Waterlands

Species guide · New York

Spot fishing in New York

Leiostomus xanthurus, an inshore species also called Norfolk spot and yellowbelly. Listed for the Mid-Atlantic region. Peak season, about 5 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in New York Harbor at 77, one of 4 New York bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Peak season
Where it's scoring nowAll New York waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

Mid-Atlantic

Peak season, about 5 more weeks
  1. Jan: Not present
  2. Feb: Not present
  3. Mar: Not present
  4. Apr: Off season
  5. May: Shoulder season
  6. Jun: Shoulder season
  7. Jul: Shoulder season
  8. Aug: Peak season
  9. Sep: Peak season
  10. Oct: Peak season
  11. Nov: Off season
  12. Dec: Not present

Peak: Aug to Oct. In season (shoulder or peak): May to Oct.

Research notes, Mid-Atlantic region

In the middle and lower Chesapeake Bay from April or May through late autumn. The largest fish school up in late summer and early fall before leaving the bay; year-to-year swings are large.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 4

New York bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's spot score this hour.

1
77Great
New York Harbor

Best window today 3-8 PM (82) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 6 PM (82) · 51 named spots

2
77Great
Peconic and Gardiners Bays

Best window today 4-8 PM (84) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 PM (84) · 76 named spots

3
77Great
South Shore Bays from Jones Inlet through Shinnecock Bay

Best window today 4-8 PM (82) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 6 PM (82) · 155 named spots

4
75Great
Long Island Sound West of New Haven CT/Port Jefferson NY

Best window today 2-11 PM (82) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 8 AM (82) · 115 named spots

How and where it feeds

Water temperature
Feeds from 55°F to 88°F, best between 64°F and 80°F.
Water depth
2 to 30 ft of water.
Structure
Pier, bridge, jetty, channel, inlet, surf, bay and estuary, in that order of preference.
Tide and current
Prefers moving water and high tide, with light current.Moving water around piers, bridges and inlet channels, and the higher stages of the tide in shallow creeks, usually fish best. During the fall run schools pass beaches and inlets on any tide.
Light
Some lift around dawn and dusk; feeds at night too.
Pressure
Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits
18 kt of wind and 3 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Spot school over mud and sand in bays, tidal creeks and channels and around piers and bridges, generally in less than 25 feet of water. Fish a two-hook bottom rig with small hooks and bits of bloodworm or shrimp, and move until you find a school. In fall the biggest fish run out of the sounds past piers and inlets, and the bite can go all day.

Methods
bottom fishing
Lures
scented synthetic bait strips
Bait
bloodworms, shrimp, squid strips, clams

Regulations

NYSDEC saltwater regulations Buy a New York fishing license License types

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Synced with NYSDEC Sep 18, 2026.

No reviewed spot rule for New York is on file yet. Check with NYSDEC before you keep one.

Other New York species