Migratory Fish of the Sea
Requirements for the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry
For purposes of the recreational marine fishing registry, "migratory fish of the sea" include species of fish that live a part of their lifespan in the ocean and tidal rivers/streams.
These species can be one of the following:
- Anadromous: primarily live in the ocean and along the coast, but migrate up tidal rivers to spawn or to feed.
Examples: Striped bass, river herring, hickory shad and American shad. - Catadromous: primarily live in tidal streams and rivers, but migrate out to the ocean to spawn.
Examples: Most eel species, including the American eel.
New York State "Migratory Fish of the Sea" Species
A recreational marine fishing registry is required to fish for the following "migratory fish of the sea" species:
| Species | Season and Harvest Limits |
|---|---|
| Striped bass |
***Before going fishing, check the regulations for the waterbody you intend to fish*** The following three links leave DEC website to official Fishing Regulations Guide vendor website. |
| American eel | |
| Hickory shad | |
| American shad | |
| Anadromous river herring (alewife* and blueback herring) |
*Fishing for landlocked alewives, which are isolated from migrating to the ocean, requires a freshwater fishing license and does not require enrollment in the recreational marine fishing registry.