Saving the River's Fish. For schools of migratory shad, sturgeon, river herring, blue crab, menhaden and striped bass, the Hudson is an unimpeded corridor from the Atlantic to their ancestral spawning grounds.

The Hudson River is a diverse ecosystem containing over 200 species of fish, ranging from freshwater varieties in the north to marine species in the brackish lower estuary. The river is most famous for the Atlantic Sturgeon, an ancient, armor-plated fish that can grow up to 800 pounds; it is the symbol of the river's conservation efforts. Anglers frequently target Striped Bass, which migrate up the river in massive numbers each spring to spawn. Other common species include American Shad, Blueback Herring, and Channel Catfish. In the tidal sections, you will find White Perch and Yellow Perch, while the calmer tributaries are home to Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass. The river also supports the catadromous American Eel, which travels thousands of miles to spawn in the Sargasso Sea. Because of the river's industrial history, the New York State Department of Health issues specific advisories on fish consumption; while many of these fish are fun to catch and release in 2026, it is vital to check current safety guidelines before planning a "catch-and-cook" meal from the Hudson.