Tautog in New York
DEC limits, the record and water for tautog.
- 2; minimum 16"limit
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
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New York tautog in brief
DEC files tautog under marine fish, and the 2026 rule tables touch it in 1 rule table. Where long island sound (east of throgs neck bridge, west of the orient point-watch hi applies, anglers keep 2; minimum 16″ during apr 1 – apr 30.
You will not find it in the DEC record or stocking tables.
Every DEC rule row for New York tautog
| Rule table | Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine and Coastal District | Long Island Sound (east of Throgs Neck Bridge, west of the Orient Point-Watch Hill line) | 2; minimum 16" | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Marine and Coastal District | Long Island Sound (east of Throgs Neck Bridge, west of the Orient Point-Watch Hill line) | 3; minimum 16" | Oct 11 – Dec 9 |
| Marine and Coastal District | New York Bight (marine waters outside the Long Island Sound area) | 2; minimum 16" | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Marine and Coastal District | New York Bight (marine waters outside the Long Island Sound area) | 4; minimum 16" | Oct 15 – Dec 22 |
DEC saltwater regulations page (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation), read October 24, 2026; figures checked twice on October 25, 2026.
Fish grouped with tautog in New York
- Summer Floundermarine
- Winter Floundermarine
- Black Sea Bassmarine
- Scupmarine
- Bluefishmarine
- Weakfishmarine
- Atlantic Codmarine
- Pollockmarine
- Blue Crabmarine
Camera views of lakes and streams around Tautog
Photo: dans362, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Karl Thomas Moore, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Mike Peel ( www.mikepeel.net ), CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to know before targeting Tautog statewide
What can a New York angler take home in tautog?
2; minimum 16" under long island sound (east of throgs neck bridge, west of the orient point-watch hi, season apr 1 – apr 30; other tables set their own figures.
Does DEC keep a record for tautog?
The state record table has no entry for it.
Which New York waters hold tautog?
None of the lake or stream pages name it.
Are tautog stocked in New York?
The hatchery lists skip it.
Which category do tautog fall under?
Marine on the DEC list.
During which months can New Yorkers keep tautog?
Apr 1 – Apr 30 under long island sound (east of throgs neck bridge, west of the orient point-watch hi.
Do out-of-state visitors need a license for tautog?
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).
How fresh is the tautog 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 tautog
Pick a lake or stream above and read its rules first.