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Red Drum regulations in New York

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Red Drum
Is it a keeper? A red drum is a keeper today if it measures under 27 inches, with no daily limit.

Red Drum size limit, season and daily limit

WhereSeasonSize limitDaily limit
NY Marine & Coastal DistrictOpen year-roundunder 27 inchesNo daily limit

Exact NYSDEC wording

Season
Open year-round
Size
Fish greater than 27" TL shall not be possessed
Limit
No limit for fish less than 27" TL
statewide — as printed
“Red drum No size limit No limit for fish less than 27" TL; Fish greater than 27" TL shall not be possessed All year”

Source: NYSDEC, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).

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About the red drum

Red drum

Species of fish

The red drum, also known as redfish, channel bass, puppy drum, spottail bass, or simply red, is a game fish found in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to northern Mexico. It is the only species in the genus Sciaenops.

Read more about Red drum on Wikipedia →

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NYSDEC, not Wikipedia.

All 48 New York species A–Z →

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Red Drum in New York?

under 27 inches in New York state waters.

How many Red Drum can you keep per day in New York?

No daily limit.

When is Red Drum season in New York?

Open year-round.

Is my Red Drum a keeper today?

A red drum is a keeper today if it measures under 27 inches, with no daily limit.