New York State Fish: Brook Trout and Striped Bass

New York State proudly recognizes two official state fish: the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) for freshwater and the striped bass (Morone saxatilis) for saltwater. The brook trout was adopted as the state fish in 1975, celebrating its status as a native species found in hundreds of lakes and ponds throughout the Adirondack Mountains and scattered in cool, clear streams across the Empire State. The striped bass serves as the official state marine or saltwater fish, representing New York’s rich coastal fishing heritage. Both species offer exceptional angling opportunities and reflect the incredible diversity of fishing available across New York’s estimated 7,500 lakes and ponds and 70,000 miles of rivers and streams.

Brook Trout: New York’s Freshwater State Fish

The brook trout, scientifically known as Salvelinus fontinalis, stands as New York’s official freshwater fish, designated in 1975. Often called brookies or speckles by anglers, these native fish provide fine angling and excellent eating quality. Brook trout are medium-sized fish characterized by their distinctive coloring—dark backs with light vermiculations (worm-like markings), red spots with blue halos along their sides, and white-edged fins on their lower body. Adult brook trout typically range from 6 to 12 inches in length, though larger specimens can be found in prime habitat.

New York chose the brook trout as its state fish because it represents the state’s commitment to preserving wild, pristine waters. Brook trout live only under water conditions that are cool, clean, and pure, making them excellent indicators of environmental health. Found naturally in the cold waters of the Adirondack Mountains and scattered throughout streams across New York State, brook trout have been part of the region’s natural heritage for thousands of years. The species requires assistance to re-establish self-sustaining populations in some areas where habitat degradation has occurred, making conservation efforts critical to maintaining healthy populations.

Where to Catch Brook Trout in New York

Brook trout thrive in cool, clear streams and lakes throughout New York State, with the Adirondack Mountains serving as the epicenter for quality brook trout fishing. These fish prefer aquatic insects that live under rocks and on stream bottoms, but will opportunistically feed on land insects that fall into the water, small crayfish, and other small fish when easy to catch.

• Adirondack Mountain Lakes and Ponds: Hundreds of lakes and ponds in the Adirondacks harbor native brook trout populations. These remote waters offer solitude and the chance to catch wild brookies in their natural environment. Many require hiking to access, but the pristine conditions make the effort worthwhile.
• Adirondack Streams: Cool, clear streams flowing through the Adirondacks provide classic brook trout habitat. These waters maintain the cold temperatures and clean conditions that brookies require, with rocky bottoms supporting abundant aquatic insects that serve as the primary food source.
• Scattered Streams Statewide: Beyond the Adirondacks, brook trout can be found in suitable streams throughout New York State wherever water conditions remain cool and clean. These populations often exist in headwater streams and spring-fed tributaries that maintain consistent cold temperatures year-round.

How to Catch Brook Trout

Brook trout respond well to a variety of fishing techniques, making them accessible to both beginner and experienced anglers. These fish are not particularly selective when feeding, though they do require proper presentation in their often-small stream habitats.

• Best Baits: Live bait works exceptionally well for brook trout. Worms are a classic choice that consistently produces results. Small minnows can be effective when targeting larger specimens. For artificial options, small spinners, spoons, and flies that imitate aquatic insects or small baitfish are highly effective.
• Gear Setup: Light tackle is ideal for brook trout fishing. A light or ultralight spinning rod with 2-6 pound test line provides the sensitivity needed to detect subtle bites while offering enough strength to land fish. For fly fishing in the Catskills and other renowned trout waters, a 3-5 weight rod is appropriate.
• Technique Tips: In streams, focus on pools, undercut banks, and areas where current breaks around rocks or logs. Brook trout often hold in these spots waiting for food to drift by. Cast upstream and allow your bait or lure to drift naturally with the current. In lakes and ponds, work the shorelines and areas near inlet streams where cooler water enters.

Striped Bass: New York’s Saltwater State Fish

The striped bass serves as New York’s official state marine or saltwater fish, representing the Empire State’s exceptional coastal fishing opportunities. Known for their distinctive horizontal stripes running along their silvery sides, striped bass are powerful fish that can grow to impressive sizes. These fish are highly prized by anglers for both their fighting ability and excellent table fare.

Striped bass hold significant cultural and economic importance to New York’s coastal communities. The species supports a thriving recreational fishing industry along Long Island and throughout New York’s coastal waters. Charter fishing operations, tackle shops, and fishing-related tourism all benefit from the presence of healthy striped bass populations. The designation of striped bass as the state saltwater fish acknowledges this species’ central role in New York’s marine fishing heritage.

Where to Catch Striped Bass in New York

Striped bass can be found in various saltwater environments around New York, from the open ocean to bays, estuaries, and tidal rivers. These fish are anadromous, meaning they move between saltwater and freshwater environments during different life stages.

• Long Island Waters: The waters surrounding Long Island provide exceptional striped bass fishing opportunities. Both the north and south shores offer productive fishing, with numerous access points for shore anglers and boat launch facilities for those fishing from vessels. Charter operations throughout Long Island specialize in targeting striped bass.
• Hudson River: The Hudson River supports striped bass populations and offers unique urban fishing opportunities. Anglers can target striped bass from shore in locations throughout the river system, including areas near New York City where fishing alongside marine scientists provides educational experiences.
• East River: Despite its urban setting, the East River in Brooklyn provides striped bass fishing opportunities. Local fishing schools offer guided trips that teach about the history of fishing in New York City and the different species present in these waters.
• Coastal Bays and Inlets: Various bays and inlets along New York’s coastline concentrate striped bass during different seasons. These areas provide protected waters where baitfish gather, attracting feeding striped bass.

How to Catch Striped Bass

Striped bass can be caught using various techniques, from surf fishing to deep sea fishing charters. These versatile fish respond to both live bait and artificial lures, giving anglers multiple approaches to target them successfully.

• Best Baits and Lures: Live bait options include bunker, eels, and various baitfish species. Artificial lures such as plugs, soft plastics, and metal jigs are highly effective. Fly fishing for striped bass has gained popularity, with streamers imitating baitfish producing exciting surface strikes.
• Charter Fishing: Full-day and half-day charters offer guided experiences for targeting striped bass. Operations like Sea Rogue Fishing Charters on Long Island provide deep sea fishing excursions suitable for experienced anglers or families. A-Bay Fishing Charters in the St. Lawrence region offers guided trips where anglers can enjoy traditional shore dinners featuring their catches.
• Technique Tips: Striped bass often feed actively during dawn and dusk periods. In coastal waters, focus on areas with current breaks, structure, and concentrations of baitfish. When surf fishing, look for troughs, sandbars, and inlet mouths where striped bass cruise looking for prey.

New York’s Diverse Fishery

Beyond the official state fish, New York is home to over 165 fish species inhabiting its extensive network of waters. This diversity includes numerous freshwater species such as lake trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, walleye, chain pickerel, northern pike, pumpkinseed sunfish, white perch, rock bass, crappie, brown bullhead, channel catfish, and bluegill. The DEC actively manages these fisheries to ensure sustainable populations for future generations of anglers.

New York’s waters also support several species of sturgeon, including Atlantic sturgeon, lake sturgeon, and shortnose sturgeon. American eel populations exist throughout the state’s waterways. Lake Ontario hosts landlocked salmon populations, while various shad and herring species make seasonal runs in coastal rivers. The state even maintains a remnant population of sea-run brook trout, highlighting the historical range of this native species.

Getting Started Fishing in New York

Anyone 16 years or older who plans to fish in New York State needs a fishing license. Freshwater fishing licenses can be purchased through the DEC in-person at official license issuing agents, over the phone, or online. Options range from one-day to annual licenses, with prices from $5 to $50. Free and reduced licenses are available for active duty military, veterans, seniors aged 70 and older, Native Americans, those who are legally blind, and non-resident students attending New York State colleges or universities.

For saltwater fishing, anglers 16 years or older must enroll in the free Recreational Marine Fishing Registry. New York offers six free fishing days throughout the year when residents and non-residents can fish without a freshwater license. Free fishing days in 2025 include President’s Day Weekend (February 15-16), June 28-29, National Fishing and Hunting Day (September 27), and Veterans Day (November 11).

The HuntFishNY app provides convenient access to fishing regulations, fishing spots, driving directions to boat launch sites, and more from your smartphone. The Tackle Box feature within the app helps anglers locate productive waters and understand current regulations. Before heading out, review the New York State Fishing Regulations Guide to ensure compliance with all rules. The DEC hosts free Learn to Fish clinics throughout the state, teaching casting techniques, fish identification, equipment types, fisheries management, angling ethics, and aquatic ecology.

Conservation and the Future

New York has 19 native fish species currently listed as endangered or threatened at the state or federal level. Several others are Species of Special Concern. Endangered species include bluebreast darter, deepwater sculpin, gilt darter, pugnose shiner, round whitefish, shortnose sturgeon (federally listed under ESA), silver chub, and spoonhead sculpin. Threatened species include banded sunfish, eastern sand darter, gravel chub, lake chubsucker, lake sturgeon, longear sunfish, longhead darter, mooneye, mud sunfish, spotted darter, and swamp darter.

Species of Special Concern include black redhorse, ironcolor shiner, mountain brook lamprey, redfin shiner, and streamline chub. Atlantic sturgeon populations face challenges across much of their range, with federal Endangered Species Act listings covering most populations, though Hudson Bay populations remain more stable. The threats to New York’s wild native fish are similar to those found elsewhere and include nonnative fish introductions, stocking of non-native species, angler exploitation, and habitat degradation.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting critical habitats, restoring degraded stream systems, and managing fisheries sustainably. Organizations throughout New York work to preserve wild native fish populations and their habitats. The DEC actively monitors fish populations and adjusts regulations to ensure healthy, sustainable fisheries for future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Experience New York’s State Fish

Whether you’re casting for native brook trout in pristine Adirondack streams or battling powerful striped bass in coastal waters, New York State offers unforgettable fishing experiences. The Empire State’s commitment to conservation ensures these fisheries remain healthy and productive for generations to come. Plan your New York fishing adventure today and discover why anglers from around the world consider the state’s waters among the finest anywhere. From the Catskills’ renowned fly fishing to ice fishing on Oneida Lake, New York State delivers the complete angling experience.