Saltwater Fishing Guide
Sport and recreational fishing at Fire Island National Seashore does not require a special fishing permit or license. However, all New York State fishing regulations apply while fishing within park boundaries.
For information on fishing regulations, go to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website.
Opportunities to surf fish for striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish are available along ocean beaches. During spring and fall migration, fishing action can be fast and exciting.
Boat fishing in the Great South Bay offers boat anglers an opportunity to catch a multitude of species such as winter flounder, summer flounder, weakfish, porgies, kingfish, seabass, blackfish and blowfish. Blue claw crabs can be caught off many of the local docks.
Waterfowl Hunting Guide
To obtain a hunting permit, submit the following to a National Park Ranger at the Wilderness Visitor Center (631-281-3010) or the West District Ranger Station, located just east of the Fire Island Lighthouse (631-661-2556):- Valid New York State hunting license.
- Signed duck stamp.
- Valid New York State driving license.
- Confirmation number from the Harvest Information Program (HIP).
Regulations
- Hunting is limited to waterfowl only.
- Hunting or carrying of loaded firearms is prohibited within areas posted as closed areas or safety zones (see map)
- Walking access to eastern hunting areas should be by sand road (Burma Road).
- All waterfowl hunting is north of the Burma road only.
- Any person may be ejected from the area for disorderly conduct, intoxication or any other conduct which endangers the public welfare.
- No target or promiscuous shooting is permitted within the cooperative area.
- No rifles or bows shall be carried or used in the area.
- Obey all posted regulatory signs.
- Use designated dune crossings only.
- The following acts are prohibited: hunting camps; building fires; damaging, cutting or breaking trees or shrubs.
- Upon request of the Fire Island National Seashore, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or New York Department of Environmental Conservation staff, all persons are required to show their bag.
- All applicable provisions of New York conservation law and federal regulations shall be in effect.
- Non-toxic shot is required for waterfowl hunting. Possession or use of shells loaded with shot other than steel, bismuth/tin, tungsten/iron or other shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is strictly prohibited when hunting waterfowl.
- A shotgun with the capability of holding more than three shells is required to be plugged with a one piece filler which is incapable of removal without disassembling the gun.
Map of Fire Island National Seashore Waterfowl Hunting Area
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