Tidal Hudson River Fishing Rules
Tidal Hudson River limits below the Troy dam: the striped bass slot, black bass, closed shad, river herring, eel and blue crab rules.
For weighing a catchPiscifun Lip gripper with digital scale27% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Ausable River: bobistraveling, CC BY 2.0
Tidal Hudson River limits
| Species | Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Bass | Tidal Hudson River and all tributaries to the first impassable barrier | 5; minimum 15" | Jun 15 – Nov 30 |
| American Shad | Tidal Hudson River and all tributaries to the first impassable barrier | No harvest | Closed |
| Striped Bass | Tidal Hudson River north of the George Washington Bridge and tributaries to the first impassable barrier | 1; minimum 23" to 28" (slot) | Apr 1 – Nov 30 |
| American Eel (bait only) | Hudson River from the Battery to Troy Dam and tributaries to the first impassable barrier | 25; minimum 9" to 14" | All year |
| River Herring | Hudson River tributaries and embayments, including the Mohawk River | 10 per angler or 50 per boat a day, whichever is lower | Mar 15 – Jun 15 |
| River Herring | Main stem Hudson River from Lock 1 near Waterford south to the George Washington Bridge | see DEC rules | open all year |
| Blue Crab | Hudson River and tributaries | 50; Hard crab 4 1/2"; soft shell 3 1/2"; peeler 3" (carapace width) | open all year |
DEC tidal Hudson River regulations page (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation), read October 24, 2026; figures checked twice on October 25, 2026.
Where the tidal Hudson rules begin
DEC applies these rows to the Hudson below the Troy dam and its tributaries up to the first barrier. Above Troy the statewide and region rules take over; the tidal water also has its own page on this site.
Pictures of fishing water around Tidal Hudson River Fishing Rules
Photo: Annacecchini, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ron Shawley, CC BY 3.0
Photo: bobistraveling, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Tidal Hudson River Fishing Rules: questions anglers ask
What is the striped bass slot on the Hudson?
1; minimum 23" to 28" (slot), apr 1 – nov 30.
Can I keep American shad from the Hudson?
No; American shad are closed in the Hudson and its tributaries.
What size must a black bass be on the tidal Hudson?
5; minimum 15", season jun 15 – nov 30.
Can I take river herring for bait?
10 per angler or 50 per boat a day, whichever is lower, mar 15 – jun 15.
What eels may I keep on the tidal Hudson?
25; minimum 9" to 14".
Are blue crabs regulated on the Hudson?
Yes: 50; Hard crab 4 1/2"; soft shell 3 1/2"; peeler 3" (carapace width).
Do I need a license on the tidal Hudson?
Anglers 16 and older need a DEC freshwater fishing license: $25.00 a year for residents, $50.00 for nonresidents, $5.00 for residents 70 and older, with 1-day and 7-day options. Migratory marine species there call for the free Marine Registry.
Where does the tidal Hudson end?
At the Troy dam; DEC sets the boundary there.
More New York regulation pages beside Tidal Hudson River Fishing Rules
- New York Great Lakes Fishing RulesLake Erie, the Niagara, Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence and their tributaries
- New York Finger Lakes Fishing Ruleseach Finger Lake and the tributary seasons
- New York Border Water Fishing RulesLake Champlain, the Delaware, Greenwood Lake and Indian Lake
- New York Saltwater Fishing Limitsthe Marine and Coastal District sizes, seasons and bag limits
- New York Special Regulations by Countythe DEC county lists for all nine regions
- New York license and regulationsfees and statewide limits