Kings County, NY Fishing: Unexpectedly Great Fishing in the Greater New York City Area

Kings County, one of Greater New York City’s most populous areas, is better known as Brooklyn. What’s unique about this county-slash-borough is that it can choose to be a part of New York City or Long Island, though it is physically a part of Long Island, sitting on its southwestern tip. While most people tend to think of Brooklyn as just a part of New York, it is so much more than that. It is considered to be one of the most ethnically diverse areas in New York and deserves more than a day of your itinerary.

The Dutch settled in the area that is now Brooklyn in the 1600s, naming one of their villages on the East River shore of Long Island, Breuckelen. This village grew into a town and became Brooklyn after the English took over the Dutch settlement and named it Kings County after King Charles II of England. 

Today, Kings County is generally known for its booming tech and entertainment district and support agencies. For tourists, the county is known for its parks and attractions, including the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Coney Island, and the Floyd Bennett Field. Green-Wood Cemetery, considered one of the most important cemeteries in the country, is in Kings County as well. And because it is culturally diverse, visiting the county will make you feel more cosmopolitan as you rub elbows with its locals.

What many people may not be aware of is that Kings County is also a veritable fishing destination, with Prospect Park Lake being one of the most popular catch-and-release fishing spots in the city, as well as the Sheepshead Bay which has long enjoyed popularity as a top saltwater fishing spot. 

Kings County Fishing

When you think of fishing in New York City, Brooklyn or Kings County might not be the first place on your mind, but it should be. After all, it is technically a part of Long Island. There may only be a few spots in the county worth fishing, but they are worth more than a glance indeed.

The first place to start with in Kings County if you’re up for some fishing is Prospect Park Lake. The lake measures about 55 acres and is about seven feet deep, with a sinuous shoreline of 2.5 miles. What makes this lake such a great fishing destination is that many of its fishing areas are accessible to people with disabilities. It reportedly has the biggest population of largemouth bass in the state, so if you’ve been wanting to challenge yourself with some bass fishing, the lake is your best shot. You can even try some fly fishing here, as long as your gear is up to speed with New York City regulations. You can typically catch two to three-pound bass here, and if you’re lucky, you might even snag a five-pound one. Apart from largemouth bass, the lake is a great habitat for warm-water fish species, so expect to catch some bluegill, white crappie, yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed, and black and yellow perch along with your bass. Carp are also present, but not as plentiful, though they are reportedly some of the lake’s biggest catch. The best way to fish the lake is by sticking to the weed edges along the Phragmites. Weedless lures work well in dense weed areas, as well as topwater lures. If you’re using bait, stick with worms, bugs, or minnows. Be ready with a heavy-duty fishing line if you’re targeting bass.

If you’re up for some saltwater fishing after a day at the lake, then head on over to Sheepshead Bay. Once a secluded fishing community built on the extension of Gravesend, Sheepshead Bay became a popular summer destination for New Yorkers in the 1840s. Its fame grew even further with the establishment of Ocean Avenue and the Sheepshead Bay Race Track, the extension of the Long Island Rail Road which made it easily accessible, and the Millionaire’s Row on Emmons Avenue which was a hotspot for socialites back in the day. When horse betting became illegal and the amusement parks at Coney Island grew more popular, the area soon saw a decline. This, however, gave rise to an influx of people coming to live in the vacated plots in the bay neighborhood. 

Today, Sheepshead Bay is a fishing destination like no other in Brooklyn. Its fantastic marina is home to charter boats that can take you fishing to Jamaica Bay, Breezy Point, Manhattan Beach, and Bright Beach, some even going as far as the North Atlantic Ocean. Some of them specialize in fluke and flounder, but many of them go offshore to target black sea bass, porgy, cod, and mackerel, as well as striped bass and bluefish. Some can even catch bonito and false albacore. 

If you’re in the area during late summer and fall, southwest of Sheepshead Bay, you will be able to catch some striped bass, bluefish, bonito, and false albacore off the Lower Bay. You’ll be more successful if you come in the early morning during weekends when there are fewer people fishing.

If you want to stick closer to the bay but still enjoy plenty of great fishing, Jamaica Bay is your spot. You can access it east of Sheepshead Bay, past the Marine Park Bridge. It’s a great spot to target some striped bass in spring, where you will find schools of the fish hunting the grass shrimp hatch. Further into the season, you will find some bluefish and fluke along with bass. Another spot worth checking out is the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge where you can fish the waters of Gravesend Bay. Here you can catch some striped bass, bluefish, fluke, and flounder.

Top 10 Fish Species in Kings County, NY

The top 10 fish species to catch in Kings County, NY are largemouth bass, bluegill, striped bass, bluefish, fluke, flounder, cod, porgy, black sea bass, and crappie.

Seasonal Fishing

The best months to fish in Kings County, as well as all of New York, are from June to September when you can target plenty of striped bass, bluefish, bonito, and false albacore in Sheepshead Bay. Spring can be quite a fruitful month as well, with black sea bass moving inshore. The colder months of November and February may be a great time to target some tautog or cod.

Discover What Makes Kings County Fit for Royals

Experience the cultural diversity as well as the diversity of sights and sounds to discover in Brooklyn or Kings County. There’s plenty to see even on foot.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Head on over to Sheepshead Bay marina where you can book one of the charter boats there specializing in nearshore and offshore fishing.s

2. Cross the Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge Park Off Your Bucket List

The Brooklyn Bridge is definitely one of the most iconic architectural landmarks in the world, so as touristy as it may seem, it deserves a visit. Afterward, check out Brooklyn Bridge Park, just beside the East River, where you can have a great view across the Manhattan River and can even go out on a boat. It’s a great way to see the city from a different vantage point.

2. Get a Unique Shopping Experience at Brooklyn Flea

This weekend shopping hotspot is fun and unique and a must-experience in Brooklyn from April to November. Here you can find many artisanal sellers hawking their goods, as well as great vintage items. You can find the flea market Saturdays in Williamsburg and Sundays in Dumbo.

3. Enjoy a Few Family-friendly Sights and Activities

Get lessons on juggling, trapezing, and other circus acts at the Muse Gowanus. The studio offers courses for different ages, so it’s a must for any family looking for a unique activity to enjoy only in Brooklyn.

Afterwards, chill at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, one of the earliest museums of its kind in the country, and have fun at the Toy Museum of NY.

4. See Brooklyn on Foot

Join one of the Free Tours by Foot to get to see the borough up close and personal. The most popular tours are the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights, and Dumbo Tour. They have guided tours, but they offer self-guided and audio tours as well. If you want something gastronomically themed, we suggest booking a food tour either in Williamsburg or Flatbush. For something more active, the group offers a bike tour that will let you explore over 20 of the borough’s great neighborhoods.