Every Boat Ramp on Assateague Island

About Assateague Island

Assateague Island is a 37-mile barrier island stretching along Maryland's Atlantic coast, famous for its wild ponies, pristine beaches, and world-class surf fishing. Managed jointly as Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park, this undeveloped island offers a fishing experience that feels truly wild and remote, despite being just minutes south of Ocean City. The island's surf zone, back bays, and nearshore waters support a remarkable diversity of saltwater species that draws dedicated surf anglers from across the mid-Atlantic region.

Surf fishing on Assateague is legendary, with fall bringing massive runs of striped bass and bluefish that can be reached from the beach with standard surf tackle. Red drum — including trophy-class fish exceeding 40 inches — cruise the island's surf zone and shallow flats, providing one of the northernmost reliable red drum fisheries on the East Coast. Flounder, spot, croaker, and kingfish round out the summer catch, with consistent action available from the beach and the back-bay shorelines. The island's over-sand vehicle zones allow four-wheel-drive access to remote stretches of beach where fishing pressure is minimal.

Assateague Island requires a National Park Service or state park entrance fee, and over-sand vehicle permits are available for anglers who want to drive the beach. The nearby town of Berlin and adjacent Ocean City provide full services, bait, and tackle. Camping on the island — either in developed campgrounds or at backcountry beach campsites — allows anglers to fish the productive dawn and dusk hours without a long commute. For surf fishing enthusiasts, Assateague Island represents one of the finest beach fishing destinations on the Atlantic Coast.

Nearest towns: Berlin, Ocean City