What you'll find at Longshore Club Park

Longshore Club Park is a public saltwater access point on the Saugatuck River in Westport, Connecticut, where you can fish from shore for striped bass, bluefish, and seasonal flounder. The park sits at the mouth of the river where it meets Long Island Sound, giving you both tidal creek water and open sound conditions depending on where you position yourself. It's a working waterfront with a boat launch, so you'll see commercial and recreational traffic, but the shoreline itself holds fish year-round.

The park is managed by the Town of Westport and has been a local fishing spot for decades. Access is free, parking is available, and you can fish the rocky shoreline, the sandy beach areas, and the deeper channel water depending on tide and season. The Saugatuck River mouth is known for holding striped bass in spring and fall, and bluefish move through in summer and early fall.

Key Takeaways

  • Longshore Club Park offers free public access to the Saugatuck River mouth where it meets Long Island Sound, with parking and a boat launch on-site.
  • Striped bass are the primary target in spring (April–May) and fall (September–October), with bluefish and flounder available in summer and early fall.
  • Fish the rocky areas and deeper channel during incoming tide for the best chance at striped bass; sandy shallows hold flounder on the outgoing tide.
  • The park is a working waterfront with commercial boat traffic, so stay aware of your surroundings and keep clear of the launch area during busy times.

Seasonal patterns and what bites when

Spring striped bass (April through May) move into the Saugatuck River as water temperatures climb toward 50 degrees. Fish the rocky shoreline on the incoming tide, especially around dawn and dusk. Live herring or mackerel work well, as do small soft plastics in white or chartreuse. The bite is often most active in the first two hours of the incoming tide.

Summer brings bluefish and flounder. Bluefish show up in June and stay through early September, feeding aggressively on baitfish in the deeper channel. Use small metal jigs or live bunker. Flounder settle into the sandy bottom areas and feed on the outgoing tide; small live shiners or squid work best. Water temperatures in summer can reach the low 70s, so early morning and evening are more productive than midday.

Fall (September through October) is the strongest season. Striped bass return as water cools, and the bite can be excellent from mid-September through October. Fish the same rocky areas and deeper channel as spring, but the window extends throughout the day. Bluefish are also present and aggressive. By November, both species thin out as they move offshore for winter.

Where to fish and how to read the water

The park's shoreline breaks into three main fishing zones. The western rocky point holds structure and attracts striped bass, especially on the incoming tide. The sandy beach area in the middle is shallower and better for flounder and smaller bluefish. The eastern side of the park faces the deeper channel where the river meets the sound—this is where larger striped bass and bluefish hunt, particularly on the incoming tide.

Pay attention to tide flow. The Saugatuck River has a strong tidal current, and fish position themselves where baitfish get pushed into predictable lanes. On the incoming tide, fish hold on the downcurrent side of rocks and structure. On the outgoing tide, they move to the sandy flats and shallows where baitfish get concentrated. Slack tide (the brief period between incoming and outgoing) is often slow.

Water clarity varies with season and recent rainfall. After heavy rain, the river becomes murky and fish rely more on vibration and smell—use larger baits or louder lures. In clear water, smaller, more natural presentations work better. The channel water is usually clearer than the shallows, so adjust your approach depending on where you're fishing.

Access, parking, and what to bring

Longshore Club Park is located at 260 Saugatuck Road in Westport. Parking is free and available in a lot near the shoreline. The park is open dawn to dusk. There are no facilities like restrooms or bait shops on-site, so plan accordingly. The boat launch is functional but busy during peak hours, so if you're fishing from shore, stay clear of the launch area and the boats using it.

Bring your own tackle, bait, and water. Live bait (herring, mackerel, shiners) is your best bet for striped bass and flounder; you'll need to source it from a tackle shop in Westport or bring it from home. Soft plastics and metal jigs work for bluefish and striped bass if you prefer casting. Wear wading shoes or boots—the rocky areas are slippery and the bottom is uneven. A headlamp is useful for early morning or evening sessions.

Tides and timing for your visit

The Saugatuck River has a tidal range of about 6 feet, and tide timing shifts roughly 50 minutes later each day. Check a tide table for Westport or the Saugatuck River mouth before you go. Incoming tide is generally more productive than outgoing, but the transition periods (first hour of incoming, last hour of outgoing) can be excellent.

Plan your trip around the tide rather than the clock. A good incoming tide at dawn is worth more than a midday slack tide. If you're fishing in the evening, aim to arrive an hour before the incoming tide begins and fish through the first two hours of the flood. Fall and spring tides (when the tidal range is largest) often produce better fishing than neap tides (when the range is smallest).

Regulations and what you need to know

Connecticut requires a saltwater fishing license for anyone 16 and older. You can get a temporary license (one day, seven days, or annual) through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) website or at many tackle shops. The license is inexpensive and can be purchased online before you go.

Striped bass have a minimum size of 18 inches and a daily limit of two fish per person. Bluefish have a 12-inch minimum and a 10-fish daily limit. Flounder (summer flounder) have a 19-inch minimum and a 5-fish daily limit. These regulations can change, so check the DEEP website before your trip. Catch-and-release is always an option if you want to fish without worrying about limits.

Nearby alternatives if Longshore is crowded

If Longshore Club Park is busy or the bite is slow, Compo Beach (also in Westport) offers similar saltwater access with a sandy bottom better suited for flounder and smaller striped bass. Compo has more amenities and is closer to town, but parking fills quickly on weekends. Sherwood Island State Park, just east in Westport, has a longer shoreline and is less crowded, though access is more limited.

For river fishing without the tidal current, the Saugatuck River upstream from the park (accessible from various town boat launches) holds striped bass and bluefish in calmer water. The trade-off is less structure and fewer fish, but it's worth exploring if you want a quieter experience or if the mouth is too crowded.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish at Longshore Club Park year-round?

Yes, the park is open dawn to dusk every day. Winter fishing is slow because striped bass and bluefish move offshore, but some anglers fish for winter flounder and other species. Spring and fall are the most productive seasons.

Do I need a boat to fish here, or can I fish from shore?

You can fish entirely from shore. The rocky areas and sandy beach are accessible without a boat. The boat launch is there for people launching boats, but shore fishing is the primary use and is just as productive.

What's the best tide for fishing at Longshore?

Incoming tide is generally best, especially the first two hours after the tide turns. Check a tide table for the Saugatuck River mouth and plan to arrive an hour before the incoming tide begins. Fall and spring tides (larger range) are better than neap tides.

Where can I buy live bait near Longport?

Several tackle shops in Westport carry live herring, mackerel, and shiners. Search for "bait and tackle Westport CT" or call ahead to confirm they have what you need in stock. Having bait on hand before you arrive saves time.

Is there a size or catch limit for striped bass here?

Connecticut requires striped bass to be at least 18 inches long, with a limit of two fish per person per day. Bluefish are 12 inches minimum with a 10-fish limit. Check the DEEP website before you go, as regulations can change.