Peconic Bay is divided by
Robins Island into the
Great Peconic Bay on the west and
Little Peconic Bay on the east. The west end of Great Peconic Bay is also called Flanders Bay. Great Peconic is a shallow bay, less than deep, while Little Peconic reaches depths of over . The
Shinnecock Canal provides access from the Great Peconic Bay to Shinnecock Bay. The two Peconic Bays are often collectively referred to as "the Peconics". The Peconics are a
tidal estuary system fed at the western end by the
Peconic River. Other notable tidal estuary creeks which provide
brackish water to the system are Meeting House Creek, Brushes Creek, James Creek, and Deep Hole Creek on the North Fork. These and others bring lesser salinity to the water compared to the Atlantic Ocean. For that reason, the clams, oysters and
bay scallops were numerous for generations since they require brackish water and the bountiful phyto and
zooplankton which give the system its first tier of life. Reseeding of shellfish in 2005 and 2006 and leasing of the bottom to commercial farmers for clams and oysters have given rise to hope for the ecosystem. The winter flounder fishing usually caught in the spring has all but collapsed, but fluke (summer flounder),
bluefish, porgy (scup) and some northern
weakfish are to be found, using clams, squid and spearing for bait. Snappers (young spawned bluefish of the year) give youngsters a real thrill in late summer. August is a time of blue claw crabbing and recent catches 2006 and 2007 in the inlets and creeks have been bountiful. Because of its calm waters in summer, and regularly favorable afternoon sailing winds, the bays have become a popular vacation spot for New Yorkers and East Coasters. == Regional influence ==