Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, nestled within Florida's biodiverse Indian River Lagoon, offers an unparalleled inshore fishing experience. As America's first national wildlife refuge, its waters teem with prized sportfish including redfish, snook, spotted seatrout, and flounder. Anglers consistently find mangrove snapper, jack crevalle, and black drum prowling the lagoon's grassy flats and mangrove shorelines.
The refuge provides year-round fishing access across its open waters, excluding the protected buffer zone around Pelican Island proper. Anglers can pursue fish from boats, shorelines, or by wading through the productive shallows. Multiple launch points like Sebastian’s Riverview Park and Wabasso Causeway provide convenient access to prime fishing grounds where snook ambush baitfish along mangrove roots and redfish tail in shallow flats.
Seasoned anglers appreciate the refuge's diverse habitat structure – from oyster bars and seagrass beds to deeper channels – that supports trophy potential for species like goliath grouper and lemon sharks. While navigating these fertile waters, boaters must observe manatee protection zones and adhere to Florida fishing regulations. The combination of consistent catches, stunning natural scenery, and abundant wildlife creates an unforgettable angling adventure in this historic sanctuary.