Freshwater Fishing Regulations

The New York State Fishing Regulations are available as both web pages (regulations only) and as a printable PDF (fishing regulations guide). In addition, the fishing regulations guide is available to be viewed off site with an interactive viewer. The link for the interactive viewer is available to the right (leaves the DEC website).

Regulation Change: As of August 17, 2011, the number of allowable lines, with or without a rod, that may be used for angling in freshwater was increased to 3 lines. Where ice fishing is permitted, 3 hand lines plus 5 tip-ups may be used.

How to find freshwater fishing regulations

Review the Statewide Angling Regulations.
Review:
1. Definitions and General Regulations (includes ice fishing regs)
2. Baitfish Regulations
3. Great Lakes and Tributary Regulations
4. Tidal Hudson River Regulations
5. Finger Lakes and Tributary Regulations
6. Lake Champlain Regulations
7. Border Waters Regulations
8. New York City Reservoir Regulations
9. Special Regulations by County
If the water you intend to fish is not among the waters named above, or in the Special Regulations by County, then Statewide Angling Regulations apply.
Consult the Fishing License page to determine if you need a fishing license.

You can also review Highlights of 2010 - 2012 Fishing Regulation Changes for regulations changes made in the last round of regulation changes.

Other Considerations While Fishing

Review Fish Health Advisories to be better informed about the fish you may keep and eat.

Review Fish Health Regulations to better understand the regulations designed to protect healthy fish populations.

Review Fishing Responsibly in New York State for tips on reducing your impact on the environment and reporting fishing violations.

View or Print the Fishing Regulations Guide

The 2011/12 Fishing Regulations Guide contains the fishing regulations that became effective on October 1, 2011. In order to reduce printing costs, the guide was printed in a magazine format with advertising (advertising is not included in the website PDF). There are two types of electronic versions of the guide you can access. You can choose to view the guide through an interactive viewer (leaves DEC website) or directly download the PDF.

Interactive viewer

cover of the freshwater fishing regulation
Click image for an Interactive Viewer
of the NY Freshwater Fishing Guide.
The Viewer goes off DEC's website.

PDF

New York Freshwater Fishing 2011-12 Official Regulations Guide (PDF) (6.7 MB) - Complete guide (without advertisements)

Warning! This is a large document and may be slow to download. Alternatively, you may download specific sections using the links below or use the Interactive Viewer to page through the guide online (click on the image above).

Fishing Regulations Only (PDF) (4.3 MB)
Special Regulations by County (PDF) (2.6 MB)
Articles (PDF) (2.6 MB)
Angler Achievement Awards (PDF) (1.2 MB)
2011 Fish Health Advisories (PDF) (1.2 MB)
Environmental Conservation Officers (PDF) (971 KB)
Catch and Release (PDF) (176 KB)
DEC Fish Hatcheries (PDF) (111 KB)
Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species and Diseases (PDF) (145 KB)

Fish Heath Collectors

Review the Fish Heath Collectors List page for a list of people certified to collect fish for disease testing.