Anglers across New York will soon cast their lines for largemouth and smallmouth bass as the 2025 black bass season officially opens June 15 and runs through November 30, the state Department of Environmental Conservation announced.
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said black bass fishing offers “affordable, fun activity” for all skill levels, calling it “accessible for all New Yorkers.”
From December 1 to June 14, catch-and-release rules remain in place in most regions. The DEC urged anglers to consult current regulations, as some waters have special rules in effect.
“New York has some of the best bass fishing in the country,” Lefton said. The state’s diverse fisheries generated national recognition again in 2024, with the St. Lawrence River and Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River ranked first and seventh, respectively, on Bassmaster Magazine’s list of top bass lakes nationwide. Three other waters—Lake Champlain, Cayuga Lake, and Oneida Lake—also landed in the magazine’s top 25 Northeastern Best Bass Lakes list.
The DEC also highlighted bass fishing as a great entry point for novice anglers ready to go “beyond the bobber.” New York’s official website offers resources such as the “Fishing For Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass” guide, the I FISH NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing, and instructional videos on DEC’s YouTube channel.
The start of the season supports Governor Kathy Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” campaign, which promotes outdoor activity for physical and mental well-being. The initiative encourages families and children to reduce screen time and engage with nature through activities like fishing.
To plan a trip, DEC encourages anglers to explore its “Places to Fish” and “Warmwater Fishing” webpages or use the HuntFishNY mobile app’s Tackle Box feature. For those concerned about fish consumption, the Department of Health offers waterbody-specific advisories on its website.
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