What Five Islands Park offers anglers

Five Islands Park sits on the New Rochelle waterfront along Long Island Sound and gives you direct access to saltwater fishing without a boat. The park is a small municipal property with a rocky shoreline, a small beach area, and a pier that extends into the sound. You can fish from the rocks, the beach, and the pier itself — all without a permit or fee.

The Sound here holds striped bass, bluefish, and flounder depending on the season. Spring and fall bring the most consistent action, when both stripers and blues move through the shallower water. Summer fishing slows as the water warms, but early morning sessions before the sun climbs can still produce. Winter is quiet for most species, though the occasional striper lingers in deeper pockets.

Key Takeaways

  • Five Islands Park offers free public access to Long Island Sound from shore, with a pier, rocky banks, and a small beach all open to fishing.
  • Striped bass and bluefish are the primary targets in spring and fall; flounder and weakfish appear in summer and early fall.
  • The park has limited parking and no facilities, so arrive early and bring your own water and supplies.
  • Access is best at mid to high tide when fish move closer to the rocks and pier pilings.

Parking and access at Five Islands Park

Parking is tight. The park has a small lot that fills quickly on weekends and during peak fishing hours. Your best bet is to arrive before 7 a.m. on weekends or fish on weekday mornings when the lot is less crowded. If the lot is full, street parking is available on nearby residential streets, though you should check posted signs for time limits.

The park itself is open dawn to dusk. There are no restrooms, no concessions, and no shade structures, so bring what you need. A small picnic area sits near the parking lot, but most anglers head straight to the water. The pier is accessible year-round, though winter weather can make it slippery — wear boots with good grip if you fish there in cold months.

Seasonal patterns and what to target

Spring (April through May) brings striped bass into the shallows as they move north from their winter grounds. Fish the rocks and pier pilings with live bunker, eels, or soft plastics in the 3- to 5-inch range. Early morning and late evening are most productive; midday action drops off. Water temperature is still cool, so fish move slower and feed less aggressively than they will in summer.

Summer (June through August) sees bluefish arrive and stripers move to deeper water. The Sound warms to the mid-70s, and fish push offshore or into deeper channels. If you stay at Five Islands, focus on early morning before 9 a.m. or fish the last two hours before sunset. Flounder and weakfish become viable targets in July and August, especially if you fish the sandy bottom near the pier with live shrimp or small baitfish.

Fall (September through November) is the best season. Both stripers and bluefish return to the shallows as water cools. Baitfish concentrate in the Sound, and predators follow. Fish the rocks and pier with live bunker, eels, or metal lures. Tide matters more in fall — fish the last two hours of the incoming tide and the first two hours of the outgoing tide for the most consistent strikes.

Tackle and bait that work here

Bring a medium-action spinning rod rated for 15- to 20-pound line. The rocks are sharp and snag-prone, so heavier line than you might use elsewhere is worth it. A 7-foot rod gives you enough reach to cast from the rocks without getting tangled in the pier structure if you fish near it.

Live bait is most effective. Bunker (menhaden) and eels work year-round for stripers. Live shrimp and small mullet work for flounder and weakfish in summer. If you prefer artificials, metal spoons in silver or gold, soft plastics in the 4- to 6-inch range, and small topwater plugs all produce. Keep a few different colors and weights in your bag — water clarity changes with tide and weather, and what works one day may not work the next.

Tide and timing

Tide is critical at Five Islands. The rocks and pier are most productive during the last two hours of incoming tide and the first two hours of outgoing tide. At slack tide (the moment between incoming and outgoing), fish often stop feeding. Plan your visit around the tide table — you can find New Rochelle tide times through NOAA's tide prediction service or most fishing apps.

Water depth at the park ranges from 2 to 8 feet depending on tide and location. At low tide, the rocks are more exposed and the pier becomes the better option. At high tide, the rocks are submerged and fish move closer to them. If you fish the beach area, high tide gives you more water to work with.

Rules and what to know before you go

New York State saltwater fishing regulations apply. You do not need a license to fish from shore in New York, but you must follow size and possession limits for each species. Striped bass have a 19-inch minimum and a one-fish daily limit (as of 2024, though this changes — check the current DEC regulations before you fish). Bluefish have no minimum size but a 10-fish daily limit. Flounder have a 12.5-inch minimum and a 5-fish daily limit.

The park is a public space, so keep noise down and clean up after yourself. No glass containers are allowed. Dogs are permitted but must be leashed. The pier can get crowded on weekends, so be courteous to other anglers and avoid casting over their lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish at night at Five Islands Park?

No. The park closes at dusk and does not permit night fishing. If you want to fish Long Island Sound at night, you will need to find a different access point or fish from a boat.

What is the best tide for fishing Five Islands?

The last two hours of incoming tide and the first two hours of outgoing tide are most productive. Fish feed more actively during moving water. Check the NOAA tide table for New Rochelle to plan your visit around these windows.

Do I need a New York fishing license to fish here?

No. Shore fishing in New York saltwater does not require a license. You must still follow state size and possession limits for each species, which you can find on the New York DEC website.

Is Five Islands Park good for beginners?

Yes. The pier is safe and easy to fish from, and the rocks are accessible without special equipment. Bring live bait, cast near the pilings, and wait. Spring and fall are forgiving seasons for learning the patterns.

What should I bring to Five Islands Park?

Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and any snacks you want — there are no facilities. A small cooler for keeping bait fresh is helpful. Wear shoes with good grip, especially on the rocks, and bring a headlamp if you plan to fish early morning before sunrise.