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🎣 Latest Fishing Reports
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Watch on YouTubeFishing Spots on Long Beach Island, New Jersey
Long Beach Island, NJ is a prime destination for surf fishing, pier fishing, crabbing, and back bay fishing. From Barnegat Inlet to Holgate, anglers can explore a variety of top fishing spots including public docks, jetties, marinas, and beach access points. Popular catches include striped bass, fluke, bluefish, weakfish, and kingfish. Whether you're saltwater fishing from shore or casting in the bays, LBI has year-round action for beginners and seasoned anglers alike. Always fish responsibly—leave each spot cleaner than you found it.
Please RESPECT all locations:
- Carry out what you carry in!
- Use common courtesy when driving in and out of residential areas!
- If an area is busy with anglers, it might be best to go back another time.
- Pay attention to other anglers and give them space!
- A polite attitude goes a long way.
North End Fishing
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
- Old Barney Lighthouse, Barnegat Light (N39.764352, W74.106227)
- Located at the northern tip of Long Beach Island, Barnegat Light offers excellent fishing opportunities along the surf, inlet, and bayside throughout the year.
Barnegat Light's Inlet Jetty (aka South Jetty)
- Barnegat Inlet’s South Jetty is productive year-round for striped bass, bluefish, tog, and fluke. Use extreme caution on wet rocks and wear proper jetty footwear.
Barnegat Light's Town Beaches
- These surf beaches are known for trophy striped bass in season and productive fluke fishing. Some access points require long dune walks.
Barnegat Light's Bayside
- A long stretch of public bulkhead provides shelter during rough inlet conditions. Night fishing can be excellent when lights draw in bait.
The Dike – High Bar Harbor
- The Dike at High Bar Harbor (N39.758111, W74.119707)
- A prime location where major channels converge, creating strong rips that attract striped bass, fluke, bluefish, and weakfish. Avoid overgrown areas due to poison ivy and ticks.
Harvey Cedars Bayside Pier
- Sunset Park, Harvey Cedars (N39.693943, W74.143886)
- Bayside pier offering fishing and crabbing access near the water tower, with additional nearby street-end access.
Mid-Island Fishing
Surf City Bayside
- Surf City has many public street-end bulkheads that can be fished and crabbed. Some popular areas include 24th, 13th, 3rd, North 1st & Shore Ave, and South 2nd.
- The Surf City Public Boat Ramp on the bayside of Division Ave has small areas on both sides that can be utilized for fishing and crabbing.
Ship Bottom Bayside
- Located in the heart of Long Beach Island, Ship Bottom offers easy access for fishing and crabbing. The Route 72 Causeway Bridges provide some of LBI’s best access with multiple fishable areas around all four bridges.
- Between 3rd and 4th Street is Remembrance Park, featuring public parking and a dock/bulkhead.
- The west end of 6th Street still offers limited access despite development over the years.
- A gazebo and benches at 5th Street are better suited for sunsets than fishing.
Robert Nissen Park (Ship Bottom Boat Ramp, Bayside)
- Located between 10th–12th Street on the bayside, Robert Nissen Park offers a large gravel lot and over four blocks of waterfront access.
- The adjacent fishing & crabbing pier is productive seasonally for snapper bluefish, weakfish, fluke, blowfish, kingfish, and spot.
- Night fishing can produce sharks and rays in summer, while spring and fall bring striped bass, bluefish, and drum.
Beach Arlington Park (aka Sunset Point, Ship Bottom Bay Beach)
- Located between 13th–16th Street on the bay, this shallow bay beach is popular with families in summer and productive for fishing in the off-season.
- Best fished by wading, with a channel within casting distance holding striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, fluke, blowfish, and black drum.
- Also a popular kayak launch point.
Ship Bottom Crab Cove Pier
- Located on Central Ave between 25th and 26th Street, this pier is a popular crabbing spot during summer months.
- Fishing is limited, though snapper bluefish may be present at times.
- Arrive early, especially on weekends.
Long Beach Township
- Stretching between Ship Bottom and Beach Haven, Long Beach Township offers many public street ends for fishing and crabbing including Bayview Park (67th Street Pier), Hideaway Bay, and numerous numbered streets.
South End Fishing
Beach Haven – Public Docks
- The Queen City of LBI, Beach Haven has a large public dock area with phenomenal fishing. Located at the west end of 2nd Street Dock Road, the bulkhead and boardwalk area offers plenty of parking and some of the island’s best bayside fishing.
- Depending on the season, a variety of species are on tap. In summer, it’s a great place to target weakfish, striped bass, fluke, and even sharks at night. In spring and fall, stripers cruise the lights after dark looking for small bait.
- There is also public bayfront access at the west end of 9th Street and Taylor Ave, though these areas are less productive. If fishing there, use the northern end and do not block boat launch access.
- Other nearby spots to explore include Center, Engleside, Amber, and Coral Streets.
Holgate Wildlife Refuge
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Edwin B. Forsythe Holgate Unit, Long Beach Township
(N39.531009, W74.263405)
Located at the southern tip of Long Beach Island, the Holgate Unit of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge is part of a designated Wilderness Area. It encompasses more than 400 acres of barrier beaches, dunes, and tidal salt marsh, making it one of New Jersey’s last remaining undeveloped barrier islands.
This Natural Heritage Priority Site is critical habitat for beach-nesting birds and has been designated a globally significant Important Bird Area (IBA) by National Audubon for supporting breeding Piping Plovers.
Access to Holgate is regulated. Pedestrians must remain on the beach and stay out of the dunes. Vehicles require a permit from Long Beach Township and are typically allowed September 1 through March 31, or as posted. Always check current access conditions before planning a trip.
Holgate offers outstanding fishing day and night, especially during the early fall mullet run when bass, bluefish, and fluke feed aggressively. The bayside also provides excellent clamming opportunities. Pay close attention to tides and swell, as extreme moon tides can cut off driving access.
While best accessed by 4x4 (permit required), anglers without beach buggies can park at the lot at the end of Long Beach Blvd and walk to productive areas such as Beach One Jetty and the Wooden Jetty. Be mindful of surfers during daylight hours.
📍 Get Directions to Holgate Wildlife RefugeThe following are fishing spots on the mainland not far from Long Beach Island. The spots are listed from north to south.
Mainland Fishing Spots Near Long Beach Island (North to South)
Oyster Creek Outflow
Oyster Creek Rt. 9 Bridge — Lacey Township, NJ
(N39.811231, W74.199641)
The warm water discharge from the Oyster Creek Power Generating Station holds bait and fish year-round. Access is limited but highly productive for stripers, weakfish, bluefish, and winter flounder — even in the dead of winter. Hot baits include bloodworms, while productive lures are small bucktails, soft plastics, and small swimming plugs.
- Fishing Tips: Best fishing is from the east side of the bridge. Space is very limited and can be crowded. Do not fish the west side or wander near the plant — security is strict.
- Access: Cross the bridge and fish along the north bank of the creek. The mouth of the creek is productive but harder to access. Do not trespass on private property.
Directions: From LBI, take Rt. 9 North past Waretown toward Forked River. When you see the power plant smokestacks, you're close. Park on the south side of the bridge, east side of the street, either roadside or in the small dirt lot.
📍 Get Directions to Oyster Creek Rt. 9 BridgeBarnegat Public Docks
Barnegat, NJ
(N39.749315, W74.192656)
The Barnegat Public Docks and Municipal Boat Ramp feature a large gravel parking lot and a long stretch of boardwalk/bulkhead along the bay. Known for crabbing, but also excellent for fishing.
- Fishing Tips: Snapper fishing is great during the day. Weakfish bite at night. In spring, bluefish blitz the bay — try casting poppers with a longer (8–9') light action plugging rod, especially at the nearby Barnegat Public Bay Beach (requires wading).
Directions: From LBI, take Rt. 9 North. In Barnegat, turn right onto East Bay Ave. Cross the small bridge — parking lot with two-story gazebo is on the right.
📍 Get Directions to Barnegat Public DocksBridge to Nowhere
Stafford Township, NJ
(N39.683927, W74.207613)
An old NJ Bell Telephone project from the '60s–'70s, now abandoned and popular for crabbing.
- Fishing Tips: Great crabbing spot. Be prepared for greenhead flies, especially in summer.
Directions: From LBI, take Rt. 72 West over the Causeway Bridges. Turn right at the first light (Marsha Drive), left onto East Bay Ave, right onto Hilliard Blvd, and then right onto Stafford Ave. The paved road turns to gravel — continue to the end.
📍 Get Directions to Bridge to NowhereGraveling Point
Osborn Island, Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ
(N39.538612, W74.393345)
Part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. Famous for being one of the earliest spots to catch striped bass each year.
- Fishing Tips: Best on outgoing tide during March and April. Bloodworms are the bait of choice. Waders are highly recommended — you must cross a small creek to reach the point.
Directions: In Tuckerton, near the lake, turn left onto Great Bay Blvd. After about half a mile, turn right onto Radio Rd. Cross the small bridge and continue about 4 miles to the end. Walk west along the sand beach, cross the creek, and continue fishing along the sod bank.
📍 Get Directions to Graveling PointSeven Bridges Road
Great Bay Blvd., Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ
(N39.509196, W74.320043)
Great Bay Blvd (aka Seven Bridges Road) is a scenic fishing and crabbing area with a great view of Atlantic City.
- Fishing Tips: Fish the bridges and surrounding areas — the first bridge and last two are especially popular. If the bridges are crowded, head to the end of the road and fish the trail banks.
The bridges cross (in order):
- Big Thorofare
- Little Thorofare
- Jimmies Creek
- Big Sheepshead Creek
- Little Sheepshead Creek
At the end of the road is the Old Coast Guard Station, now Rutgers University Marine Field Station (RUMFS).
📍 Get Directions to Seven Bridges RoadCollins Cove
Port Republic, NJ
(N39.548247, W74.473983)
Located on the Mullica River just west of the Parkway Bridge, Collins Cove is a winter and early spring hotspot for white perch — and sometimes offers ice fishing in colder years.
- Fishing Tips: Target white perch during cold months, especially January and February.
Directions: Take Parkway Exit 48. This puts you onto Rt. 9 South. After about a half mile, turn right onto Rt. 575 (Chestnut Neck Road). After two miles, turn right onto Rt. 624 (Clark's Landing Road). Pass under both Parkway bridges. Take the first right onto a dirt road and drive parallel to the Parkway north until reaching the parking lot. Park, then hike less than a mile northeast to Collins Cove.
📍 Get Directions to Collins Cove