A Comprehensive Guide to Night Fishing In New York
As the sun sets over New York City, night fishing presents a new opportunity for anglers. The city’s waterways become active after dark, offering a different experience for those who choose to fish at night. With fewer crowds and changing conditions, night fishing can be a rewarding option for both locals and visitors.
More about fishing techniques for beginners and pros alike.
This guide dives into night fishing in New York, offering insights, tips, and techniques for anglers. From Lake Ontario to the Finger Lakes, explore the unique opportunities each body of water provides after dark.
So why do people enjoy fishing at night? For many anglers, it’s about more than just escaping the daytime crowds. Fish are often more active after dark, making it a practical time to cast a line. The calmer environment, cooler temperatures, and different pace also add to the appeal, creating a more focused and rewarding experience on the water.
What is Night Fishing?
Night fishing involves the practice of fishing during the nighttime hours, typically after sunset and before sunrise. In New York State, this is a popular and legal recreational activity governed by specific regulations set by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).
Anglers engage in night fishing for various species such as bass, trout, walleye, and catfish. To partake in this activity, individuals need to be aware of fishing seasons, catch limits, and size restrictions outlined by NYSDEC regulations.
Proper equipment, including suitable rods, reels, bait, and lighting such as headlamps, is essential for a successful and safe night fishing experience.
Anglers often adjust their techniques, using noise-making lures or those with reflective surfaces, as some fish species are more active during the dark hours. Safety considerations, including informing someone of plans, having a charged phone, wearing a PFD, and being mindful of weather conditions, are crucial aspects of night fishing in New York State.
Why is Night Fishing Popular?
Night fishing has gained popularity not just for better catch rates, but for the distinct experience it offers.
After sunset, certain fish species—like catfish, striped bass, and walleye—naturally shift into feeding mode, giving anglers a tactical edge. But beyond that, night fishing appeals to those who appreciate a different rhythm: the absence of boat traffic, the drop in noise, and the stillness that sharpens focus.
The limited visibility also changes how people fish—relying more on touch, sound, and intuition than on sight. It becomes less about casting far and more about reading subtle cues. For many, this shift is mentally engaging and meditative. There’s also a practical draw: it’s easier to carve out time for fishing at night after work or family obligations. Combined, these factors make night fishing a pursuit that’s as much about mindset as it is about method.
Night Fishing – Popular Species
New York offers diverse opportunities for night fishing, with several popular species sought after by anglers. Striped bass is a prime target and is often found in the Hudson River, Long Island Sound, Stony Point and the East River. During the night, these predatory fish move closer to shorelines, bridges, and piers, making them accessible to anglers.
Techniques such as live baiting with eels or herring, and spinning with artificial lures like swimbaits and topwater plugs are effective for enticing striped bass in low-light conditions.
Bluefish, commonly found in the waters around Montauk, Fire Island, and the South Shore, are particularly active at night.
Casting large plugs or metal jigs can attract their attention. Fishing near inlets, where baitfish concentrate, is a productive strategy. Employing wire leaders is advisable due to the bluefish’s sharp teeth.
Furthermore, the New York Harbor and its surrounding waters harbor a variety of species, including fluke (summer flounder).
Night fishing for fluke can be successful around underwater structures and drop-offs.
Drifting with live bait like squid or spearing, along with bucktail jigs, can yield positive results. Anglers often target the Staten Island and Coney Island areas for fluke during the night.
Blackfish, or tautog, are commonly found around Long Island’s rocky bottoms, jetties, and offshore wrecks. These structure-oriented fish are particularly challenging to catch, making them a rewarding target for seasoned anglers. Although blackfish are typically pursued during the day, night fishing can also be productive in select areas with reduced boat traffic and less pressure.
Targeting blackfish at night requires a specialized approach. Anglers typically use green crabs or Asian shore crabs as bait, presented on a high-low or single-hook bottom rig with a heavy sinker to keep the bait anchored in strong currents. Since blackfish are known for their cautious bites and tendency to steal bait, patience and a quick hookset are essential when fishing after dark.
Transitioning from the rocky bottoms of Long Island to the estuarine waters of the Long Island Sound, night anglers can also target weakfish. These fish are often active at night, especially in late spring through early fall. Weakfish are commonly found near marshy shorelines, tidal creeks, and drop-offs, where they hunt for shrimp, spearing, and other small baitfish. Live bait works well, but soft plastic lures retrieved slowly around illuminated docks or under submersible lights can also be highly effective.
Inland waters across New York open the door to another popular night target: walleye. Known for their excellent low-light vision and preference for feeding after sunset, walleye are well suited for night fishing. Productive locations include Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, and various upstate reservoirs. Anglers often use techniques like trolling with deep-diving crankbaits, casting jerkbaits along rocky shorelines, or fishing with live minnows near structure to locate active fish.
For anglers seeking larger predators and more action, species like pike, musky, and brown trout offer exciting nighttime challenges. Brown trout in particular become significantly more active after dark—some studies suggest they feed up to three times more at night than during the day.
These trout often patrol deep pools, submerged timber, and cool tributary mouths in search of food. Anglers can have success using live bait like nightcrawlers, or by swinging large streamer flies through likely holding areas.
Regardless of the targeted species, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with local regulations, obtain the necessary permits, and practice ethical angling to ensure the sustainability of the fisheries. Always consider safety precautions when engaging in night fishing activities, including appropriate lighting, navigation equipment and PFDs.
New York’s Popular Night Fishing Locations
New York offers diverse night fishing spots: the Hudson River and East/Harlem Rivers are great for striped bass. Shinnecock and Great South Bays are ideal for bluefish. Jamaica Bay excels for fluke, while South Shore wrecks are perfect for blackfish. Lake Champlain is known for pike and musky, and Catskill Creek is a good spot for brown trout. North Shore inlets are excellent for weakfish, Oneida Lake for walleye, Cayuga Lake for lake trout and rainbow trout, and Sodus Bay for panfish.
Key Equipment
For successful night fishing, use a sensitive rod and reel combo suitable for your target species. Choose high-quality fishing line and brightly colored or luminescent baits and lures. Equip yourself with a reliable headlamp or flashlight, and ensure your boat has proper navigation lights and a green light to attract baitfish.
Use a fish finder with GPS for navigation and fish location. Organize your tackle box with glow-in-the-dark terminal tackle. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing, and bring a thermal blanket, insect repellent, and camping gear if needed. A portable fire pit and camp stove or grill are useful for warmth and cooking.
For safety, carry a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, tweezers, scissors, and any necessary prescription medications. Include a multipurpose tool for cutting or opening items. Use LED headlamps with adjustable brightness and red light modes for visibility. Invest in bite alarms and rod tip lights to monitor fishing activity and detect bites at night. Proper gear and safety measures will ensure a successful and enjoyable night fishing adventure.
Best Times to Night Fish in New York
Night fishing in New York is most effective from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., especially on clear, calm nights. Fish are more active in calm conditions after sunset, so avoid windy or rough waters.
Summer nights are ideal due to cooler water temperatures, making fish species like catfish more accessible. Fish adapt well to low-light conditions and are more active at night. Use black lures to highlight bait silhouettes, but also experiment with neon colors like yellow, pink, or orange.
Advanced Night Fishing Techniques
Night fishing requires advanced techniques for success. Key strategies include:
Silence: Use noise-reducing gear like quiet reels and muted footwear. Employ soft casting techniques and quiet trolling motors to minimize disturbances.
Lunar Intelligence: Fish behavior varies with moon phases. Track lunar calendars to optimize fishing times based on moon visibility.
Temperature Dynamics: Fish activity is influenced by water temperature. Use temperature gauges to identify thermoclines and adjust fishing depth and bait accordingly.
Subsurface Tactics: Target deeper waters with glow-in-the-dark lures and soft plastics. Experiment with retrieval speeds and patterns in low light.
Patience: Choose strategic locations and monitor equipment closely. Be patient and wait for subtle bites, as this approach increases the chances of catching nocturnal fish.
Night Fishing Safety
To ensure safety while night fishing, use high-quality, waterproof navigation lights and bright, non-glaring deck lights to improve visibility and prevent accidents. Equip your vessel with reliable GPS, radar, and sonar, and keep navigation charts up to date. Have emergency communication tools like VHF radios, flares, and EPIRBs ready.
Monitor weather conditions with real-time tools and ensure crew training in nighttime navigation and emergency procedures. Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including life jackets with lights, and regularly check all safety gear.
Always inform someone of your plans, stay connected with communication devices, and avoid fishing in areas with rising water or hazardous conditions like estuaries. Never fish alone—always go with a team for better safety and support.
