New York offers some of the best saltwater fishing on the East Coast — from striped bass in Montauk and the Hudson to fluke on Long Island’s South Shore, blackfish in Long Island Sound, and bluefish across the entire coast. The licensing system is unique: saltwater fishing requires only a free registration, not a paid license.
But the regulations are detailed, species-specific, and differ by zone. This guide covers everything you need to fish New York’s salt waters legally in 2026.
Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), updated for 2026 season. Always verify current regulations at dec.ny.gov.
The Recreational Marine Fishing Registry
Free — But Mandatory
All anglers 16+ must enroll in the no-fee Recreational Marine Fishing Registry:
Striped bass is NY’s flagship saltwater species — and under the strictest management in decades.
Regulations by Zone
Zone
Size Limit
Daily Limit
Season
Hudson River (north of GW Bridge)
23″–28″ slot
1 fish
Apr 1 – Nov 30
Marine waters (south of GW Bridge)
28″–31″ slot
1 fish
Apr 15 – Dec 15
Delaware River
28″–31″ slot
1 fish
Apr 15 – Dec 15
Critical Striped Bass Rules
Rule
Details
Circle hooks mandatory
When using bait — non-offset/inline only
Exception
Artificial lures tipped with bait exempt from circle hook rule
Slot limits
Fish must be WITHIN the range — too small OR too big = release
Handling
Minimize air exposure; use rubber nets
ASMFC rebuilding
Stock rebuilding target: 2029
Why the restrictions? Striped bass populations are under ASMFC rebuilding plans. The strict slot limits and single-fish possession are designed to rebuild the spawning stock by 2029. These regulations are among the tightest in the species’ range.
Fluke (Summer Flounder) Regulations 2026
Detail
Regulation
Minimum size
19″ (may vary slightly by season)
Possession limit
3 fish
Open seasons
~May–October (split seasons possible)
Filleting at sea
❌ Cannot fillet until brought ashore
Bait exception
One white-side fillet may be removed for bait; dark-side carcass must be retained
2026 outlook: Federal management continues conservative approach. Anglers should expect similar or slightly tighter regulations as NOAA implements updated stock assessments.
Blackfish (Tautog) Regulations 2026
Regulations differ by region — check which zone you’re fishing:
Long Island Sound Region
Season
Daily Limit
Minimum Size
April 1–30
2 fish
16″
October 11 – December 9
3 fish
16″
NY Bight Region (South Shore / NYC Area)
Season
Daily Limit
Minimum Size
April 1–30
2 fish
16″
October 15 – December 22
4 fish
16″
Black Sea Bass Regulations 2026
Good news: ASMFC approved a 20% increase in coastwide recreational harvest for 2026–2027.
Detail
2025
2026 Expected
Minimum size
16.5″
Similar or adjusted
Early season (Jun–Aug)
3 fish
Potentially higher
Late season (Sep–Dec)
6 fish
Potentially higher
DEC is actively accepting angler input on allocation of the increased quota.
Other Important Species
Scup (Porgy)
Angler Type
Min. Size
Limit
Season
Shore-based
9.5″
30 fish
May 1 – Dec 31
Vessel-based
11″
30 fish
May 1 – Dec 31
Winter Flounder
Detail
Regulation
Minimum size
12″
Possession limit
2 fish
Open season
April 1 – May 30
Bluefish
Detail
Regulation
For-hire vessels
3 fish
Private boats/shore
5 fish
Minimum size
None
Weakfish
Detail
Regulation
Minimum size
16″
Possession limit
1 fish
Season
Year-round
Shark Regulations
Rule
Details
Prohibited species
Must be immediately released
Non-harvested sharks
Keep in water with gills submerged
Required gear
Wire/bolt cutters aboard for tackle removal
Identification
Must identify species before harvest
Best Saltwater Fishing Locations
Montauk (Eastern Long Island)
Species
Season
Method
Striped Bass
May–Nov
Surf casting, live-lining, trolling
Fluke
Jun–Sep
Drifting bucktails
False Albacore
Sep–Oct
Light tackle, topwater
Bluefish
Jun–Oct
Trolling, popping
Bluefin Tuna
Jun–Oct
Offshore trolling
Long Island Sound
Species
Season
Method
Blackfish
Apr, Oct–Dec
Bottom fishing with crabs/worms
Porgy
Jul–Dec
Bottom fishing (easy, family-friendly)
Striped Bass
May–Nov
Western Sound strong
Winter Flounder
Apr–May
Sandworms, clam
South Shore / Great South Bay
Species
Season
Method
Fluke
May–Sep
Drifting, bucktails
Striped Bass
May–Nov
Surf casting at inlets
Weakfish
May–Jul
Light tackle at dusk
Bluefish
Jun–Oct
Surface poppers
Hudson River (Tidal)
Species
Season
Method
Striped Bass
Apr–Nov
Live-lining, plugging (23-28″ slot)
American Shad
Apr–May
Catch-and-release only
Blue Crab
Jun–Oct
Crab traps (no license needed)
Gear Restrictions & Best Practices
Rule
Details
Circle hooks
Mandatory for bait fishing (striped bass)
Barbed hooks
Legal but barbless recommended for C&R
Treble hooks
Legal on lures
No filleting at sea
Fluke must be whole until ashore
Shark leaders
Wire/bolt cutters required aboard
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license for saltwater fishing in NY?
No paid license — just register for the free Recreational Marine Fishing Registry at dec.ny.gov. Anyone 16+ must register annually.
What size striped bass can I keep?
Depends on zone: Hudson River (north of GW Bridge) = 23–28″ slot. Marine waters (south of GW Bridge) = 28–31″ slot. Only 1 fish per day in both zones.
Do I need circle hooks for striped bass?
Yes — when using bait for striped bass, you must use non-offset (inline) circle hooks. Artificial lures tipped with bait are exempt.
Can I fillet fluke on the boat?
No — fluke cannot be filleted, cleaned, or have heads/tails removed until brought ashore. Exception: one white-side fillet may be removed for bait (keep dark-side carcass).
What changed for black sea bass in 2026?
ASMFC approved a 20% increase in recreational harvest. DEC is implementing this through adjusted seasons, sizes, or bag limits.
Do I need a separate license if I’m on a charter boat?
No — party/charter boat passengers are covered by the vessel’s license and exempt from the Marine Registry.
