What You'll Find at Arshamomaque Pond

Arshamomaque Pond is a shallow saltwater body in Southold that holds summer flounder (fluke) and striped bass, with occasional weakfish in fall. The pond sits behind a barrier beach and connects to Peconic Bay through a narrow inlet, which means the water is brackish and tidal. Depths run 4 to 8 feet across most of the pond, with soft bottom and eelgrass beds that hold baitfish and crustaceans year-round.

The best fishing window is June through September, when fluke move into the shallows and stripers follow the baitfish. Early morning and the two hours around slack tide produce the most consistent results. The pond is small enough that you can cover the productive water in a single tide, which makes it a good choice when you have limited time.

Key Takeaways

  • Arshamomaque Pond holds summer flounder and striped bass in shallow water, with the best fishing from June through September.
  • Access is by boat only; the nearest public launch is at Goldsmith's Inlet or Peconic Bay Park, both a short run across Peconic Bay.
  • Fish the eelgrass beds and channel edges during slack tide and early morning, when fluke are most active.
  • Bring a tide table and plan your trip around slack water, since the narrow inlet creates strong current that makes anchoring difficult during flood and ebb.

How to Reach Arshamomaque Pond

You need a boat to fish Arshamomaque Pond. The closest public launch is Goldsmith's Inlet Marina in Southold, which sits on Peconic Bay about 2 miles south of the pond. The run takes 10 to 15 minutes in calm water. Goldsmith's has a single-lane ramp, parking for trailers, and a small fee for launch and parking.

An alternative is Peconic Bay Park in Southold, which has a two-lane ramp and more parking but is slightly farther from the pond. Both ramps are open year-round, though winter access depends on weather and ice. Call ahead if you are launching in November or March to confirm the ramp is clear.

Once you reach the pond, anchor in 5 to 7 feet of water near the eelgrass beds on the western side, or drift the channel that runs north-south through the center. The inlet is narrow and can run fast during flood and ebb tide, so plan your entry and exit for slack water if you are unfamiliar with the tidal flow.

Fluke Fishing in Summer

Summer flounder arrive in Arshamomaque Pond in mid-June and stay through August. They settle on the soft bottom near eelgrass, where they hunt silversides and sand eels. Fish live shrimp or squid on a simple two-hook rig, keeping your bait on or just above bottom. Fluke bite best in the first two hours after sunrise and during the hour before and after slack tide.

The legal minimum for fluke in New York is 19 inches, and the daily limit is 5 fish per person. Most fluke in this pond run 18 to 24 inches, with occasional fish to 28 inches. Anchor in 6 to 8 feet of water and work the edges of the eelgrass beds, where fluke wait for baitfish to move across open bottom.

Striped Bass in Spring and Fall

Stripers move through Arshamomaque Pond in May and again in September and October, following the baitfish runs. Spring fish are often on their way to spawning grounds and move quickly through the pond; fall fish are feeding heavily before the migration south and stay longer. Fish live eels or bunker chunks around the inlet and along the deeper channel edges.

The minimum size for striped bass in New York is 18 inches, with a daily limit of 2 fish per person. Most stripers in this pond run 18 to 28 inches, though 30-inch fish are possible in fall. Early morning and the last hour before dark are your best windows, especially during the neap tide when current is weakest.

Tides and Timing

Arshamomaque Pond is tidal, and the narrow inlet creates strong current during flood and ebb. Slack tide—the 20 to 30 minutes when current stops—is when fish feed most actively and when anchoring is easiest. Plan your trip to fish the slack periods, which occur roughly 6 hours apart.

Obtain a tide table for Peconic Bay or use a tide app that covers Southold. The pond floods from the south and ebbs to the south, so current direction is predictable once you understand the cycle. If you arrive during strong current, drift the channel or wait in deeper water until slack approaches.

What to Bring and What to Know

Bring a shallow-water anchor (a 15-pound Danforth works well) and 100 feet of rope. The bottom is soft mud and eelgrass, so your anchor will hold in light current but may foul in heavy weed. A small net is useful for landing fluke and stripers without gaffing them.

The pond is shallow and can be choppy in a strong south or west wind. If the forecast calls for sustained wind above 15 knots, consider fishing Peconic Bay instead. Mosquitoes are heavy in July and August, especially near the eelgrass; bring insect repellent and wear long sleeves at dawn and dusk.

There is no bait shop on the pond itself. Pick up live shrimp, squid, or eels at a tackle shop in Southold before you launch. Goldsmith's Inlet Marina sometimes stocks bait, but do not count on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish Arshamomaque Pond from shore?

No. The pond is surrounded by private property and marsh, with no public shore access. Boat access only.

What is the best tide for fluke?

Slack tide and the first hour of the flood tide produce the most fluke. Avoid fishing during strong ebb, when fluke are less active and anchoring is difficult.

Are there weakfish in this pond?

Yes, but they are uncommon. Weakfish show up in September and October, usually in the deeper channel. Fish live shrimp or small eels if you want to target them.

How deep is Arshamomaque Pond?

Most of the pond runs 4 to 8 feet deep. The channel in the center reaches 10 feet in places. Avoid the shallows near the barrier beach, where you risk running aground.

Do I need a permit to fish here?

You need a New York State fishing license if you are 16 or older. Saltwater fishing licenses are available online or at tackle shops in Southold.