DEC Announces Adoption of Black Bass Tournament Permit and Reporting System

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced the adoption of regulations to implement a black bass (largemouth bass and smallmouth bass) tournament permit and reporting system. The no-cost black bass tournament permitting and reporting system will help identify the distribution and occurrence of black bass tournaments across the state.

"Black bass are New York's most sought-after freshwater sportfish and a premier location for angler tournaments," said Interim Commissioner Mahar. "The no-cost black bass tournament permitting and reporting system will help DEC better understand the scope and scale of tournaments, helping ensure New York remains one of the nation's top destinations for black bass fishing and improve the overall angler experience."

New York's excellent bass fishery is leading to a significant increase in the number of black bass fishing tournaments being held over the last several decades. However, the overall extent of tournament activity remains unknown and limits the ability of DEC fisheries biologists to appropriately understand and manage these fisheries for the benefit of both tournament and recreational anglers.

The black bass tournament permit and reporting system will provide information on the extent of tournament activity and tournament results, which will be instrumental for the appropriate management of black bass fisheries. This system will also provide information on black bass tournament locations and schedules, benefiting tournament planners and anglers in general.

DEC first proposed the regulation in April 2024. An assessment of the public comments received on the regulatory proposal and the final regulation is available on DEC's website.

Black bass tournament permits are only required for fishing tournaments where black bass are the targeted species and the tournament has 10 or more participants. Fishing tournament directors can begin applying for black bass tournament permits via an online permitting system on Sept. 9 for tournaments that begin on or after Jan. 1, 2025.

Additional information on the black bass tournament permit and reporting system, including a map with permitted tournaments and links to the online application and reporting forms, can be found at Bass Fishing Tournament Permit.