New York regulations
Salmon (Chinook, Coho, Pink) Regulations in New York 2026
New York salmon 2026 open seasons vary by 11 management regions. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from DEC.
Rules (61)
Chautauqua Creek From The Bridge On South Gale St. Upstream 1.3 Miles To The Upper Village Of Westfield Water Intake DamCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Catch and Release only
Eighteenmile Creek (Erie County) Main Branch Of The Creek (Excluding South Branch) Contained Within Eighteenmile Creek County ParkCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Catch and Release only
Eighteenmile CreeksCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Artificial Lures Only
Catch and Release only for trout and salmon in creek sections described below Only Artificial lures can be used in Catch and Release sections
Lake Erie And TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 12"
- Min size
- 12"
All year in any combination Daily Limit 3 in any combination Minimum Length 12"
Lake OntarioOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, not to include more than 2 Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) in the lake, and not to include more than 1 Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) and 1 Brown Trout in the tributaries
Lake Ontario TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, not to include more than 2 Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) in the lake, and not to include more than 1 Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) and 1 Brown Trout in the tributaries
Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River, And Their TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 15"
- Min size
- 15"
All year 3 in combination, not to include more than 2 Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) Daily Limit 3 in combination, not to include more than 2 Rainbow Trout Minimum Length 15"
Lower Niagara River And TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
- Min size
- 15"
(Trout & Salmon) in any combination, not to include more than 1 Atlantic Salmon, 2 rainbow trout (steelhead), or 2 Lake Trout
Niagara River - Upper Section
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
St. Lawrence RiverOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, not to include more than 2 Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) in the lake, and not to include more than 1 Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) and 1 Brown Trout in the tributaries
Upper Niagara River And TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
in any combination
Salmon on famous New York waters
Dedicated rule pages for Salmon on the most-targeted destinations in New York.
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
- Muskie (Muskellunge)60 rules
- Northern Pike54 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
Also known as
Salmon is also called Salmon (Chinook, Coho, Pink), Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Pink Salmon. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in New York.
Frequently asked questions
When is Salmon season in New York?
Salmon season in New York runs from Jan 1 to Dec 31 per DEC.
What is the size limit for Salmon in New York?
Minimum size for Salmon in New York is 12 inches in Lake Erie And Tributaries, per DEC. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Salmon in New York?
Daily bag limit for Salmon in New York is 3 fish/day in Lake Erie And Tributaries, per DEC.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing/great-lakes-tributaries-regulations
- https://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing
- https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DEC before keeping a catch.