With snapper and blue crab season now in full swing at local docks, beaches and bulkheads, this is probably a good time for a reminder about size and possession limits. They are more detailed than some anglers realize.
You can find New York State Fishing Regulations for all species of salt water fish at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7894.html.
Crabs:
● Season open all year
● The maximum possession limit for any species of crab caught in NYS waters is 50 per day
● Hard shell blue crabs must measure at least 4.5”, from point to point, across the shell
● Soft shell blue crabs must measure at least 3.5”, from point to point, across the shell
● Peeler or “shedder” blue crabs (those about to bust free of their hard shells) must measure at least 3”, from point to point, across the shell
● Blue crabs smaller than the minimum sizes may not be kept – not even for making sauce
Snappers:
● Snappers are juvenile bluefish and fall under the bluefish regulations
● Season is open all year
● No minimum size for the first 10 fish. The next five fish must measure at least 12 inches in total length
● Daily possession limit is 15