Hudson River Striped Bass: Join Anglers Program to Conserve Population
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is inviting anglers to participate in its Striped Bass Cooperative Anglers Program. The program aims to gather information about the Hudson River Striped Bass population to maintain a healthy population and satisfy the requirements of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).
Anglers who fish for striped bass are welcome to participate in the program, whether fishing by boat or from shore. The program provides logbooks and instructions to record catch information such as fishing location, gear used, and the number of fish caught. DEC also offers a new online logbook option for anglers who prefer to record catch information on their smartphones or computers. The information gathered by the program is analyzed by biologists, who summarize the data in an annual newsletter. Participating anglers receive the latest news, information about regulations, and annual fish population surveys.
Anglers in marine waters south of the George Washington Bridge are also encouraged to provide DEC with scale samples from the striped bass they catch. Biologists use the scales to age the striped bass to create length-at-age keys, which guide fishery management decisions.
Anglers who fish for striped bass in the tidal Hudson River north of the George Washington Bridge are advised to join the Hudson River Cooperative Anglers Program by emailing [email protected] or visiting DEC’s Hudson River Striped Bass website. In the tidal Hudson River, the recreational slot limit is 18 to 28 inches, and the season is open from April 1 to Nov. 30.
Anglers who fish for striped bass in New York’s marine waters south of the George Washington Bridge can contact the Diadromous Fish Unit at [email protected] or visit DEC’s Striped Bass Cooperative Anglers website. In marine waters, the recreational slot limit is 28 – 35 inches, and the season is open from April 15 to Dec. 15.
The recreational striped bass possession limit for all waters in New York State is one fish/angler. DEC recommends that anglers check Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations before going fishing and 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.
In conclusion, the Striped Bass Cooperative Anglers Program is a great opportunity for anglers who fish for striped bass to contribute to the management of this species while also receiving important news and information. Anglers are encouraged to participate in the program and provide catch information and scale samples to help biologists understand and maintain a healthy striped bass population.
Last Updated on April 18, 2023 by Fish HV Contributors
