Scup in New York
Finding scup, keeping them legally, and the record.
- 30; minimum 9.5" frolimit
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the species, not a New York water: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
_(12592129064).jpg){kind=link}
scup across New York: rules, record and water
For DEC purposes scup is marine, and its rules sit in 1 rule table. In marine and coastal district the keeper rule reads 30; minimum 9.5″ from shore; 11″ from a vessel, open may 1 – dec 31.
DEC record and stocking lists both pass it by.
DEC sizes and seasons for scup
| Rule table | Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine and Coastal District | Marine and Coastal District | 30; minimum 9.5" from shore; 11" from a vessel | May 1 – Dec 31 |
DEC saltwater regulations page (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation), read October 24, 2026; figures checked twice on October 25, 2026.
Species that share a category with scup
- Summer Floundermarine
- Winter Floundermarine
- Black Sea Bassmarine
- Tautogmarine
- Bluefishmarine
- Weakfishmarine
- Atlantic Codmarine
- Pollockmarine
- Blue Crabmarine
Empire State water close to Scup, in pictures
Photo: Ron Shawley, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: dans362, CC BY 3.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Scup from the Adirondacks to Long Island: answers
Which DEC row sets the scup limit?
30; minimum 9.5" from shore; 11" from a vessel under marine and coastal district, season may 1 – dec 31; other tables set their own figures.
When was the New York scup record set?
DEC lists no record for it.
Where in New York do scup turn up most?
Water pages here do not include it so far.
Does DEC stock scup?
No stocking row names it.
Is scup a freshwater or a marine fish in New York?
Marine on the DEC list.
Is the New York scup season open now?
May 1 – Dec 31 under marine and coastal district.
Which New York license should a scup angler buy?
Anglers 16 and older who fish for saltwater species, or for migratory fish of the sea, enroll in the free DEC Recreational Marine Fishing Registry instead of buying a license; freshwater fishing takes the DEC license ($25.00 resident, $50.00 nonresident).
Which DEC page covers scup?
From the 2026 DEC regulation pages and the state record table, read October 24, 2026 and checked again October 25, 2026.
Target scup this season
Each water listed above has launches, species and limits on its own page.