Freshwater Fishing Regulations
Important Note: DEC's online freshwater fishing regulations are provided on a separate website provided by J.F. Griffin Publishing, the official freshwater fishing regulations guide vendor.
The New York State Fishing Regulations are available as both online (leaves DEC website) and as a printable PDF (fishing regulations guide).
How to find freshwater fishing regulations
Note: all links in this section leave DEC's website to official Fishing Regulations Guide vendor website.
- Review the Statewide Angling Regulations.
- Review Special Regulations by County.
- Review any appropriate special waters regulations:
- 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.
- Review:
Other Considerations While Fishing
Review Fish Health Advisories (leaves DEC website) 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 2020-21 Fishing Regulations Guide
The 2020/21 Fishing Regulations Guide contains the fishing regulations that are in effect from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021. In order to reduce printing costs, the guide was printed in a magazine format with advertising.
Printable PDF
New York Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide: 2020/21 (PDF, 9.7MB)
Warning! This is a large document and may be slow to download.
Fish Health Collectors
Review the Fish Health Collectors List page for a list of people certified to collect fish for disease testing.
