bight)
    Season
    Apr 1-30 and Oct 15 - Dec 22 (NY Bight)

    Closed

    NY Bight region shown; Long Island Sound region is Apr 1-30 (2 fish) and Oct 11-Dec 9 (3 fish).

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  61. 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.

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  62. 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

  63. 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.

    NOAA HMS 2026 · checked

  64. Winter Flounder

    Blackback, Lemon sole (big ones) Pseudopleuronectes americanus

    Size
    12"
    Bag
    2
    Season
    Apr 1 - May 30

    Closed

    NY DEC 2026 · checked

  65. 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 · likely

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 2026-09-16

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

How current are these New York rules?

Every row shows its source and the day it was last checked; the latest is Sep 16, 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.

Checked against 5 official pages