Regulations '2024-Fish Facts

 

UPDATED: Fish id Chart and Regulations '2024 (PDF) Download and print  

Reglamento y tabla de identificación de peces '2024 actualizar (PDF)  Descargar e imprReglamento y tabla de identificación de peces '2024imir 

Proper Fish Measurement & Rules

(1) Total length is the longest straight line measurement from the tip of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the longest lobe of the tail, with the lobes squeezed together, and the fish laid flat on the measuring device.    
(2) Non-offset (inline) circle hooks must be used when recreationally fishing for striped bass using bait defined as any live or dead, whole or part of a marine or aquatic organism or terrestrial invertebrate. Exemption: Circle hooks are not required when fishing with an artificial lure, whether or not they are tipped with bait as previously defined.    
(3) A party/charter boat customer who lands and possesses more than 30 scup during September 1 - October 31 must obtain a dated original fare receipt from the licensed vessel.    
(4) Summer flounder may not have heads or tails removed or be otherwise cleaned, cut, filleted, or skinned until brought to shore, with the following exception: the white side fillet or white skin only of a legal size fluke may be removed to use as bait. The carcass of the fluke with dark side completely intact must be retained for inspection of size limit and counts against the possession limit.    
(5) Black sea bass are measured from the tip of the snout (or jaw), with the mouth closed, to the farthest extremity of the tail, not including the tail filament.    
(6) The fillet length is the longest straight line measurement from end to end of any fleshy side portion of the fish cut lengthwise away from the backbone, which must have the skin intact, laid flat on the measuring device.    
(7) Dressed length is the longest straight line measurement from the most anterior portion of the fish, with the head removed, to the longest lobe of the caudal fin(tail), with the caudal fin intact and with the lobes squeezed together, laid flat on the measuring device.    
(8) Anadromous river herring is defined in 6 NYCRR Part 10 (except the Hudson River and its tributaries and embayments north of the George Washington Bridge at river mile 11).

For Updated DEC Regulation -Click Link http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7894.html

 Saltwater permits:

New York Saltwater FISHING REGISTRATION. (. . (631) 654-2311

If you are saltwater recreational fishing; You Need To Register.    This is a FREE registry.   Please be sure to follow all laws and regulations in the waters in which you are fishing. 

Anglers will need to provide their name, date of birth, address and telephone number, and will receive a registration number that will allow them to begin fishing immediately.  Exceptions include anglers who are under the age of 16.

Who Needs to Register

Anglers age 16 and older need to register if they are:

1. Fishing in the Marine and Coastal District, which includes all the waters of the Atlantic Ocean within three miles from the coast, and all other tidal waters within the state, including the Hudson River up to the Tappan Zee Bridge.

2. Fishing any water, such as the Hudson River, Delaware River, or Mohawk River and their tributaries, for "migratory fish from the sea" such as striped bass, hickory shad, blueback herring, alewife.

To purchase a license or register  online- click   HERE.  

Or, Stop down at the shop and we'll sign you up. There's nothing worse than getting a ticket just because you went fishing. Need direction? Click Here

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Fun Fish Facts

Attached is a list of some "Fun Fish Facts-1 Around Long Island." Most are edible and plentiful too. So enjoy the summer and tight lines. (PDF)

Attached is an additional list of more "Fun Fish Facts-2 Around Long Island." Most are edible and plentiful too. So enjoy the summer and tight lines. (PDF) Updated

___FISH FACTS___

Wreck Fish

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The NYS Regulations for Atlantic cod, effective Immediately, are: 23” minimum size, 5 fish possession limit and an open season September 1 through May 31. The recreational season  is closed June 1 through August 31.

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Ling or Red Hake may not be the most attractive fish in the sea but - as a member of the cod family - it can be made to be absolutely delicious! Caught off local wrecks. 1/0 Hook and clam bait will "do the trick"

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Pollock, is open all year, 19" minimum size limit and no bag limit

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Shark and Tuna Fishing? A Permit is Required: 

Click here for: Atlantic Bigeye, Albacore, Yellowfin and Skipjack Tuna Recreational Minimum Sizes

Click here for: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Recreational Bag Limits

 Shark Identification Chart (PDF)    

 Tuna Guide (PDF)   

Permit Descriptions: All owners/operators of vessels in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean must obtain a federal permit to recreationally or commercially fish for regulated Atlantic HMS (sharks, swordfish, tunas (bluefin, bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack), and billfishes (recreational only; white and blue marlins, sailfish, and roundscale spearfish)

 Click Here To Register 

RECREATIONAL FISHING REGULATIONS FOR SHARKS IN STATE WATERS

Summary announcement:

DEC Announces New Gear Regulations and Enhanced Shark Handling Requirements for Marine Recreational Anglers:

(1) This regulation applies to both vessel-based and shore-based anglers.
(2) This regulation applies to all shore anglers. A shore angler is as any person engaged in any type of fishing that does not take place aboard a vessel.

DEC’s rulemaking includes new shark handling requirements for all marine anglers to reduce stress and injury to captured sharks, improve the condition of sharks that are released, and further protect prohibited shark species while maintaining recreational opportunities for shore-based anglers targeting legal species. In addition, the new rules improve shark handling and release practices for all shore- and vessel-based anglers. The new rules require:

• Immediate release of all prohibited shark species;
• Anglers to keep any shark not being harvested in the water with its gills submerged. This rule does not apply to smooth dogfish and spiny dogfish;
• Recreational shark anglers must have wire or bolt cutters immediately available to aid in the removal of tackle and the release of sharks not being harvested; and 
• Anglers to take every precaution to ensure the maximum probability of survival of any shark that will be released.

New gear restrictions specific to recreational shore anglers include the prohibition of:

• Metal fishing leaders attached to baited hooks that exceed 18 inches in length;
• Chumming within 600 feet of the shoreline (except with mollusks and crustaceans); and
• Deploying baited hooks by means other than casting with rod and reel.

RECREATIONAL SHARK FISHING REGULATIONS

Regulations that are relevant to recreational shark fishing are summarized here. For minimum size and possession limits and for the full list of prohibited shark species, visit Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations. 

Full Press Release

State and Federal Permit Requirements

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Spanish mackerel 

The Atlantic Spanish mackerel is a migratory species of mackerels that swims to the Northern Gulf of Mexico in spring, returns to south Florida in the Eastern Gulf, and to Mexico in the Western Gulf in the fall. Wikipedia-EXCELLENT EATING

SIZE LIMIT: 14" - BAG LIMIT 15 - OPEN ALL YEAR

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King Mackerel

Minimum Size Limits
(Total Length in Inches)  23" • Possession Limits
(Number of Fish) 3 • Open Seasons All year

(1) Total length is the longest straight line measurement from the tip of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the longest lobe of the tail, with the lobes squeezed together, and the fish laid flat on the measuring device.

Fish facts. NOAA Fisheries

King Mackerel is a visitor to our Long Island waters during the summer months. Usually caught by trolling umbrella rigs or shads. 

King mackerel is a good source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals. It's ok to eat and has a fishy taste, Not my favorite

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Fish Facts:  Bonito

Size Limit-Bag Limit-Season: No Restrictions.   If you are fishing from a pier or boat, you can catch them with Deadly Dick lures. Yes, they are good to eat and are a delicacy to some. A family it shares with is mackerel, tuna, and Spanish mackerel.

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The Atlantic Mackerel. Mackerel are very common in our waters this time of year and can be caught at our local offshore wrecks and Long Island Sound . Mackerel are in the tuna family, while they don’t share the same eating quality as there relatives they can provide both a fun fight and a great source bait for species like striped bass, black sea bass , bluefish and fluke. Mackerel can be caught on most common baits and lures but sibiki rigs work great when targeting them specifically.  Possession Limit : Federal Regulations 20 fish per person.

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New York State has thousands of miles of shoreline that provide abundant crabbing opportunities (including the Hudson River). Catching crabs can be accomplished by using baited crab pots that are set and checked frequently. Be sure to review the Crab Pot Regulations (link leaves DEC's website) before setting your crab pots. Another method of crabbing is to simply use a baited hand line to lure crabs to you and a dip net to capture the crabs. Please clear your lines and dispose of them properly at the end of your trip to prevent unnecessary pollution in our waterways.

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Cobia:

Minimum Size Limits: 37"
Possession Limits: 1 per vessel-Fishing From BOAT
Possession Limits: 1 per angler-Fishing From SHORE
Seasons: All year

In U.S. waters, cobia are most abundant from Virginia south through the Gulf of Mexico. Cobia migrate seasonally in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Along the Atlantic coast, they move south and offshore toward warmer waters during the late fall and winter. EXCELLENT EATING
Cobia | NOAA Fisheries

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Red drum

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Poor eating. One of the most prized gamefish of fall fishing in the Northeast is the false albacore. Their explosive hits and drag-screaming runs are unmatchedby any other species in our waters. Lures to use are  Joe Baggs epoxy jig, Deadly Dick Lures, Charlie Graves Lures and Shimano Coltsniper Lures.

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Oyster Toadfish 

 • Size Limit: 10”
 • Bag Limit: 3 Per Day
  • Season: 7/16-5/14
Toadfish feed on sandworms, squid, and clam.  Although they are edible, oyster toadfish are rarely eaten because they are ugly and slimy.

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Sea Robin:  Size, Bag, Season: No Restrictions.
Sea Robins feed on sandworms, squid, clam and will take lures too. Fun to catch and fine to eat.

 

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Fish Facts

Stargazer (fish)
If you catch one of these critters... Be careful: The stargazers are a fish that have eyes on top of their heads.  They also have a large, upward-facing mouth on a large head. Stargazers are venomous; they have two large venomous spines situated behind their opercles and above their pectoral fins. This species may also cause electric shocks. They have been called "The meanest things in creation". 

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Hickory Shad:  • Size Limit: No Restrictions • Bag Limit: 5 • Season: All Year…Anglers catch hickory shad with small jigs, inline spinners, flies, and other lures

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The Northern Puffer is known to most as the blowfish :
• Size Limit: No Restrictions • Bag Limit: No Restrictions,
• Season: All Year. Excellent eating!!
Blowfish feed on sandworms, squid, and clam.
"puffs up" into a ball in self-defense by inhaling air or water

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Triggerfish:  •Size Limit: None •Bag Limit: No Limit •Season: All Year.

Triggerfish feed on sandworms, squid, and clam. They have sharp teeth and a tough skin. Excellent eating.  Triggerfish are found around rocks and inlets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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kingfish:  Limit: No Restrictions, Bag Limit: No Restrictions, Season: All Year.  Excellent eating!! Kingfish feed on sandworms, squid, and clam.

 

 

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Saltwater Fishing                 Freshwater Fishing

  

 

 

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