American Eel in New York
DEC limits, the record and water for American eel.
- 25; minimum 9"limit
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the species, not a New York water: hug_78, CC BY 2.0
New York American eel in brief
DEC files American eel under freshwater and marine fish, and the 2026 rule tables touch it in 5 rule tables. Where statewide applies, anglers keep 25; minimum 9″ during all year.
You will not find it in the DEC record or stocking tables.
Every DEC rule row for New York American eel
| Rule table | Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide inland waters | Statewide | 25; minimum 9" | All year |
| Lower Niagara River | Lower Niagara River and tributaries | No harvest | Closed |
| Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River | Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River | No harvest | Closed |
| Tidal Hudson River | Hudson River from the Battery to Troy Dam and tributaries to the first impassable barrier | 25; minimum 9" to 14" | All year |
| Marine and Coastal District | Marine and Coastal District | 25; minimum 9" | All year |
2026 DEC freshwater fishing regulations web pages (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation), read October 24, 2026; figures checked twice on October 25, 2026.
Fish grouped with American eel in New York
- Striped Bassfreshwater and marine
- White Perchfreshwater and marine
- American Shadfreshwater and marine
- Hickory Shadfreshwater and marine
- River Herringfreshwater and marine
Camera views of lakes and streams around American Eel
Photo: Dillan Payne, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Russ, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Allie_Caulfield from Germany, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to know before targeting American eel statewide
What can a New York angler take home in American eel?
25; minimum 9" under statewide, season all year; other tables set their own figures.
Does DEC keep a record for American eel?
The state record table has no entry for it.
Which New York waters hold American eel?
None of the lake or stream pages name it.
Are American eel stocked in New York?
The hatchery lists skip it.
Which category do American eel fall under?
Freshwater and marine on the DEC list.
During which months can New Yorkers keep American eel?
All year under statewide.
Do out-of-state visitors need a license for American eel?
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.
How fresh is the American eel information?
From the 2026 DEC regulation pages and the state record table, read October 24, 2026 and checked again October 25, 2026.
Go after New York American eel
Pick a lake or stream above and read its rules first.