Hudson River Fisheries Management

Striped bass is one of many species that are cooperatively managed by Atlantic coast states under the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Participation in the Interstate Fishery Management Plan requires that NYSDECs Hudson River Fisheries Unit conducts several field programs to collect data on the spawning stock of striped bass as well as American shad. The adult spawning fish are only in the river for 6-8 weeks, so the Hudson River Fisheries unit has a lot of work to do in a very short time period. Haul-seining The Spawning Stock Survey, begun in 1985, collects American shad and striped bass on their spawning grounds from Newburgh to Catskill. The surveys uses a large 500 foot long small mesh seine to catch the wide size (and age) range of fish that make up the spawning populations. Length, weight, and scale samples are taken before the fish are tagged and released. Data on age structure (the number of fish of each age) allows the Unit's biologists to assess the health of each year's spawning population. The increase in fish older than age eight (when most female bass reach maturity) in recent years indicates a healthy striped bass population in the river. Electro-fishing Another gear commonly used throughout the season is the electro-fishing boat. With this boat fish are temporarily stunned, scooped up, measured, tagged, and released back into the river.

The large numbers of tagged striped bass provide information on fish survival, movement and catch rates both in the river and on the Atlantic coast. Beach-seining After adult fish have left the estuary, the Unit efforts turn to studying results of the spring spawning runs. From late June through early November, young-of-the-year (YOY) American shad, striped bass, and river herring are collected with beach seines from Tappan Zee Bay to Albany. This project targets the primary nursery areas for these important species. The objective of the NYSDEC is to support the angler in their efforts to enjoy the resources of fish in the Hudson. The work done on the Hudson hopes to set a balance for all fish to safely thrive in their habitats and to encourage the life cycles of different species to exist as they have for thousands of years in the estuary.

HUDSONRIVER STRIPEDBASS GUIDE

Guide to Fish Tags

If you catch a tagged fish, remove the tag as close to the body as possible. Turn in the tag information (the number on the tag, the location of capture, and date) to the telephone number on the tag. Pink or green striped bass tag: USFWS # 1-800-448-8322 Yellow striped bass tags: American Littoral Society: Highlands of New Jersey or The Hudson River Foundation, PO Box 1731, Grand Central Station, NYC, NY 10163 Contact us!!! Hudson River Fisheries Unit 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561 Phone: 845-256-3009 email: r3hrf@gw.dec.state.ny.us

Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis)

The Latin name for the striped bass means dwelling among rocks. They can first be seen in the Hudson River estuary in late March as they congregate in the lower estuary from the Tappan Zee up through Haverstraw Bay. The bass remain there for a short period of time until the water warms up enough for them to move north to their spawning areas. Striped bass usually stop up north near Kingston to spawn but have been found even further up near Catskill.

aggressively swallow their prey and any hooks attached. Although they may initially swim away, bass can later die from internal bleeding. To avoid creating fish mortality, you may want to use a circle hook. Circle hooks are shaped at an off-set angle so the fish set themselves and the hooks are not swallowed. (See below) Rapalas, Rebels, and Rattletraps are popular lures that are great for catch and release style fishing and can be trolled along bottom.

Hudson River Cooperative Anglers Program

New York State needs you, the recreational angler, to help us! We need anglers to participate in a fishery research project on its most important level, that of data collection for the Hudson River Cooperative Anglers Program. Whether it's a throwback or a keeper, the information you provide will aid biologists along the Atlantic coast in producing management decisions for striped bass and other marine species. The DEC will provide you with a logbook (example below) to record your fishing trips. All we need to do is record your information from the

Fishing Tactics
In the lower portions of the Hudson, shore fishers prefer fishing off of Croton Point and south of there and Piermont Pier is never lacking in action in early spring. Boaters can try these spots for striped bass but they may also want to cast into deeper waters around the Tappan Zee Bridge. Some different deep water locations in the estuary include Bear Mountain State Park, Denning point in Newburgh Bay, and other southern spots where deep water is located close to shore. Upriver locations for fishing stripers include areas near Esopus Meadows, Cave creek, and creek openings in Kingston or slightly north. Catches have even been made as far north as the Troy dam. Some tributaries such as the Rondout, Wappinger, and Catskill creeks are also popular for bass.
One type of rattletrap used for bass Circle hook

logbook at the end of the season. All participants will receive a copy of the program's annual report along with various updates and regulation changes. If you would like to participate in the Hudson River logbook program, contact our office at (845) 256-3009. Ask for the program coordinator, Kris McShane. If you prefer, you may e-mail him at kcmcshan@gw.dec.state.ny.us

State Record Program

The State of New York hands out an engraved plaque to anglers who break the current state record with any of the 46 eligible fish species in the Hudson. These fishermen or fisherwomen will also receive an Angler Achievement Award pin and a certificate.

Health Advisories
The New York State Department of Health annually issues health advisories for consuming fish out of the Hudson River. As with any Hudson species, please consult the NYSDOH before consuming any of the striped bass you catch. NYSDOH # 1-800-458-1158 Due to the large size of the Hudson River and its strong tidal currents and heavy boat traffic, it is advised to use a substantial boat craft for angling no smaller than 16 ft. in length. Safety equipment certified by the U.S. Coast Guard is an absolute necessity! Tide and tidal current charts are available at local bait shops, marinas, some boating supply stores, and online.

Tackle
There are several types of tackle used for catching stripers. The tendency is to use salt water gear with a medium to heavy rod, and 20-40 pound monofilament line. Using leaders might be helpful because large bass in the Hudson may snap fishing line. In the early season many people use live bait attached to a J hook. Common types of bait include herring, bloodworms, and eels. These live baits are not used for catch and release fishing. Striped bass