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New York freshwater size limits and seasons

16 species, 2026 rules for state waters. Tap a species for every zone, the exact NYSDEC wording and a keeper check. Updated 2026-10-04. All 48 New York species A–Z →

Species	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
American Shad (inland)	Open year-round	No size limit	2 per person per day
Black Bass	June 15 – November 30	12 inch minimum	5 per person per day
Brook Trout (lakes and ponds)	April 1 – October 15	No size limit	5 per person per day
Brown and Rainbow Trout (lakes and ponds)	Open year-round	No size limit	5, only 2 over 12 in
Crappie	Open year-round	10 inch minimum	25 per person per day
Lake Trout	April 1 – October 15	21 inch minimum	3 per person per day
Lake Whitefish	Open year-round	No size limit	5 per person per day
Landlocked Atlantic Salmon	Open year-round	15 inch minimum	3 per person per day
Muskellunge	June 1 – November 30	40 inch minimum	1 per person per day
Northern Pike	May 1 – March 15	18 inch minimum	5 per person per day
Pickerel	May 1 – March 15	15 inch minimum	5 per person per day
Stream Trout	April 1 – October 15	No size limit	5, only 2 over 12 in
Sunfish	Open year-round	No size limit	25 per person per day
Tiger Muskellunge	May 1 – March 15	30 inch minimum	1 per person per day
Walleye	May 1 – March 15	15 inch minimum	5 per person per day
Yellow Perch	Open year-round	No size limit	50 per person per day