St. Petersburg, FL is a town that seems custom-made for amazing fishing. Between the famous shallows of Tampa Bay and the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico, you’re never far from a productive fishing spot. To get you ready for the summer, we’ve put together a guide to five of the best fishing piers in St. Petersburg.
Everybody likes to fish a little differently. For some people, convenience is key. Others are looking for a friendly, local vibe. Maybe you just want somewhere to fish for free. Whatever you have in mind, you can find it on at least one of these five fishing piers.
Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
Address: 4905 34th Street South #5000, St. Petersburg, FL 33711
Opening hours: 24/7
Cost: $4 per vehicle, plus $4 per adult or $2 per child age 6–11 (kids aged 5 and under go free).
License required? No
Where better to start than the biggest and most popular pier in town? Billed as “the world’s longest fishing pier,” this converted road bridge is actually two piers: Skyway Pier South End, aka South Skyway, and Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier, aka North Skyway. They span Tampa Bay and almost meet in the middle. That means both deep and shallow water, with a range of fish to match. Snook, Tarpon, Cobia, Kingfish, Snapper, Grouper – you name it, it’s here.
Skyway Fishing Pier State Park costs more than most spots in town, but you get your money’s worth. You can drive on and park up right where you want to fish. The piers are well-lit at night, letting you escape the heat on hot summer days. On top of that, you have shops on both sides selling fishing supplies, bait, snacks, and drinks. Just roll up, enjoy the view, and catch some huge fish!
Merry Pier
Address: 801 Pass-A-Grille Way, St Pete Beach, FL 33706
Opening hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday–Sunday
Cost: Free
License required? Yes (pier pass available for $3 per person)
If you’re after a relaxed, “loved by locals” vibe, you can’t go wrong with Merry Pier. Essentially a dock that’s licensed for pier fishing, this is a great spot to reel in something tasty for dinner. The main catches are inshore species like Sheepshead, Flounder, and Speckled Trout. You can also find Gag Grouper, Cobia, and Bonnethead Sharks if you want more of a challenge.
This is a small pier, but it packs a lot in. The local tackle shop offers cheap bait and rental gear. You can also buy fresh fish if you come up dry. There’s no charge to fish from Merry Pier, as long as you have your own fishing license. If you don’t, you can buy a day-pass from the shop for just $3 per person, which covers you for fishing from the pier itself.
Fort DeSoto Park Fishing Piers
The piers are currently undergoing renovation work and some services are temporarily unavailable.
Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL 33715
Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. to sunset (exact work hours displayed at the entrance)
Cost: $5 per vehicle
License required? Yes
Fort DeSoto Park has the best of both worlds: a long pier stretching out into the Gulf and a shorter one for fishing the Bay. Fish from the 1,000’ Gulf Pier, and you can catch big Spanish Mackerel, Sheepshead, Snook, Flounder, Sharks, and so much more. The 500’ Bay Pier is amazing for Pompano, Permit, Redfish, Trout, and occasionally even Tarpon.
As well as the fish, DeSoto is an amazing place to see wildlife like dolphins and sea birds. The nearby tackle shop and concession sells frozen bait and refreshments from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You have to pay $5 to bring vehicles into the park, but if you cycle or walk, you can enter and fish completely free of charge. Remember that you’ll need a valid fishing license before you cast your line.
Weedon Island Fishing Pier
Address: 1859 Weedon Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. to sunset (exact work hours displayed at the entrance)
Cost: Free (donations accepted)
License required? Yes
DeSoto Park is pretty, but Weedon Island has one of the most scenic fishing piers in Florida. Set in the stunning Weedon Island Preserve, this secluded spot is surrounded by mangroves and shallow backwaters. It’s worth checking out just for the views. Throw in Sheepshead, Jacks, and monster Snook, and you’ll never want to fish anywhere else!
You can find much more than fish on Weedon Island. The preserve is a nature lover’s dream, home to manatees, armadillos, bald eagles, tortoises, and who knows what else. It also has shaded picnic areas and restrooms to let you make a day of it. Not that you’ll want to move an inch once you see your first Snook swimming about beneath you.
Bert and Walter Williams Fishing Pier
Address: 5400 Shore Blvd S, Gulfport, FL 33707
Opening hours: 24/7
Cost: Free
License required? Yes
Last but not least, Bert and Walter Williams Fishing Pier is a true local gem. This relaxed public pier extends over 500 feet into Boca Ciega Bay, putting you on Trout, Flounder, Sharks, Grunts, and more. You have some nice bars right across from the pier. There are public restrooms just down the beach. There’s also a filleting board for cleaning your catch. In short, it has everything you need.
Williams Pier is clean and well-maintained, with plenty of benches and trash cans. There’s always space and the local crowd is friendly and welcoming. The pier is well-lit after dark, making it a productive spot for night fishing. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense fishing pier where you can pick up tips from local anglers as you cast a line, this is just the ticket.
St. Petersburg Pier Fishing: Something for Every Taste
These are some of the top fishing piers in St. Petersburg, but there are way more out there. We’ve tried to give you a good balance of big commercial fishing spots and small local favorites. Some have everything you need in one place. Others are a place to fish completely for free. Whatever you’re after, one thing’s for sure: You can’t go wrong wetting a line in St. Petersburg.
What’s your favorite fishing pier in the St. Petersburg area? Have you fished from any of the ones on our list? What did you catch? Let us know your stories and thoughts in the comments below. We’re always on the lookout for new fishing spots!
