Long Island surfcasters have two wins to celebrate heading into the 2026 season. NY State Parks has approved expanded night fishing access at Jones Beach Field 1 and added a new night fishing trial at Heckscher State Park, both credited to advocacy from the New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing.
Jones Beach Field 1: Expanded Season for 2026
After a successful 2025 trial, night fishing access at Jones Beach Field 1 returns for 2026 with an expanded season window:
| Season | June 27 – November 30, 2026 |
| Days | Friday, Saturday, Sunday |
| Hours | Dusk to 6:00 a.m. |
| Location | Field 1 |
If the expanded trial goes smoothly, the access is expected to be printed directly on NYS fishing passes starting in 2027 — meaning it would become a permanent, codified part of the permit rather than an annually renewed trial.
Heckscher State Park: First-Year Night Fishing Trial
For the first time, NY State Parks has approved night fishing parking access at Heckscher State Park. This one is brand new and, like Jones Beach, operating on a trial basis — continued access depends on anglers respecting the rules.
| Season | Memorial Day – Labor Day |
| Days | Friday, Saturday, Sunday |
| Hours | Dusk to Dawn |
| Location | Field 6 only |
NYCRF President Joe Pellegrini credited the organization’s members and supporters for making the case to the state. “Our petition worked. We spoke up and they listened,” Pellegrini said, while reminding anglers that the trial status cuts both ways: “We were granted this access on a trial basis, so don’t mess it up.”
What You Need to Fish These Programs
Both the Jones Beach and Heckscher programs function as add-ons for anglers who already hold the following NYS permits:
- NYS 4×4 Fishing Permit
- Night Fishing Permit
No separate permit or registration is required beyond those two. If you already have them, you’re cleared to fish both locations under the windows listed above.
About the New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing
The New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit committed to conservation of marine resources, preservation and expansion of fishing access, and protection of anglers’ rights.
NYCRF hosts beach cleanups, children’s snapper derbies, and introduction to surfcasting seminars throughout the year. The organization oversees the NY State Fishing Contest — a yearlong, Island-wide competition among Long Island fishing clubs — and runs additional tournaments across the season. NYCRF also maintains a scholarship fund and partners with businesses, including On The Water, to offer exclusive member discounts.
The group’s current annual fundraiser grand prize is a Van Staal 200. As an added incentive, anyone who joins NYCRF in 2026 is automatically entered into a raffle to win a pair of 7-inch Van Staal pliers.
Learn more, enter the fundraiser raffle, or become a member at www.nycrf.org.