DEC Contact: Stephanie Rekemeyer (631) 444-0450
FW.Marine@dec.ny.gov

February 22, 2021

DEC SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR STRIPED BASS COOPERATIVE ANGLERS PROGRAM

Recreational Fishery Information Helps Guide Striper Management

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is looking for participants to join DEC’s Striped Bass Cooperative Anglers Program to help biologists understand and maintain a healthy striped bass population. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) requires New York State to provide catch information from its recreational fishery to manage this species. Volunteer anglers play a crucial role in helping DEC satisfy this requirement, and all anglers who fish for striped bass are invited to participate.

As part of the program, DEC provides volunteer anglers with logbooks and instructions to record catch information such as fishing location, gear used, and number of fish caught. Anglers may participate whether fishing by boat or from the shore. Volunteers return their logbooks at the end of the season. Biologists then analyze the recreational fishery data and send it to anglers in a newsletter, providing an inside look into the striped bass fishing season. Participants also receive the latest news and information about regulations and annual fish population surveys.

Anglers may also choose to use DEC’s new online logbook and record catch information on their smartphone or computer.

Anglers who fish for striped bass north of the George Washington Bridge in the tidal Hudson River, should email 
hudsonangler@dec.ny.gov or visit DEC’s Hudson River Striped Bass website to learn more about the Hudson River Cooperative Anglers Program. In the tidal Hudson River, the recreational slot limit is 18 to 28 inches (not less than 18 inches nor greater than 28 inches) and the season is open April 1 through Nov. 30.

Anglers who fish for striped bass in New York’s marine waters south of the George Washington Bridge should contact the Diadromous Fish Unit at 
sbcaprogram@dec.ny.gov or visit DEC’s Striped Bass Cooperative Anglers website. In marine waters, the recreational slot limit is 28 – 35 inches (not less than 28 inches nor greater than 35 inches) and the season is open April 15 through Dec. 15.  

 

The recreational striped bass possession limit for all waters in New York State is one fish/angler.  

 

DEC encourages anglers to check DEC's Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations for the most up-to-date information before going fishing. Make sure to also enroll in the annual no-fee Recreational Marine Fishing Registry before going fishing in New York's Marine and Coastal District waters or when fishing in the Hudson River and its tributaries for "migratory fish of the sea,including striped bass. Anglers can enroll in the registry online or by phone or by visiting a license issuing agent location. To enroll, go to DEC's website.

2021 Striped Bass Recreational Circle Hook Regulation Changes

On Jan. 6, DEC released a proposed regulation for public review and comment that would require the use of circle hooks when recreational fishing for Atlantic striped bass. This proposed regulation would reduce release mortality in recreational striped bass fisheries as required by ASMFC Addendum VI to Amendment 6 to address the finding that the striped bass resource is overfished and experiencing overfishing. DEC is accepting public comments on the proposal through March 8, 2021. The full text of the proposed regulation can be found at DEC's website. Comments on the proposed circle hook regulation should be sent to fw.marine@dec.ny.gov or by mail to: Division of Marine Resources, 205 N. Belle Mead Rd. Suite 1, East Setauket, NY 11733. 

 

Catch-and-release practices contribute significantly to overall fishing mortality in the recreational striped bass fishery and circle hooks work effectively to increase survival. ASMFC met on Feb. 3, 2021 to discuss the implementation of the circle hook provision due to the complicated nature of the public response received to date. In the near future, ASMFC will generate guidance on bait definitions and the methods of fishing that should require circle hooks. DEC consider the updated ASMFC guidance and public comment gathered in response to the proposed rule to establish a final regulation for the 2021 fishing season.  

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