2021 Fishing Regulations
View or Print the 2021 Fishing Regulations Guide
The 2021 Fishing Regulations Guide contains the fishing regulations that take effect on April 1, 2021. The guide has been revised for simpler use. The size of the guide has been reduced so it can easily fit in a tackle box. Additionally, special regulations are now listed alphabetically by individual waters by Region for easier look-up.
Statewide Angling Regulations
The following statewide regulations apply to all waters for which special regulations have not been established. Follow steps on the Freshwater Fishing Regulations page to determine if the water body you plan to fish has exceptions to the following statewide regulations. There are no special exceptions for Ballston Lake.
| Species | Open Season | Minimum Length | Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trout (Brook, Brown and Rainbow Trout and hybrids of these species; and Splake) | April 1 through Oct 15 | Any size | 5 |
| Lake Trout | April 1 through Oct 15 | 21" | 3 |
| Landlocked/ Atlantic Salmon | April 1 through Oct 15 | 15" | 3 |
| It is illegal to take Atlantic Salmon from the waters of the marine and coastal district | |||
| Kokanee | April 1 through Oct 15 | Any size | 10 |
| Coho & Chinook Salmon | See Great Lakes and Tributary Regulations | ||
| Black Bass Largemouth/Smallmouth |
Third Saturday in June through Nov 30 | 12" | 5 |
| Dec 1 through Friday preceding the third Saturday in June | Catch and release only | Artificial lures only | |
| Muskellunge | Last Saturday in May through Nov 30 | 40" | 1 |
| Northern Pike | First Saturday in May through March 15 | 18" | 5 |
| Pickerel | First Saturday in May through March 15 | 15" | 5 |
| Tiger Muskellunge | First Saturday in May through March 15 | 30" | 1 |
| Walleye | First Saturday in May through March 15 | 15" | 5 |
| Crappie | All year | 9" | 25 |
| Yellow Perch | All year | Any size | 50 |
| Sunfish (Bluegill, Pumpkinseed and Redbreast Sunfish) | All year | Any size | 50 |
| Lake Whitefish | All year | Any size | 5 |
| Atlantic, Shortnose, Lake Sturgeon; Paddlefish, Sauger | Closed | Fishing for (including catch and release) or possession prohibited. | |
| Striped Bass - Hudson River and all inland waters except Delaware River (see Border Waters Regulations) | April 1 through Nov 30 | 1 fish between 18 and 28 inches total | 1 |
| American Shad - All inland waters except Hudson, Chemung, Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers. | All year | Any size | 3 |
| Possession prohibited in Marine District | |||
| Hickory Shad | Aug 1 through Nov 30 | Any size | 5 |
| Anadromous River (Ocean-run) Herring (Alewife and Blueback Herring) | Possession prohibited except in Hudson River and tributaries (See Tidal Hudson River Regulations) | ||
| American Eel- all waters except Hudson River, St. Lawrence R., L. Niagara R., Lake Ontario and tributaries to these waters. | All year | 9" | 25 |
| American Eel- Hudson River from the Battery to Troy and all tributaries upstream to the first barrier | See Tidal Hudson River Regulations | ||
| All endangered or threatened fish species. See complete list of species. | Fishing for (including catch and release) or possession prohibited | ||
| All other species (except those listed elsewhere in special regulations tables) | All year | Any size | Any number |
Other information on Fishing Regulations is found on this link from the DEC.
Fish Species in Ballston Lake
Ballston Lake Fishing Map
