Where can I fish?

A sunny day along a peaceful hiking trail at Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park in Great River, Long Island. Towering trees, winding paths, and beautifully maintained gardens make the arboretum one of the island's premier destinations for walking, birdwatching, photography, and enjoying nature throughout the year. File photo: Andrew F. Kazmierski, licensed.
A sunny day along a peaceful hiking trail at Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park in Great River, Long Island. Towering trees, winding paths, and beautifully maintained gardens make the arboretum one of the island’s premier destinations for walking, birdwatching, photography, and enjoying nature throughout the year. File photo: Andrew F. Kazmierski, licensed.

Long Island is one of the premier fishing destinations in the Northeast, offering access to the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island Sound, bays, inlets, lakes, ponds, rivers, and freshwater streams. Whether you enjoy surfcasting, pier fishing, saltwater boating, or freshwater angling, there are outstanding fishing opportunities throughout Nassau County and Suffolk County.

In Short

Some of the best places to fish on Long Island include Jones Beach State Park, Robert Moses State Park, Captree State Park, Fire Island National Seashore, and the Great South Bay. Freshwater anglers can also enjoy fishing at parks, lakes, and preserves throughout the island.

Where Can I Fish on Long Island?

Fishing has long been one of Long Island’s most popular outdoor activities. The island’s unique location between the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound provides exceptional opportunities to catch striped bass, bluefish, fluke, blackfish, porgy, weakfish, and many other saltwater species, while freshwater lakes and ponds are home to bass, trout, pickerel, sunfish, and carp.

Saltwater anglers often head to Jones Beach State Park, Robert Moses State Park, Captree State Park, and Fire Island National Seashore, where surf fishing, jetty fishing, and charter boat excursions are all popular. The Great South Bay is also well known for boating, shellfishing, and recreational fishing.

Freshwater fishing can be found in parks, lakes, and nature preserves across Long Island, offering anglers peaceful settings away from the coast. Before fishing, be sure to review current New York fishing regulations, licensing requirements, and seasonal limits, which vary depending on the species and location.

Whether you’re casting from the beach, launching a boat before sunrise, or spending the afternoon at a quiet pond, Long Island provides fishing opportunities for anglers of every experience level throughout the year.

Quick Facts

Looking For…Recommended Destination
Surf FishingJones Beach State Park and Robert Moses State Park
Charter BoatsCaptree State Park
Bay FishingGreat South Bay
Shoreline FishingFire Island National Seashore
Freshwater FishingLakes, ponds, and parks throughout Long Island.
Fishing InformationLong Island Fishing Guide

Whether you’re chasing striped bass from the surf, fishing aboard a charter boat, or enjoying a quiet morning beside a freshwater lake, Long Island offers outstanding opportunities for anglers throughout the year. With its diverse waterways and rich fishing traditions, the island remains one of New York’s top destinations for recreational fishing. For additional information, seasonal tips, and resources, visit our Long Island Fishing Guide.

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