New York state waters, out to 3 miles
NYC tidal waters: bait use only, 9-14" window.
NY DEC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Conger eelGray, with the upper jaw overhanging instead. Tell them apartNot listed by New York: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Not listed by New York: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Keep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
A true eel — one continuous fin running from mid-back around the tail; lower jaw juts past the upper. More on the American eel page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for American eel in New York?
9". Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many American eel can you keep in New York?
25 (50 on party/charter).
When is American eel season in New York?
Open year-round.
How current is this New York American eel rule?
Source: NY DEC 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
In the appPoint the camera at an American eel in New York and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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