New York saltwater fishing rules
Recreational size, bag and season for Marine district: Long Island, New York Harbor and the lower Hudson, from New York State DEC Marine Resources. Open as of Oct 13, 2026: striped bass, summer flounder, black sea bass, bluefish, red drum, scup, weakfish, cobia, spanish mackerel.
| Species | Size | Bag | Season | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striped bassChecked Oct 10, 2026 · STALE | 28"–31" total length (slot) in marine waters | 1 fish | April 15–December 15 (marine waters) | Openas of Oct 13 · Open through Dec 15 |
| Summer flounderChecked Oct 10, 2026 · STALE | 19" minimum (May 4–Aug 1); 19.5" minimum (Aug 2–Oct 15) | 3 fish | May 4–August 1 and August 2–October 15 | Openas of Oct 13 · Open through Oct 15 |
| Black sea bassChecked Oct 10, 2026 · STALE | 16" minimum (excluding tail filament) | 3 fish (May 16–Aug 31); 6 fish (Sept 1–Dec 31) | May 16–August 31 and September 1–December 31 | Openas of Oct 13 |
| BluefishChecked Oct 10, 2026 · STALE | No size limit | 5 fish for individuals; 7 for anglers aboard licensed party/charter boats | Open all year | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Red drumChecked Oct 10, 2026 · STALE | No size limit; fish greater than 27" total length may not be possessed | No limit for fish less than 27" | Open all year | Openas of Oct 13 |
| TautogChecked Oct 9, 2026 · STALE | 16" minimum | Long Island Sound: 2 (Apr 1–30), 3 (Oct 11–Dec 9); NY Bight: 2 (Apr 1–30), 4 (Oct 15–Dec 22) | Long Island Sound: April 1–30 and October 11–December 9; NY Bight: April 1–30 and October 15–December 22 | Open in partas of Oct 13 · Opens Oct 15 |
| ScupChecked Oct 10, 2026 · STALE | Shore 9.5"; vessel 11" | 30 fish (party/charter customers: 40 fish Sept 1–Oct 31) | May 1–December 31 | Openas of Oct 13 |
| WeakfishChecked Oct 12, 2026 · STALE | 16" minimum total length (10" filleted / 12" dressed) | 1 fish (possession limit) | Open year-round | Openas of Oct 13 |
| CobiaChecked Oct 12, 2026 · STALE | 43" minimum total length | 1 fish per angler; max 2 fish per vessel when fishing from a vessel | Open year-round | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Spanish mackerelChecked Oct 12, 2026 · STALE | 14" minimum total length | 15 fish (possession limit) | Open year-round | Openas of Oct 13 |
This table summarizes New York State DEC Marine Resources pages on the dates shown, and status is derived from each row's season dates on Oct 13, 2026. Rules change in season. The agency page controls:New York State DEC Marine Resources ↗
Not on this list?
We publish a row only after checking it against the agency's own page. A species missing here is one we have not verified yet. That does not mean it has no rule. Use the agency link above, and see how we source.
New York portsMontaukShinnecock / Hampton BaysCaptree / Fire Island InletFreeport / Jones InletSheepshead Bay