Brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout are all regulated fishing species in the state of New York. Ice fishing is not allowed unless by special permission. The daily limit for these species and their hybrids is five fish with no length limit if fishing in Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, and Lake Champlain tributaries, and tidal stream reaches.
For inland trout streams during the spring to fall season, the daily limit is five fish with two no greater than twelve inches in length. During the fall to the spring season, trout fishing is catch-and-release only using solely artificial lures.
For lake trout, the daily limit is three fish with a minimum length of twenty-one inches.
Can You Fish For Trout Year-Round in New York?
In New York, you can fish for trout year-round, although there are different seasons for the different species and places where you can fish for them. For brown, brook, and rainbow trout and their hybrids, you can only fish from April 1 to October 15 in the Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, and Lake Champlain tributaries, and tidal stream reaches.
For inland trout streams of these species, you can fish all year-round. However, the catch-and-keep season lasts from April 1 to October 15, while October 16 to March 31 is catch-and-release only. For lake trout, the fishing season extends from April 1 to October 15.
Do You Need Trout Stamp in New York?
Trout stamps are not required in order to fish for trout in the state of New York. However, anyone over the age of fifteen must have a valid fishing license to fish at all including for all trout species regardless of catch and keep or catch and release. Don’t forget that your fishing license does not give you permission to trespass on private property.
For more information on New York’s regulations, check out the official website.
For trout limits in nearby states, check out our page.
