Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
New York
State, United States. Authority : New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
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- Licence
- US$50Nonresident Annual
- Calendar lines open on
- 123 September 2026
- Minimum sizes
- 101.6 cmMuskellunge
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearBacklit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kgTo check the minimum size: Muskellunge 101.6 cm here.
€32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Rechargeable Motion-Sensor HeadlampFor : common carp, wels catfish, zander · night fishing
€27.90£13.90Not shipped to the United States
Propeller Surface Lures 9 cm, Pack of 5For : northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€34.90£19.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
Oct 16 - Mar 31: catch and release only, artificial lures only
brook trout in lakes/ponds: April 1 - Oct 15
Dec 1 - June 14: catch and release only, artificial lures only
statewide
statewide
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–110 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (largemouth and smallmouth)2 statewide | 30.5 cm | |
| Walleye2 statewide | 38.1 cm | |
| Northern pike2 statewide | 45.7 cm | |
| Muskellunge2 statewide | 101.6 cm | |
| Tiger muskellunge2 statewide | 76.2 cm | |
| Lake trout2 statewide | 53.3 cm |
To check the minimum size: Muskellunge 101.6 cm here. Backlit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Black bass (combined)2 during open harvest season | 5 per day |
| Walleye2 statewide | 5 per day |
| Northern pike2 statewide | 5 per day |
| Trout (streams; brown/rainbow in lakes)2 only 2 longer than 12 inches | 5 per day |
| Muskellunge2 statewide | 1 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Fishing License (ages 16-69)1 | 365 days from date of purchase | US$25 |
| Resident Annual (16-69)1 | annual (365 days) | US$25 |
| Resident Senior Annual (70+)1 | annual (365 days) | US$5 |
| Resident 7-day1 | 7-day | US$12 |
| Resident 1-day1 | 1-day | US$5 |
| Nonresident Annual1 | annual (365 days) | US$50 |
| Nonresident 7-day1 | 7-day | US$28 |
| Nonresident 1-day1 | 1-day | US$10 |
Buy the licence on decals.east.licensing.app
- Ages and exemptions1
- You need a fishing license if you are 16 years and older (under 16 exempt). Residents 70+: senior annual license.
Good to know
Regulations effective April 1, 2026. Black bass catch-and-release, artificial lures only Dec 1 - June 14. Many county/water special regulations override statewide rules. Annual licenses valid 365 days from purchase.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- license fee page shows no explicit year label (current prices, consulted 2026-09-23)
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Lake Ontario lake, Multiple
Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Lake trout, Atlantic salmon, Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, Northern pike, Walleye, Common carp, Channel catfish View on the map - Lake Erie lake, Chautauqua/Erie
Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Lake trout, Smallmouth bass, Muskellunge, Walleye, Common carp, Channel catfish View on the map - Lake Champlain lake, Washington/Essex/Clinton
Lake trout, Atlantic salmon, Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, Northern pike, Common carp, Channel catfish View on the map - Oneida Lake lake, Oswego/Oneida
Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, Walleye, Common carp, Channel catfish View on the map - Seneca Lake lake, Seneca/Yates/Schuyler
Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Lake trout, Atlantic salmon, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, Common carp View on the map - Cayuga Lake lake, Cayuga/Tonpkins/Seneca
Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Lake trout, Atlantic salmon, Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, Northern pike, Common carp View on the map - Lake George lake, Essex/Warren
Lake trout, Atlantic salmon, Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, Northern pike View on the map - Great Sacandaga Lake lake, Fulton/Saratoga
Rainbow trout, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, Walleye, Common carp, Channel catfish View on the map - Chautauqua Lake lake, Chautauqua
Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, Muskellunge, Walleye, Common carp View on the map - Keuka Lake lake, Yates
Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Lake trout, Atlantic salmon, Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, Northern pike View on the map - Canandaigua Lake lake, Ontario
Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Lake trout, Smallmouth bass View on the map - Skaneateles Lake lake, Onondaga
Rainbow trout, Lake trout, Atlantic salmon, Smallmouth bass View on the map - Salmon River river, Oswego
Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, Smallmouth bass View on the map - Delaware River (Lower) river, Sullivan
Smallmouth bass, Muskellunge, Walleye View on the map - Esopus Creek river, Ulster
Brook trout, Brown trout, Rainbow trout View on the map - Niagara River (Upper) river, Erie
Rainbow trout, Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, Muskellunge, Northern pike, Walleye, Common carp View on the map - Willowemoc Creek river, Sullivan
Brown trout, Rainbow trout View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in New York in 2026?
The “Nonresident Annual” licence costs US$50 (annual (365 days)). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for muskellunge in New York?
Muskellunge: 101.6 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- NYSDEC - Fishing Licenses (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- NYSDEC - Statewide Seasons, Sizes and Catch Limits (effective April 1, 2026) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- NYSDEC - 2026 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked : 23 September 2026.