DEC ANNOUNCES NEW RECREATIONAL FISHING REGULATIONS FOR SUMMER FLOUNDER

 

Recreational Summer Flounder Season Opens on May 1 with Extended Dates, Decreased Size Limit

 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced new recreational saltwater fishing regulations, effective immediately, for the summer flounder (fluke) season that starts May 1. These changes will provide more opportunities for anglers by extending the season a total of 12 fishing days to Oct. 9, 2022, and decreasing the minimum size limit by half an inch.

“DEC is pleased to announce the adoption of recreational summer flounder fishing regulations that will extend the fishing season, decrease the size limit, and provide more opportunities for anglers to take home one of New York’s most sought-after saltwater fish,” Commissioner Seggos said. “New York State will continue to work with our coastwide partners to enact conservation measures for summer flounder to ensure an accessible and sustainable fishery for years to come.”

The New York recreational summer flounder season in 2022 is open May 1 to Oct. 9, 2022, and anglers are allowed four fish at a minimum size limit of 18.5 inches in response to new interstate fishery management plan requirements. New York State’s recreational regulations for summer flounder are the same as Connecticut’s regulations to maintain consistency in the Long Island Sound and maximize the benefit to recreational anglers and associated industries.

DEC’s rulemaking is necessary for the State to remain in compliance with recent changes to recreational summer flounder initiated by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC). The regulations adopting the changes announced today are effective immediately. The complete text of the rulemaking is available on DEC's website.

DEC is accepting comments on the regulations from May 18, through July 18, 2022. Written comments can be sent by mail to Rachel Sysak, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 123 Kings Park Blvd., Kings Park, NY 11754, or by email to fw.marine@dec.ny.gov.

For current regulations, check DEC’s Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations. Anglers must enroll in the annual no-fee Recreational Marine Fishing Registry before fishing New York's Marine and Coastal District waters or when fishing in the Hudson River and its tributaries for "migratory fish of the sea" (such as striped bass). Anglers can enroll for the registry online or by phone or by visiting a license issuing agent location.