New York regulations
Northern Pike Regulations in New York 2026
New York northern pike 2026 open seasons vary by 15 management regions. Statewide rules apply for 18″ min. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from DEC.
Rules (54)
All Finger LakesIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 22"
All Fresh WatersIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 5
Cranberry LakeIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Cross LakeIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 22"
Lake Champlain And Tributaries To The First Impassible Barrier (New York/Vermont Border Water)
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
Lake Erie And TributariesIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 22"
Lake OntarioIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 22"
Lower Niagara River And TributariesIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 22"
Seneca LakeIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Min size
- 22"
May 1 through March 15 Daily Limit-5 Minimum Length-22"
Seneca River From Plainville Road (Hamlet Of Jacks Reef – Onondaga County) Upstream To Seneca LakeIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 22"
Seneca River From Plainville Road (Hamlet Of Jacks Reef) Upstream To Seneca LakeIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 22"
Seneca River From The Confluence With Oneida River Upstream To Plainville Road (Hamlet Of Jacks Reef) Oswego Countyredfield ReservoirIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 22"
St. Lawrence River (Downstream Of Tibbetts Point)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
St. Lawrence River And Tributaries Downstream Of Tibbets PointIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 22"
Upper Niagara River And TributariesIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 22"
Other New York fish regulations
Other regulated species in New York with current rule pages — same DEC source, same verification cadence.
- Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow)528 rules
- Walleye240 rules
- Lake Trout238 rules
- Salmon (Chinook, Coho, Pink)61 rules
- Muskie (Muskellunge)60 rules
- Bluegill (Sunfish)44 rules
- Stripers (Striped Bass)29 rules
- Yellow Perch16 rules
- Tog (Tautog / Blackfish)9 rules
- Crappie (Black & White)7 rules
- Channel Catfish5 rules
- Redfish (Red Drum)4 rules
- Black Sea Bass4 rules
- Bluefish4 rules
- Fluke (Summer Flounder)3 rules
- Scup (Porgy)2 rules
- Weakfish2 rules
- Largemouth Bass2 rules
- Smallmouth Bass2 rules
Frequently asked questions
When is Northern Pike season in New York?
Northern Pike season in New York runs from May 1 to Mar 15 per DEC.
What is the size limit for Northern Pike in New York?
Minimum size for Northern Pike in New York is 22 inches in All Finger Lakes, per DEC. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Northern Pike in New York?
Daily bag limit for Northern Pike in New York is 5 fish/day in All Finger Lakes, per DEC.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing/great-lakes-tributaries-regulations
- https://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing/region-7-regulations
- https://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DEC before keeping a catch.