Haulover Canal Fishing

Haulover Canal is the short, deep link between the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon, and one of the places Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge itself names for fishing from the bank.

• Daytime bank fishing named by the refuge
• Current through the canal concentrates seatrout, redfish and black drum
• Flounder, sheepshead, jacks, ladyfish and summer tarpon
• Manatees, dolphins and wading birds in wild refuge surroundings

The canal crosses the north end of Merritt Island on Kennedy Parkway (SR 3), north of Titusville inside Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

• Getting there: follow SR 3 (Kennedy Parkway) north through the refuge to the bridge over the canal
• Bairs Cove: the road to the Bairs Cove boat ramp leaves Kennedy Parkway beside the canal, and anglers fish from the pull-offs along it
• Hours: refuge roads, trails and boat ramps are open from sunrise to sunset
• Fees: the refuge requires a pass to launch a boat at Bairs Cove; bank fishing is not on its list of places that need one, but read the signs
• NASA can restrict refuge access around launches

The canal holds fish all year because it always has some moving water and depth next to the shallow lagoons.

• Spring (Mar-May): seatrout and redfish along the banks, black drum, sheepshead around the bridge
• Summer (Jun-Aug): seatrout at dawn, jacks and ladyfish on bait, tarpon rolling in the canal on calm mornings
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the mullet run brings redfish, jacks and ladyfish through the canal; flounder on the bottom
• Winter (Dec-Feb): black drum and sheepshead near the bridge, seatrout in the deeper canal water on cold days

A medium spinning rod with 15-20 lb braid and a fluorocarbon leader handles the current and the snags.

• Seatrout: live shrimp under a popping cork drifted with the current, or a soft plastic on a 1/4 oz jig head bounced along the drop-off
• Redfish and black drum: shrimp, blue crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig with enough weight to hold in the current
• Flounder: mud minnows or finger mullet worked slowly along the bottom at the edge of the channel
• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs or shrimp near the bridge structure in winter
• Tarpon: live mullet or a swimbait early on calm summer mornings; tarpon have release rules, so check FWC
• Expect snags along the bank; carry spare rigs

Both lagoons have little lunar tide, but the canal still carries a current as the wind and water levels push water from one lagoon to the other.

• Moving water is the key; fish when there is a steady flow through the canal
• A change in wind direction often reverses the flow and starts a bite
• Clear, calm mornings are best for sight-fishing along the edges and for rolling tarpon
• Cold fronts push trout and drum into the deeper canal water
• Heavy rain and algae blooms can cloud the lagoon water

This is natural bank fishing inside a wildlife refuge.

• Boats use the canal constantly; keep lines out of the channel and never cast at a passing boat
• The banks are rough and can be slippery; wear good shoes and watch your footing
• Manatees gather here in numbers; never snag, feed or touch one, and move your bait away
• Leave at the first thunder; there is no shelter on the open banks
• Bring water and sun protection, and expect mosquitoes on calm evenings
• Keep off the bridge itself and away from traffic on Kennedy Parkway

Facilities are basic, as you would expect in a wildlife refuge.

• Bairs Cove boat ramp and parking off Kennedy Parkway
• Pull-offs along the Bairs Cove road for bank anglers
• The refuge's wheelchair-accessible Manatee Observation Deck near the bridge
• No bait shop, food or drinking water at the canal; bring everything you need
• The refuge visitor center has information on current conditions, closures and passes

• Arrive at first light; the refuge opens at sunrise and bank fishing ends at sunset
• Manatees often gather in the canal; if they settle near your spot, move along the bank
• Watch for mullet and bait being pushed through the canal to find where fish are feeding
• A kayak from Bairs Cove (refuge launch pass needed) opens up the Mosquito Lagoon flats, famous for sight-casting to redfish
• Check the refuge's launch closure notices before driving out on a launch day

Haulover Canal runs through Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), and refuge rules apply along with state rules.

• Bank fishing is for daytime only; it is not permitted after dark
• Waters inside the Kennedy Space Center security zone are closed to entry
• All Florida state fishing regulations apply; a Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Tarpon have their own release and handling rules; check FWC before you lift one from the water
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything