Great Hudson River Fish Count

Bluegill Sunfish

The Great Hudson River Fish Count is an annual event sponsored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (NYSDEC) Hudson River Estuary Program and the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve.

During the annual event, organizations all along the Hudson River and New York Harbor participate at riverfront sites to collect, count, and catalog fish species.

Visitors can participate by collecting fish using seine nets, minnow traps, or rods and reels. Seining involves pulling a 30-foot net through the water and checking out the fish, crabs, and other river-life caught in the mesh. The fish are identified, counted, and released back into the river.

More than 200 fish species are found in the Hudson River estuary and its tributaries. So far, 70 different types of fish have been recorded during the annual counts.

Participating groups share results during the day to see how the Hudson’s range of habitats and salinities (levels of fresh vs. salty water) supports a wide array of fishes, and to appreciate the estuary’s vitality in both urban and rural settings.

The Hudson River is popular destination for sportfishing enthusiasts. Sought after species include striped bass, catfish, largemouth bass, muskie, white perch, and others.