The Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count

The Great Hudson River Fish Count is an annual event, sponsored by the DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program and the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve. On August 10, DEC and partners at seven riverfront sites along the Hudson River and New York Harbor participate at riverfront sites to collect, count, and catalog fish species. During the fish count, participating organizations encourage visitors to help collect 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.

What Sorts of Fish are Found?

Have you ever wondered what's hidden below the surface of the Hudson River? With fresh water upriver and saltwater at New York City, the Hudson River estuary and its watershed (tributaries) are home to more than 200 fish species. So far, 70 different types of fish have been recorded during the annual counts. A full list of species found each year from 2012 can be found here.

What Can the Fish Count Tell Us?

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. Much of the catch is young fish, underlining the importance of the river's nursery habitat.