ALBANY, NY — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today reminded anglers of the new striped bass limits, effective today, to comply with the Atlantic States Marine Fishery Commission’s (ASMFC) mandated 25-percent harvest reduction.
The recreational limits for all anglers in coastal waters are (all New York marine waters of Long Island, Westchester County and New York City south of the George Washington Bridge):
- 1 fish, 28 inches or larger, during the Apr. 15 – Dec. 15 season.
“New York is committed to maintaining a healthy stock of striped bass for both recreational and commercial fishing,” said Commissioner Joe Martens. “This reduction will allow the state’s striped bass stock to recover more quickly.”
DEC also established new limits for the Hudson and Delaware rivers and commercial fishing in coastal waters as follows:
- Hudson River (all tributaries north of George Washington Bridge and all inland waters): 1 fish, 18-28 inches OR 1 fish larger than 40 inches during the Apr. 1 – Nov. 30 season
- Delaware River: 1 fish, 28 inches or larger (no closed season)
- Commercial: The commercial quota is reduced by 25 percent. A slot limit of 28-38 inches during the Jun. 1 – Dec. 15 season are the new limits.
New York also recommends the use of “non-offset circle-hooks” while fishing for stripers since this reduces the mortality of released fish. A circle hook is a hook designed and manufactured with the point of the hook turned back toward the shank of the hook to form a circular or oval shape. The point of the hook should form an angle of 90 degrees or less to the shank of the hook. The hook is considered offset when the point of the hook is not in line with the plane of the shank of the hook.
NOTE: Anadromous river herring regulations remain the same for the Hudson River. The possession ban remains only for the Marine and Coastal District and all other waters in New York State.
Anglers are reminded to enroll in the annual no-fee recreational marine fishing registry before going fishing in the marine and coastal district waters or when fishing in the Hudson River and its tributaries for “migratory fish of the sea” (e.g. striped bass). Enroll in the recreational marine fishing registry at http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/54950.html.
Visit DEC’s website for details on the new limits and regulations.