Can I Keep?Anadromous river herring (alewife and blueback herring) Regulations in New York (2026)
Recreational anadromous river herring (alewife and blueback herring) rules in New York saltwater, as published by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Division of Marine Resources. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Anadromous river herring (alewife and blueback herring) rules in New York
- Where
- north of George Washington Bridge
- Size limit
- No size limit
- Bag limit
- 10 per angler or 50 per boat
- Possession
- 10 per angler or 50 per boat
- Season
- March 15 - June 15
- See Tidal Hudson River Regulations for more information.
- Anadromous river herring is defined in 6 NYCRR Part 10 (except the Hudson River and its tributaries and embayments north of the George Washington Bridge at river mile 11).
- Regulations were last changed on May 12, 2026 and are subject to change at any time.
- Where
- south of George Washington Bridge
- Size limit
- No possession
- Bag limit
- No possession allowed
- Possession
- No possession allowed
- Season
- No possession allowed
- Regulations were last changed on May 12, 2026 and are subject to change at any time.
Commercial rules
Show 1 commercial rule
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- Possession Prohibited
- Bag limit
- Trip limit: Possession Prohibited Except that vessels fishing exclusively in the Federal ocean waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) while operating under a valid Federal permit for Atlantic mackerel and/or Atlantic herring, may possess river herring up to a maximum of five percent, by weight, of all species possessed. A person shall not barter, sell, offer for sale, or expose for sale, any river herring so possessed.
- Season
- Possession Prohibited
Quick answers
What is the anadromous river herring (alewife and blueback herring) size limit in New York?
No size limit (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many anadromous river herring (alewife and blueback herring) can I keep in New York?
10 per angler or 50 per boat (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is anadromous river herring (alewife and blueback herring) season in New York?
March 15 - June 15. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
More inshore in New York
All New York saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Division of Marine Resources. Most anglers need a New York saltwater license or registry: get one here.