Located between the states of New York and Connecticut, Long Island Sound contains many of the Mid Atlantic region’s top fishing areas. In addition to inshore fishing, Long Island Sound provides access to the Atlantic Ocean.

Long Island Sound attracts a variety of saltwater fish species including striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, croaker, spot, fluke (summer flounder), winter flounder, scup (porgy), tautog (blackfish), sharks, and others.

Montauk Lighthouse
Montauk Lighthouse | credit: USCG

At the sound’s eastern end is Montauk Point, home to the New York’s largest commercial and recreational fishing fleet.

Nearby, an area known as “the race” is famous for its tidal rips. The phenomenon occurs as strong tidal flows merge from Long Island Sound, Block Island Sound, and the Atlantic.

Tidal water exits Long Island Sound at its western end via the East River. The East and Hudson rivers merge to form Upper New York Bay before flowing thru the Narrows between Staten Island and Brooklyn, into Lower New York Bay.

Feeding into Long Island Sound are dozens of rivers, creeks, and smaller tributaries. Many of these areas provide important spawning habitat for American shad, river herring, striped bass, and other species.

To enhance fishing opportunities for fishermen, The New York Department of Environmental Conservation maintains two artificial reefs (Matinecock and Smithtown) in Long Island Sound.

Related Information

New York Saltwater Fishing

Montauk NY

Hudson River

Estuaries