Fish That Are Illegal to Keep in New York
Protected fish species in New York waters, conservation rules, and health advisories explain which animals anglers must release.
Know what’s on the line.
Gamefish and panfish profiles — identification, behavior, feeding habits, and species-specific strategies for every catch.
Protected fish species in New York waters, conservation rules, and health advisories explain which animals anglers must release.
Sea lamprey populations in New York lakes and streams threaten salmon and trout, prompting ongoing management efforts to control them.
Round gobies in Lake Ontario impact native species through aggressive competition and predation following their introduction by ships.
Invasive fish species in New York lakes and rivers outcompete native fish, introduce diseases, and threaten local ecosystems.
Common fish species in New York lakes include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and walleye, with identification details provided.
Long Island Sound fish species and habitats across New York waters, including salinity gradients, rocky reefs, and deep channels.
Lake Erie fish species include walleye and smallmouth bass, offering anglers incredible opportunities for game fish and panfish.
Lake Ontario fish species include heavy Chinook salmon, acrobatic Coho salmon, fighting steelhead, and native lake trout.
New York Finger Lakes fish species, including lake trout in Seneca and Cayuga, across eleven glacially carved bodies of water.
St. Lawrence River fish species include smallmouth bass and muskellunge living throughout this dynamic freshwater ecosystem originating from Lake Ontario.