Long Island, Metro NY - Long Island Surf Fishing Reports

Time is running out to get your 2021 state park fishing permits. By the time you are reading this, the deadline will be little more than a month away. The deadline is Wednesday, March 31st, or you will have to wait until they become available again on September 7th, the day after Labor Day. If you are hoping for a Caumsett Permit, you are out of luck. The 500 allotted permits were sold out via this year’s online process just minutes after becoming available at 7 a.m. on January 4th. There were no in-person sales due to Covid-19. Due to restrictions resulting from Covid-19 and to protect the health of state park employees and the public, the process for acquiring 4x4 Fishing (Beach Vehicle), Night/Sportfishing and Camp Hero Fishing permits has also undergone changes, with two options available. You must have the following documents available when applying: Valid e-mail address; Valid Vehicle registration; Valid Driver's license; Valid NYS DEC Recreational Marine Fishing Registry ID number. The Marine Registry is free and available online at https://decals.dec.ny.gov/DECALSCitizenWeb or by calling 1-866-933-2257 during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Your first option is to purchase your permit online through DocuSign. The application and Credit Card Authorization Form is posted on state park’s Long Island Regional page at https://parks.ny.gov/regions/long-island/default.aspx. A valid credit card is required for payment (Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, Debit Card). Your permit will be mailed once processed.The second option is to drop off a completed application with payment (check, money order, or credit card authorization) in person at a State Park Drop-Box location during business hours. Most parks maintain hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the winter and early spring but you are advised to call the office in advance to confirm their current hours. A fillable PDF: 2021 Dashboard Permit Drop Off Application will be posted on the LI Regional page at https://parks.ny.gov/regions/long-island/default.aspx. Hard copies of the application are also available at Drop-Box locations. Drop-Box locations include: Hallock State Park – Park Office – 631-315-5475; Jones Beach State Park – Field 4 Park Information Office – 516-785-1600; Long Island Regional Headquarters (Monday through Friday only, excluding Holidays) – Permit Office – 631-321-3770; Montauk Downs State Park – Park Office – 631-668-5000; Orient State Park – Park Office – 631- 323-2440; Robert Moses State Park – Park Office - 631-669-0449; Sunken Meadow State Park – Field 1 Park Office – 631-269-4333; Wildwood State Park – Park Office – 631-929-4314. Permit fees and details of the Night/Sportfishing Permit, Four Wheel Drive Beach Vehicle Fishing Permit and Camp Hero Permit are listed below. As noted earlier, Caumsett Fishing Permits are sold out. NIGHT/SPORTFISHING PERMIT: Fee of $35.00, $60-Out of State. Permit is valid for fishing after sunset only from April 1-December 31, except where noted. Valid for: Captree - Main field, Overlook and Captree Drawbridge (north side only – 24 hour access) Jones Beach - Fields 6, 10, West End 2, West End Boat Basin, West End Dock Area (24 hour access) & Green Island (24 hour access) Hither Hills - Except Memorial Day to Labor Day Montauk Point - Lower Parking Lot only. Robert Moses - Field 2, Field 3 September 15 to December 31 (24 hour access), Field 4 April 1 to June 23 (7pm-7am) and September 15 to December 31 (24 hour access), Governor Alfred E. Smith/Sunken Meadow - Field 1 & Field 3 (24 hour access), Wildwood – Main Field. FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE BEACH VEHICLE FISHING PERMIT: Fee of $80.00, $125-Out of State. Permit is ONLY valid for fishing at: Hither Hills (Year round), Montauk Point (Year round), Napeague (Year round), Gilgo State Park (April 1 – December 31, Robert Moses (Democrat Point and Sore Thumb) - April 1 - December 31, hours vary. Also serves as Night/Sportfishing Permit. Those purchasing the Four Wheel Drive Beach Vehicle Permit are required to have a shovel; rope or tow chain; portable toilet; jack and jack board; full size spare tire and a tire gauge. A fishing rod is required for everyone in the vehicle over the age of 12 when on the beach. CAMP HERO FISHING PERMIT: Fee of $40.00, $75-Out of State. Permit is valid for fishing after sunset only at Camp Hero State Park, April 1 - December 31. CAUMSETT FISHING PERMIT – Fee of $40.00 for NYS Residents, or $75 for out of State. Limited to 500 permits. For more information on permits, call 631-321-3510 or visit www.nysparks.com.