Fishing is a popular pastime on Long Island, with a variety of freshwater and saltwater fishing spots available, ranging from small ponds and rivers to fishing on the Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you're an experienced angler or just getting started, it's important to understand the regulations and limits that apply to saltwater fishing in New York. All anglers (16 and older) fishing in New York's 26th Marine Coastal District must be enrolled in the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry when angling the fish species listed below. If you don't have your own fishing boat, there are party and charter boats available to fish off the Long Island coast.
Connecticut and Rhode Island anglers can also fish on Long Island as long as they have a marine fishing license from their respective states. When it comes to size and possession limits, there are a few key species to keep in mind. Monkfish (bonefish) must be 17 or 11 tail length, with no limit on Colin (19) or Red drum (no size limit). It's important to note that any fish caught against the minimum length, fillet limit or open season rules should, without avoidable injury, be immediately returned to the water from which it was extracted.
In addition to size and possession limits, there are also a few other regulations to keep in mind when saltwater fishing in New York. Visit Recreational Shark Fishing for information on banned shark species and shark fishing in New York. Be sure to purchase your fishing license and take a look at these fishing rules before casting your line. Fishing licenses are not needed for free fishing days, which includes a number of events throughout the year.
Marine recreational fishing regulations apply “while in the waters of this state or on any parcel of land, structure, or portion of a highway that adjoins the tidal waters of this state.” Under this regulation, regardless of where you caught your fish (federal waters, other state waters), any fish in your possession must comply with Connecticut regulations (size, season, possession limits) when in Connecticut waters. For information on safely handling fish and using circle hooks, visit Best Practices for Saltwater Fishing. Find fishing spots using the DEC Marine Boat Ramp and Interactive Fishing Access Map, and for more information, visit Public Access to New York's Marine Waters.
