In the fall, the seaside towns across Long Island wake up to an explosion of color as the leaves turn and the temperatures start to drop. The air is crisp and refreshing, and the water is calm enough for safe fishing. The best time for fishing on Long Island is between October and April, and particularly during the latter half of the season. Many of the locales around the island are rich in seasonal fish, and the activity then is known as the ‘Indian Summer’ when the weather is gorgeous yet warm.
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Sandy Point State Park
One of the most scenic spots on Long Island is Sandy Point State Park, located in the town of Babylon. The park is home to hundreds of migrating birds, including bald eagles, ospreys, and loons. In the winter, you will spot many people with their faces plunged into their warm cups of coffee, while in the summer, joggers and family outings are a common sight on the trails. It’s easy to understand why this park is popular: it’s close to Babylon and there are lots of scenic spots for fishing and snapping turtles to be found here. In fact, the small island in the middle of the lake is called Middle Island and is inhabited only by wildlife, especially a colony of herons that nest here in the winter. In the summer, the lake is a beautiful emerald green and dotted with yellow and purple flowers.
Long Beach State Park
Another great place for snapper fishing is Long Beach State Park in the town of Oyster Bay. It was named after Long Island’s most famous beach, and the area is rich in marine life. In the summer, the water becomes a popular place for people to go surfing, while in the winter it’s a great spot for cross-country skiing and snow shoeing. The best time for a swim with the family is at dusk, when the beach lights turn on and the temperature is still bearable. A great place to take a stroll and enjoy nature at its best is along the park’s coastal trail, where you will see a great display of wildlife, including wild turkeys, ducks, and, in the winter months, foxes. In the summer, the park offers beautiful views of the ocean and on a clear day you can even see Manhattan across the bay. This is a popular attraction for tourists, and it’s not hard to understand why – the park has a great restaurant and bar, as well as plentiful picnic facilities.
Southampton State Park
Another great fishing spot on Long Island is Southampton State Park, located in the town of Southampton. The park is actually an amalgamation of three smaller state parks that were once completely separate locations and only connected by a short footbridge. It’s a popular spot with both fishermen and nature enthusiasts, and one of the reasons for its popularity is the variety of fish that can be caught here, including bass, snapper, and weakfish. In the winter months, the park is a mecca for ice fishermen, who come from all over the country to fish for speckled, lake trout, and northern pike. In the summer, there are plenty of trails through the woods for hikers and bikers, while the boat ramp allows anglers to launch their vessels and go after the fish that live in nearby ponds. In the winter, there is no phone reception, so there is no chance of being interrupted by incoming calls while you are trying to fish. The best time for a swim with the family at Southampton State Park is around sunset, when the water becomes a wonderful reflection of the surrounding foliage.
Jones Beach State Park
Another great place for snapper fishing is Jones Beach State Park, located in the town of Islip. A great way to enjoy nature on Long Island is from the water. At Jones Beach State Park, you can swim with the gentle giants, the giant green tropical fish that live in the area’s many lakes. This place is perfect for kids: there is a large splash pad where they can get wet and wild and there are plenty of activities offered, including fishing, hiking, and biking. In the summer, the park is a popular attraction for families, while in the winter it’s a place where people come to skate and in the spring it’s a great place to see amphibians and reptiles.
Boat Basin
Fishing off the coast of Long Island is another great way to spend a day, and one of the best places for this is in the town of Island Park, close to the center of the Island. Here you will find one of the most beautiful boat basins in the world. This is a famous spot for anglers from all over the country: it offers excellent fishing for bass, bluegill, and stripers. The best time for a swim with the family here is in the winter, when the water is usually a bit cooler and there are fewer people around. However, even in the summer, it’s still a beautiful place to be and for kids especially, it’s a must-see spot. The best way to enjoy the boat basin is from the water: you can rent a kayak or canoe for a smooth cruise around the water or take a rowboat out on the bay and watch the world go by.
Shelter Island State Park
Shelter Island State Park is located in the town of Oyster Bay. Here you will find a unique ecological niche on Long Island: an underwater world inhabited by marine life, including large schools of fish, sea turtles, and the occasional shark. In the winter, this is one of the places where people come to fish for speckled, lake trout, and northern pike. In the summer, the park offers beautiful views of the ocean and on a clear day you can even see Manhattan across the bay. This is one of the places where you can get up close and personal with a shark: the shark feedings here are a fun family activity, especially in the summer, when you can get a behind-the-scenes look at this ocean predator in its natural habitat.
These are just some of the places where you can go snapper fishing on Long Island. The best way to experience this incredible sport is by getting out on the water: you can rent a boat from one of the local marinas or charter a fishing boat from a reputable outfitter. Bring your pole and line, and get ready to enjoy one of the most unique sporting experiences on Long Island. Just remember to be careful around the water and to always check for current regulations and bag limits before you go fishing.