Rockaway Inlet

Saltwater
Inlet

Rockaway Inlet

Saltwater
Inlet

Sq. miles: 6.1
Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 17

Rockaway Inlet is a significant tidal estuary located in Kings County, New York, intersecting with Queens County. As a primary gateway between Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, it serves as a major migratory corridor and fishing hub for the New York Bight area. The inlet's proximity to both inshore bays and offshore structures creates a diverse fishery that attracts anglers pursuing a wide range of saltwater species throughout the season.

New York licenses and regulations6 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Rockaway Inlet and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Atlantic Bonito

Sarda sarda

Atlantic Croaker

Micropogonias undulatus

Black Sea Bass

Centropristis striata

Bluefish

Pomatomus saltatrix

Cunner

Tautogolabrus adspersus

Little Tunny

Euthynnus alletteratus

Lookdown

Selene vomer

Northern Kingfish

Menticirrhus saxatilis

Northern Puffer

Sphoeroides maculatus

Scup

Stenotomus chrysops

Spanish Mackerel

Scomberomorus maculatus

Spiny Dogfish

Squalus acanthias

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 Rockaway Inlet. 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 Rockaway Inlet

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Take Rockaway Inlet with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Rockaway Inlet to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Rockaway Inlet to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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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 Rockaway Inlet and check the marine forecast before you launch.

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