2026 regulation year
New York Striped bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Morone saxatilis
Last updated
Striped bass are New York's headline migratory game fish — the Hudson River run draws anglers from across the East Coast every spring, and the Long Island marine fishery extends through fall. Slot limits are tight: keepers must fall inside a narrow window (18–28 in on the Hudson; 28–31 in marine).
Season
Hudson River: Apr 1 – Nov 30. Marine District: Apr 15 – Dec 15.
– Hudson River (Tappan Zee bridge to federal dam at Troy)
– Marine District (NY ocean + Long Island Sound)
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 1 / day
- Possession
- 1 in possession
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- Hudson River slot 18–28 in; Marine slot 28–31 in
- Slot
- Hudson River 18–28 in; Marine 28–31 in (release fish outside slot)
- Trophy rule
- Catch-and-release only outside slot windows
Gear restrictions
- Single-hook circle hooks required when fishing with bait (Hudson)
- No gaffing of slot-size fish
- Marine Registry required for saltwater participation
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific New York waters:
Hudson River (Tappan Zee to Troy)
Slot 18–28 in; 1 / day; Apr 1 – Nov 30
Long Island Sound
Marine slot 28–31 in; 1 / day; Apr 15 – Dec 15
Montauk Point
Marine slot; fall blitz heavily fished
Jamaica Bay
Marine slot; urban estuary fishery
Official source
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation publishes the authoritative 2026 New Yorkfishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.