Photo by Mark Fike.

From March through late fall, the Empire State offers anglers a wide variety of options for striper action. Tidal rivers, Big Apple bays and Long Island’s shores offer excellent access to exciting striper destinations in spring.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) biologists need anglers’ assistance to help them make informed management decisions about stripers and other popular marine species.

Anglers wishing to participate in the Striped Bass Cooperative Anglers Program can simply keep a logbook with scale samples, noting every fish they catch, from keeper to schoolie. At the end of the season, the DEC’s Bureau of Marine Resources will review the information All participants will receive a copy of the annual report, along with updates and any regulation changes.

To participate, call (631) 444-0488. Or you can e-mail your request to fwmarine@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

According to Julia Socrates, a DEC marine biologist, the data collected to date indicates that in spring, stripers may be caught pretty much everywhere around Long Island.

“Stripers are going to be more prevalent in the bays, harbors, inlets and Long Island Sound than along the eastern Atlantic beaches,” Socrates noted. “The timing of when stripers are most prevalent and where the sweet spots are varies yearly because those things are greatly influenced by water temperature, salinity and food abundance. The best advice “For someone not familiar with Long Island’s striper fishery is to ask local bait shop and marina owners what they are hearing from striped bass fishermen. There are also many local newspapers and magazines that provide that kind of information. Word travels fast!”

Socrates reminded anglers that the rules are updated several times each year. Before heading out, review regulations at the DEC’s Web site, www.dec.ny.gov/ outdoor/7894.html .

With Long Island Sound on one side, Great South Bay on the other, and all of the Atlantic Ocean beyond that, Long Island is an ideal fishing destination. Plentiful state parks here assure angler access to plenty of great striper fishing.

LONG ISLAND SOUND
For access to the heart of the Sound, head for Smithtown Bay. Forage fish school around wrecks, reefs and jetties, making the Long Beach area an excellent place to find hungry stripers.

Just a few miles offshore is the Smithtown Bay Artificial Reef. Hook a lively herring through the top of the head and troll this area for some serious strikes. Access may be had at Nissequogue River boat ramp on Old Dock Road, and at the Otto Schubert Boat Ramp or Long Beach Town Marina on Long Beach Road.

For plenty of angler access to the sound farther up the road, visit Wildwood State Park in Wading River. Also check out DeLorme’s New York Atlas and Gazetteer, pages 25 to 29, for more Long Island access points.

GREAT SOUTH BAY
Oyster Bay offers excellent access to the waters of Great South Bay. The Harry Tappan Beach Boat Basin, the Theodore Roosevelt Beach and Marina, the Tobay Beach and Boat Basin and John J. Burns Park offer boat launches and shoreline access in the Oyster Bay area.

About midway up the island, Heckscher State Park in East Islip offers boat access to the southern shore.

A bit beyond that, anglers will want to explore the waters of Patchogue Bay. The town of Blue Point has several shoreline and boat access sites available.