Striped Bass Crackdown: Over 130 Tickets Issued in Westchester County NY

Go Explore NY
Mar 28
1 min read

Westchester County, NY — In early March, Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) from Putnam and Westchester counties conducted a rigorous enforcement detail along the Hudson River, targeting recreational fishing violations related to striped bass. The crackdown resulted in more than 130 tickets issued for offenses, including illegal possession of fish, illegal take of fish, targeting striped bass out of season, fishing without a license or registry, and failure to use non-offset circle hooks for striped bass.

During the operation, officers also confiscated 33 illegally caught striped bass. The investigation was part of a broader effort to ensure compliance with state fishing regulations and protect the striped bass population.

The striped bass season officially opens on April 1, with regulations in place to support sustainable fishing. Anglers fishing in the Hudson River and its tributaries north of the George Washington Bridge must adhere to the legal size limit, keeping only striped bass measuring between 23 inches and 28 inches. The bag limit remains unchanged, allowing the retention of one fish per day per angler from April 1 through November 30.

These updated size limits were implemented in response to a spike in coastal recreational striped bass harvests in 2022 and repeated years of poor reproductive success in the Chesapeake Bay.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation encourages responsible angling practices and reminds the public to stay informed about seasonal regulations. For more information on striped bass fishing guidelines, visit the NYS DEC website.

Contact: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Phone: (555) 123-4567 Email: info@dec.ny.gov