Northern Kingfish

Season in Long Island

OTW Long Island reports: kingfish on a small hi-lo rig with clams in Great South Bay in August 2022; town docks in Oakdale loaded with kingfish in August 2020; kingfish in Northport Bay and on Oakdale docks in late August 2026. No spring or late-fall reports were found. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Town docks and shallow bays in late summer, such as Great South Bay at Oakdale and Northport Bay, on small hi-lo rigs with clams.

On the bottom in the surf zone and around hard bottom.

What to look for

Dark diagonal bars with a V-shaped mark on the side above the pectoral fin, and a tall spiny first dorsal fin.

Bait

Fresh shrimp, Bloodworms, Sand fleas, Squid. Two-hook bottom rig, small hooks.

Leader

Light two-hook bottom rig with No. 2 or 4 long shank hooks.

Common mistakes

• Hooks too big for a small mouth

Landing

Swing it up or slide it in on a wave.

Handling

No hazards reported.

Keep or release

Good eating, but many Long Island fish are small throwbacks; check the New York rules.

Recipes for northern kingfish

Typical: unknown. Large: unknown. No NY record set yet (NYSDEC requires at least 2 lb to establish one).

New York (marine waters) limits

No state limit entry.

Last checked 2026-10-17. A summary, not legal advice; the official rules win. New York State DEC fishing regulations.

Sources

• On The Water: Long Island Fishing Report, August 4, 2022 (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: Long Island and New York Fishing Report, August 13, 2020 (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: Long Island and NYC Fishing Report, August 27, 2026 (Angler knowledge)
• Carolina Sportsman: Carolina whiting bite (water temperature, tides, baits; Murrells Inlet) (Angler knowledge)
• Florida FWC: northern kingfish profile (Official source)
• NC Division of Marine Fisheries: kingfishes (sea mullet) (Official source)
• NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records Program (Official source)

All the fish of Long Island