A late November fishing trip just rewrote New York’s record book.
State officials say a Brooklyn angler landed a new state record white perch after reeling in a 3-pound, 4-ounce fish from Cross River Reservoir in Westchester County .
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced Friday that Yongfeng Tian caught the fish on Nov. 23. The perch topped the previous state record, set in 1991, by three ounces .
Fourth record fish of the year
DEC officials say the white perch marks the fourth state record fish established in 2025.
“This latest State record is a testament to the incredible fishing opportunities that New York State’s waters provide,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said in a statement. “I would like to congratulate Mr. Tian on an impressive catch” .
White perch are common across New York and can be found in lakes and rivers statewide, including the Hudson River. DEC describes them as schooling fish that can offer fast action once anglers find them. They often bite small baits and lures like jigs, worms, and minnows .
Part of revamped angler program
Tian submitted his catch through DEC’s updated Angler Achievement Awards Program. The program tracks state record fish and recognizes anglers who catch one of 40 eligible species that meet minimum qualifying lengths .
Anglers who qualify receive official recognition and a species-specific sticker. The program includes three categories: Angler Award, Youth Angler Award, and State Record Award .
As part of recent changes, anglers can now submit qualifying catches online using a smartphone. DEC directs anglers to its website for full rules, eligible species, and qualifying lengths .
The program also supports Gov. Kathy Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative, which encourages New Yorkers to spend more time outdoors and away from screens .
DEC also encourages anglers to use the HuntFishNY app, which includes a Tackle Box feature with information on access sites, fish stocking, and regulations .
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