Waterbody · New York
Finger Lakes Fishing Regulations 2026
Finger Lakes fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are lake trout, rainbow trout, landlocked salmon. 777 current rules across 8 species from DEC.
Rules (777)
DEC regulates 777 rules across 8 species at this water.
Trout
Allen PondIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
Amawalk Outlet (Muscoot River) – Muscoot Reservoir To Amawalk Reservoir (Region 3, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Batavia Kill – Confluence With East Branch Delaware River To Source (Region 4, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Batten Kill – Confluence With Whittaker Brook To Rexleigh Bridge (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Batten Kill – County Route 61 Bridge In Shushan To County Route 64 Bridge (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Batten Kill – County Route 64 Bridge To Covered Bridge In Eagleville (Region 5, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Beaver Kill – 1 Mi Upstream Of Iron Bridge To Old Railroad Trestle 2.5 Mi Downstream Of Sullivan County Line (Region 4, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Beaver Kill – Delaware/Sullivan County Line To Route 206 Bridge (Region 3, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Beaver Kill – Delaware/Sullivan County Line To Route 206 Bridge (Region 4, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Beaver Kill – Downstream End Of Beaver Kill Campground Upstream To 0.5 Mi Upstream Of Covered Bridge (Region 3, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Belmont Lake
- Max size
- 12"
All year, Daily Limit-5 with no more than 2 longer than 12”
Bushkill – Confluence With Dry Brook To Confluence With Emory Brook And Vly Creek (Region 4, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Bushnellsville Creek – Greene/Ulster County Line To Source (Region 4, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Butternut Creek – Jamesville Reservoir To Route 80 (Region 7, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Butternut Creek – Kinne Road To Jamesville Reservoir (Region 7, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Catskill Creek – Confluence With Basic Creek In Freehold To Confluence With Fox Creek In Preston Hollow (Region 4, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Cattaraugus Creek – Confluence With Elton Creek To 1.0 Mi Upstream Of Java Lake Road (Region 9, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Cayadutta Creek – Footpath Bridge Off W. Montgomery Street To County Highway 122 (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Cayuta Creek – Tioga County Line To Swan Hill Road (Region 8, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Cedar Pond Brook – Pyngyp Road/Route 210 To Cedar Flats Road/Route 210 (Region 3, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Chateaugay River – Chasm Dam Impoundment To High Falls Dam (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Chateaugay River – End Of Posted Pfr 1 Mi From Us/Canada Border To 1.0 Mi Upstream Of Marble River Confluence (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
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
Chittenango Creek – Russell Street In Chittenango To Mile
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Marker 1237 (Region 7, Se)
Chittenango Creek – Town Of Fenner/Sullivan Town Line (Mile
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Region 7, Se; Marker 1219) To Route 20 In Cazenovia
Clear Creek – Confluence With Cattaraugus Creek To Nys Route 98 Crossing Near Phillipi Road (Region 9, Wp)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Clear Creek – Confluence With Conewango Creek To Bridge At Cockaigne Ski Area (Region 9, Wp)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Cohocton River – County Route 39a (Atlanta) To Source (Region 8, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Cohocton River – Veterans Ave. Bridge (Bath) To County Route 39a (Atlanta) (Region 8, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Croton Falls ReservoirOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
Croton River From Muscoot Reservoir Upstream To The Confluence With The East And West Branches Of The Croton RiverOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
Crystal Creek – Confluence With Black River To Crystal Pond Dam (Region 6, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Crystal Creek – Crystal Pond To Erie Canal Road (Region 6, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Crystal LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
Crystal PondCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Oct 16
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Catch and Release only no more than 1 longer than 12”
Delaware River – Bridge In Lordville To Confluence With West And East Branches (Region 4, Wp)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Delaware River & Wes (Ny/Pa Border Water)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Oct 16
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Catch and release only Artificial Lures only
East Branch Croton River – Confluence With West Branch To Diverting Reservoir Dam (Region 3, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
East Branch Croton River – Diverting Reservoir To East Branch Reservoir Dam (Region 3, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
East Branch Delaware River – Confluence With West Branch To Route 206/30 Bridge In Downsville (Region 4, Wp)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
East Brook – Confluence With West Branch Delaware River To Source (Region 4, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
East Creek (Kinderhook Creek) – Confluence With Kinderhook Creek South Of Route 43 To State Line (Region 4, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
East Koy Creek – Wyoming County Line To Green Bay Road (Region 9, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Echo LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
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
Elm Creek – Confluence With Little Conewango Creek To Nys Route 394 (Region 9, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Elton Creek – Nys Route 16 To Former Bridge On Swanson Hill Road (Region 9, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Emory Brook – Confluence With Bush Kill To Source (Region 4, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Esopus Creek – Ashokan Reservoir To Confluence With Lost Clove Creek (Region 3, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Evergreen LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Fenton Brook (Mud Creek) – Conewango Creek To County Route 6 Downstream Of Fancher Hill Road (Region 9, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Fish Creek – Confluence With Black River To 1.5 Mi Upstream Of North South Road (Region 6, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Flynn (Spring) Brook – Confluence With Cattaraugus Creek To Youngers Road (Region 9, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Genesee River – Belmont Dam To 1.0 Mi Upstream Of County Route 29 Near York's Corners (Region 9, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Genesee River – Nys Route 19 Bridge In Shongo To State Line (Region 9, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Goose Creek – Nys Route 474 In Ashville To Wall Street (Region 9, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Hidden LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Hodge PondIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
Horn LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Hosmer (Sardinia) Brook – Confluence With Cattaraugus Creek To Genesee Road (Region 9, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Hour PondIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Artificial lures only
Hudson River – Confluence Of Raymond Brook To Confluence With Thirteenth Brook (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Huggins LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Jabe PondIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Artificial lures only
Kayaderosseras Creek – Galway Road To 0.5 Mi Upstream Of N. Creek Rd./Squashville Rd. Intersection (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Kinderhook Creek – I-90 To Confluence With East Creek South Of Route 43 In Stephentown (Region 4, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Lake Champlain And Tributaries To The First Impassible Barrier (New York/Vermont Border Water)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
Lime Lake Outlet – Confluence With Elton Creek To Lime Lake (Region 9, Wp)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Limestone Creek – Erie Canal To Route 80 (Region 7, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Little Hoosic River – Confluence With Hoosic River To Source (Region 4, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Little Jabe PondIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Artificial lures only
Little Tupper LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Catch and Release only Artificial lures only
Mansfield Creek – 0.5 Mi Upstream Of County Rt 13 (Maples Rd) To Hinman Hollow Road Crossing Near Poverty Hill Road (Region 9, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Massawepie Conservation Easement Area, Lakes And PondsIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
McDonald Pond (Hempstead Lake State Park)
- Max size
- 12"
All year, Daily Limit-5 with no more than 2 longer than 12”
McKinstry Creek – Confluence With Lime Lake Outlet To Source (Region 9, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Meacham LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Nov 30
- Gear
- Artificial Lures Only
Catch and Release only April 1–Nov 30 Artificial lures only
Mettawee River – Lower Turnpike Bridge In North Granville To Vermont State Line (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Mill Creek – Confluence With Canaseraga Creek To County Route 90 (Patchinville) (Region 8, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Mohawk River – Delta Dam Downstream To First Confluence With Barge Canal (Region 6, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Mongaup Creek – Confluence With Willowemoc Creek To Tributary South Of Catskill Fish Hatchery (Region 3, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Mountain Pond (Town Of Brighton)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Nov 30
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Catch and Release only Artificial lures only
Neil Creek – Confluence With Cohocton River To End Of Pfr Section 1500 Ft Upstream Of Mattoon Road (Region 8, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Neversink River – 1.0 Mi Downstream Of Bridgeville Road To Wynkoop Brook (Region 3, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Neversink River – Guymard Tpke Crossing To Sullivan/Orange County Line (Region 3, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Ninemile Creek – Amboy Dam To Dam At Route 174/Glover Road Junction (Region 7, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
North Branch Callicoon Creek – Confluence With Callicoon Creek To Gossweyler Pond (Region 3, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
North Branch Callicoon Creek – Gossweyler Pond To First Lower Weissman Road Bridge (Region 3, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
North Branch Great Chazy River – Confluence With Graves Brook To Lake Roxanne Road In Ellenburg Depot (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
North Branch Great Chazy River – Confluence With Great Chazy River To Confluence With Graves Brook (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
North Branch Wiscoy Creek – Confluence With Wiscoy Creek To Nys Route 362 (Region 9, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Oatka Creek – Bowerman Road To Union Street (Region 8, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Oatka Creek – Monroe County Line To Circular Hill Road (Region 8, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Oatka Creek – Wheatland Center Rd To Confluence With Spring Creek (Region 8, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Old Chenango Canal – Oriskany Creek To Route 20 Bridge (Region 7, Wp)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Oriskany Creek – Route 12b Bridge In Oriskany Falls To Old Chenango Canal (Region 7, Wp)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Otisco LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 12"
Panther Creek – Route 4 In West Fulton To Source (Region 4, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Peaked Mountain LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Peaked Mountain PondIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Artificial lures only
Pepacton ReservoirIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
- Slot max
- 21"
only 1 over 21”
Ramapo River – Downstream End Of H. Pierson Mapes Flat Rock County Park To Arden Valley Road (Region 3, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Rochester Creek – Confluence With Rondout Creek To Confluence With Mettacahonts Creek (Region 3, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Rock PondCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Catch and Release only Artificial lures only
Rondout Creek – Confluence With Sundown Creek To Uppermost Crossing Of County Route 42 (Region 3, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Russell Brook – Confluence With Beaver Kill To Source (Region 4, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Salmon River – 200 Yds Downstream Of Cargin Road Bridge To Lamica Lake Dam (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Salmon River – Route 37 Bridge In Westville Center To Flatrock Road Bridge (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Saranac River – 1500 Ft East Of Pup Hill Road Bridge To Marked Boundary 100 Yds Upstream Of North Branch Saranac River Confluence (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Schroon River – Bolton Landing-Riverbank Road To Starbuckville Dam (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
South Pond (Hempstead Lake State Park)
- Max size
- 12"
All year, Daily Limit-5 with no more than 2 longer than 12”
Spafford Creek (Otisco Lake)In season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Max size
- 2 fish
April 1–Oct 15 Daily Limit-5–with no more than 2 longer than 12" with no more than 2 longer than 12"
Spring Creek – Confluence With Oatka Creek To Source (Region 8, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Swinging Bridge Reservoir Ulster County Alder LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
Tamarack PondIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
The Ram – Confluence With Elm Creek To Nys Route 394 (Region 9, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Trout Brook – Confluence With Wiscoy Creek To 0.1 Mi Upstream Of Hillside Road (Region 9, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Trout Pond (Cables Lake)In season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
- Gear
- Artificial Only
True Brook – Confluence With Saranac River To Smithkill Brook (Region 5, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Wappinger Creek – 3/4 Mi Downstream Of Jameson Hill Rd. Bridge To Hunns Lake Creek In Stanfordville (Region 3, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Wappinger Creek – New Hackensack Road Bridge (Red Oaks Mill) To East Branch Wappinger Creek In Hibernia (Region 3, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
West Branch Ausable River – Confluence With East Branch Ausable River To Route 86 Bridge At The Flume (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
West Branch Ausable River – Whiteface Ski Center Bridge To Dec Sign 2.2 Mi Downstream Of Monument Falls (Region 5, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
West Branch Beer Kill – Confluence With Beer Kill To Windsor Lake (Region 3, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
West Branch Croton River – Croton Falls Reservoir To West Branch Reservoir Dam (Region 3, Wq)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
West Branch Delaware River – East Brook In Walton Upstream 35.5 Mi To Town Brook In Hobart (Region 4, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
West Branch Delaware River – Forming Ny/Pa Border (Region 4, Wp)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
West Branch Delaware River – Ny/Pa Border To 2 Mi Downstream Of Route 17 Bridge At Deposit (Region 4, Wp)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
West Branch Delaware River – Ny/Pa Border To 2 Mi Downstream Of Route 17 Bridge At Deposit (Region 7, Wp)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
West Branch Delaware River – Route 17 Bridge At Deposit To Stilesville Weir (Region 4, Wp)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
West Branch Delaware River – Route 17 Bridge At Deposit To Stilesville Weir (Region 7, Wp)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
West Branch Limestone Creek – Confluence With Limestone Creek To No. 2 West Rd (Region 7, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
West Canada Creek – Bridge Street In Middleville To First Bridge (Comstock Bridge) Downstream Of Cincinnati Creek Mouth (Region 6, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Willowemoc Creek – 1,200 Ft Upstream Of Elm Hollow Brook To Parkston Road Bridge (Region 3, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Willowemoc Creek – Confluence With Beaver Kill To Second Route 17 Quickway Bridge East Of Roscoe (Region 3, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Willowemoc Creek – Downstream End Of Willowemoc Wild Forest To Confluence With Fir Brook (Region 3, Se)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Wiscoy Creek – Confluence With Genesee River To Flynn Road (Region 9, Wp)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Lake Trout
All Fresh WatersIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3
All Tributaries To Canadice Lake, Canandaigua Lake, Hemlock Lake, Keuka Lake, And Seneca Lake Upstream To The First Barrier Impassable By FishIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, Catch shall include no more than 1 Rainbow Trout
All Tributaries To Cayuga Lake Upstream To The First Barrier Impassable By Fish, Except Fall CreekIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination
All Tributaries To Owasco Lake, Otisco Lake And Skaneateles Lake Upstream To The First Barrier Impassable By Fish, Except Spafford CreekIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination
All Waters Inhabited By Trout, Except As Permitted BelowOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 18"
All year Daily Limit-3 Minimum Length-18"
Big Fish PondIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Bigsby PondIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Canadice LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, Catch shall include no more than 1 Rainbow Trout or Atlantic Salmon
Canandaigua LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, Catch shall include no more than 1 Rainbow Trout or Atlantic Salmon
Cayuga LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, Catch shall include no more than 3 Brown Trout, 3 Rainbow Trout, or 3 Atlantic Salmon
Conesus LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, Catch shall include no more than 1 Rainbow Trout or Atlantic Salmon
Copperas PondIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Fall Creek (Cayuga Lake) From The Downstream Edge Of The Railroad Bridge Below Rt. 13 To Ithaca FallsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Catch and Release only in combination
Fawn Lake (Town Of Lake Pleasant)In season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
First Lake Of Essex ChainIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Fourth Lake Of Fulton Chain
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Gear
- Ice Fishing Permitted
Daily Limit-3 Ice fishing permitted
Hemlock LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, Catch shall include no more than 1 Rainbow Trout or Atlantic Salmon
Honeoye LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, Catch shall include no more than 1 Rainbow Trout or 3 Atlantic Salmon
Inland Trout StreamsIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
April 1–Oct 15 3
Kensico ReservoirOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
Keuka LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, Catch shall include no more than 1 Rainbow Trout or Atlantic Salmon
Lake Champlain And Tributaries To The First Impassible Barrier (New York/Vermont Border Water)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Lake Erie And TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
Lake GileadOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Lake GleneidaOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Lake LilaIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River, And Their TributariesIn season
- Season opens
- Dec 1
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
Lake PlacidIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Lake PleasantIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 18"
April 1 through October 15 Daily Limit-3 Minimum Length-18"
Little Fish PondIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Lower Niagara River And TributariesIn season
- Season opens
- Dec 1
- Season closes
- Sep 30
Millsite LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Mirror LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Moose PondIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 15"
April 1 through October 15 Daily Limit-3 Minimum Length-15"
Moose Pond (Town Of St. Armand)In season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Otsego LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 23"
All year
Owasco LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, Catch shall include no more than 3 Brown Trout, 3 Rainbow Trout, or 3 Atlantic Salmon
Pharaoh LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Rondout ReservoirIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Nov 30
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
Sagamore LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
Schroon River From Schroon Lake Upstream To Alder Meadow Rd. Upper Cascade Lake
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
Schroon River From Starbuckville Dam Upstream To Schroon Lake
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
Seneca LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, Catch shall include no more than 1 Rainbow Trout or Atlantic Salmon
Skaneateles LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, Catch shall include no more than 3 of any species
St. Regis PondIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Sterling LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Third Lake Of Fulton Chain
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Gear
- Ice Fishing
Daily Limit-3 Ice fishing permitted
Upper Niagara River And TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
Upper Saranac LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 23"
Water Regulation Lake
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 18"
Daily Limit-3 Minimum Length-18"
West Branch ReservoirOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Woodhull Lake Jefferson County All Waters, Except Sandy PondIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
Brown Trout
All Tributaries To Canadice Lake, Canandaigua Lake, Hemlock Lake, Keuka Lake, And Seneca Lake Upstream To The First Barrier Impassable By FishIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, Catch shall include no more than 1 Rainbow Trout
All Tributaries To Cayuga Lake Upstream To The First Barrier Impassable By Fish, Except Fall CreekIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination
All Tributaries To Owasco Lake, Otisco Lake And Skaneateles Lake Upstream To The First Barrier Impassable By Fish, Except Spafford CreekIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 9"
in combination
All Waters Inhabited By Trout, Except As Permitted Below
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Max size
- 2 fish
All year Daily Limit-5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" with no more than 2 longer than 12"
Black River From Dexter Dam To Mill Street Dam (Jefferson County)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 9"
Canadice LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Canandaigua LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Cayuga LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Conesus LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Fall Creek (Cayuga Lake) From The Downstream Edge Of The Railroad Bridge Below Rt. 13 To Ithaca FallsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Catch and Release only in combination
Hemlock LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Honeoye LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Inland Trout StreamsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Oct 16
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 5
- Gear
- Artificial Only
only 2 longer than 12”
Irondequoit Creek Upstream Of The South Side Of Rte. 286 Bridges
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 9"
Keuka LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Lake Erie And TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 12"
All year Daily Limit 3 in any combination Minimum Length 12"
Lake OntarioOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- 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 closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- 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 closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 15"
All year Daily Limit 3 in combin Minimum Length 15"
Lower Niagara River And TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
(Trout & Salmon) in any combination, not to include more than 1 Atlantic Salmon, 2 rainbow trout (steelhead), or 2 Lake Trout
Owasco LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Schroon LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Max size
- 12"
All year Daily Limit-5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" no more than 2 longer than 12"
Schroon River From Starbuckville Dam Upstream To Schroon Lake
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Max size
- 12"
All year Daily Limit-5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" with no more than 2 longer than 12"
Seneca LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Skaneateles LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
St. Lawrence RiverOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- 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 closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
in any combination
Rainbow Trout
All Tributaries To Canadice Lake, Canandaigua Lake, Hemlock Lake, Keuka Lake, And Seneca Lake Upstream To The First Barrier Impassable By FishIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination, Catch shall include no more than 1 Rainbow Trout
All Tributaries To Cayuga Lake Upstream To The First Barrier Impassable By Fish, Except Fall CreekIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination
All Tributaries To Owasco Lake, Otisco Lake And Skaneateles Lake Upstream To The First Barrier Impassable By Fish, Except Spafford CreekIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
in combination
All Waters Inhabited By Trout, Except As Permitted Below
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Max size
- 2 fish
All year Daily Limit-5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" no more than 2 longer than 12"
Canadice LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Canandaigua LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Cayuga LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Conesus LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Fall Creek (Cayuga Lake) From The Downstream Edge Of The Railroad Bridge Below Rt. 13 To Ithaca FallsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Catch and Release only in combination
Hemlock LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Honeoye LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Inland Trout StreamsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Oct 16
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 5
- Gear
- Artificial Only
only 2 longer than 12”
Keuka LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Lake Erie And TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
in any combination
Lake OntarioOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 21"
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 closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 25"
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 Tributaries
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 21"
All year 3 in combination 21" in the lake and 25" in tributaries
Lower Niagara River And TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 21"
(Trout & Salmon) in any combination, not to include more than 1 Atlantic Salmon, 2 rainbow trout (steelhead), or 2 Lake Trout
Owasco LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Pool BrookCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Oct 16
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Max size
- 2 fish
October 16 through March 31, Catch and Release only Daily Limit-5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" no more than 2 longer than 12"
Schroon LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Max size
- 12"
All year Daily Limit-5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" no more than 2 longer than 12"
Schroon River From Starbuckville Dam Upstream To Schroon Lake
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Max size
- 12"
All year Daily Limit-5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" with no more than 2 longer than 12"
Seneca LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
Skaneateles LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Min size
- 15"
St. Lawrence RiverOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 21"
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 closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
in any combination
Brook Trout
All Baitfish Prohibited Lakes And Ponds Except As Listed BelowIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
All Lakes And PondsIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Max size
- 12"
April 1–October 15 Daily Limit-5 with no more than 2 longer than 12" no more than 2 longer than 12"
All Lakes And Ponds, Except As Listed BelowIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
All Lakes And Ponds, Except As Listed Below Or Baitfish Prohibited Lakes And PondsIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
Beaver Brook And Tributaries From Beaver Lake Upstream To SourceCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All year, Catch and Release only
Beaverdam Creek And Tributaries From Mouth Upstream To Sunrise HighwayCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All year, Catch and Release only
Blue Mountain LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
All year Daily Limit-5
Carmans River And Tributaries (Southaven County Park) From Cement Dam Upstream To Yaphank AvenueCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All year, Catch and Release only
Carmans River And Tributaries (Southaven County Park) From Hards Lake Upstream To The Cement DamCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All year, Catch and Release only
Carmans River And Tributaries From Bellport Bay Upstream To The Hards Lake DamCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All year, Catch and Release only
Connetquot River And Tributaries From The Great South Bay Upstream To The Dam At Montauk Highway.Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All year, Catch and Release only
Hards LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All year, Catch and Release only
Inland Trout StreamsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Oct 16
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 5
- Gear
- Artificial Only
only 2 longer than 12”
Lake Erie And TributariesIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
April 1-Oct 15 Daily Limit 5
Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River, And Their TributariesIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
Lakes And PondsIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 5
Limekiln LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Gear
- Ice Fishing
All year Daily Limit-5 Ice fishing permitted
Little Tupper LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 12"
- Gear
- Artificial Lures Only
April 1–Oct 15 Daily Limit-3 Minimum Length-12" Artificial lures only
Lower Niagara River And TributariesIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
Massapequa Creek And Tributaries From Massapequa Lake Upstream To Northwest DriveCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All year, Catch and Release only
Mud Creek And Tributaries From Patchogue Bay Upstream To Sills RoadCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All year, Catch and Release only
Nissequogue River From Long Island Sound Upstream To The Dam At White’s PoolCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All year, Catch and Release only
Patchogue River And Tributaries From Patchogue Bay Upstream To SourceCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All year, Catch and Release only
Pool BrookCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Brook Trout, All year, Catch and Release only
Raquette LakeOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
All year Daily Limit-5
Rattlesnake Creek From The Confluence With Connetquot River Upstream To The Dam At Sunrise HighwayCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All year, Catch and Release only
Round Lake To The Boundary With Little Tupper LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Artificial lures only
Swan River And Tributaries From Patchogue Bay Upstream To Southaven AvenueCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All year, Catch and Release only
Tributaries To Blydenburgh LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All year, Catch and Release only
Trout LakeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
April 1–Oct 15
Tuthills Creek And Tributaries From Patchogue Bay Upstream To Waverly AveCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All year, Catch and Release only
Upper Niagara River And TributariesIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Oct 15
Northern Pike
All Finger LakesIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 22"
Walleye
All Finger LakesIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
Landlocked Salmon
Lake Champlain And Tributaries To The First Impassible Barrier (New York/Vermont Border Water)
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Finger Lakes?
DEC regulates fishing on Finger Lakes.
What species can I target on Finger Lakes?
Finger Lakes is best known for lake trout, rainbow trout, landlocked salmon. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
Where should I verify these rules?
These rules summarize DEC's published content. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch.