Captree State Park: The Fleet, the Piers and Night Fishing

Captree State Park sits at the east end of Jones Island, where the Ocean Parkway runs out, looking across Fire Island Inlet at Fire Island and its lighthouse. New York State Parks calls it "home to the largest public fishing fleet on Long Island," and for most people who fish the South Shore, that's what Captree means: a boat basin full of party and charter boats, a tackle shop, two piers, and the inlet running past.

This guide covers what the park itself offers, as State Parks describes it. For the boats, see our boats and shops directory.

The fleet

The boats at the Captree basin are independently owned. State Parks says "open and charter boats are available for saltwater fishing," and that "no license or equipment is necessary as the boat staff provides everything you'll need for a day on the Great South Bay or the Atlantic Ocean." The no-license part works because New York exempts customers on licensed party and charter boats from its marine registry (see our guide to New York's saltwater rules).

Two kinds of trips run from the basin:

• Open boats (party boats) sell tickets to individuals. You show up, pay a fare, and fish alongside whoever else came.
• Charters are booked by a group for the whole boat.

For schedules and fares, State Parks points to the fleet's own site, captreefleet.com, and lists the number (631) 669-6464. The park page also says the fleet runs sightseeing and scuba diving trips. Each boat sets its own schedule and prices, so check with the boat before you drive out.

The piers

If you'd rather fish from the land, State Parks says there are "two large fishing piers available for those who want to catch a few crabs or fish from a pier." Fishing at the park is available all year.

Night fishing

The park's hours run sunrise to sunset for much of the year, with later hours in summer. Fishing after hours takes a permit. From April 1 to Dec. 31, overnight parking is allowed "by night fishing permit ONLY," and the boat-launch lot works the same way. When we checked, State Parks listed the Night Sport Fishing Permit at $35 for New York drivers and $60 for out-of-state drivers, plus a $25 seven-day permit sold only in the region.

Getting there, and the fee

The park is at 3500 E. Ocean Parkway, Bay Shore, NY 11706, at the end of the Ocean Parkway. State Parks lists a vehicle entrance fee of $8 for cars, collected on a seasonal schedule (weekends and holidays in spring and fall, every day in summer). Its Empire Pass covers day-use entry at most state parks.

Boating, tackle and food

For people bringing their own boat, the park has a launch "for boats larger than 14'" with direct access to the State Boat Channel, and transient berthing from sunrise to sunset. A retail bait and tackle shop at the basin sells gear and runs the fuel pumps. The park also has a restaurant and a seasonal refreshment stand, and a picnic area at The Overlook facing the inlet and the Fire Island Lighthouse.

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How we compiled this. Everything above comes from New York State Parks' Captree State Park page as it read on Nov. 4, 2026. Nobody from the Journal visited for this piece. Hours, fees and permit prices change with the season and the year, so check the park page or call the park at (631) 669-0449 before you go.

Sources

• New York State Parks, Captree State Park (accessed Nov. 4, 2026): https://parks.ny.gov/parks/captree