Good question

[Yankee_lake]

If bass season doesnt start until the third week of june in ny are u still allowed to catch and release the bass?

[TommyBass]

Dont know what a bass season is, so I guess we dont have them here in Indiana. Catch, keep, and release at free will here.

[Phishn_Phool]

I was in Missouri for year where bass season on the rivers closed and it was still legal to catch and release.  I think is the law reads "possess" then it is ok to catch and release

[VTbasskid16]

Its because of spawning. Up here on certain lakes,

you can fish from  2nd sat. in april to june something, but it has to be catch and release to help retain the bass poulation. In that time period the bass are spawning and can become vulnerable to over fishing

[sinker48]

I'm not sure of the law in New York state so check the rule book I think it states that it is illegal to target fish bass before season opens. That would mean catch and release is illegal. If you happen to be fishing for pan fish and catch a bass and release it thats ok.

For the DEC to prove you are targeting bass is hard to prove so if you have guts go fot it . I personally don't agree with pulling bass of beds although my personal best was caught while fishing for brown trout in mid April of 2003. Had no camera with me and was fishing alone learned lesson about carrying camera.

Good Luck!

Sinker48