Guide to Hudson River Fish and Blue Crab Tags
A sample of a tag is shown on the
jaw/lip of this black bass.
Many natural resource agencies use fish tags as a tool to identify growth rates and migration routes of certain fish targeted by fishers. Individuals who catch tagged fish are asked to forward information to the responsible agency. Usually the tag itself will show how to contact the agency.
If you catch a tagged fish be sure to record the following information:
- The tag number
- The date the fish was caught
- The specific location where you caught the fish, for instance, "In Rondout Creek near Lou's Boat Basin." If fishing out on the main Hudson River, you can identify location by using daymarkers, buoys, a bridge, points of land, a bay location (as listed on the NOAA navigation charts of the Hudson), a town, or other prominent geographic features.
- The estimated size and/or weight of the fish.
Also include with the above information your name, address (street, city, state and zip) and a phone number where you can be reached during the day and the evening.
If you catch a largemouth or small mouth bass, please send the information listed above to DEC, by e-mail or regular mail. Address the regular mail to Mike Flaherty, NYSDEC, 21 S. Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561. Use the e-mail link in the column to the right to send the information by e-mail.
Striped Bass
This striped bass is tagged in the belly with a pink
tag from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
If you catch a striped bass, please send all of the information listed above. Also, note the color and the location of the tag on the body of the fish. The tag will have information on how to report the details about the fish you caught.
Tags on Striped Bass
This is a striped bass tag from
USFWS.
Pink tag in belly: The tag legend will have the tag number, USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), and 1-800-448-8322. Call the toll free phone number to report the catch information for your fish.
Yellow tag in belly: The tag legend will have the tag number, $5-$1000, and an address: HRF, P.O. Box 1731, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163. Mail the catch information to that address.
Yellow tag before tail: The tag legend will have the tag number, ALS, Highlands, NJ 07732. Mail the catch information to the address.
This tag is also used for striped bass.
Green tag in belly: (tag shown to the left) The tag legend will have the tag number, USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), and 1-800-448-8322. There is a reward of $125 for this tag. Call the phone number toll free to report the catch information for your fish.
American Shad, Sturgeon and River Herring
American shad are tagged just
below the dorsal fin.
This tag is used on American shad.
American shad: The tags are located below the dorsal fin and can be either red or orange (tag shown to the left and tagged fish shown below). The tag legend will have the tag number, USFWS, and 1-800-448-8322. Call the toll free phone number to report the catch information for your fish.
Sturgeon are tagged below the dorsal fin.
Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon: The red plastic tags are located below the dorsal fin (tagged fish shown to the left). The tag legend will have the tag number, USFWS, and 1-800-448-8322. Call the phone number toll free to report the catch information for your fish.
River herring are tagged
behind the dorsal fin.
River herring: The yellow tags are located below the dorsal fin (tag is shown at right). The tag legend will have the tag number, USFWS, and 1-800-448-8322. Call the phone number toll free to report the catch information for your fish.
Blue Crabs
A tagged blue crab
The yellow tags are located across the back of the crab. The tag legend will have the tag number, NYSDEC research, and 845-256-3171. Please call the phone number to report the catch information for your blue crab.
If you have any questions, please mail or email the Hudson River Fisheries Unit. The addresses are located in the column on the right.
