Tidal Hudson River Regulations
Statewide Angling Regulations apply except as listed below:
| Species | Location | Season | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| American eel | From the Battery to the Troy Dam and all tributaries upstream to the first barrier impassable by fish | All year | Eels 6-14 inches only may be possessed in any number for bait. No eels greater than 14 inches may be possessed. No eels may be possessed for food. |
| Black Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth) | Hudson River from the Troy Dam downstream and all tributaries in this section to the first barrier impassable by fish | 3rd Sat. in June - Nov. 30 | 15 inch minimum length; limit 5 |
| Note: It is illegal to target largemouth bass and smallmouth bass during the closed season of December 1 through the Friday preceding the 3rd Saturday in June. | |||
| Striped Bass and American Shad | At the time this guide was published, there were pending regulation changes for Striped Bass and American Shad. For more information, contact (845)256-3009, (631)444-0435 | ||
License requirements
There is no longer an exemption to the requirement for a license to take fish from the Hudson River south of the Troy Barrier Dam at Troy. Anglers will need to have a fishing license when fishing the Hudson River. Depending on the specific location of the Hudson River fishing activities, and the specific species fished for, an angler may need to have a recreational marine fishing license, a freshwater fishing license or both licenses:
- If you are fishing downstream from the Tappan Zee Bridge, you are considered fishing in the marine and coastal district and will need to have a recreational marine fishing license.
- If you are fishing upstream from the Tappan Zee Bridge and are fishing for non-migratory fish (such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, carp, walleye, and perch), you will need to have a freshwater fishing license.
- If you are fishing upstream from the Tappan Zee Bridge and are fishing for "migratory fish from the sea" (such as striped bass, American shad, hickory shad, blueback herring, or alewife), you need to acquire a recreational marine fishing license in addition to a freshwater fishing privilege.
What license do I need to fish the tributaries to the Hudson River?Anglers have always been required to have a freshwater fishing license when fishing the Hudson River tributaries as the Hudson River license exemption only pertained to the Hudson River proper. Now, if an angler is fishing these tributaries for "migratory fish from the sea," they will need a recreational marine fishing license in addition to their freshwater fishing license.
Circle Hook Recommendation*
If you plan to use natural baits for striped bass, please use circle hooks. Circle hooks increase the percentage of fish that are hooked in the mouth, decreasing hooking mortality in released fish. If you plan on practicing catch and release fishing, you should only use circle hooks for natural baits.
* This recommendation may become a requirement prior to September 30, 2009.