DEC's permit and reporting system provides information on the scope and scale of black bass tournaments and helps biologists understand, track, and if warranted, manage tournament-related issues to maintain the quality and popularity of New York’s black bass fisheries. It is also intended to help tournament organizers and the general angling public through an up-to-date list and map of permitted events throughout the state.
Tournament Permit Application
A permit is required to conduct a black bass tournament in New York.
For purposes of this permit, a black bass tournament is defined as:
- an organized competition among anglers or teams of anglers that is based on a measure of fishing success, such as the cumulative weight or length, where black bass are the targeted species;
- operated on one day or a set of contiguous days; and,
- has 10 or more competitors.
Required Information
The following information is required when applying for a black bass tournament permit:
- Organization name
- Tournament director contact information
- Information on the tournament, including:
- Location (waterbody and anticipated access site)
- Date(s) of the event
- Size (maximum number of boats and participants)
- Scoring procedure (access site scoring or catch/score/immediate release)
- Scoring basis (weight, length, or count)
Note: A permit may be denied if the requested location, date(s) and/or tournament type does not comply with freshwater fishing regulations.
Application Deadlines
The permit application must be completed by the director (organizer) of each tournament and must be received no sooner than 365 days, and no later than 45 days, prior to the scheduled event. Once submitted, it may take up to 30 days for DEC to perform a complete review and issue a permit.
