Since starting in 2023, Brenden Rutigliano has been behind the rise of the Long Island, NY High School Fishing League. What began as a grassroots effort to introduce students to competitive fishing has quickly grown into one of New York’s leading school fishing programs, giving high school anglers the opportunity to compete, learn responsible fishing practices, and become part of Long Island’s fishing culture.
This year, the league is introducing an exciting new format designed to increase both competition and enjoyment for participating anglers. With several respected leaders from the fishing industry stepping in as sponsors, the upcoming season is shaping up to be the most exciting yet. East Coast Saltwater Fishing (ECSWF) ECSWF supports the league as a funding sponsor, helping expand opportunities and support for student anglers across the region. Be sure to check back often for updates, announcements, and the latest league news as we prepare for a great season on the water.
NEW YORK HIGH SCHOOL FISHING LEAGUE
The fastest growing student fishing league in the Northeast
🎣 Nearly 1,000 Student Anglers
🏆 Weekly Prizes + School Championship
🌊 Multi-Species Competition
HOW TO START A TEAM
Starting a team takes 2 minutes
All you need:
✔ 3 or more students + Advisor
✔ A camera phone
✔ Internet access
All student participation is managed through school advisors, who are responsible for student eligibility and permissions.
Students simply catch fish, submit photos, and compete.
Built for High School Anglers
NYHSFL is a voluntary, self-directed program where students independently participate in fishing activities and submit catches for recognition.. Students submit catches and compete against anglers across the region.
The goal is simple: get more young anglers involved in fishing while building the next generation of stewards of our fisheries.
LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS
🎣 Multi-Species Format
Saltwater Species • Freshwater Species
🏆 Weekly Student Prizes
Compete every week for individual awards.
🏫 School Championship
Teams compete for the season title.
👨🎓 Nearly 1,000 Students
One of the fastest growing youth fishing programs.
💰 Free to Join
No entry fee for students or schools
2025 Long Island High School Fishing Tournament Results are IN!
Huge congrats to our top teams
1st Place - Islip High School
2nd Place - Bellmore JFK High School
3rd Place - Island Trees High School
Species Dominators
Most Striped Bass - Islip HS
Most Bluefish - Islip HS
Most Fluke - Bellmore JFK
Most Blackfish - Center Moriches HS
Most Sea Bass - Islip HS
Most Porgy - Island Trees HS
Most Sea Robins - Center Moriches HS
Most Blowfish - Islip HS
Most Large Mouth Bass - Islip HS
Most Bluegill - Bellmore JFK
Islip crushed it this year!
Massive thanks to all the student anglers, coaches, and supporters who made this season epic.
Big News for 2026, Weekly prizes for individual students + more surprises!
The future of LI high school fishing just got even better!
We are now the “New York High School Fishing League”
and are fully funded by the East Coast Saltwater Fishing
Presented by www.ECSWF.com.
See Details at www.NewYorkHighSchoolFishingLeague.com
NYHSFL is a voluntary, self-directed activity. Participants independently choose when, where, and how they fish. NYHSFL does not organize, supervise, or control any fishing activity and assumes no responsibility for participant safety.
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Recreational Marine Fishing Registry
Registering helps New York fisheries managers track recreational fishing activity and collect data used to set fair seasons, size limits, and regulations. This helps protect fish populations and ensures anglers continue to have strong fishing opportunities in the future.
Fishing Licenses
A New York fishing license is required for most anglers age 16 and older who want to fish for freshwater species. Purchasing a license helps support fish stocking, habitat protection, and conservation programs that maintain healthy fisheries and public fishing opportunities across the state.