Usually, no paid saltwater fishing license is required in New York. If you are 16 or older and fishing for covered saltwater species, you generally need to enroll in the state’s free Recreational Marine Fishing Registry. The rules depend on your age, where you fish, and what you catch.
Who needs the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry?
Anglers age 16 and older must enroll when fishing for covered saltwater species in New York’s Marine and Coastal District. The registry is free; it is not a paid saltwater fishing license. See the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s recreational saltwater fishing regulations and its marine permits and licenses page.
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Anglers under 16
The registry requirement applies to anglers age 16 and older. Someone younger than 16 does not need to enroll under this rule.
Fishing in the Hudson or Delaware rivers
The location rule is not limited to the coast. New York’s 2026 freshwater fishing guide says the registry also applies to migratory marine species caught in any New York waters, including the Hudson and Delaware rivers. A freshwater fishing license does not authorize taking those migratory marine fish; anglers targeting them should use the registry requirement described in the 2026 New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide.
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When is the registry not required?
DEC says the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry is not required for harvesting crabs, lobsters, whelk, or shellfish. That exception concerns the registry only; other rules or permits can still apply.
Recreational lobster harvesting
New York State residents who recreationally harvest lobster need a separate Lobster Recreational Permit. DEC lists the permit as resident-only and the fee as $10 on its sporting licenses and permits page. The crab, lobster, whelk, and shellfish exception to the registry does not remove this lobster-permit requirement.
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How to register
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Register online through DECALS, using the link on DEC’s Marine Permits and Licenses page, or call 1-866-933-2257.
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Complete the free Recreational Marine Fishing Registry enrollment. DEC’s general sporting information notes that printing or mailing fees may apply; email delivery may avoid those fees.
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Do shark or tuna trips need anything else?
Yes. DEC says anglers fishing for shark or tuna must also apply for a NOAA Fisheries Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit. The state registry is therefore not the only credential to check for those trips. Confirm the applicable federal HMS requirements with NOAA Fisheries before fishing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check species rules separately
Registration does not set or replace a fishery’s season, size limit, or possession limit. Those rules vary by species. DEC states that recreational saltwater regulations were last changed May 12, 2026, and may change at any time; check the current DEC recreational saltwater regulations for the species you plan to target.
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