Anglers across New York will soon be able to keep one of the state’s most popular sportfish as the regular black bass harvest season opens Monday.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced that the season for largemouth and smallmouth bass will run through November 30. During the remainder of the year, from December 1 through June 14, most waters statewide are limited to catch-and-release fishing for bass.
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton encouraged anglers to take advantage of New York’s nationally recognized bass fisheries.
“New York anglers are fortunate to have some of the best bass fishing opportunities in the country,” Lefton said. “Whether you’re fishing a top-ranked water such as Lake Erie, the St. Lawrence River, and Oneida Lake, or just a local fishing hole, catching a big bass is just a cast away here in New York.”
The opening of the season also aligns with Governor Kathy Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative, which encourages families and children to spend more time outdoors and participate in recreational activities.
Bass can be found in lakes, ponds, and rivers throughout New York, including several premier Finger Lakes fisheries. Cayuga Lake was among the waters recognized by Bassmaster Magazine on its list of the Northeast’s best bass lakes. Other New York waters earning national recognition include the St. Lawrence River, Lake Erie, Lake Champlain, Oneida Lake, Otisco Lake, and Chautauqua Lake.
DEC notes that regulations, including size limits and daily catch limits, vary by waterbody. Anglers are encouraged to review current fishing regulations before heading out.
For those new to the sport, DEC offers fishing guides, instructional videos, and information on fishing locations through its website and the HuntFishNY mobile app.
