What Lighthouse Park offers anglers

Lighthouse Park sits at the northern tip of Anastasia Island where the Intracoastal Waterway meets the Atlantic, giving you access to both saltwater flats and deeper channel water without leaving the park. The pier extends into the Intracoastal and draws redfish, spotted seatrout, and jack crevalle year-round. The surrounding shallow water holds permit and tarpon during summer months, though sight-fishing for them requires patience and low-light conditions.

The park itself is small — about 4 acres — but the fishing pressure is lighter than you'll find at downtown St. Augustine's Bridge of Lions. You get the same species and similar conditions, but fewer anglers competing for position. The trade-off is that facilities are basic: a parking area, the pier, and beach access, with no bait shop or tackle rental on-site.

Key Takeaways

  • The pier at Lighthouse Park fishes the Intracoastal Waterway and produces redfish and spotted seatrout most of the year, with tarpon and permit possible in summer.
  • Parking is free and the pier is open to the public, but there are no amenities — bring your own tackle, water, and bait or be prepared to fish artificials.
  • Low tide exposes flats around the park that hold redfish and permit, making dawn and dusk the most productive times.
  • The park sits next to the St. Augustine Lighthouse, a working navigation aid, so respect the active beacon and stay clear of the light tower itself.

Pier fishing for redfish and seatrout

The pier is your main fishing platform and it's where most visiting anglers start. Redfish cruise the channel edges during incoming tide, especially in the two hours before and after high water. Spotted seatrout hold deeper, so fish the channel center with live shrimp or small mullet if you're targeting them. Both species respond to artificials — topwater plugs work well at dawn, and soft plastics fished on light jigs produce throughout the day.

The pier gets crowded on weekends and holidays, particularly during spring and fall when the weather draws tourists. Weekday mornings, especially in summer, are quieter. The pier is open sunrise to sunset, and there's no fishing license required to fish from a public pier in Florida — but you do need a saltwater license if you're fishing from shore or wading.

Wading the flats around the park

The shallow water north and east of the pier holds redfish and permit, and it's fishable only at low tide when the flats drain to 1 to 2 feet. You'll need to wade out from the beach or from the park's grassy areas. Redfish are easier to locate — they push water and leave mud clouds as they feed. Permit are spookier and require sight-casting to individual fish, which means polarized sunglasses and a slow approach.

The bottom is sand and shell, so wear wading shoes. Incoming tide floods the flats fast, so keep track of the tide table and give yourself a 30-minute buffer to get back before water rises above your knees. Early morning and late afternoon are best because the sun angle makes fish easier to see and the light spooks them less.

Tides, seasons, and what to expect month by month

Redfish and spotted seatrout are present year-round, but their location and feeding patterns shift with the seasons. Winter (December through February) concentrates both species in deeper channel water, so the pier fishes better than the flats. Spring (March through May) brings warming water and fish moving shallow — this is when permit and tarpon start showing. Summer (June through August) is peak season for permit and tarpon, but the heat and afternoon thunderstorms can shut down fishing by midday. Fall (September through November) cools the water and brings another strong redfish bite on the flats.

Tide matters more than season at Lighthouse Park. The Intracoastal Waterway has a 2- to 3-foot tidal range, and fish feed most actively during the first two hours of incoming tide. Download a tide table for St. Augustine before you fish — the park has no posted tide board, and your phone is your best reference.

Tackle and bait for Lighthouse Park

Bring a medium-weight spinning rod (6 to 7 feet) spooled with 15- to 20-pound braided line. A 12-inch fluorocarbon leader rated for 20 pounds handles the abrasive shell and toothy jacks without being visible to redfish. Live shrimp and small mullet are the most reliable baits, but you'll need to bring them from a tackle shop in town — there's no bait available at the park.

Artificials work well here, especially if you prefer not to manage live bait. Topwater plugs in the 3- to 4-inch range draw strikes from redfish and jacks at dawn. Soft plastics on 1/8-ounce jigs work throughout the day in the shallows. For permit, bring small crab patterns or shrimp imitations in tan and white. A small net is useful for landing fish from the pier, though not essential.

Parking, access, and what to bring

Lighthouse Park has a small parking lot at the end of Lighthouse Avenue. Parking is free and unrestricted, though the lot fills quickly on weekends. There are no restrooms, no water fountain, and no shade except what the lighthouse structure provides. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and more water than you think you'll need — the exposed pier offers no relief from the sun.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Dogs are allowed on-leash. The St. Augustine Lighthouse is an active navigation aid and a historic structure, so stay off the light tower and respect any posted restrictions. The park is family-friendly, so expect other visitors even during fishing hours.

When Lighthouse Park is worth the trip

Fish Lighthouse Park if you want pier access without the crowds of downtown St. Augustine, or if you're interested in sight-fishing for permit and tarpon on the flats. It's also a good choice if you're staying north of the historic district and don't want to drive south to the Bridge of Lions. The park works best in spring and fall when the weather is mild and the fish are feeding shallow.

Skip it if you need bait, tackle, or food — you'll waste time driving back to town. It's also less productive in winter when fish move deep, and the afternoon heat in summer can make midday fishing uncomfortable. If you're new to saltwater fishing or prefer guided instruction, the park's lack of amenities makes it less beginner-friendly than a charter or guide service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a fishing license to fish the pier at Lighthouse Park?

No — Florida exempts fishing from public piers. However, if you wade into the water or fish from shore, you need a saltwater license. A 3-day tourist license costs less than a full-year resident license and is available online or at any tackle shop in St. Augustine.

Can I fish at night?

The park closes at sunset, so night fishing is not permitted. The pier is lit, but the park gates are locked after dark. Dawn and dusk are your best windows for sight-fishing and for active feeding.

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

Tarpon move into the Intracoastal in June and stay through September, with peak activity in July and August. They're most active at dawn and dusk. Sight-casting to individual fish requires calm water and good light, so overcast mornings are often better than bright sunny days.

Is there a bait shop near the park?

The closest tackle shops are downtown St. Augustine, about 10 minutes south. There's no bait available at Lighthouse Park itself, so plan ahead or bring frozen shrimp and mullet from your accommodation.

Can I launch a kayak or small boat from the park?

There's no boat ramp at Lighthouse Park. If you want to fish the Intracoastal by kayak, use the public ramp at the San Sebastian River south of downtown, or check with local outfitters about guided kayak fishing trips.