Tautog rules in New York
Size, bag and season for recreational tautog in New York waters, as published by New York State DEC Marine Resources.
- Size
- 16" minimum
- Bag
- Long Island Sound: 2 (Apr 1–30), 3 (Oct 11–Dec 9); NY Bight: 2 (Apr 1–30), 4 (Oct 15–Dec 22)
- Season
- Long Island Sound: April 1–30 and October 11–December 9; NY Bight: April 1–30 and October 15–December 22
Also on the agency page: LIS Region = east of Throgs Neck Bridge and west of Orient Point–Watch Hill line; NY Bight = all other marine waters.
Stale: this row was last checked Oct 9, 2026, past our 30-day limit. Treat it as history and go to the agency page.
Rules change in season, sometimes by emergency notice. This page summarizes the agency page on the date shown. If this summary and the agency page disagree, the agency page controls.
What to know before you keep one
Tautog seasons are commonly split into windows around the spring spawn, and the bag limit can change from one window to the next. Check the window that covers your trip date.
State water or federal water
New York rules apply in state waters, generally out to 3 nautical miles. Tautog are managed by the states through ASMFC. Most of the fishery takes place on structure inside state waters. ASMFC · tautog ↗
Across the state line
Rules for the same fish change at the state line. If you run across it or land in the next state, those rules apply.
| State | Size | Bag | Status as of Oct 13, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 16" minimum; only one fish may be greater than 21" | 3 fish per person per day (Apr 1 – May 31 and Aug 1 – Oct 14); 5 fish per person per day (Oct 15 – Dec 31) | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Connecticut | 16" minimum | 2 fish (Apr 1–30); 2 fish (Jul 1–Aug 31); 3 fish (Oct 10–Nov 28) per angler | Openas of Oct 13 · Open through Nov 28 |
| New York | 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) | Open in partas of Oct 13 · Opens Oct 15 |
| New Jersey | 15" minimum | 4 (Jan 1–Feb 28); 4 (Apr 1–30); 1 (Aug 1–Nov 15); 5 (Nov 16–Dec 31) | Openas of Oct 13 |
| Delaware | 16" minimum | 4 | Openas of Oct 13 |