{"id":7976,"date":"2019-06-06T11:58:05","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T09:58:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/?p=7976"},"modified":"2026-01-05T16:45:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T16:45:33","slug":"fishing-piers-in-st-petersburg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-piers-in-st-petersburg\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Unique Fishing Piers in St. Petersburg, FL"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

St. Petersburg, FL<\/a> 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.<\/p>

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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.<\/p>

Skyway Fishing Pier State Park<\/a><\/h2>
\"Skyway<\/figure>

Address:<\/strong> 4905 34th Street South #5000, St. Petersburg, FL 33711<\/p>

Opening hours:<\/strong> 24\/7<\/p>

Cost:<\/strong> $4 per vehicle, plus $4 per adult or $2 per child age 6–11 (kids aged 5 and under go free).<\/p>

License required?<\/strong> No<\/p>

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.<\/p>

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!<\/p>

Merry Pier<\/a><\/h2>
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Source: Psyberartist, Flickr, CC BY 2.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Address:<\/strong> 801 Pass-A-Grille Way, St Pete Beach, FL 33706<\/p>

Opening hours:<\/strong> 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday–Sunday<\/p>

Cost:<\/strong> Free<\/p>

License required?<\/strong> Yes <\/p>

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.<\/p>

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 $3.21 per person, which covers you for fishing from the pier itself.<\/p>

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Fort DeSoto Park Fishing Piers<\/a><\/h2>
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Address:<\/strong> 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL 33715<\/p>

Opening hours:<\/strong> 7:00 a.m. to sunset (exact work hours displayed at the entrance)<\/p>

Cost:<\/strong> $5 per vehicle<\/p>

License required?<\/strong> Yes<\/p>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

Weedon Island Fishing Pier<\/a><\/h2>
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Address:<\/strong> 1859 Weedon Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702<\/p>

Opening hours:<\/strong> 7:00 a.m. to sunset (exact work hours displayed at the entrance)<\/p>

Cost:<\/strong> Free (donations accepted)<\/p>

License required?<\/strong> Yes<\/p>

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!<\/p>

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.<\/p>

Bert and Walter Williams Fishing Pier<\/a><\/h2>
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Address:<\/strong> 5400 Shore Blvd S, Gulfport, FL 33707<\/p>

Opening hours:<\/strong> 24\/7<\/p>

Cost:<\/strong> Free<\/p>

License required?<\/strong> Yes<\/p>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

St. Petersburg Pier Fishing FAQs<\/h2>\n
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\n Is St. Petersburg good for fishing?<\/span>\n \n <\/path><\/svg>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n
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With mangroves, oyster beds, and grassy bottoms, St. Petersburg sits on a haven of inshore fishing grounds. This is one of the prime areas on Florida\u2019s west coast for shallow water fishing.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Can you fish on the St. Petersburg Pier?<\/span>\n \n <\/path><\/svg>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n
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There\u2019s a specific fishing deck on the St. Pete Pier that is designated for fishing. This is the only place on the pier where you can cast a line<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Where's the best place to fish in St. Petersburg? <\/span>\n \n <\/path><\/svg>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n
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You can cast your line almost anywhere in St. Pete, but two of the best places to go fishing are the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier and Pier 60.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n