Waterbody · New York
Hudson River Fishing Regulations 2026
Hudson River fishing regulations as of 2026-05-08: 93 current rules from DEC. Anglers target catfish, largemouth bass, striped bass.
Species pages for Hudson River
Dedicated rule pages for the most-targeted species at this water.
Rules (93)
DEC regulates 93 rules across 18 species at this water.
Striped Bass
Hudson River (North Of George Washington Bridge)
- Slot min
- 23"
- Slot max
- 28"
Hudson River (Above Gwb)
- Min size
- 23"
Tidal Hudson River North Of The George Washington Bridge And All Tributaries Upstream To The 1st Impassable Barrier To FishClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Nov 30
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
- Max size
- 28"
Fishing for Striped Bass (including catch and release) is prohibited from December 1 through March 31 in the Hudson River above the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
Hudson RiverIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 15
- Season closes
- Dec 15
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 31"
April 15 - Dec 15 Slot size: 28" - 31"
Delaware River & Wes (Ny/Pa Border Water)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 35"
From The Battery To The Troy Dam, And All Tributaries Upstream To The 1st Barrier Impassable By Fish
- Gear
- Non Offset Circle Hooks
Non-offset (in-line) circle hooks must be used when recreationally fishing for striped bass using bait
Marine District
- Min size
- 28"
Marine Waters (South Of George Washington Bridge & Delaware River)
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 31"
North Of George Washington BridgeIn season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Nov 30
- Daily bag
- 1
not less than 18” nor greater than 28”
TributariesClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Nov 30
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 18"
- Max size
- 28"
Fishing for Striped Bass (including catch and release) is prohibited from December 1 through April 1–Nov 30 Daily Limit-1 not less than 18" greater than 28"
Anadromous River Herring
Hudson River Tributaries And Embayments, Including Mohawk River (See The Mohawk River Exception On Page 14).In season
- Season opens
- Mar 15
- Season closes
- Jun 15
- Possession
- 50 fish/boat
- Gear
- Angling Only
maximum boat limit of 50 per day for a group of boat anglers, whichever is lower
Hudson River Tributaries And EmbaymentsClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
No person shall take anadromous river herring with a net within Hudson River tributaries and embayments. Prior to entering a Hudson River tributary or embayment, all personal use nets must be stowed in a secured container on deck or in a container below deck.
Hudson RiverClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
No person shall take anadromous river herring from the Hudson River: or a cast net exceeding 10 feet in diameter
Main Stem Of The Hudson River From Lock 1 Near Waterford, South To The George Washington BridgeIn season
- Season opens
- Mar 15
- Season closes
- Jun 15
- Possession
- 50 fish/boat
- Gear
- Angling Or Personal Use Nets
maximum boat limit of 50 per day for a group of boat anglers, whichever is lower
American Eel
Tidal Hudson River (Battery To Troy Dam)
- Daily bag
- 25 fish/day
Nyc Waters - Harlem, East, Hudson Rivers (Bait Use Only)
- Daily bag
- 25 fish/day
- Slot min
- 9"
- Slot max
- 14"
Hudson River Downstream From The Federal Dam At Troy To The Battery At The Southern Tip Of Manhattan Island
- Max size
- 14"
may be purchased and only used in specified waters and their tributaries to the 1st impassable barrier
Tidal Hudson RiverOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Possession
- 25 fish
All year 25
Hudson River
- Possession
- 25 fish
American Eel All year 9" 25
All Species
Hudson River From The Troy Dam Upstream To Bakers Falls In The Village Of Hudson Falls And Tributaries In This Section To The 1st Barrier Impassable By FishClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Bowfishing is prohibited
Mohawk River From The Confluence With The Hudson River Upstream To The Rte. 32 BridgeClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Bowfishing is prohibited
Hudson River From Troy Dam Upstream To Bakers Falls In The Village Of Hudson Falls And Tributaries In This Section To The 1st Barrier Impassable By FishClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Bowfishing is prohibited
Lakes Erie & Ontario, Excluding Their Inlets, Outlets, Bays Niagara River Hudson River Below Troy Dam
- Gear
- Angling Only
Seine: maximum size 36 square feet, Anytime
Hudson River Below Troy Dam
- Gear
- Angling Only
Cast net, Anytime
Hudson River Below The Troy Dam
- Gear
- Cast Net
The only place where cast nets may be used is in the Hudson River below the Troy Dam.
Mohawk River From The Confluence With Hudson River Upstream To The Rte. 32 BridgeClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Bowfishing is prohibited
Atlantic Menhaden
Hudson River Downstream From Lock C4 And Its Associated Dam In Stillwater To The Battery At The Southern Tip Of Manhattan IslandOpen
- Status
- Permitted
may be purchased and only used in specified waters and their tributaries to the 1st impassable barrier
Tidal Hudson RiverOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 100 fish
All year 100
Hudson RiverOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 100 fish
All year 100 All year
Hickory Shad
Tidal Hudson RiverOut of season
- Season opens
- Aug 1
- Season closes
- Nov 30
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
Aug 1–Nov 30 None 5
Hudson RiverOut of season
- Season opens
- Aug 1
- Season closes
- Nov 30
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
Aug 1–Nov 30 None 5
Channel Catfish
Greenwood Lake
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Min size
- 12"
All year Daily Limit 5 12"
Greenwood Lake (New York/New Jersey Border Water)
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 12"
Walleye
Mohawk River From The Confluence With The Hudson River Upstream To The Rte. 32 BridgeIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Mar 15
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
Atlantic Cod
Hudson RiverIn season
- Season opens
- Sep 1
- Season closes
- May 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
Sept 1 May 31 5
American Shad
Hudson RiverClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Possession prohibited
Tidal Hudson River And All Tributaries To The First Impassable Barrier By FishClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Fishing for or possession prohibited
Blue Crab
Tidal Hudson River
- Daily bag
- 50 crabs/day
- Min size
- 3"
Peeler crab: 3 inches
Bluefish (Including "Snappers")
Hudson River
- Daily bag
- 7 fish
7 for anglers aboard licensed party/charter boats
Tidal Hudson River
- Daily bag
- 7 fish
7 for anglers aboard licensed party/charter boats
Plus 6 more species. See the New York pillar page for the full list.
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Hudson River?
DEC regulates fishing on Hudson River.
What species can I target on Hudson River?
Hudson River is best known for catfish, largemouth bass, striped bass. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
When was this last updated?
These rules were last verified against DEC on 2026-05-08. 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. Last verified .