DEC Announces Changes to Recreational Striped Bass Fishing Regulations in the Hudson River

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced new recreational fishing regulations for striped bass in the Hudson River for the 2024 season. The new regulations required and approved by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) reduce recreational striped bass harvests by 14.1 percent while balancing the preferences of New York anglers.

 Effective May 1, 2024, striped bass caught in the Hudson River and tributaries north of the George Washington Bridge may only be kept if they are between 23 inches and 28 inches long. The Hudson River striped bass fishing season and bag limit remains unchanged, with targeted angling allowed between April 1 and Nov. 30, 2024, and a one fish bag limit. This action was taken in response to the large increase in the coastal recreational harvest of striped bass in 2022, and repeated years of poor reproductive success in the Chesapeake Bay. Since November 2023, DEC has been conducting outreach to New York recreational fishing stakeholders on potential changes to striped bass regulations through public meetings, press releases, social media posts, and electronic newsletters.

 ASMFC requires the State to provide catch information from New York's recreational fishery. DEC satisfies this requirement with the help of volunteer recreational anglers and incorporates feedback through an online logbook. Visit DEC's striped bass webpage for information about angler feedback programs north and south of the George Washington Bridge.   

 For current fishing limits, check DEC's Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations. Anglers must enroll in the annual no-fee Recreational Marine Fishing Registry before fishing New York's Marine and Coastal District waters or when fishing in the Hudson River and its tributaries for "migratory fish of the sea." Anglers can enroll for the registry online, by phone (1-866-933-2257, option 2), or by visiting a license-issuing agent location. 

DEC staff with striped bass.Striped bass release.