Fishing Regulations in New York
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official New York fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
New York requires a fishing license for anglers 16 and older. Resident and non-resident annual licenses are available, along with 1-day, 7-day, and lifetime options. A separate marine registry is required for saltwater fishing and is free of charge.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 5 per day | 12 inches minimum | Open season varies by region (typically mid-June through November) | Catch-and-release permitted year-round in most waters. Check NYSDEC regulations for specific water body rules. |
| smallmouth-bass | 5 per day | 12 inches minimum | Open season varies by region | |
| walleye | 5 per day | 15 inches minimum | Varies by water body | |
| northern-pike | 5 per day | 24 inches minimum | Varies by region | |
| musky | 1 per day | 36 inches minimum | Varies by region | |
| rainbow-trout | 5 per day | No minimum (varies by water) | April 1 through October 15 (inland streams) | Year-round on many lakes and ponds. Special regulations on certain streams. |
| brown-trout | 5 per day (combined with trout) | No minimum (varies by water) | April 1 through October 15 (inland streams) | |
| striped-bass | 1 per day | 28 inches minimum | Varies by region and year | Marine registry required for saltwater fishing. |
| channel-catfish | 5 per day | No minimum | Year-round |
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Open season varies by region (typically mid-June through November)
Notes: Catch-and-release permitted year-round in most waters. Check NYSDEC regulations for specific water body rules.
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Open season varies by region
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum
Season: Varies by water body
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 24 inches minimum
Season: Varies by region
Bag Limit: 1 per day
Size Limit: 36 inches minimum
Season: Varies by region
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: No minimum (varies by water)
Season: April 1 through October 15 (inland streams)
Notes: Year-round on many lakes and ponds. Special regulations on certain streams.
Bag Limit: 5 per day (combined with trout)
Size Limit: No minimum (varies by water)
Season: April 1 through October 15 (inland streams)
Bag Limit: 1 per day
Size Limit: 28 inches minimum
Season: Varies by region and year
Notes: Marine registry required for saltwater fishing.
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Top Fishing Waters
Lake Erie
lakeSpecies: smallmouth-bass, walleye, yellow-perch, musky, channel-catfish
Finger Lakes
lakeSpecies: rainbow-trout, brown-trout, largemouth-bass, smallmouth-bass, yellow-perch, northern-pike
St. Lawrence River
riverSpecies: smallmouth-bass, largemouth-bass, northern-pike, musky, walleye
Lake Champlain
lakeSpecies: largemouth-bass, smallmouth-bass, walleye, northern-pike, yellow-perch
Delaware River
riverSpecies: rainbow-trout, brown-trout, smallmouth-bass, walleye, channel-catfish
Lake Ontario
lakeSpecies: rainbow-trout, brown-trout, smallmouth-bass, walleye, channel-catfish
Montauk
saltwaterSpecies: striped-bass
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 11 lbs 4 oz | 1987 | Buckhorn Lake |
| smallmouth-bass | 8 lbs 4 oz | 1995 | Lake Erie |
| walleye | 16 lbs 9 oz | 1994 | Mystic Lake |
| northern-pike | 46 lbs 2 oz | 1940 | Great Sacandaga Lake |
| musky | 69 lbs 15 oz | 1957 | St. Lawrence River |
| rainbow-trout | 31 lbs 8 oz | 2004 | Lake Ontario |
| brown-trout | 33 lbs 2 oz | 2009 | Lake Ontario |
| brook-trout | 5 lbs 14 oz | 2006 | Raquette Lake |
| striped-bass | 76 lbs 1 oz | 1981 | Montauk |
| channel-catfish | 35 lbs 3 oz | 2002 | Brant Lake |