Most New Yorkers treat the Hudson River like background scenery at best and a giant puddle to avoid at worst. But if you’ve ever looked at the murky water and wondered if anything in there was actually edible, the answer just changed for the first time since the 1970s.
The New York State Department of Health just dropped a bombshell update to its statewide fishing guidelines: after decades of “catch and release” warnings, certain fish from the Hudson River are officially back on the menu.
Why the Change?
It’s all about PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).
For over 50 years, these toxic chemicals–remnants of industrial dumping–made Hudson River fish a health no-go. However, recent analysis shows that PCB levels have finally declined enough to relax the rules.
While it’s not a free-for-all, the new guidelines mean that for the first time in half a century, everyone in the family (including children and those who are pregnant) can safely consume specific species caught in the Lower Hudson.
The New Rules: Who Can Eat What?
The updated advice applies to the Lower Hudson River–the stretch from the Rip Van Winkle Bridge in Catskill all the way down to the NYC Battery.
The Sensitive Population (children under 15 and people who can become pregnant)
- The Update: Can now eat up to one 8-ounce meal per month
- Safe Species: Striped bass, brown bullhead, and yellow/white perch
The General Population
- The Update: Can now eat up to four 8-ounce meals per month
- Safe Species: Striped bass and other common varieties
⚠️ The “Still Banned” List: Regardless of who you are, the DOH recommends nobody eat Carp or Smallmouth Bass from the Lower Hudson due to lingering PCB levels.
What About the Rest of the River?
If you’re fishing further north, be careful. The rules change depending on your GPS coordinates:
- Upper Hudson (Hudson Falls to Troy): The strict “take no fish, eat no fish” regulation remains in full effect
- Mid-Hudson (Troy to Catskill): Contaminant levels haven’t changed; stick to the current local advisories
How to Prep Your Catch (The “50% Rule”)
Even with the relaxed rules, the DOH isn’t suggesting you just toss a whole fish on the grill. Because PCBs settle in the fat, how you cook it matters:
- Trim the Fat: Cut off the skin and all visible fat before cooking
- Let it Drip: Grill, broil, or bake the fish on a rack so the fat drips away. This simple step reduces PCB exposure by roughly 50%
- The Crab Rule: If you’re catching Hudson River crabs, discard the “mustard” (tomalley) and the cooking liquid, as that’s where the chemicals concentrate
The Reality Check
While state officials are celebrating this as a milestone for New York’s recovery, environmental groups like Riverkeeper are urging caution.
They remind New Yorkers that while the river is “cleaner,” it is still a federal Superfund site.
The Bottom Line
Even with updated guidelines giving the green light to eat certain fish from the Hudson, let’s be real–most New Yorkers likely aren’t about to start stocking their fridges with river catches.
We’ve come a long way, sure, but maybe not that far. Call it progress…but maybe not a dinner plan–kind of like those wild ideas about someday swimming in the Gowanus Canal. Technically possible? Maybe. Actually happening? Don’t look at us.
