Lake Montauk

Lake Montauk is a saltwater spot in New York, United States, and the kind of place where tide does most of the work. The hours either side of high water tend to be the most productive on the coast here. At Lake Montauk, structure — reefs, drop-offs, headlands, harbour walls — concentrates baitfish, and predators follow. A good local rule: if the bait isn't where you expect it to be, the fish won't be either.

Location

41.0618, -71.9239 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Striped bassSummer flounderBlack sea bassBluefishShortfin mako sharkAtlantic bluefin tuna

Fishing Techniques

• For Striped bass

  Match the hatch! Pay attention to what the stripers are feeding on and select lures or baits that mimic the size and color of the local forage.

• For Summer flounder

  Drift fishing with a live bait rig or slowly retrieving a jig along the bottom is a productive way to target flounder.

• For Black sea bass

  When fishing around wrecks or reefs, use a heavier weight to quickly get your bait to the bottom and avoid snags; consider using braided line for increased sensitivity and strength.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Lake Montauk.

Plan Your Trip

Fishing Lake Montauk usually starts the day before — checking weather, tide or river-flow data, and confirming your licence is valid for New York. Conditions in United States can shift quickly, and a quick pre-trip review saves a lot of wasted travel.

Nearby Spots in New York

See all fishing spots in New York →

Other Fishing Regions in United States