Highlights of 2006 - 2008 Fishing Regulation Changes

Note: For your convenience, the following is a summary of the changes in the freshwater fishing regulations. These changes will be in effect from October 1, 2006 until September 30, 2008.

A catch and release black bass season has been established from December 1 through the Friday preceding the third Saturday in June.
Existing bass fishing regulations remain in effect in waters of Bronx, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, St. Lawrence, and Suffolk counties.
A catch and release black bass season has been established from December 1 through the Friday preceding the third Saturday in June while the existing 10" size limit remains in effect in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties and in selected rivers.
A catch and release black bass season has been established from December 1 through the Friday preceding the second Saturday in June on Lake Champlain.
The minimum size limit for black bass on Lake Erie has been increased to 20" from the first Saturday in May through the Friday preceding the third Saturday in June.
The minimum size limit for black bass on the tidal waters of the Hudson River has been increased to 15".
Catch-and-release, artificial lures only trout seasons from October 16 through March 31 have been established on several streams in central and western NY.
The minimum size limit for Rainbow trout (and steelhead) in Lake Ontario and all Lake Ontario tributaries has been raised to 21 inches.
Catch-and-release only with artificial lures only regulations for trout and salmon fishing have been established on portions of Chautauqua Creek and the main branch of Eighteen Mile Creek (Erie County).
The trout season has been extended from September 30 to October 15 on much of the Delaware River system.
The Buffalo River and tributaries has been added to the list of waters where seasonal regulations for Great Lakes tributaries applies.
The daily limit on trout has been changed to 5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" on selected western Adirondack and central NY rivers.
14 waters have been added to the Health Advisory due to elevated levels of mercury in fish. Additional advice has been added for certain larger, older fish in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountain regions.