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DEC Announces June 15th Opening of 2026 Black Bass
Season
Published: June 12, 2026 at
10:00 a.m.
By: Press Release
from NYC DEC
DEC Announces Opening of 2026 Black Bass Season
Abundant Bass Fishing Opportunities in Waters Across
the State
New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton
announces the open (harvest) season for black bass (largemouth and
smallmouth bass) begins on Monday, June 15, and extends through Monday,
November 30. A catch-and-release season for New York’s most popular
freshwater sportfish exists in most of the state from December 1 through
June 14. Variations in minimum length and daily limits exist for some
waters, so anglers are encouraged to check the current fishing regulations
before heading out.
“New York anglers
are fortunate to have some of the best bass fishing opportunities in the
country,” Commissioner Lefton said. “Whether you’re
fishing a top-ranked water such as Lake Erie, the St. Lawrence River, and
Oneida Lake, or just a local fishing hole, catching a big bass is just a
cast away here in New York.”
Bass fishing is
another fun way for New Yorkers get out and enjoy nature, and the open
season further supports Governor Kathy Hochul's “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative that
promotes physical and mental health by helping encourage New York’s kids
and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from
social media, and enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings.
Bass can be found
around the state in most waters including rivers, ponds, and lakes. New
York’s bass fisheries remain in the national spotlight. In 2025, the St.
Lawrence River and Lake Erie were ranked the #4 and #9 bass lakes,
respectively, in the country by Bassmaster Magazine. The St. Lawrence River, Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River, Lake Champlain, Cayuga Lake, Oneida Lake, Otisco Lake, and Chautauqua Lake also landed in Bassmaster
Magazine’s top 25 Northeastern Best Bass Lakes list.
Fishing for bass
is a great option for beginning anglers interested in going “beyond the
bobber.” For tips on how and where to catch bass, see Fishing For Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass on
DEC’s website. Those new to fishing can check out the I FISH NY Beginners' Guide to Freshwater Fishing, which
has all the information needed to get started. There’s also a “how-to” video series on
DEC’s YouTube channel.
Visit
DEC’s Places to Fish and Warmwater Fishing webpages for more information on
where to go bass fishing, as well as the Tackle Box feature in the HuntFishNY mobile app.
The New York
State Department of Health (DOH) provides advice to anglers about what fish
are safe to eat and how often. Visit DOH’s website to search by waterbody location.
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