What Cedar Beach Creek offers and when to fish it

Cedar Beach Creek is a narrow, shallow estuary on the North Fork of Long Island that holds striped bass and summer flounder in predictable seasonal patterns. The creek runs roughly north-south behind Cedar Beach itself, with depths ranging from two to eight feet at high tide and much shallower at low water. Most of your fishing happens in the first mile inland from the inlet, where the channel widens slightly and holds baitfish year-round.

Spring and early summer bring the best striped bass fishing—April through June, when fish move into the shallows to feed on sand eels and silversides. Fall offers another strong window from September through October. Summer flounder show up reliably from July through September, especially on the deeper edges of the channel and around the mouth where the creek meets Peconic Bay. Winter fishing is sparse; most anglers move to deeper water elsewhere on the North Fork.

The creek's real advantage is that it fishes well on smaller tides than many North Fork systems. You can catch fish here on a falling tide when other creeks are too thin, and the shallow water means you don't need a deep-draft boat to reach the productive zones.

Key Takeaways

  • Cedar Beach Creek holds striped bass April through June and again in September and October, with fish concentrated in the first mile inland from the inlet.
  • Summer flounder fishing peaks July through September along the channel edges and at the creek mouth where it opens to Peconic Bay.
  • Access is by boat only; launch from Southold Town public ramps at Gorey Park or Peconic Bay Park, both roughly 15 minutes by water.
  • The creek fishes well on smaller tides and falling water, making it a solid choice when other North Fork systems are too shallow.
  • Bring shallow-water tackle—light spinning rods, small soft plastics, and topwater lures work better here than heavier offshore gear.

How to reach Cedar Beach Creek by boat

Cedar Beach Creek has no public dock or shoreside access. You must launch a boat from one of two Southold Town public ramps and navigate to the creek entrance. Gorey Park in Southold village has a two-lane concrete ramp, parking for roughly 40 vehicles, and a small fee (typically $10 to $15 per day, though rates vary by season). Peconic Bay Park, also in Southold, offers a single-lane ramp and is usually less crowded, with similar daily fees.

From either ramp, run northeast across Peconic Bay toward the North Fork shoreline. Cedar Beach Creek's inlet sits between Cedar Beach itself (a residential area) and Robins Island to the east. The entrance is marked by shallow water and a slight widening of the shoreline; there is no formal channel marker, so approach slowly and watch your depth finder. At high tide, you can run directly into the creek mouth. At low tide, the inlet shoals to two feet or less, and many boats cannot enter safely.

Once inside, the creek widens to roughly 100 feet across and deepens to four to six feet in the main channel. Anchor or drift along the edges, particularly on the eastern bank where deeper water and structure hold more fish. The creek extends about a mile and a half before it becomes too narrow and shallow for most recreational boats.

Striped bass patterns in spring and fall

Spring stripers (April through June) move into Cedar Beach Creek to hunt sand eels and silversides in the shallows. Fish the incoming tide from about two hours before high water through the peak; they feed most aggressively when water is moving and baitfish are flushed into the narrow channel. Use small soft plastics—two to three inches—in pearl, chartreuse, or natural colors, or throw topwater lures early and late in the day when light is low.

Fall fishing (September through October) follows a similar pattern but often produces larger fish. Stripers move back into the shallows as water cools and baitfish concentrate before their own migration. Fish the same tidal windows and lure choices, but expect to see more fish in the four to six-pound range and occasional larger specimens. The fall bite can be more aggressive than spring, especially on overcast days or when a northeast wind pushes water into the creek.

Both seasons reward anglers who arrive early and fish the first two hours of the incoming tide. The creek is narrow enough that fish have limited escape routes, so they feed predictably when conditions align. Avoid the middle of the day in clear water; fish retreat to deeper edges and are harder to locate.

Summer flounder and bottom fishing

Flounder move into Cedar Beach Creek from July through September, holding along the channel edges and around the mouth where the creek opens to Peconic Bay. Fish the deeper sections—five to eight feet—rather than the shallows where stripers hunt. Anchor on the eastern bank or along the channel drop-off and work small live baitfish (silversides or spearing) on a simple two-hook rig, or use small soft plastics bounced along the bottom.

Flounder fishing here is steadier than the striped bass bite but less explosive. You will catch more fish overall if you fish the full tide cycle, but the bite peaks on the first two hours of the incoming tide and again as the tide begins to fall. Expect fish in the 14 to 18-inch range; keepers are common, and occasional fish over 20 inches show up, especially in late August and September.

The creek mouth, where it meets Peconic Bay, often holds larger flounder than the narrow creek itself. If you have time, drift or anchor just outside the inlet and fish the transition zone between creek and bay water. This area also holds occasional weakfish and small bluefish, especially in late summer.

Tides, water conditions, and seasonal timing

Cedar Beach Creek responds strongly to tidal movement. The creek is narrow and shallow, so water exchange is rapid, and fish feed most actively when the tide is moving. Plan your fishing around the incoming tide; it concentrates baitfish and pushes stripers into the shallows. The outgoing tide can be productive, but fish often move to deeper water as the creek drains.

Water clarity varies with season and recent weather. Spring runoff can cloud the creek for a few days after heavy rain, but it clears quickly. Summer and fall water is typically clear to slightly stained, which favors natural-colored lures over bright ones. Avoid fishing immediately after a heavy rain unless you are specifically targeting stripers, which feed aggressively in murky water.

Wind direction matters more here than on open water. A northeast wind pushes water into the creek and can trigger aggressive feeding. A southwest wind drains the creek and often shuts down the bite. Check the forecast before you launch; a day with northeast wind and an incoming tide is your best bet for consistent action.

Tackle and lure choices for shallow water

Cedar Beach Creek is shallow-water fishing, so leave the heavy offshore rods at home. A six to seven-foot medium-light spinning rod with 10 to 15-pound braid handles most situations. Pair it with a small spinning reel that holds at least 150 yards of line; you will not need distance here, but you will need smooth drag for fish that run toward the narrow creek mouth.

Small soft plastics—two to three inches—are your bread and butter. Pearl, chartreuse, and natural colors (white, tan, olive) all work. Rig them on 1/8 to 1/4-ounce jigheads and bounce them along the bottom or work them in the water column. Topwater lures are deadly early and late in the day, especially small poppers and pencil baits. Live baitfish (silversides or spearing) on a simple jig or under a small float also produce, particularly for flounder.

Bring a small selection of lures rather than a full tackle box. The creek is narrow and snags are common along the banks and around submerged structure. You will lose lures; accept it and move on rather than spending time trying to free a snag. A small net is useful for landing fish in the shallow water without beaching them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish Cedar Beach Creek from shore?

No. Cedar Beach itself is private residential property, and there is no public shoreline access to the creek. You must launch a boat from Gorey Park or Peconic Bay Park and navigate to the creek by water. Both ramps are roughly 15 minutes from the creek entrance.

What is the best tide for Cedar Beach Creek?

The incoming tide is most productive, especially the first two hours before and after high water. Fish feed aggressively when water is moving and baitfish are concentrated. The outgoing tide can work, but fish often move to deeper water as the creek drains.

Do I need a shallow-draft boat to fish here?

At high tide, most boats can enter the creek safely. At low tide, the inlet shoals to two feet or less, and many boats cannot pass. If you have a boat that draws more than 18 inches, plan to fish only on high tide or avoid the creek entirely and fish the mouth from Peconic Bay.

What size fish can I expect?

Striped bass typically range from two to six pounds, with occasional larger fish in fall. Flounder average 14 to 18 inches, with keepers common and occasional fish over 20 inches. The creek is a shallow-water nursery and feeding ground, not a trophy fishery, but the action is steady and consistent.

Is there a launch fee at Gorey Park or Peconic Bay Park?

Yes. Both Southold Town ramps charge a daily launch fee, typically $10 to $15, though rates vary by season and may change. Call ahead or check the Southold Town Parks Department website to confirm current fees before you launch.