Great Peconic Bay
- Saltwater
- Bay
Great Peconic Bay
- Saltwater
- Bay
- Sq. miles
- 36
- Boat Ramps
- 1
- Access Points
- 4
- Species
- 22
Great Peconic Bay is a major tidal estuary system located between the North Fork and South Fork of Long Island in Suffolk County, New York. It is the western and shallower component of the larger Peconic Bay complex, separated from Little Peconic Bay by Robins Island. The bay is a shallow, brackish environment with a maximum depth of less than 30 feet, fed by several tidal creeks and the Peconic River. This mix of fresh and saltwater creates a rich ecosystem historically known for its shellfish and supports a diverse fishery. The waters are generally calm and protected, making it a popular destination for boaters and anglers alike.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Great Peconic Bay and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Black Sea Bass
Centropristis striata
Blue Runner
Caranx crysos
Bluefish
Pomatomus saltatrix
Crevalle Jack
Caranx hippos
Cunner
Tautogolabrus adspersus
Lookdown
Selene vomer
Mangrove Snapper
Lutjanus griseus
Northern Kingfish
Menticirrhus saxatilis
Northern Puffer
Sphoeroides maculatus
Permit
Trachinotus falcatus
Pollock
Pollachius virens
Red Snapper
Lutjanus campechanus
Scamp
Mycteroperca phenax
Scup
Stenotomus chrysops
Snowy Grouper
Hyporthodus niveatus
Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Spot
Leiostomus xanthurus
Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
Summer Flounder
Paralichthys dentatus
Tautog
Tautoga onitis
Weakfish
Cynoscion regalis
Winter Flounder
Pseudopleuronectes americanus
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Great Peconic Bay. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on Great Peconic Bay
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
New York licenses and regulations
New York Boating Regulations
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the weblink below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
New York Coastal & Inland Waters
New York's Marine and Coastal District covers the Atlantic Ocean within three miles of the coast and all tidal waters in the state, including the Hudson River up to the Tappan Zee Bridge. The free marine registry applies in those waters, while a paid freshwater fishing license is required for inland lakes, ponds, and rivers. Anglers fishing the Hudson River or other rivers for migratory fish of the sea such as striped bass also need the marine registry.
New York Federal Waters & Offshore Rules
Beyond three nautical miles from shore, NOAA Fisheries and the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils set the rules for federal waters out to 200 nautical miles. Anglers targeting tuna, billfish, swordfish, or sharks must also obtain a federal Atlantic Highly Migratory Species permit from NOAA Fisheries, separate from any state registration.
New York Saltwater Fishing License
Saltwater anglers 16 and older must enroll in the free Recreational Marine Fishing Registry before fishing New York's marine and coastal district waters. NYSDEC runs the registry through its DECALS system. Anglers aboard a licensed party or charter boat are exempt from registering, as are those under 16.
New York Saltwater Size & Bag Limits
Size and bag limits apply to marine species and can shift during the year. NYSDEC sets and updates these rules, and the current table for species including striped bass, summer flounder, black sea bass, bluefish, and tautog lives on the Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations page. Check it before every trip.
New York Shellfish Closures & Advisories
No DEC permit is required to recreationally harvest clams, oysters, mussels, or scallops from state lands, but you may only harvest from areas DEC has certified as open. Areas close due to rainfall, boating activity, and other water-quality concerns, so check the DEC Public Shellfish Mapper for current closures before heading out. Local towns may also require their own permits and impose additional restrictions.
Take Great Peconic Bay with you
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Use the map without signal
Download the map around Great Peconic Bay to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
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Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)
On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish Great Peconic Bay and check the marine forecast before you launch.
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