Unfortunately, striped bass poaching is such a recurring and rampant problem in the Northeast that reports like these hardly surprise me anymore. But the blatant disregard some “anglers” on the Hudson River and around Staten Island recently showed for New York’s official state saltwater fish is flat-out maddening. It is always frustrating to read another account of illegal striped bass retention, but I feel some peace of mind knowing justice is being served by New York Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs).
New York ECOs—specifically those who are tasked with enforcing fishing regulations from the mighty Hudson to Long Island—have large swaths of water to cover and hundreds of thousands of anglers to monitor. Needless to say, it is not an easy job. So, while a few citations for over-the-limit and oversized striped bass may seem minuscule in the grand scheme of things, law-abiding recreational anglers are happy with even a few small wins in the name of striper conservation.
A late June press release from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) detailed a handful of fishing compliance checks that were performed along the Hudson River and Staten Island earlier this spring. It included three separate reports of anglers illegally possessing over-slot striped bass, exceeding the daily limit of striped bass, and fishing without a valid New York State marine registry. Undersized fluke, and illegally netted and snagged northern pike were also included in the press release.
It is important to note that the 23- to 28-inch slot size (referenced in two of the three striped bass reports) is unique to the Hudson River. In coastal waters south of the George Washington Bridge, the legal slot size for striped bass remains 28 to 31 inches. In both regions, licensed anglers are permitted to keep one fish within the slot per day.
Read the summarized striped bass fishing compliance checks below or click here for the full NYSDEC press release.
Fishing Compliance Checks – Statewide
An angler caught in the act, filleting his illegal catch, and a large group ticketed for reeling in oversized striped bass are just some of the cases ECOs encountered in recent weeks during statewide fishing compliance checks:
ECO Falkengren recently ticketed a pair of anglers for possessing striped bass outside the allowable size limit of 23-28 inches. The first subject, located in Stony Point, Rockland County, admitted to the offense after an interview. The second subject, located in the Town of Highlands, Orange County, was actively filleting a 36-inch striped bass when Officer Falkengren arrived at their residence to conduct an interview. The ECO confiscated the fish as evidence.
On May 2, ECOs Radomski and Rappold checked a group of anglers while patrolling popular fishing locations along the Hudson River in southern Dutchess County and discovered a plastic bag belonging to the group that contained a striped bass measuring 35 inches, exceeding the allowable slot size limit of 23-28 inches. The Officers confiscated the fish and issued multiple tickets to the group, returnable to the Town of Fishkill Court.
On May 15, ECOs Barbera and Noble issued 20 tickets to a group of anglers fishing off a secluded beach on Staten Island for keeping striped bass outside the allowable slot size in the New York Bight Region of 28 to 31 inches. The group possessed 14 fish ranging from 41 to 26.5 inches. Charges included taking oversized/undersized striped bass, taking over the limit of striped bass, and failing to possess a valid marine registry. Each angler with a valid New York State marine registry is allowed to keep one striped bass per day from April 15 to December 15. New York State Police assisted in this case.
Whether it’s striped bass or porgies, recreational anglers in New York are encouraged to do their part and help to protect our marine resources. Bookmark this web page so you can find and contact NY ECOs in your region to more easily report illegal fishing practices and instances of poaching to NYSDEC.
» Enroll in NY’s Recreational Marine Fishing Registry
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Great work guys. We appreciate you !