What You'll Find at Robert K Rees Memorial Park

Robert K Rees Memorial Park sits on the Anclote River in New Port Richey and offers boat ramp access, a fishing pier, and shoreline casting opportunities for both saltwater and brackish-water species. The park is small—about 4 acres—but the location puts you directly on moving water where snook, redfish, tarpon, and mullet move through with the tides. The pier extends into the river channel, making it the most reliable spot if you don't have a boat or want to fish without launching.

The park has a single concrete boat ramp suitable for small to medium boats, with parking for trailers. Facilities include picnic tables, a small pavilion, and restrooms. The setting is residential and quiet—you're fishing in a working waterway, not a recreation area designed around tourism. That means fewer crowds but also less infrastructure than you'd find at a larger county park.

Key Takeaways

  • The fishing pier is open to the public and requires no fee, making it the easiest entry point if you don't own a boat.
  • The Anclote River here is tidal and brackish, so fish species and bite windows shift with water movement and salinity changes.
  • Snook and redfish are present year-round, but spring and fall bring the most consistent action and the largest fish.
  • The boat ramp is usable at most tide levels, but water depth can be tight during extreme low tide, especially in summer.

Fishing the Pier and Shoreline

The pier is your best bet for shore-based fishing. It's roughly 200 feet long and gives you access to deeper water and current breaks where fish hold. Cast live mullet, pilchards, or shrimp on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook for snook and redfish. Use a 20- to 30-pound fluorocarbon leader and keep your drag set loose—snook will run hard toward structure, and the pier pilings are close enough that a tight drag means a broken line.

Tarpon show up in the river from late spring through early fall, usually on the incoming tide when water pushes up from the Gulf. They're not easy to land from the pier, but they do cruise through, and a 12-weight fly rod or heavy conventional gear with 50-pound braid and a wire bite leader gives you a real shot. Mullet are abundant and make good live bait or a target species themselves if you're after something to eat.

The shoreline around the park also holds fish, especially along the mangrove edges and grass flats visible from the parking area. Wading is possible at high tide, but the bottom is soft and uneven. Bring polarized sunglasses and wade slowly to avoid spooking redfish and snook in the shallows.

Tides, Seasons, and Water Conditions

The Anclote River is tidal, and water movement is the main driver of fish activity. Incoming tide pushes saltwater and baitfish upriver, concentrating predators. Outgoing tide drains the shallows and pushes fish toward the main channel. The best fishing windows are usually the first two hours of incoming tide and the last hour before the tide turns. Slack tide—the brief period when water stops moving—is often slow.

Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) are peak seasons. Water temperatures are moderate, baitfish are abundant, and larger snook and redfish move into the river to feed. Summer is hot and the bite can be inconsistent, though early morning and late evening remain productive. Winter is fishable but slower; water temperatures drop into the 60s, and fish become less aggressive, though they're still present.

Salinity varies with rainfall and freshwater discharge from the Anclote River system. After heavy rain, the river becomes more brackish and fish may move toward the Gulf. During dry periods, saltwater pushes farther upriver. Check local conditions before you go—a quick call to a nearby tackle shop will tell you whether the river is running fresh or salty.

Boat Ramp Access and Launch Conditions

The ramp is concrete and well-maintained, with a gentle slope suitable for center-console boats, flats skiffs, and small cruisers. Parking is available for about a dozen trailers in a small lot adjacent to the ramp. There is no fuel dock or bait shop at the park, so arrive prepared with fuel and live bait or plan to stop at a nearby marina.

Water depth at the ramp is adequate at most tide levels, but during extreme low tide—particularly in summer when the Gulf is at its lowest—the approach can be shallow. If you're launching a deep-draft boat, check the tide tables before you go and plan to launch on a rising tide. The ramp is not staffed, so there's no one to help if you get stuck; launch early and with a spotter if you're unfamiliar with the conditions.

Nearby Tackle and Services

New Port Richey has several tackle shops within a few miles of the park. These shops stock live bait, lures, and local knowledge about current conditions on the Anclote River and nearby waters. They can tell you which species are biting, what tide windows are best, and whether water conditions have changed since your last trip. A quick stop before fishing saves time and increases your odds of success.

The closest full-service marina is also nearby, offering fuel, ice, and sometimes prepared bait. If you're launching a boat, fill up before you arrive at the park to avoid delays.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

Bring polarized sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen—the water reflects hard and you'll be exposed all day. Bring more water than you think you'll need; the park has no shade on the pier. If you're fishing from the pier, a small tackle box, a net, and a cooler are enough. If you're launching a boat, bring a chart or GPS waypoints for the river and nearby Gulf access, a first aid kit, and a kill switch lanyard.

Check tide tables before you go. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) publishes tide predictions for the Anclote River, and most fishing apps include them. Plan your trip around incoming tide and avoid slack water if you can. Bring insect repellent—mosquitoes can be heavy in summer and after rain.

Regulations and Licensing

Florida requires a saltwater fishing license for anyone 16 and older who fishes in saltwater or brackish water. You can purchase a license online through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website, at most tackle shops, or at the park if a vendor is present. Licenses are available as a 3-day, 7-day, or annual option.

Snook, redfish, and tarpon are regulated species with specific size and bag limits that change seasonally. Check the current FWC regulations before you fish—limits vary by species and time of year, and violations carry fines. Mullet and other baitfish have their own rules, so review the full guide if you plan to keep anything you catch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish the pier at night?

The pier is open during daylight hours only. Night fishing is not permitted at the park. If you want to fish at night, you'll need to launch a boat and fish the river or nearby Gulf waters, where night fishing is allowed under state regulations.

Is there a fee to fish or launch a boat?

There is no fee for fishing the pier or using the boat ramp. The park is public and free to access. Parking is also free, though spaces are limited.

What's the best time of year to catch tarpon here?

Tarpon move into the Anclote River from late May through September, with peak activity in June and July. They're most active on incoming tide and in the deeper channel near the pier. Early morning and late afternoon are your best windows.

Can I wade in the river near the park?

Yes, wading is possible at high tide along the shoreline and grass flats. The bottom is soft and uneven, so wear wading boots and move slowly. Avoid wading during low tide when the flats are exposed and muddy. Always wear polarized sunglasses to spot fish and avoid stepping on stingrays.

What should I do if the water is too fresh after heavy rain?

After heavy rain, the river becomes more brackish and saltwater fish may move toward the Gulf or deeper channels. If the pier bite is slow, consider launching a boat and fishing farther downriver toward the Gulf, where salinity is higher and fish concentrate. Alternatively, wait a few days for tidal action to push saltwater back upriver.