Suffolk, NY Fishing: Enjoy Over 1,000 Miles of Coastline Fishing

Suffolk is located in the easternmost part of New York City. It is geographically the largest among the four counties in Long Island. Lined with the beautiful shoreline of New York bays and rivers, the county has the most stunning views of its surrounding big waters: the Long Island Sound and the North Atlantic Ocean. Despite all developments in Suffolk, it has maintained its claim on the lead in agriculture among all counties of New York. This is all thanks to its good soil, pleasant weather, abundant clean waters, and of course, hardworking farmers.

Once part of the Connecticut Colony, it is now part of the 12 original counties of the New York Province, created in 1683. Nature in Suffolk also meets technology as the county is home to scientific advancements like the Route 110 corridor and research facilities at Brookhaven National Lab. At 401 feet above sea level, Jayne’s Hill located in West Hills remains the highest point in the county and the whole of Long Island. The county has the most number of lighthouses in any of the counties in the United States. It has preserved 15 of its 26 original lighthouses, eight of which stand on Southold township. Suffolk County is one of the most expensive places to live in the United States. Its sophisticated cities and high-quality rural life attract tourists from all over the world.

Being surrounded by water has its advantages and this includes beautiful beaches for people who love to swim and great fishing spots for people who love to fish. Suffolk’s 1,000 miles of shoreline is definitely some “fishing goals” opportunity for any angler, whether experienced, beginner, or just trying out the sport. The county is bordered and dotted by numerous fishing destinations and brimming with a great game from the North Fork down to the South Fork. Gather your gear and explore fishing on this exciting side of Long Island!

Suffolk Fishing 

With dedicated nature and water conservation efforts, some of the best Long Island angling opportunities, may it be saltwater or freshwater fishing, are found in Suffolk County Parks. Fish species such as pumpkinseed, largemouth bass, white perch, yellow perch, and bluegill are found in the county’s numerous ponds and lakes.

Although the western side of Suffolk County is more in touch with the population, commercial areas, and its urban side, it is dotted with lakes, ponds, and streams that give anglers various possibilities for shoreline and boat fishing. While trout is primarily for stream fishing, bass and other warm-water species will commonly be found stocked in lakes and ponds. Wild brook trout, a trout species that are native to Long Island, is found in Carmans River. The 10-mile river is currently purely groundwater generated. Every year, it receives about 2,000 to 3,000 stocked brown and rainbow trout. The river is freshwater for its first 8 miles, and it becomes an estuary for the last 2 miles due to tidal effects from the Great South Bay. 

For anglers that like to fish in more intimate and secluded areas, the eastern side of Suffolk County has got you covered. Saltwater and freshwater bodies in the area are filled with bass, yellow perch, and white perch. Big Reed Pond in Montauk County Park allows hand-launched motorboating for anglers that do not like to waste time catching their game. Along with Fort Pond and Lake Montauk, it offers excellent fishing for species such as walleye, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. Fluke can be found on the east coast’s saltwater bodies and are a perfect game for anglers that like challenging catches. These fish species tend to inhabit muddy parts of deeper waters and sometimes makes it harder to target but makes the experience a little more thrilling. Deep sea fishing in Montauk gets anglers some giant bluefin and yellowfin tuna action! Some of the most common and efficient baits that tuna bite are live mullets, herring, blue runner, and menhaden. Blackfish can also be found in these waters, although they are notoriously hard to find. Bottom fishing is one of the most common techniques to catch them since they like rocky bottoms and more textured areas to live and hide in.

Fish stocking is done in Suffolk County, but some water bodies like Sears Pond, Swan Lake, Fort Pond, and more naturally produce fish like chain pickerel, bluegill, pumpkinseed, carp, and brown bullhead. Fly cast along the shores or troll and consider spinner-baits or soft plastic baits when targeting these fish species. Live bait like worms and crickets work in the ponds, too, so go ahead and give it a try! Bluefish and striped bass are most commonly found in the county’s saltwater bodies while on a boat, while shoreline fishing gets some good bite on Snapper and blowfish.

Anglers may fish in Suffolk County from sunrise to sunset, and for those that wish to do some angling in the night, a Night Fishing Permit is required. The permit allows anglers to enter selected parks and fish between 10 o’clock in the evening until 6 o’clock in the morning. Some parks accessible for night fishing by permit include Montauk County Park, Smith Point, Lake Ronkonkoma, Cordwood Landing County Park, Orient Point County Park, and Cupsogue Beach County Park.

While a New York State (NYS) Fishing License is enough to fish in Suffolk County’s freshwater bodies, Southaven County Park requires an additional Suffolk County Fishing Permit. NYS Recreational Marine Fishing Registration is required for saltwater fishing.

Top 10 Fish Species in Suffolk, NY

The top 10 fish species to look out for in Suffolk, NY are striped bass, white marlin, yellow perch, white perch, walleye, brook trout, bluefish, blue shark, bluefin, and yellowfin tuna.

Seasonal Fishing 

August is the high season for yellowfin tuna in all of Long Island, but they will be found easily from July to early October. Anglers may find it more challenging to catch them during January to June and mid-October to December. 

Flukes are heavily controlled, and anglers may keep them between April and September only, which is not a bad duration to catch as many as desired. Although they are usually brimming in the waters as early as May.

Seabass is available from June until the end of the year. The productive season for striped bass and bluefish is from May to late October. They are most commonly found in the north fork of the county. Brook trout spawns late in fall and sometimes early winter. Eggs hatch around spring, and juveniles swim out to find food. They can be caught from April to September, and Carmans River allows them for catch-and-release only.

Visit the Rural Side of Suffolk

1. Get Yourself a Fishing Guide

Feeling an area full of wildlife? Want to chill and fish by your lonesome? Bringing your family to the park while you go out fishing? Get a local fishing guide to help you find the best spots in Suffolk County that suit your fishing needs and style. 

2. Travel While Lighthouse Hopping

Follow a trail of lighthouses while traveling Suffolk County! From Montauk Point Lighthouse, the easternmost point of the county’s south fork, to Cedar Island Lighthouse found in the middle of the forks, to Plum Island Lighthouse and Horton Point Lighthouse in the north fork. You may even hop on a boat to get a view of the Little Gull Island Lighthouse. These are just a few of the 15 remaining standing lighthouses in Suffolk County waiting for you to discover!

3. Drop Round to See Parrish Art Museum

Founded in 1897, Parrish Art Museum showcases different contemporary art, sculptures, and architecture from artists in the North and South shores. Immerse yourself in more than 3,000 artworks that can be gazed at and appreciated from the nineteenth century to the present. The museum is a place for tourists going solo, family trips, and weekend travels with friends.