The open (harvest) season for largemouth and smallmouth bass, collectively known as black bass, begins Sunday and runs through Nov. 30. For most of the state, a catch-and-release season is in place from Dec. 1 through June 14. Special fishing regulations exist for some waters, so anglers should check current fishing regulations before heading out to fish.
“New York has some of the best bass fishing in the country, and this affordable, fun activity is accessible for all New Yorkers,” New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “I encourage all anglers, novice or expert, to take advantage of the outstanding bass fishing opportunities New York’s abundant waterways have to offer throughout the state.”
New York’s bass fisheries contribute to the $5 billion in economic benefits provided by New York’s recreational freshwater fishing industry each year. In 2024, the St. Lawrence River and Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River were ranked the nation’s #1 and #7 bass lakes, respectively, by Bassmaster Magazine. Lake Champlain, Cayuga Lake, and Oneida Lake also made Bassmaster Magazine’s top 25 Northeastern Best Bass Lakes list in 2024.
For tips on how and where to catch bass, see Fishing For Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass. Those new to fishing can check out the I FISH NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing (PDF), which has all the information needed to get started. There’s also a “how-to” video series on DEC’s YouTube channel.
Check out DEC’s Places to Fish and Warmwater Fishing webpages for more information on where to go bass fishing, as well as the Tackle Box feature in the HuntFishNY mobile app.
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