Waterbody · New York
Long Island Sound Fishing Regulations 2026
Long Island Sound fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are striped bass, bluefish, fluke. 47 current rules across 8 species from DEC.
Species pages for Long Island Sound
Dedicated rule pages for the most-targeted species at this water.
Rules (47)
DEC regulates 47 rules across 8 species at this water.
Striped Bass
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
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"
Hudson River (North Of George Washington Bridge)
- Slot min
- 23"
- Slot max
- 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”
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.
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"
Brown And Rainbow Trout
Nissequogue River From Long Island Sound Upstream To The Dam At White’s PoolCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Oct 16
- Season closes
- Mar 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Max size
- 12"
October 16 through March 31, Catch and Release only no more than 2 longer than 12” Daily Limit-5 with no more than 2 longer than 12”
Tautog
Bluefish
Summer Flounder
Whelk
Brook Trout
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
Summer Flounder (Fluke)
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Long Island Sound?
DEC regulates fishing on Long Island Sound.
What species can I target on Long Island Sound?
Long Island Sound is best known for striped bass, bluefish, fluke. 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.