New York state waters, out to 3 miles
11" minimum tail length alternative.
NY DEC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
Minimum size 17 inches whole or 11 inches for tails; skin must remain attached for sizing.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
Often mistaken for
Oyster toadfishSmall fry by comparison; no lure. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
All head and mouth — flattened and fringed, with a built-in fishing-lure spine on the snout. More on the monkfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Monkfish in other states9 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for monkfish in New York?
17" (or 11" tail). Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many monkfish can you keep in New York?
No bag limit.
When is monkfish season in New York?
Open year-round.
How current is this New York monkfish 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 a monkfish in New York and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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