Recreational Marine Fishing Registry

On March 31, 2011, the New York no-fee recreational marine fishing registry was set in place to comply with state laws. This suspended the fee associated with the state's recreational marine fishing license that was originally set up in October 2009.

Information from the New York registry is incorporated into the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) nationwide database of recreational marine anglers. The database helps in efficiently obtaining fishing activity information, which is vital in setting quotas, size and bag limits, and fishing seasons each year.

Who Needs to Register

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

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.
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. (Please review the license requirements in the Hudson River Fishing Regulations for more information).

Exemptions

You do not need to register if you are:

Fishing aboard an appropriately licensed party or charter boat in the marine and coastal district. This does not include charter boats in the Hudson River north of the Tappan Zee Bridge.
A New York State licensed party/charter boat owner.
A Connecticut or Rhode Island resident who has a marine fishing license from their respective state (more details on out-of-state anglers).

Effective Registration Dates

Registration is valid for one full calendar-year: January 1 through December 31. Therefore, anglers must enroll in the New York State registry once a year prior to any fishing activity. There is no lifetime registration.

Cost

Free.

How to Register

The following list provides details on several different ways in which you can register:

Visit any location where fishing and hunting licenses are sold (find a license issuing agent near you), which includes:
- most town clerk offices;
- many bait and tackle shops;
- sporting goods stores; or
- DEC regional offices in Albany, Allegheny, Buffalo, Ray Brook, Stony Brook, and Watertown
Register online
Call 1-86-NY-DECALS (1-866-933-2257)

Proof of Registration

When registering in person you will immediately receive a registration card that you must carry with you at all times while angling. If registering by phone or online, you will receive a confirmation number receipt that you must carry with you for the first two to three weeks until receiving your registration card in the mail.

Fishing in Waters Outside of New York State

Federal waters (beyond three miles from shore)

New York registered anglers (both resident and non-resident) are automatically enrolled in the federal registry and may fish in federal waters (beyond three miles from shore).

Bordering waters

Connecticut and Rhode Island waters: New York State registered anglers (both resident and non-resident) are able to fish in bordering waters of Connecticut or Rhode Island without having to purchase a Connecticut or Rhode Island marine fishing license.
New Jersey waters: New York anglers must register through New Jersey's Saltwater Recreational Registry Program before fishing.

Non-bordering waters

There are no provisions set with New York State and non-bordering states, such as Delaware, Massachusetts, Florida, etc. that allow New York State registered anglers to fish in their waters. If a New York state registered angler is fishing in one of these non-border waters that require a marine/saltwater fishing license or registration, then he/she is required to purchase an appropriate fishing license or enroll in a registry from that state.

Information for Out of State Anglers

Bordering states

Connecticut and Rhode Island residents: Anglers that have a marine/saltwater fishing license from Connecticut or Rhode Island are allowed to fish in New York State waters without having to enroll in the New York State registry.
New Jersey residents: New Jersey residents must enroll in New York's registry to fish in New York's waters.

Non-bordering states

Recreational saltwater anglers licensed by non-bordering states, such as Massachusetts, Delaware, Florida, etc. must enroll in New York State's recreational marine fishing registry to fish in New York's marine and coastal waters.