NY Fishing Regulation

What, When and Where to Catch Fish in Western New York

Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit
Trout (brook, brownish-red and rainbow fish and variety of these species; and splake) April 1 by Oct 15 Any size 5
Lake Trout April 1 by Oct 15 21″ 3
Landlocked Atlantic Salmon April 1 by Oct 15 15″ 3
Kokanee April 1 by Oct 15 Any size 10
Coho, Chinook, Pink Salmon – See Great Lakes Regulations
Black Bass

largemouth/smallmouth

 3rd Saturday in Jun by Nov 30 12″ 5
Black Bass

largemouth/smallmouth

 December 1 – Friday preceding the 3rd Saturday in June catch and recover only Artificial lures only
Muskellunge 3rd Saturday in Jun by Nov 30 30″ 1
Northern Pike 1st Saturday in May by Mar 15 18″ 5
Pickerel 1st Saturday in May by Mar 15 15″ 5
Tiger Muskellunge 1st Saturday in May by Mar 15 30″ 1
Walleye 1st Saturday in May by Mar 15 15″ 5
Crappie All year 9″ 25
Atlantic, Shortnose & Lake Sturgeon; Paddlefish Closed Possession Prohibited
Lake Whitefish All year Any size 5
Striped Bass in the Hudson River and tributaries north of George Washington Bridge March sixteen by Nov 30 18″ 1
American Shad All year Any size 6
Yellow Perch All year Any size 50
Sunfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed and redbreast sunfish) All year Any size 50
American Eel- all waters solely Hudson River All year 6″ 50
American Eel- Hudson River from the Battery to Troy and all tributaries upstream to the initial barrier All year Eels 6-14″ usually might be hexed in any series for bait. No eels larger than 14″ might be possessed. No eels might be hexed for food.
All alternative class (except involved and in jeopardy species) All year Any size Any number
NY FISHING REGULATION