§ 13-0347. Management of striped bass in marine waters.

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary:

1. Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) taken by hook and line for recreational purposes, shall not be possessed, bought, sold or offered for sale when less than twenty-four inches in total length.

2. Striped bass less than twenty-four inches in total length taken by other methods including but not limited to gill nets, haul seines and trawl nets shall not be possessed, bought, sold or offered for sale.

3. All other striped bass less than legal size shall be returned to the water immediately without unnecessary injury.

4. No person shall take or land striped bass in the marine waters of New York state during the period December 15 to April 15 inclusive. For purposes of this section "marine waters" means the tidal waters of the state including the Hudson River from the Battery to the George Washington bridge, and "land" shall mean the setting or putting on shore from any boat or vessel or to bring to any port or docking place any striped bass. Possession of striped bass imported into New York other than by boat is not prohibited during the closed season so long as such striped bass are of legal minimum size. Striped bass unintentionally taken in violation of this subdivision shall be returned to the water immediately without unnecessary injury.

6. In all waters from the Robert F. Kennedy bridge west through the East River, Harlem River and those portions of the Hudson River south of the George Washington bridge to a line drawn from Rockaway Point to Romer Shoals lighthouse, no person shall use a net to take fish, except that landing nets and nets of not more than 10 feet in length, operated by hand, may be used to take bait and shrimp, and cast nets may be used to take Atlantic menhaden and mullets as provided in subdivision one of section 13-0343 of this title.