Things to do / Travel Guide
Fishing on Long Island
Long Island has long been recognized as a fisherman's paradise. Not only are its many inlets and coves, freshwater lakes, and saltwater shores teeming with aquatic life, the island itself is shaped like a fish! The Island's indigenous people named it Paumonauck, meaning “fish-shaped island,” and true to its namesake, fishermen from across the country flock to the Island to try their hand at reeling in rainbow trout, bluefish, blackfish, summer and winter flounder, tuna, weakfish, and striped bass.
Freshwater fishermen should keep in mind that in addition to New York State required fishing licenses, a special daily fishing permit or “Green Key” card may be required for some parks. The following website has information about obtaining Suffolk County Green Key cards: Suffolk County Fishing Permit. Launch ramps are available in some parks for boat fishing; a leisure license is usually required and a fee may be charged. Fishing charter companies are available throughout Long Island, particularly on the East End in the Hamptons and near Orient Point. Fishing hours are usually limited to between sunrise and sunset. Night fishing is allowed in some parks, though a permit usually must be obtained.
Long Island and Fire Island Fishing Spots
While the fishing sites (both freshwater and saltwater) are almost limitless, below is a list of places teeming with fish:
Long Island Fishing - Freshwater
- Sears Bellows County Park in Hampton Bays has fresh water pond fishing for bass, bluegills, perch and pickerel.
- Southaven County Park, in Brookhaven, has great live bait fishing in the lake and pond only. Above the upper dam fly fishing is allowed. Fish here for brook and rainbow trout, large mouth bass, bluegills, and perch.
- Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown at Stump Pond is the place to fish for pumpkinseed, large mouth bass, perch and bluegills. You can also rent a boat here to help you get to where the fish are biting.
Long Island Fishing Spots - Saltwater
- Block Island Sound from Montauk to Block Island offers outstanding fishing from May to November. Striped bass, bluefish, and fluke can be caught along inshore inlets, reefs, and wrecks.
- Theodore Roosevelt County Park near Montauk allows surfcasting. In the northern area of the park, visitors can access excellent saltwater fishing for bluefish and striped bass.
- Cedar Point County Park in East Hampton is a great place for saltwater fishing, surfcasting, and shore fishing.
- Shelter Island is a superb fishing spot for striped bass, bluefish, stripers, blues, and false albacore. Shore fishing near Hay Beach and Jennings Point is best between May and September.
- Smith Point County Park on Fire Island's barrier beach has bay fishing for flounder, snapper, and blowfish and open water ocean fishing for bluefish, weakfish, and striped bass.
- Long Island South Shore from Jamaica Bay to Great South Bay has great inshore fishing for weakfish, fluke, and blackfish in bays and estuaries. Along the coast catch striped bass, false albacore, and bluefish.
For a laid back family fishing “experience” head to Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium. The “from the pond to your pan” activity will allow you to easily catch fish in the Hatchery's ponds for a flat fee.
Fishing Spots in Long Island, the Hamptons, Montauk, Fire Island
Fishing
Centerport Beach - New York
Norman Klipp Marine Park Beach - Greenport, New York
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