Tautog (also known as Blackfish, Tog) in New York. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit — verified against the NYSDEC guide, 2026.
In New York, the minimum legal size for Tautog is 16 in and the daily bag limit is 2–4 per person (varies by region and season): Long Island Sound 2 (Apr 1–30) / 3 (Oct 11–Dec 9); NY Bight 2 (Apr 1–30) / 4 (Oct 15–Dec 22). Season note: Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current New York rules before keeping fish.
Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current New York rules before keeping fish.
Two-region split: Long Island Sound Region vs NY Bight Region (different fall seasons and fall bag limits). NY state marine waters. Regulations differ between the Long Island Sound Management Region (marine waters east of the Throgs Neck Bridge and west of an Orient Point, NY to Watch Hill, RI line) and the NY Bight Region (marine waters outside the Long Island Sound Region). Tautog is a state/nearshore fishery with no directed federal recreational season. Re-checked 2026-09: the stored "2–3" range excluded the NY Bight four-fish autumn limit.
These limits are pulled from the NYSDEC recreational saltwater fishing regulations. Last verified September 2026.
Always check the official guide before keeping any fish. Regulations change. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation updates its guide annually and occasionally mid-year. Fines for over-bag or undersized fish are significant.
New York requires no saltwater licence, but anglers aged 16 or older must enrol (free) in the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry. NY marine registry.
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