US Fishing Closures 2026 — Seasonal & Emergency-Order Watch

Highly drainage-specific. Many rivers under emergency closure; open windows announced by ADF&G Emergency Order.

• Open May 15 – Jul 31· Kenai River (subject to in-season emergency change)
• Open Jun 1 – Jul 15· Susitna drainage (subject to in-season emergency change)

Open year-round on most waters; spawning closures Apr–Jun on some drainages.

• Open Jun 8 – Mar 31· Bristol Bay drainages (typical open window post-spawn)

Mid-June through August on most runs. Kenai late run typically June 20 – Aug 15; Russian River early run mid-June and late run mid-July – mid-August; Bristol Bay drainages late June – August. Openings and bag limits are adjusted in-season by ADF&G emergency order.

• Open Jun 20 – Aug 15· Kenai River (mouth to Skilak Lake outlet), late run — subject to in-season emergency change
• Open Jun 11 – Aug 20· Russian River early + late runs (Sanctuary Area) — opens by emergency order on sonar counts

Late July – October on most drainages (run timing varies north-to-south).

• Open Jul 25 – Oct 15· Statewide drainages (typical run window)

Ocean and river seasons are set annually by CDFW + PFMC; the 2026 ocean season reopened (Apr/May start by management area). Always verify the open window before fishing.

Set annually by management area, not statewide. The boat-based season generally runs spring through December for most areas, often as separate shallow 'all-depth' and deeper 'offshore-only' sub-seasons that open on different dates, each tied to a depth (fathom) limit that changes yearly. CDFW also issues in-season nearshore closures when quotas are hit. Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from the season and depth restrictions. Always verify the current open dates and depth limit for your management area before each trip.

Set annually by management area, not statewide. The boat-based season generally runs spring through December for most management areas, under the same depth (fathom) limits and in-season closures as the rest of the groundfish fishery. Divers and shore-based anglers are exempt from the season and depth restrictions. Verify the current open dates and depth limit for your management area before each trip.

Sierra district streams: last Sat in April – Nov 15. Lowland waters and most stocked lakes: year-round.

• Open Apr 25 – Nov 15· Sierra district streams

Catch-and-release only — no white sturgeon may be kept. The 2025–26 season runs October 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 in the ocean, San Francisco Bay, the Delta, and the lower Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, with a summer closure July 1 – September 30. Season dates are set annually by CDFW — verify before fishing.

• Open Oct 1 – Jun 30

Long Island Sound + Connecticut River tidal section typically open year-round under ASMFC harmonized rule; confirm current-year DEEP Marine Fisheries notice.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Long Island Sound + Connecticut River tidal section

Year-round on most waters; designated Bass Management Lakes closed harvest April 1 – June 15 (catch-and-release artificial-lures-only during the bass spawning window).

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide standard waters
• Open Apr 1 – Jun 15· Designated Bass Management Lakes (Bantam, Candlewood, East Twin, others)

Open second Saturday in April – end of February on stocked reaches; year-round catch-and-release on Trout Management Areas; pre-season Apr 1 – mid-June 2 / day rule on listed reaches.

• Open Apr 11 – Feb 28· Stocked reaches (Opening Day second Saturday in April)
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Trout Management Areas (Housatonic, Farmington West Branch, Salmon River Comstock, Mianus Pond, others)

Year-round on most waters; Bass Management Lakes closed harvest April 1 – June 15 (catch-and-release artificial-lures-only).

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide standard waters
• Open Apr 1 – Jun 15· Designated Bass Management Lakes (Bantam, Candlewood, East Twin, others)

Per annual CT DEEP Marine Fisheries notice — typical Long Island Sound May 4 – Oct 9. Confirm current year.

• Open May 4 – Oct 9· Long Island Sound + Connecticut River tidal section

Atlantic Ocean + Delaware Bay year-round under ASMFC plan; Nanticoke + Broad Creek + C&D Canal NO HARVEST April 1 – May 31 (DE-distinctive spawning protection — catch-and-release only). DE-distinctive 20–24 in summer slot replaces the 28–31 in slot July 1 – Aug 31 in Delaware Bay + River + tributaries. Circle hooks required on natural bait.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Atlantic Ocean + lower Delaware Bay + Indian River Inlet + Rehoboth + Indian River Bays
• Open Jul 1 – Aug 31· Delaware Bay + River + tributaries — summer slot
• Open Jun 1 – Dec 31· Nanticoke + Broad Creek + C&D Canal — open harvest after spring spawning closure
• Open Jan 1 – Mar 31· Nanticoke + Broad Creek + C&D Canal — open harvest before spring spawning closure

All year (DNREC 2026); 4 / day with a seasonal minimum size — 16 in Jan 1 – May 31, 17.5 in Jun 1 – Dec 31. Confirm current year.

• Open Jan 1 – May 31· DE ocean + bays
• Open Jun 1 – Dec 31· DE ocean + bays

Year-round open under ASMFC plan but practically May – June Delaware Bay spawning run. ASMFC emergency reduced rule since 2008 stock collapse — 13 in min + 1 / day. Confirm current year.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Delaware Bay + Atlantic Ocean + Rehoboth + Indian River Bays

Open Jan 1 – May 15 + Jul 1 – Dec 31 (DNREC 2026; CLOSED May 16 – Jun 30); 16 in min + 4 / day.

• Open Jan 1 – May 15· DE ocean + bays
• Open Jul 1 – Dec 31· DE ocean + bays

Year-round on most waters; statewide standard rule.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide standard waters

All year (DNREC); NO minimum size + 3 / day shore or private vessel, 5 / day charter boat or headboat (ASMFC for-hire split).

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· DE ocean + Delaware Bay + back bays

All year on most non-tidal waters; NO minimum size + NO daily creel limit (gamefish — not in the DE non-tidal limits table). Best Dec – Mar cold-water bite.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide non-tidal ponds + slow blackwater

May 1 – Dec 31 (DNREC 2026-27; opens earlier + former Oct 1–9 closure removed; state + federal waters aligned); 12.5 in min + 15 / day.

• Open May 1 – Dec 31· DE state + federal ocean + Delaware Bay

Year-round on DC waters; PRFC tidal Potomac March 1 – June 15 spawning protection (15 in min) + June 16 – Feb (12 in min); DC standalone freshwater + Anacostia under DC standard 12 in min.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Anacostia River + DC freshwater + Rock Creek + C&O Canal
• Open Mar 1 – Jun 15· Tidal Potomac (PRFC jurisdiction)
• Open Jun 16 – Dec 31· Tidal Potomac (PRFC jurisdiction)

Catch-and-release only Jan 1 – May 15 (spawning protection); harvest May 16 – Jul 6 + Aug 21 – Dec 31 at the 19–24 in slot + 1 / day; no-targeting closure Jul 7 – Aug 20. DC DOEE / PRFC 2026 harmonized Chesapeake recreational rule. Confirm current-year notice.

• Open Jan 1 – May 15· Tidal Potomac (DC DOEE / PRFC)
• Open May 16 – Jul 6· Tidal Potomac (DC DOEE / PRFC)
• Open Jul 7 – Aug 20· Tidal Potomac (DC DOEE / PRFC)
• Open Aug 21 – Dec 31· Tidal Potomac (DC DOEE / PRFC)

Year-round on DC non-tidal Potomac + C&O Canal + Rock Creek; statewide standard rule.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Non-tidal Potomac upstream of Chain Bridge + C&O Canal + Rock Creek

Open year-round in most regions. The Panhandle region is closed in February; the Indian River Lagoon region is closed Nov 1 – Dec 31. (New nine-region rule effective April 1, 2026.)

• Open Jan 1 – Jan 31· Panhandle
• Open Mar 1 – Dec 31· Panhandle
• Open Jan 1 – Oct 31· Indian River Lagoon
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast

Atlantic: open Feb 1 – May 31 and Sep 1 – Dec 14. Gulf: open Mar 1 – Apr 30 and Sep 1 – Nov 30 — but the Charlotte Harbor and Southwest regions reopen Oct 1 (their summer closure runs through Sep 30). Catch-and-release outside those windows.

• Open Feb 1 – May 31· Atlantic
• Open Sep 1 – Dec 14· Atlantic
• Open Mar 1 – Apr 30· Gulf (all regions)
• Open Sep 1 – Nov 30· Gulf (Panhandle–Sarasota Bay)
• Open Oct 1 – Nov 30· Gulf (Charlotte Harbor & Southwest)

Year-round on Wahiawā Public Fishing Area + Nuʻuanu Reservoir No. 4; statewide standard rule for freshwater game fishing.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Wahiawā Public Fishing Area + Nuʻuanu Reservoir No. 4 + statewide freshwater

Open September – May; CLOSED the entire months of June, July + August statewide to protect the summer spawning aggregation (HAR §13-95-23).

• Open Jan 1 – May 31· Statewide marine waters
• Open Sep 1 – Dec 31· Statewide marine waters

Year-round statewide.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide

Year-round on most waters; stream smallmouth pre-spawn rules per current IDNR notice on listed streams.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide

Year-round statewide; 6 / day combined walleye + sauger + hybrid; minimum size zoned 14 in (south of SR 26) / 16 in (north of SR 26).

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide

Year-round statewide; 25 / day combined black + white crappie statewide bag limit.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide

Lake Michigan year-round; tributary fall chinook run typically September – November (Trail Creek + Little Calumet + St. Joseph).

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Lake Michigan Indiana waters
• Open Sep 1 – Nov 30· Trail Creek + Little Calumet + St. Joseph River tributaries

Statewide open ice-out (typically April 1) through September 30 on most waters; January – March ice-fishing on listed waters; many wild-salmon reaches catch-and-release artificial-lures-only year-round.

• Open Apr 1 – Sep 30· Statewide landlocked salmon lakes + rivers — open harvest season
• Open Jan 1 – Mar 31· Listed January – March ice-fishing waters

North Zone lakes & ponds April 1 – September 30 (closed October – March except listed ice-fishing waters); South Zone lakes & ponds open year-round (ice + open water); rivers & streams statewide April 1 – Aug 15 (all methods) then Aug 16 – Sept 30 (artificial lures / flies only); 280+ Heritage Fish Waters carry artificial-lures-only no-bait restrictions year-round.

• Open Apr 1 – Sep 30· North Zone lakes & ponds
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· South Zone lakes & ponds

Statewide open ice-out (typically April 1) through September 30; January – March ice-fishing on listed waters per MDIFW Fishing Law Book.

• Open Apr 1 – Sep 30· Statewide togue waters — open harvest season
• Open Jan 1 – Mar 31· Listed January – March ice-fishing togue waters

North Zone lakes & ponds April 1 – September 30; South Zone lakes & ponds year-round (ice + open water); April 1 – June 30 catch-and-release artificial-lures-only pre-spawn restriction on listed waters per MDIFW Fishing Law Book.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· South Zone lakes & ponds
• Open Apr 1 – Sep 30· North Zone lakes & ponds
• Open Apr 1 – Jun 30· Listed pre-spawn C&R artificial-only waters

Atlantic + tidal Penobscot + Kennebec + Androscoggin year-round under ASMFC plan. Circle hooks required on natural bait. DMR Recreational Saltwater Fishing Registry FREE required ages 16+.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Atlantic coast bays + tidal Kennebec + Penobscot + Androscoggin

North Zone lakes & ponds April 1 – September 30 (closed October – March except listed ice-fishing waters); South Zone lakes & ponds open year-round (ice + open water); rivers & streams statewide April 1 – Aug 15 (all methods) then Aug 16 – Sept 30 (artificial lures / flies only).

• Open Apr 1 – Sep 30· North Zone lakes & ponds
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· South Zone lakes & ponds
• Open Apr 1 – Aug 15· Rivers & streams (all methods)

North Zone lakes & ponds April 1 – September 30; South Zone lakes & ponds year-round (ice + open water); April 1 – June 30 catch-and-release artificial-lures-only pre-spawn restriction on listed waters per MDIFW Fishing Law Book.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· South Zone lakes & ponds
• Open Apr 1 – Sep 30· North Zone lakes & ponds
• Open Apr 1 – Jun 30· Listed pre-spawn C&R artificial-only waters

South Zone lakes & ponds open year-round (ice + open water); North Zone lakes & ponds April 1 – September 30 plus ice fishing on listed waters; no daily limit and no minimum length statewide.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· South Zone lakes & ponds
• Open Apr 1 – Sep 30· North Zone lakes & ponds

Chesapeake Bay MD-distinctive: spring TROPHY May 16 – May 31 (35 in min, 1 / day, approved areas only); summer/fall Jun 1 – Aug 31 + Sep 1 – Dec 10 (19 in min, 1 / day, circle hooks required); Susquehanna Flats catch-and-release ONLY April 1 – May 15; Atlantic Ocean ASMFC 28–31 in slot + 1 / day.

• Open Apr 1 – May 15· Susquehanna Flats (Cecil + Harford Counties)
• Open May 16 – May 31· Chesapeake Bay spring TROPHY season (approved areas)
• Open Jun 1 – Aug 31· Chesapeake Bay summer recreational
• Open Sep 1 – Dec 10· Chesapeake Bay fall recreational
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Atlantic Ocean (Ocean City / Assateague)

Year-round on most waters; tidal Potomac River March 5 – June 15 catch-and-release ONLY pre-spawn window; standard 12 in min + 5 / day combined statewide.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide standard waters
• Open Mar 5 – Jun 15· Potomac River tidal section + listed Eastern Shore tidal tributaries

Year-round on most waters; Susquehanna Flats + tidal Susquehanna pre-spawn rules per current DNR notice; non-tidal Potomac River premier stream smallmouth year-round.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide standard waters

Per annual MD DNR Tidal Fisheries notice — typical Chesapeake Bay + Atlantic Ocean season open year-round under ASMFC plan with annual rule adjustments.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Chesapeake Bay + Atlantic Ocean / Coastal Bays

Year-round — no closed season; INVASIVE species with no minimum size and no bag limit on Maryland tidal waters.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide tidal + non-tidal waters

Open year-round statewide (15 in min, 5 / day); Deep Creek Lake + Youghiogheny River below the Route 42 bridge CLOSED Mar 1 – Apr 15 (spring spawn); Potomac mainstem (Chain Bridge to Cumberland) 20 in MAX size Jan 1 – Apr 15.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide (nontidal + Chesapeake tidal)
• Open Apr 16 – Dec 31· Deep Creek Lake
• Open Apr 16 – Dec 31· Youghiogheny River downstream of the Route 42 bridge
• Open Jan 1 – Apr 15· Potomac River mainstem (Chain Bridge to Cumberland spillway)

Open year-round; the Feb – Mar tidal-tributary spawning run is the marquee fishery. 9 in min + 5 / day in tidal waters & nontidal rivers/streams (creel reduced from 10 effective 2026); no minimum size + 10 / day in nontidal lakes, ponds & reservoirs.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Tidal waters + nontidal rivers & streams
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Nontidal lakes, ponds & reservoirs

Open year-round statewide. Nontidal waters: no minimum size, 5 / day. Tidal / Chesapeake waters: no minimum size, NO creel limit. Regulated as a sport fish — distinct from the invasive blue + flathead catfish.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Nontidal waters
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Tidal / Chesapeake waters

Open year-round on most waters; designated Trout Management Areas + Catch-and-Release reaches have special rules; spring stocking starts late March.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide year-round stocked + wild trout waters
• Open Mar 23 – Jun 15· MassWildlife spring stocking window

Open April 1 – December 31 (DMF). Daily bag steps through the year: 3 (Apr 1 – May 31), 1 (Jun 1 – Jul 31), 3 (Aug 1 – Oct 14), 5 (Oct 15 – Dec 31). 16 in minimum; 10-fish private-vessel maximum.

• Open Apr 1 – May 31· Spring season
• Open Jun 1 – Jul 31· Summer (reduced bag)
• Open Aug 1 – Oct 14· Early fall
• Open Oct 15 – Dec 31· Peak fall run

Open year-round under MA regulation; in practice bounded by DCR reservoir-access seasons — Quabbin ~3rd Sat April – 3rd Sat October (boat) with shore fishing to Dec 31; Wachusett 1st Sat April – Nov 30. Limits are water-specific.

• Open Apr 18 – Oct 17· Quabbin Reservoir (boat season)
• Open Apr 4 – Nov 30· Wachusett Reservoir

Open year-round under MA regulation; bounded by DCR reservoir-access seasons — Quabbin ~3rd Sat April – 3rd Sat October (boat), Wachusett 1st Sat April – Nov 30. 2 / day, 15 in minimum on both waters.

• Open Apr 18 – Oct 17· Quabbin Reservoir (boat season)
• Open Apr 4 – Nov 30· Wachusett Reservoir

Atlantic coast typically May 1 – Dec 15 (ASMFC harmonized recreational); commercial season per DMF quota notice (separate fishery).

• Open May 1 – Dec 15· Atlantic coast + Cape Cod Bay + Buzzards Bay + Nantucket Sound + Vineyard Sound
• Open Jun 1 – Aug 31· Commercial striped bass quota season (separate)

Per annual DMF Marine Fisheries notice — typical ocean + bays May 22 – Oct 9. Confirm current year.

• Open May 22 – Oct 9· MA ocean + bays + sounds

Great Lakes: year-round. Type-1 streams: last Sat April – Sep 30.

• Open Apr 25 – Sep 30· Type-1 streams

Inland: last Sat April – Mar 15. Great Lakes: year-round.

• Open Apr 25 – Mar 15· Inland waters

Catch-and-release: last Sat April – Sat before Memorial Day. Harvest: Sat before Memorial Day onward.

• Open Apr 25 – May 22· Catch-and-release window
• Open May 23 – Dec 31· Harvest window (Lake St. Clair June 20)

Catch-and-immediate-release open all year. Possession season: May 23 – Dec 31 statewide; Lake St. Clair, St. Clair & Detroit rivers June 20 – Dec 31.

• Open May 23 – Dec 31· Statewide possession season
• Open Jun 20 – Dec 31· Lake St. Clair, St. Clair & Detroit rivers

Catch-and-immediate-release open all year. Possession season: June 6 – Mar 15 (Great Lakes, inland waters, St. Marys River, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair & Detroit rivers).

• Open Jun 6 – Mar 15· Statewide possession season

Inland summer May 9 – Sep 30; inland winter Jan 17 – Mar 31 (Jan 1 – Mar 31 within the BWCAW). Lake Superior Dec 1 – early Oct.

• Open May 9 – Sep 30· Inland lakes (summer)
• Open Jan 17 – Mar 31· Inland lakes (winter, outside BWCAW)

Inland: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027. Border waters vary by treaty.

• Open May 9 – Feb 28· Inland waters

Inland angling May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027; winter dark-house spearing has separate dates and limits.

• Open May 9 – Feb 28· Inland angling

June 6 – Nov 30 (statewide).

• Open Jun 6 – Nov 30· Statewide

Impoundments year-round; Ozark + non-Ozark streams catch-and-release only March 1 – May 22, harvest May 23, 2026 – February 28, 2027.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Impoundments + year-round-harvest streams
• Open May 23 – Feb 28· Ozark + non-Ozark stream harvest season

Trout Parks open March 1 – October 31 catch-and-keep + Nov 13, 2026 – Feb 8, 2027 C&R (Fri–Mon); Lake Taneycomo + Current River + Eleven Point + Ozark streams year-round under reach-specific rules.

• Open Mar 1 – Oct 31· Trout Parks catch-and-keep
• Open Nov 13 – Feb 8· Trout Parks winter C&R
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Lake Taneycomo + Current River + Eleven Point + outside-park streams

Pyramid Lake Lahontan cutthroat closed June 30 – October 1 statewide for spawning protection; open October 1 – June 30 with Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Permit; statewide cutthroat trout open year-round on listed waters (Lake Tahoe + Walker Lake LCT reintroduction reaches + listed conservation reaches).

• Open October 1 – June 30· Pyramid Lake (Paiute Tribal Permit required)
• Open January 1 – December 31· Lake Tahoe + Walker Lake + listed LCT reintroduction reaches

Open ice-out (typically April 1) through end of October; January ice-fishing season for listed waters.

• Open Apr 1 – Oct 31· Statewide lake trout waters
• Open Jan 1 – Mar 31· Listed ice-fishing lake trout waters

Year-round on most waters; listed waters retain pre-spawn restrictions per current NHF&G notice.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide standard waters

Year-round on most waters; listed waters retain pre-spawn restrictions per current NHF&G notice.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide standard waters

Open fourth Saturday in April – October 15 on most streams; year-round on listed designated trout ponds; year-round catch-and-release on the Trophy Stretch.

• Open Apr 25 – Oct 15· Standard NH trout streams + ponds
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Trophy Stretch (Connecticut River between 1st + 2nd Connecticut Lakes)
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Designated year-round trout ponds (per NHF&G list)

NH Atlantic coast + Great Bay Estuary year-round open under ASMFC plan; recreational rule annually set; circle hooks required on natural bait.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· NH Atlantic coast + Great Bay Estuary + Piscataqua River + Isles of Shoals

Rivers + streams open January 1 – October 15; lakes + ponds open-water season; Designated Trout Ponds fourth Saturday in April – October 15. Combined 5 fish / 5 lb trout limit (brook + brown + rainbow), no length limit.

• Open Jan 1 – Oct 15· Rivers + streams
• Open Apr 25 – Oct 15· Designated Trout Ponds

Rivers + streams open January 1 – October 15; lakes + ponds open-water season; Trophy Stretch + Trophy Trout Ponds year-round catch-and-release. Combined 5 fish / 5 lb trout limit (brook + brown + rainbow), no length limit.

• Open Jan 1 – Oct 15· Rivers + streams
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Trophy Stretch + Trophy Trout Ponds

Open April 1 – September 30 on the designated salmon lakes; closed October 1 – March 31; may not be taken through the ice. 15-inch minimum, 2 salmon within a combined 4-fish trout + salmon daily limit.

• Open Apr 1 – Sep 30· Designated salmon lakes — open season

Atlantic coast March 1 – Dec 31 (closed January – February); Delaware River bonus tag program per-year; confirm NJDEP Marine Fisheries notices.

• Open Mar 1 – Dec 31· Atlantic coast + Raritan Bay
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Delaware River bonus tag program

Year-round on listed special-regulation reaches + Trophy Trout Lakes; April Opening Day for stocked reaches (pre-season closure March 11 – March 31).

• Open Apr 4 – Dec 31· Stocked reaches (Opening Day Saturday)
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Catch-and-release reaches (Big Flat Brook Blewett + Ken Lockwood Gorge)

Statewide open Jan 1 – Feb 28 + May 1 – Dec 31; catch-and-release ONLY March 1 – April 30 (pre-spawn); Delaware River open year-round. 18 in min, 3 / day.

• Open Jan 1 – Feb 28· Statewide harvest
• Open Mar 1 – Apr 30· Statewide pre-spawn
• Open May 1 – Dec 31· Statewide harvest
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Delaware River main stem

Year-round open season; statewide pre-spawn catch-and-release ONLY March 1 – April 15.

• Open Apr 16 – Dec 31· Statewide harvest season
• Open Mar 1 – Apr 15· Statewide pre-spawn

Per annual NJDEP Marine Fisheries notice — typical ocean + bays May 2 – Sep 27; Delaware Bay June 17 – Aug 4. Confirm current year.

• Open May 2 – Sep 27· Atlantic coast + Raritan + Sandy Hook bays
• Open Jun 17 – Aug 4· Delaware Bay (separate season + rules)

Hudson River: Apr 1 – Nov 30. Marine District: Apr 15 – Dec 15.

• Open Apr 1 – Nov 30· Hudson River (north of the George Washington Bridge; closed Dec 1 – Mar 31 above the Mario M. Cuomo / Tappan Zee Bridge)
• Open Apr 15 – Dec 15· Marine District (NY ocean + Long Island Sound)

Apr 1 – Oct 15 on most waters; year-round on listed waters; heritage-strain ponds carry stricter rules.

• Open Apr 1 – Oct 15· Statewide most waters

May 1 – Mar 15 (most inland waters).

• Open May 1 – Mar 15· Inland waters statewide

May 1 – Mar 15 statewide.

• Open May 1 – Mar 15· Statewide inland waters

Statewide: June 1 – Nov 30. Great Lakes + St. Lawrence trophy waters open June 15.

• Open Jun 1 – Nov 30· Statewide inland waters
• Open Jun 15 – Nov 30· Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Niagara + St. Lawrence rivers (54 in waters)

Harvest: June 15 – Nov 30. Catch-and-release: Dec 1 – June 14 (artificial lures only, no harvest).

• Open Jun 15 – Nov 30· Harvest window statewide

Harvest: June 15 – Nov 30. Catch-and-release: Dec 1 – June 14 (artificial lures only, no harvest).

• Open Jun 15 – Nov 30· Harvest window statewide

Inland waters: most C&R only. Roanoke River: short spring harvest window. Coastal: special-reg, subject to in-season change.

• Open Apr 1 – Apr 30· Roanoke River (subject to in-season change)

Closed most of the year; short open window in September.

• Open Sep 1 – Sep 30· Statewide coastal (subject to in-season change)

Lower Illinois River + Lower Mountain Fork year-round; seasonal winter Trout Areas Blue River + Watonga + Sunset Lake + Carl Blackwell Turtle Pond (Nov 1 – Mar 31) and Robbers Cave + Medicine Creek (Nov 1 – Mar 15).

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Lower Illinois River + Lower Mountain Fork year-round Trout Areas
• Open Nov 1 – Mar 31· Seasonal winter Trout Areas — Blue River + Lake Watonga + Sunset Lake + Carl Blackwell Turtle Pond
• Open Nov 1 – Mar 15· Seasonal winter Trout Areas — Robbers Cave (Lake Carlton) + Medicine Creek

Spring chinook March 1 – June 15 Columbia mainstem + listed tribs; summer chinook June 16 – July 31 Columbia mainstem; fall chinook August 1 – December 31 Columbia mainstem + Snake + listed coastal tribs.

• Open March 1 – June 15· Columbia mainstem + Willamette + listed tribs
• Open June 16 – July 31· Columbia mainstem + Hanford Reach + Snake
• Open August 1 – December 31· Columbia mainstem + Snake + lower Snake tribs + coastal

September 1 – November 30 coho season on Columbia mainstem + listed tribs (with state-specific in-river allocation under Columbia River Compact).

• Open September 1 – November 30· Columbia mainstem + Willamette + coastal tribs

Summer-run June 1 – December 31 Columbia mainstem + Snake + Deschutes + Rogue + Umpqua + listed tribs; winter-run December 1 – April 30 coastal + Willamette + Columbia tribs.

• Open June 1 – December 31· Columbia mainstem + Snake + Deschutes + Rogue + Umpqua + listed inland tribs
• Open December 1 – April 30· Coastal + Willamette + Columbia tribs

Open May (first Saturday) through March 14 on most inland waters; Lake Erie + connecting waters open year-round.

• Open May 2 – Mar 14· Inland
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Lake Erie + connecting waters

Regular season opens first Saturday in April; Approved Trout Waters closed mid-March through opener for pre-season stocking; Heritage Trout Angling / Wild Trout reaches under year-round catch-and-release rules.

• Open Apr 4 – Feb 28
• Open Mar 28 – Mar 28

Regular harvest season mid-June through April 14 on most inland waters; catch-and-immediate-release year-round outside the harvest window; Susquehanna Sunbury–Holtwood reach is C&IR year-round with no harvest at any time.

• Open Jun 13 – Apr 14

Regular harvest season mid-June through April 14; catch-and-immediate-release year-round on most waters during the closed-harvest window.

• Open Jun 13 – Apr 14

Open Sept 1 – Apr 30 on Lake Erie tributaries and the open lake; Lake Erie Permit required.

• Open Sep 1 – Apr 30

RI Atlantic coast + Narragansett Bay + Block Island Sound year-round open under ASMFC plan; recreational rule annually set; circle hooks required on natural bait.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· RI Atlantic coast + Narragansett Bay + Block Island Sound + Watch Hill

Per annual RIDEM Marine Fisheries notice — typical year-round shore mode + open boat season May 1 – Dec 31. Confirm current year.

• Open May 1 – Dec 31· RI ocean + bays — primary boat season
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· RI designated shore-mode sites

Year-round on most waters; statewide standard rule.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Statewide standard waters

Open year-round (RIDEM). 5 / day shore + private boat; 7 / day for-hire. No minimum size. Best fishing late spring through the fall blitz (Aug – Oct).

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Shore + private boat
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· For-hire (party / charter)

Open year-round (RIDEM). 1 fish / day, 16 in minimum — the most restrictive ASMFC tier reflecting the depleted coastwide stock. Confirm current year.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· RI bays + salt ponds + coast

Two split seasons — spring (typical April 1 – May 31) + fall / winter (typical August 1 – December 31). Closed June 1 – July 31. Confirm current year.

• Open Apr 1 – May 31· RI ocean + bays — SPRING SEASON
• Open Aug 1 – Dec 31· RI ocean + bays — FALL / WINTER SEASON

Per annual RIDEM Marine Fisheries notice — typical ocean + bays May 1 – Dec 31. Confirm current year.

• Open May 1 – Dec 31· RI ocean + bays + sounds

Shore + private boat typically May 16 – Dec 31 (3 / day); for-hire stepped season May 16 – Aug 31 (4 / day) + Sep 1 – Dec 31 (6 / day). 16 in minimum. Confirm current year.

• Open May 16 – Dec 31· Shore + private boat
• Open May 16 – Aug 31· For-hire (party / charter) — summer
• Open Sep 1 – Dec 31· For-hire (party / charter) — fall

Santee Cooper (Lakes Marion + Moultrie + connecting waters): harvest open Oct 1 – June 15, CLOSED June 16 – Sept 30 (summer thermal-stress closure), 26 in min, 3 / day. Lake Murray + most inland reservoirs open year-round (Murray 21 in min Oct 1 – May 31, any length June 1 – Sept 30, 5 / day). Cooper River below Pinopolis Dam has spring spawning closures on listed tributaries — check current SCDNR notices before fishing the lower river in March – May.

• Open Oct 1 – Jun 15· Santee Cooper (Lakes Marion + Moultrie + connecting waters)
• Open Jun 16 – Sep 30· Santee Cooper (Lakes Marion + Moultrie)
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Lake Murray + most inland reservoirs

Open year-round on most public trout waters. Delayed Harvest reaches: catch-and-release artificial-only Nov 1 – May 14; general regs (possession 5 trout, no minimum size) balance of year. SC has no statewide minimum size on general trout waters; Lake Jocassee carries a 15 in minimum Oct 1 – May 31.

• Open Nov 1 – May 14· Delayed Harvest reaches
• Open May 15 – Oct 31· Delayed Harvest reaches (general regs)
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Chattooga River Section 0 + Section I (SC/GA boundary)
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· General trout waters (Lake Keowee, Sumter NF streams, Chattooga River general reaches)

Open most of the year; harvest closed statewide Nov 1 – Dec 14 for the fall spawning migration.

• Open Dec 15 – Oct 31

Open second Saturday of April through October 31 + January 1 – March 15 winter / ice season on lakes. Lake Champlain lake trout 15 in min + 3 / day (separate Table 2 limit); all other waters a combined 2 / day aggregate shared with landlocked salmon — general 18 in min, Lake Memphremagog + Lake Willoughby 24 in min.

• Open Apr 11 – Oct 31· Statewide lake trout waters — open harvest season
• Open Jan 1 – Mar 15· January 1 – March 15 winter / ice-fishing lake trout waters

Lake Champlain open year-round, 15 in min + 2 / day (separate Table 2 limit); all other waters (lakes + rivers/streams) 17 in min within a combined 2 / day aggregate shared with lake trout, open 2nd Saturday of April – Oct 31 (lakes add Jan 1 – Mar 15); Lake Champlain Sea Lamprey Control Program supports the recreational fishery.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Lake Champlain — open year-round
• Open Apr 11 – Oct 31· Tributaries + other waters — open harvest season

Rivers + streams open second Saturday of April through October 31; lakes + ponds add January 1 – March 15; listed special-regulation + Heritage Trout reaches carry artificial-lures-only catch-and-release restrictions (2022 simplification).

• Open Apr 11 – Oct 31· Rivers + streams + general lakes/ponds — open harvest season
• Open Jan 1 – Mar 15· Lakes + ponds — winter season

First Saturday of May through March 15 on most waters (closed mid-March through April for spring spawning protection); year-round Connecticut River main stem under NH/VT reciprocity.

• Open May 2 – Dec 31· Statewide walleye waters — open harvest season
• Open Jan 1 – Mar 15· Statewide walleye waters — open harvest continues into spring
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Connecticut River main stem — open year-round under NH/VT reciprocity

Rivers + streams open second Saturday of April through October 31; lakes + ponds add January 1 – March 15; Lake Champlain open year-round. Combined brook + brown + rainbow aggregate 8 / day rivers + streams, 6 / day lakes + ponds (2022 simplification); special reaches carry minimums, slots + catch-and-release.

• Open Apr 11 – Oct 31· Rivers + streams + general lakes/ponds — open harvest season
• Open Jan 1 – Mar 15· Lakes + ponds — winter season
• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Lake Champlain — open year-round

Open harvest second Saturday of June through November 30; April 14 – June 14 catch-and-release ONLY statewide spawning protection (VT-distinctive — one of the most restrictive bass spawning protections in the US); year-round catch-and-release outside the open-harvest window.

• Open Jun 13 – Nov 30· Statewide open harvest season
• Open Apr 14 – Jun 14· Statewide spawning closure — catch-and-release ONLY artificial-lures-only

Inland reservoirs open year-round. Chesapeake Bay + tributaries recreational season per VMRC notice (typically May 16 – Dec 31). Atlantic coast per VMRC + ASMFC harmonized rule.

• Open Jan 1 – Dec 31· Inland reservoirs (Smith Mountain, Lake Anna, Buggs Island, Lake Gaston, Claytor)
• Open May 16 – Jun 15· Chesapeake Bay spring season
• Open Oct 1 – Dec 31· Chesapeake Bay fall season

Spring chinook March 1 – June 15 Columbia mainstem + Snake + Wenatchee + Methow + listed tribs; summer chinook June 16 – July 31 Columbia mainstem + Snake + Wenatchee + Methow (WDFW-distinctive separate summer chinook quota); fall chinook August 1 – December 31 Columbia mainstem + Snake + Puget Sound + coastal.

• Open March 1 – June 15· Columbia mainstem + Snake + Wenatchee + Methow + listed tribs
• Open June 16 – July 31· Columbia mainstem + Snake + Wenatchee + Methow + Entiat tribs
• Open August 1 – December 31· Columbia mainstem + Snake + Puget Sound (13 marine areas) + Olympic Peninsula coastal

September 1 – November 30 coho season on Columbia mainstem + Puget Sound (13 marine areas + Hood Canal) + Olympic Peninsula coastal + listed tribs (with state-specific in-river allocation under Columbia River Compact + 50/50 treaty-tribal allocation under US v. Washington 1974 Boldt Decision).

• Open September 1 – November 30· Columbia mainstem + Puget Sound + Olympic Peninsula coastal + Hood Canal + listed tribs

Summer-run June 1 – December 31 Columbia mainstem + Snake + Yakima + Wenatchee + Methow + Cowlitz + Lewis + listed tribs; winter-run December 1 – April 30 Olympic Peninsula coastal + Puget Sound tribs + Lower Columbia tribs.

• Open June 1 – December 31· Columbia mainstem + Snake + Yakima + Wenatchee + Methow + Cowlitz + Lewis + listed inland tribs
• Open December 1 – April 30· Olympic Peninsula coastal (Hoh + Quinault + Queets + Sol Duc + Bogachiel + Calawah + Quillayute) + Puget Sound tribs (Skagit + Sauk + Stillaguamish + Snohomish + Skykomish + Snoqualmie + Green + Puyallup + Nisqually + Skokomish + Hood Canal) + Lower Columbia tribs

Lake Washington (Cedar River + Sammamish River + Ballard Locks) June 1 – August 31 when open (only on years that forecast returns clear the WDFW spawning-escapement threshold — typically ~350,000 returning sockeye triggers season opening); Wenatchee River + Okanogan River July 1 – August 31 when open; Baker Lake (Skagit County) July 1 – August 31 via Puget Sound Energy fish-trap-and-haul reintroduction framework.

• Open June 1 – August 31· Lake Washington (Cedar River + Sammamish River + Ballard Locks) when open
• Open July 1 – August 31· Wenatchee River + Okanogan River + Baker Lake when open

Inland streams, springs & spring ponds: harvest April 4 – Oct 15, 2026 (new earlier opener). Inland lakes & ponds: May 2 – Oct 15, 2026. An early catch-and-release, artificial-only season runs on selected streams from the first Saturday in January until the harvest opener. Lake Michigan, Green Bay and Lake Superior are open year-round under separate Great Lakes rules.

• Open Apr 4 – Oct 15· Inland streams, springs & spring ponds (harvest)
• Open May 2 – Oct 15· Inland lakes & ponds (harvest)

Northern zone: last Sat in May – Dec 31. Southern zone: 1st Sat in May – Dec 31.

• Open May 30 – Dec 31· Northern zone
• Open May 2 – Dec 31· Southern zone

Inland: 1st Sat in May – 1st Sun in March. Border waters and Great Lakes vary.

• Open May 2 – Mar 1· Inland waters statewide

Northern zone: harvest 3rd Sat in June – 1st Sun in March. Southern: harvest 1st Sat in May.

• Open Jun 20 – Mar 1· Northern zone harvest
• Open May 2 – Mar 1· Southern zone harvest

Northern zone: harvest 3rd Sat in June – 1st Sun in March. Southern zone: open year-round.

• Open Jun 20 – Mar 1· Northern zone harvest