NY Saltwater Fishing Regulations: Size & Bag Limits

by
NYSDEC + NOAA checked • August 15, 2026

New York marine fishing limits — know what is legal before the fish hits the cooler

New York saltwater rules change by species, date, fishing platform, geographic zone and even whether your boat crosses three nautical miles. This guide turns the DEC regulation sheet into practical keeper decisions for Long Island, New York City, the Hudson, Long Island Sound and offshore trips.

Current 2026 sizes Bag limits Open seasons Shore vs boat State vs federal Tuna & tilefish permits
Check August 15 status Full size & bag table Registry & permits
Fishing today?

What is legal on August 15, 2026?

OPEN

Summer flounder / fluke

19.5″ • 3 fish

The 19-inch early-season minimum ended August 1. From August 2 through October 15, use 19.5 inches.

OPEN

Black sea bass

16″ • 3 fish

Current May 16–August 31 bag is three. It increases to six beginning September 1.

OPEN

Marine striped bass

28–31″ • 1 fish

South of the George Washington Bridge in marine waters. Season runs April 15–December 15.

CLOSED

Tautog / blackfish

Both Long Island Sound and NY Bight regions are between spring and fall harvest windows on August 15.

OPEN

Scup / porgy

30 fish

Minimum is 9.5 inches from shore and 11 inches from a vessel.

OPEN ALL YEAR

Bluefish

5 fish

Seven per angler aboard an appropriately licensed party or charter boat.

CURRENT SEASON CLOSED

Atlantic cod

Current published New York table lists September 1–May 31, but a separate 2026 proposal could prohibit recreational possession.

FEDERAL HMS RULES

Bluefin tuna

Do not use the ordinary DEC marine fish table. NOAA vessel permits, size classes, current retention limits and reporting requirements control.

Same-day check still matters. DEC states that marine regulations can change. NOAA can also alter Highly Migratory Species retention limits during the season.
Fast reference

The six New York saltwater numbers most anglers need first

Marine striped bass 28–31″

1 fish

Fluke now 19.5″

3 fish

Shore porgy 9.5″

30 fish

Boat porgy 11″

30 fish

Black sea bass 16″

3 now • 6 Sept. 1+

Bluefish 5

7 on licensed party/charter

Keeper decision

Six questions before you keep any New York marine fish

1 What species?

Do not apply a similar-looking fish’s regulation.

2 Where exactly?

Hudson, marine district, LIS, NY Bight or federal EEZ?

3 What date?

Fluke, black sea bass and tautog change during the year.

4 Shore or vessel?

Scup minimum size changes depending on fishing platform.

5 Legal measurement?

Total length, fork length or another species-specific method?

6 Permit/report needed?

Registry alone is not enough for every offshore fishery.

DEC regulation sheet decoded

2026 New York recreational saltwater size, bag & season table

These are the current state recreational limits published by NYSDEC. Federal waters and special federal permits are covered separately below.

Species Minimum / slot Possession Open season
Winter flounder 12″ 2 April 1–May 30
Striped bass — Hudson north of GWB 23–28″ slot 1 April 1–November 30
Striped bass — marine south of GWB + Delaware River 28–31″ slot 1 April 15–December 15
Scup / porgy — shore 9.5″ 30 May 1–December 31
Scup / porgy — vessel 11″ 30 May 1–December 31
Licensed party/charter scup 11″ 30 May 1–Aug. 31
40 Sept. 1–Oct. 31
30 Nov. 1–Dec. 31 		May 1–December 31
Summer flounder / fluke 19″ May 4–Aug. 1
19.5″ Aug. 2–Oct. 15 		3 May 4–October 15
Black sea bass 16″ 3 May 16–Aug. 31
6 Sept. 1–Dec. 31 		May 16–December 31
Oyster toadfish 10″ 3 July 16–May 14
Tautog — Long Island Sound 16″ 2 April 1–30
3 Oct. 11–Dec. 9 		April 1–30
October 11–December 9
Tautog — NY Bight 16″ 2 April 1–30
4 Oct. 15–Dec. 22 		April 1–30
October 15–December 22
American eel 9″ 25 individual
50 aboard licensed party/charter boat 		All year
NYC/Hudson American eel 9–14″, bait use only 25 for bait use All year for qualifying bait use; otherwise possession prohibited
Atlantic cod 23″ 5 September 1–May 31*
Atlantic menhaden No minimum 100 All year
Bluefish, including snappers No minimum 5 individual
7 aboard licensed party/charter 		All year
Cobia 43″ Shore: 1/angler
Vessel: 1/angler, maximum 2/vessel 		All year
Haddock 18″ No NY possession limit listed All year
Hickory shad No minimum 5 All year
King mackerel 23″ 3 All year
Monkfish / goosefish 17″ whole or 11″ tail No NY limit listed All year
Pollock 19″ No NY limit listed All year
Red drum No minimum; fish over 27″ TL may not be possessed No NY numeric possession limit listed for fish under 27″ All year
Spanish mackerel 14″ 15 All year
Weakfish 16″ whole
10″ filleted
12″ dressed 		1 All year
Yellowtail flounder 13″ No NY limit listed All year
River herring north of GWB No minimum 10/angler or 50/boat March 15–June 15
River herring south of GWB — No possession Closed
American shad — No possession Closed
Atlantic sturgeon Moratorium No possession Closed
*Atlantic cod watch: the current live DEC recreational table still lists 23 inches, five fish and September 1–May 31. DEC has separately proposed prohibiting recreational possession. The proposal has not been treated as the current adopted rule in this article.
Measure, don’t estimate

New York’s fish-length rule in one picture

TOTAL LENGTH — FISH FLAT, MOUTH CLOSED
Ordinary total length
Measure the longest straight line from the tip of the snout, mouth closed, to the longest tail lobe with the lobes squeezed together and the fish flat.
Black sea bass
Measure to the farthest extremity of the tail, excluding the tail filament.
Weakfish
Whole, dressed and filleted fish have separate legal measurement definitions.
Sharks
Shark minimums use fork length rather than the ordinary New York total-length method.
Fluke rule switch

New York changed the legal fluke size during the 2026 season

EARLIER SEGMENT

May 4–August 1

19 inches

Three fish.

CURRENT SEGMENT

August 2–October 15

19.5 inches

Three fish.

Do not fillet the keeper too early. Summer flounder generally cannot have the head or tail removed or be cleaned, filleted, cut or skinned before being brought to shore. DEC has a narrow bait-fillet exception that requires the identifiable legal-size carcass to remain available for inspection.
Shore vs boat

Porgy minimum size changes when your feet leave the shore

Shore-based angler 9.5″

30 fish • May 1–December 31.

Private vessel angler 11″

30 fish • May 1–December 31.

Licensed party/charter 40 fish

Enhanced September 1–October 31 limit; 11-inch minimum.

Party/charter paperwork matters. A customer possessing more than 30 scup during the enhanced September–October period must carry the dated original fare receipt from the licensed vessel.
Black sea bass

Same 16-inch minimum, but the bag doubles September 1

Minimum 16″

Tail filament is excluded from the legal measurement.

CURRENT May 16–August 31 3 fish
SEPTEMBER 1 September 1–December 31 6 fish
Striped bass zones

The George Washington Bridge changes your striped bass slot

HUDSON NORTH OF GWB

Hudson River zone

23–28″

Bag: 1

Season: April 1–November 30

GEORGE
WASHINGTON
BRIDGE
MARINE SOUTH OF GWB

Marine waters

28–31″

Bag: 1

Season: April 15–December 15

Bait requires the right hook. Recreational striped bass fishing with bait requires a non-offset inline circle hook.
Artificial lure exception: the circle-hook requirement does not apply to an artificial lure, even when that lure is tipped with bait under DEC’s rule.
Tautog / blackfish

“Blackfish opens in October” is not precise enough

CLOSED AUGUST 15

Long Island Sound Region

East of the Throgs Neck Bridge and west of the Orient Point, NY–Watch Hill, RI boundary line.

  • Minimum: 16″
  • April 1–30: 2 fish
  • Oct. 11–Dec. 9: 3 fish
CLOSED AUGUST 15

NY Bight Region

New York marine waters outside the Long Island Sound region.

  • Minimum: 16″
  • April 1–30: 2 fish
  • Oct. 15–Dec. 22: 4 fish
Fall planning: Long Island Sound reopens October 11. NY Bight does not reopen until October 15.
Hudson / NYC exceptions

Eel and river-herring rules change around New York City

Ordinary American eel

Minimum: 9″
Individual: 25
Licensed party/charter: 50

Harlem / East / Hudson exception

In the listed NYC/Hudson waters, eels 9–14 inches may be possessed for bait use only, with a 25-fish limit.

River herring

North of the GWB: March 15–June 15, 10 per angler or 50 per boat. South of the GWB: possession prohibited.

American shad may not be possessed. Atlantic sturgeon remains under a no-possession moratorium.
License question

New York uses a free Marine Fishing Registry instead of a normal paid saltwater license

Age 16 or older?

Fishing for marine species in covered New York waters or migratory fish of the sea in covered tidal waters?

Enroll free

The registry itself costs $0 and is valid for 365 days.

Carry the right extras

Tuna, sharks, tilefish, lobster or special-access locations can require additional permits or permissions.

Registry fee $0

Optional printed/mailing transaction fees may apply depending on how the document is issued.

Validity 365 days

There is no lifetime Marine Registry.

Phone registration 1-866-933-2257

Common registry exemptions

  • Fishing aboard an appropriately licensed New York party or charter boat in the Marine and Coastal District.
  • A qualifying New York party/charter boat owner.
  • Connecticut or Rhode Island residents with a valid marine fishing license from their resident state.
  • People harvesting only lobsters, crabs, clams, mussels, scallops or oysters — although separate permits, municipal rules and harvest restrictions may apply.
Registry is not a tuna permit. Targeting tuna requires the applicable NOAA Atlantic HMS vessel permit in addition to the New York requirements that apply to the trip.
Access ≠ fishing regulation

Legal fishing does not guarantee legal access to the shoreline

State / municipal access

A fishery may be open while a beach, park, parking area, pier or launch has separate access hours, fees or permit rules.

Long Island access

Some state lands and facilities can require an access permit even though the Marine Registry itself is free.

Shellfish

Shellfish harvesting can be controlled by local town permits, certified/open-area status and other rules separate from finfish limits.

Pre-drive habit: check the fish regulation first, then separately check the parking, park/launch, access and local harvest rules for the exact place you plan to use.
State vs federal waters

Crossing three nautical miles can change more than the bag limit

New York’s Marine and Coastal District includes Atlantic waters within three miles of the coastline. The federal Exclusive Economic Zone generally extends from three to 200 miles offshore.

3 nautical miles
NY STATE WATERS

Apply New York size, possession and season rules, plus any federal HMS requirement that also applies to the vessel/species.
FEDERAL ATLANTIC EEZ

NOAA federal fishing regulations control. Species such as striped bass and red drum are closed to recreational fishing in ordinary federal waters.
Offshore rule changes

Three examples where the New York state table stops being your answer

Striped bass

Federal harvest closed

Recreational striped bass fishing is prohibited in ordinary federal Atlantic waters, subject to limited transit provisions.

Red drum

Federal harvest closed

New York’s under-27-inch state rule does not authorize recreational red drum fishing in the federal EEZ.

Tilefish

Permit + report

Private recreational vessels targeting/retaining golden or blueline tilefish need the NOAA recreational tilefish permit.

Offshore tilefish

Tilefish requires a permit-and-report workflow many NY anglers miss

1 Get the permit

A private recreational vessel targeting or retaining golden or blueline tilefish needs a valid NOAA Private Recreational Tilefish Permit.

2 Know the species

Golden and blueline tilefish use different bag and season rules.

3 Keep the legal amount

Use the current NOAA private-vessel or for-hire category that matches your trip.

4 Submit eVTR

Private recreational tilefish permit holders must submit the required electronic vessel trip report within 24 hours after the trip concludes.

Golden tilefish

Private recreational bag: 8/person/trip
Season: all year
Minimum: none

NOAA lists rod-and-reel gear with a maximum of five hooks per rod for recreational golden tilefish.

Blueline tilefish

Private vessel: 3/person/trip
Uninspected for-hire: 5/person
USCG-inspected party boat: 7/person
Season: May 15–November 14

Why this belongs in a NY regulations guide: the free New York Marine Registry alone does not complete a private offshore tilefish trip. The vessel permit and electronic trip reporting are separate federal requirements.
Current NOAA HMS layer

Bluefin tuna uses vessel limits, not New York’s ordinary fish table

NOAA’s Atlantic HMS permits are vessel-based and must be renewed as required. Bluefin limits can change during the season, so the status below should always be rechecked shortly before departure.

Private HMS Angling vessel 2/vessel

Current 27″ to under 73″ CFL category; only one may be 47″ to under 73″.

Charter vessel 3/vessel

Current 27″ to under 73″ category; only one may be 47″ to under 73″.

Headboat 6/vessel

Current 27″ to under 73″ category; only one may be 47″ to under 73″.

Trophy 73″+ Closed

NOAA lists the applicable 2026 trophy categories closed for the remainder of the year.

Do not copy today’s tuna limit into your October trip plan. NOAA can change bluefin retention limits in-season. Check the current HMS fishery-status page again before departure.
Shore shark setup

A legal NY shore-shark rig has rules beyond shark size

  • A baited shark hook must use a non-stainless-steel, non-offset circle hook.
  • For shore-based shark fishing with bait, the metal leader may not exceed 18 inches.
  • From shore, a baited shark hook may be deployed only by casting with a rod and reel.
  • Shore-based shark chumming is limited to mollusks or crustaceans.
  • Shark anglers must have wire cutters or bolt cutters immediately available.
  • A shark that will not be legally retained must remain in the water during release, with the gills submerged and the fish released without undue harm.
Shark size & possession

Identify the shark before measuring or retaining it

Category Minimum Possession framework
Tiger, blacktip, bull, lemon, nurse, spinner, blue, porbeagle, common thresher 54″ fork length One shark/vessel/trip within the allowed-shark framework
Great, scalloped & smooth hammerhead 78″ fork length One-shark vessel framework applies
Atlantic sharpnose No minimum One additional per angler/trip
Bonnethead No minimum One additional per angler/trip
Finetooth shark No minimum Counts within the ordinary allowed-shark framework
Smooth & spiny dogfish No minimum Any number under NY’s listed state recreational rule
Protected sharks must be released. New York’s prohibited list includes species such as oceanic whitetip, dusky, sand tiger, sandbar, shortfin mako, silky, whale and white sharks, among others. When identification is uncertain, do not retain the shark.
Federal shark trip: a vessel fishing recreationally for Atlantic sharks in federal waters needs the appropriate NOAA HMS permit and shark endorsement requirements. Permit requirements can also follow an HMS-permitted vessel into state waters.
Beyond finfish

New York crab, lobster & whelk limits need their own rule check

Species Minimum / size rule Recreational limit Important condition
Blue crab — hard shell 4.5″ Part of NY’s 50-crab total daily cap Egg-bearing crabs may not be taken/possessed.
Blue crab — soft shell 3.5″ Part of 50-crab total daily cap All year
Blue crab — peeler/shedder 3″ Part of 50-crab total daily cap All year
Jonah crab 4.75″ Covered by NY’s recreational crab take limit All year
Horseshoe crab No size listed here 5 Separate harvest restrictions apply.
American lobster 3 3/8″ minimum carapace
5 1/4″ maximum carapace 		6 NY resident recreational lobster permit required.
Whelk — outside LIS 5.5″ shell length OR 2.25″ shell height 24 All year
Whelk — Long Island Sound 5.25″ shell length OR 2.125″ shell height 24 LIS minimum increases in 2028.

Lobster seasonal closures

LMA 4: April 30–May 31 closure.
LMA 6: September 8–November 28 closure.

Terrapin excluders

Non-collapsible recreational crab pots/traps used in covered nearshore waters require the prescribed terrapin excluder device.

50 crabs means total crabs, not 50 of every species. New York law generally limits recreational take to no more than 50 crabs of a single species or combination of covered crab species per person per day.
Bait-crab trap

Green crab and Asian shore crab do not have the same transport rule

Mole crab 50 take/day

No minimum size under the DEC bait-crab table.

Green crab No size limit

May be transported/sold alive under applicable rules, but must be dead before being used as bait.

Asian shore crab Use where taken

DEC restricts sale/import/purchase/transport/propagation; it must be dead before use as bait.

Keep vs eat

“Legal to keep” and “recommended to eat” are two different checks

1 DEC fishing regulation

Determines whether you may legally catch, possess and keep the fish.

2 Exact water + species

Health advice can vary by location and species.

3 NYSDOH eating advice

Check the current New York health advisory before eating locally caught fish regularly.

A health advisory does not automatically mean the fishery is closed. It is separate guidance about eating the catch.
Current vs proposed

Do not confuse a 2026 proposal with a rule already in force

PROPOSED

Atlantic cod

DEC has proposed prohibiting recreational possession of Atlantic cod for consistency with federal management.

The current live DEC fish table still displays the existing 23-inch / five-fish / September 1–May 31 rule. Public comments on the proposal run through September 28, 2026.

EMERGENCY RULE CURRENT

Black sea bass

The current 16-inch minimum and May 16 opening are not merely future ideas: emergency regulations put the current 2026 measure in effect.

Permanent rulemaking can still proceed separately.

EMERGENCY RULE CURRENT

Bluefish

Follow the current DEC table: five fish for an individual and seven aboard an appropriately licensed party/charter vessel.

Do not treat the associated pending permanent rulemaking as meaning the current emergency limit is not active.

Screenshot this

NY saltwater pre-trip checklist

  • Exact species: save the correct DEC/NOAA regulation for the fish you intend to retain.
  • Exact zone: identify Hudson, Long Island Sound, NY Bight, ordinary marine waters or federal Atlantic waters.
  • Date: recheck species with split seasons or changing bag/minimum rules.
  • Fishing platform: shore, private vessel and licensed party/charter rules can differ.
  • Measuring board: bring a rigid ruler long enough for your target fish.
  • Marine Registry: enroll before fishing if your trip requires it.
  • Federal permits: check HMS, tilefish and other vessel-permit requirements before going offshore.
  • Reporting: know whether your federal fishery requires an eVTR or HMS harvest report.
  • Access permission: separately confirm parking, launch, park, beach or local municipal permits.
  • Shark release tools: shore shark anglers should have the required cutters immediately available.
  • Fish cleaning: keep regulated fish measurable/identifiable until the legal cleaning point.
  • Eating the catch: check current NYSDOH advice for the exact water and species if relevant.
Avoid these mistakes

Twelve ways a careful New York angler can still read the rule wrong

Using the 19″ fluke rule in late August

The current minimum is 19.5″.

Using shore porgy size from a boat

Shore 9.5″; vessel 11″.

Keeping four LIS blackfish

Fall LIS bag is three, not four.

Opening NY Bight on October 11

NY Bight fall season begins October 15.

Using the wrong striped bass slot

GWB separates two management zones.

Using a J-hook with striped-bass bait

Inline circle-hook rule applies.

Taking striped bass beyond 3 miles

Federal recreational fishing is prohibited.

Thinking NY Registry covers tuna

NOAA HMS permitting is separate.

Private tilefishing without a federal permit

NOAA tilefish permit/reporting applies.

Kayaking a shark bait offshore from the beach

NY shore baited hooks must be deployed by casting.

Using a long wire shark leader from shore

Metal leader maximum is 18 inches.

Treating proposed cod closure as already adopted

Check the live rulemaking status before September fishing.

When the answer is still unclear

Use the correct agency and ask a precise question

DEC Marine Resources 631-444-0430

NY marine regulation questions.

Marine Registry / DECALS 1-866-933-2257
DEC Marine Permit Office 631-444-0470

Marine permits such as recreational lobster.

DEC Environmental Conservation Police 1-844-DEC-ECOS

Report suspected fish/wildlife violations.

Better phone script

“I’m fishing [exact location/water] on [date], targeting [species] from [shore/private boat/party boat]. I expect to remain [inside New York waters / enter federal waters]. Can you confirm the current legal size, bag, season, measurement method and any permit, reporting or emergency-rule requirement?”
Official verification center

The practical answers are above — use these for the final live check

The article intentionally extracts and explains the regulation instead of making you navigate a directory of government links. These pages are the final verification or transaction layer.

NYSDEC current saltwater limits Live state size, bag and season table. Official printable regulation PDF Two-page DEC marine reference sheet. Marine Fishing Registry Eligibility, exemptions, reciprocity and registration. Marine rulemaking status Proposed, emergency and recently adopted rules. NYSDEC shark-fishing rules Shore rigs, hooks, leaders, deployment and release. NOAA federal recreational regulations Use when entering the Atlantic EEZ. NOAA golden tilefish Bag, permit, gear and reporting framework. NOAA blueline tilefish Private/for-hire bags, season and reporting. Current bluefin status Live NOAA vessel limits and closures. NOAA HMS permits Tuna/shark vessel permitting. NY fish-consumption advice Check waterbody/species eating guidance.
Practical FAQ

NY saltwater regulation questions anglers ask most

What is the New York fluke limit in August 2026?

From August 2 through October 15, 2026, New York’s recreational summer flounder minimum is 19.5 inches and the possession limit is three fish per angler.

What is the New York marine striped bass limit?

In marine waters south of the George Washington Bridge and in the Delaware River, the recreational slot is 28 to 31 inches, the possession limit is one fish, and the open season is April 15 through December 15.

What is the Hudson River striped bass slot?

North of the George Washington Bridge, the Hudson River recreational striped bass slot is 23 to 28 inches, with a one-fish possession limit and an April 1 through November 30 season.

Do I need a saltwater fishing license in New York?

New York generally uses the free Recreational Marine Fishing Registry instead of a standard paid saltwater fishing license. Many anglers age 16 and older must enroll. The registration is valid for 365 days.

What is the New York porgy limit?

The ordinary recreational possession limit is 30 fish. Shore-based anglers use a 9.5-inch minimum while vessel-based anglers use an 11-inch minimum. An enhanced 40-fish limit applies to qualifying licensed party/charter customers from September 1 through October 31.

What is the black sea bass limit in New York in 2026?

The minimum is 16 inches. The recreational possession limit is three fish from May 16 through August 31 and six fish from September 1 through December 31.

When does blackfish season reopen in New York?

The Long Island Sound fall tautog season opens October 11 and runs through December 9 with a three-fish limit. The NY Bight fall season opens October 15 and runs through December 22 with a four-fish limit.

Can I recreationally fish for striped bass beyond three miles?

NOAA prohibits recreational striped bass fishing in ordinary federal Atlantic waters. New York’s coastal striped bass slot should not be treated as permission to target striped bass in the EEZ.

Do I need a circle hook for striped bass in New York?

Yes when recreationally fishing for striped bass with bait. New York requires a non-offset inline circle hook. The requirement does not apply when fishing an artificial lure, even if the lure is tipped with bait.

Do I need a federal permit to fish for tuna?

Yes for qualifying recreational Atlantic HMS fishing. NOAA HMS permits are vessel-based and apply in addition to applicable New York Marine Registry requirements. Current tuna size, retention and reporting rules must also be followed.

Do I need a permit for recreational tilefish?

A private recreational vessel targeting or retaining golden or blueline tilefish in the federal fishery needs a valid NOAA Private Recreational Tilefish Permit. The permit holder must also complete the required electronic vessel trip reporting.

Can I use a kayak or drone to deploy shark bait from a New York beach?

New York’s shore-based shark-fishing rules require a baited shark hook to be deployed by casting with a rod and reel. Shore shark rules also limit the metal leader to 18 inches and require qualifying circle hooks.

Is recreational Atlantic cod possession already prohibited in New York?

Not under the currently published DEC recreational fish table as of August 15, 2026. The live table still lists a 23-inch minimum, five-fish possession limit and September 1 through May 31 season. DEC has separately proposed prohibiting recreational possession, so anglers should verify whether that proposal has been adopted before fishing later in the year.

Final keeper rule

In New York saltwater, “what fish?” is only the first question

The final answer may depend on whether you are north or south of the George Washington Bridge, inside Long Island Sound or the NY Bight, fishing from shore or a vessel, before or after a mid-season rule change, or inside New York waters versus the federal Atlantic EEZ.

Full regulation review completed . Current DEC and NOAA notices should always be checked again before a trip involving a pending rule change or an actively managed federal fishery.

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