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carmans river

About the Park


The Carmans River is a 10-mile (16 km) long river in Brookhaven in Suffolk County on Long Island.

It is one of the four largest rivers on Long Island and is similar to other Long Island rivers in that is totally groundwater generated (e.g., no lakes), although a lake did exist long ago. Almost all of the river is specifically protected by the Central Long Island Pine Barrens. All of it is designated by New York State as either a "Scenic River" or a "Recreational River."

The park receives approximately 2,000-3,000 stocked brown and rainbow trout annually, as well as hosting a wild brook trout population.

It is fresh water for the first eight miles (13 km) and then becomes an estuary for the last two, as it encounters the tidal effects of Great South Bay.

There are four dams on the upper river at Upper Mill Pond, Lower Mill Pond, Southaven Park, and the Sunrise Highway.

Adjoining the river is the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge.
Carmans_River_Information.pdf
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Hatch Chart: Fly Shack Hatch Chart

Map of the park


Picture

Park Location


Park rules


Freshwater fishing for trout, bass and perch is available. A New York State fishing license is required and all persons must register at the boat house. Special regulations by river section below. Also check out Suffolk Fishing Regulations and Statewide Fishing Regulations.

Regulations by area and fish type:
Waters Species Open Season Minimum Length Daily Limit Method
Carmans River (Southaven County Park) Special Regulations by River Sections. Additional park regulations may apply. Call (631) 854-1414.
Carmans River (Southaven County Park) Brook trout April 1 - Sept 30 Catch and Release only
From LIPA transmission lines at Gate G upstream to Yaphank Avenue Trout April 1-Sept 30 Catch and Release only Fly fishing only
From Cement Dam upstream to LIPA transmission lines at Gate G Brown & Rainbow Trout April 1- Sept 30 9" 3 Fly fishing only
From Cement Dam downstream to Hards Lake Dam Brown & Rainbow Trout April 1- Sept 30 9" 3

Learn More


We highly recommend visiting these sites to learn more about the river and its fish:
Suffolk County - Southaven Park
DEC Spring Trout Stocking Schedule
Suffolk County Special Fishing Regulations


News


Click below to learn of some recent news about the river:
Carmans River Management Plan
Carmans River Biological Assessment
Brookhaven purchases 120 acres of land in the Carmans River watershed 
Long Island Pine Barrens Society - Saving the Carmans River
TU Philosophy...We believe that trout and salmon fishing isn't just fishing for trout and salmon. It's fishing for sport rather than food, where the true enjoyment of the sport lies in the challenge, the lore, the battle of wits, not necessarily the full creel. It's the feeling of satisfaction that comes limiting your kill instead of killing your limit. It's communing with nature where the chief reward is a refreshed body and a contented soul, where a license is a permit to use not abuse, to enjoy not destroy our cold water fishery. It's subscribing to the proposition that what's good for trout and salmon is good for the fisherman and that managing trout and salmon for themselves rather than the fisherman is fundamental to the solution of our trout and salmon problems. It's appreciating our fishery resource, respecting fellow anglers and giving serious thought to tomorrow.