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What comes to mind when you think about fishing? Patience, relaxation, challenge, and memories are a few words often associated with fishing. You will find all that and a sense of stewardship, conservation, and preservation on this page. We want you to have an enjoyable time during your visit, and for those who come after you to fish. Take some time to explore, learn what the park has to offer and learn your responsibilities before casting a line or flicking a fly into the water.
Fishing At Gateway
Saltwater fishing is the only type of fishing allowed at Gateway.
No license is required for saltwater fishing, but there is a saltwater registry for both New York and New Jersey.
Permits are required to park in many places throughout the park. Permits are also required to park after hours at any part of the park.
Off road vehicle parking permits are required for the Breezy Tip Point. They are also valid in other areas of the park where the fishing/parking permit is honored (paved lots only). Two Wheel Drive parking permits are required at locations and times listed below. Please note that there are no discounts for these parking permits for any holders of special passes (such as access, senior, or military).
Parking/After Hours Access for Fishing/2 Wheel Drive (SAHO, JABA, STIS)
When is the Fishing Access Pass available for purchase?
Available for purchase ONLINE ONLY through Recreation.gov. Sale period: March 2 – March 31.
How do I receive the Fishing Access Vehicle Decal?
Vehicle decals must be picked up in person at the following locations, dates, and times.
Jamaica Bay Unit
Ryan Visitor Center, Floyd Bennett Field: Saturdays and Sundays only 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15
Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22
Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center: Saturdays and Sundays only 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5
Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12 Staten Island Unit
Miller Field Ranger Station: Saturdays and Sundays only 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8
Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15
Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center: Saturdays and Sundays only 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22
Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29
Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5
Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12
Sandy Hook Unit
Light House Visitor Center: Saturdays and Sundays only 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8
Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15
Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22
Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29
Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5
Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12 In order to receive a valid Fishing Access Vehicle Decal, you must bring confirmation of your Fishing Access Permit purchase to the locations designated time periods. There may be limited internet access at the pick-up locations, so please bring a printed copy of the QR code or take a picture of the QR code on your phone.
When is the Fishing Access Pass valid?
The 2026 Fishing Access Pass is valid from time of purchase through 3/31/27.
What does the Fishing Access Pass provide?
The Fishing Access Pass provides after-hours and parking access for fishing at designated locations in the Jamaica Bay Unit, Sandy Hook Unit, and Staten Island Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area.
Please remember that you must be actively fishing while using the Fishing Access Permit. The permits are not Beach Parking passes or for other recreational uses.
Sandy Hook Unit
Permits are required for after hours fishing (9 pm - 6 am). Permits are not required during regular business hours.
Staten Island Unit
Permits are required at all times to park in Crooke's Point (Great Kills Park).
Permits are required to park after hours in any Staten Island Unit. (9 pm - 6 am).
Jamaica Bay Unit
Permits are required at the following Jamaica Bay Unit sites:
222nd Street Fishing Lot Breezy Point: Parking Permit for Fishing Access Only; all times
Sand Lot, Breezy Point: Parking Permit for Off-Road Vehicle Fishing Access Only; all times
Riis Landing Parking Permit for Fishing Access or NPS Programs Only: All Times
193rd Street Fishing Lot, Fort Tilden: Parking Permit for Fishing Access Only; all times
Yacht Club Lot, Fort Tilden: Parking Permit for Fishing Access Only; all times.
Shore Road East, Fort Tilden: March 15-September 15: No parking or vehicular access
169th David Road Parking Area; Fort Tilden: March 15 - September 15: No Parking 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Parking by Fishing Access Permit Only from 9 p.m. - 6 a.m.
Fort Tilden Interior Post Area - All Parking Lots: March 15 - September 15: Parking by Picnic Permit, Garden Permit, Fishing Access Permit, or other authorized use.
Aviation Road Fishing Parking Lot, Floyd Bennett Field: Parking Permit for Fishing Access Only; all times
Bay 3 East Parking Lot Jacob Riis Park: May 15 - September 15: Parking for NPS staff and accessible parking only 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Accessible parking requires parking fee. Parking-After Hours Fishing Permit required from 8 p.m . - 6 a.m.
Permits are not required during regular business hours at
Canarsie Pier
Floyd Bennett Field (other than Aviation Road Parking Lot)
Frank Charles Park
Hamilton Beach
North Channel Bridge Parking Lots
Breezy Point Off-Road Vehicle Pass, Jamaica Bay Unit
2026 Breezy Point Off-Road Vehicle Passes are sold out.
When is the Breezy Point Off-Road Vehicle Pass available for purchase?
On March 2, 2026, the Off-Road Vehicle Pass goes on-sale ONLINE ONLY through Recreation.gov. Please note: Recreation.gov will not accept applications prior to March 2.
Step 1: Purchase Pass and Schedule Vehicle Inspection Appointment on Recreation.gov
Starting March 2, purchase the Off-Road Vehicle pass and schedule your vehicle inspection appointment ONLINE ONLY through Recreation.gov.
Step 2: On-site Vehicle Inspection Appointments
Vehicle Inspection Appointments are by appointment only and must be made only through Recreation.gov.
Park staff will be available to inspect your vehicle and issue your pass within your scheduled appointment time.
After your vehicle passes the inspection, the Off-Road Vehicle decal will be provided.
Vehicle Inspection Location, Dates, and Times:
Ryan Visitor Center, Floyd Bennett Field (parking lot east of building), Jamaica Bay Unit
Appointment times will be available on Recreation.gov at the time of purchase.
What is required for the vehicle inspection:
The following items are required to be in your vehicle during the inspection: 7-foot (minimum) fishing pole; reel and tackle; shovel; tow chain or rope; jack; jack support board; tire pressure gauge; appropriate spare tire; trash container; portable toilet.
Off-Road Vehicle pass requirements:
Payment must be made on-line through Recreation.gov when you purchase the Off-Road Vehicle Pass.
On-site Vehicle Inspection will occur at the Ryan Visitor Center parking lot by appointment only at the dates and times listed. Appointments are made only through Recreation.gov.
The vehicle that you will be using to access the sand road, sand lot, and beach, must be the same vehicle that you drive to your inspection appointment and you must have a valid registration for that vehicle available at the time of inspection.
Bring the required items in the trunk of your vehicle to pass the inspection.
Off-Road Vehicle Passes are for Fishing Access Only.
During Piping Plover Season from March 15 through September 15, there is no vehicle access to Breezy Point Tip. All vehicles must park at the Sand Lot from March 15 through September 15.
Questions about the Off-Road Vehicle Pass, Breezy Point?
Gateway National Recreation Area Public Affairs: 718-354-3650
Jamaica Bay Unit: 718-758-3675
Fishing Access Permits provide after hours and parking access for fishing at designated locations throughout Gateway.
Fishing Regulations
Fishing regulations for Gateway National Recreation follow 36 CFR 2.3 and those set by the States of New York and New Jersey.
Additional restrictions have been established:
Fishing is prohibited in non-tidal waters. Non-tidal waters include all fresh waters in the park.
The shoreline under the Verrazzano Bridge and adjacent to Battery Weed and the Torpedo Pier is closed to fishing.
Fishing is prohibited on lifeguard protected beaches when lifeguards are on duty. This includes 50 yards up the beach from the red lifeguard flags marking the ends of the protected swim areas.
Fishing is prohibited within 150 feet of posted shorebird nesting areas.
Due to health concerns, shellfishing is prohibited in all park waters. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and New York Department of Environmental Conservation has closed and "condemned" certain waters to the harvesting or collecting of shellfish. The waters around the park are included in this closure.
Net fishing is prohibited on swimming beaches and within 100 feet of swimming beaches.
Fish Consumption Advisories in National Park Waters
The Environmental Protection Agency, states, territories, and tribes provide advice on fish and shellfish caught in the waters in their jurisdiction to help people make informed decisions about eating fish. Advisories are recommendations to limit your consumption of, or avoid eating entirely, certain species of fish or shellfish from specific bodies of water due to chemical or biological contamination.
Fish is part of a healthy balanced diet, but eating wild fish and shellfish caught in park waters is not risk free. Parks are “islands”, but the much larger “ocean” that surrounds them affects the natural resources inside a park. Other aquatic toxins are the result of natural biological processes. Also, chemical contaminants that originate outside of park boundaries can come into parks.
Mercury is an example of a toxin originating outside a park that can find its way into a park. Mercury exists naturally in some rocks, including coal. When power plants burn coal, mercury can travel in the air long distances before falling to the ground, usually in low concentrations. Once on the ground, microorganisms can change this elemental mercury to methyl mercury. This type of mercury can build up in animal tissues, and it can increase in concentration to harmful levels. This high concentration can occur in large predatory fish - those often pursued and eaten by anglers. Studies have shown that fish in some National Park System waters have mercury levels that may be a concern to people who regularly eat a lot of fish.
We invite you to visit the Fish and Fishing website for more information about fish and fishing in the National Park Service. You will learn about conservation, different fish species, and parks that offer fishing.
