Crystal River Preserve State Park Fishing

Crystal River Preserve State Park is the quiet, free way to fish the famous Crystal River estuary from the shore, with two official fishing areas at the park headquarters on Sailboat Avenue.

• The Mullet Hole: a canal-side fishing area near the main gate, with a kayak launch
• The inlet across from the park office, close to restrooms and picnic pavilions
• Redfish, trout and sheepshead, with snook and snapper in the warm months
• Salt marsh, islands and wildlife all around, from bald eagles to wood storks

The park headquarters is at 3266 North Sailboat Avenue in Crystal River, reached from US 19 by State Park Street, which leaves the west side of the highway 0.6 miles north of the Crystal River Mall.

• Getting there: drive west on State Park Street to Sailboat Avenue and the main gate
• The Mullet Hole: take the first driveway on the left after entering the main gate
• The office inlet: at the end of Sailboat Avenue, by the boat basin and the park office
• Parking: at each site; no fee
• Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year

The lower Crystal River is spring-fed and rich in fish, and the mix changes with the water temperature.

• Spring (Mar-May): redfish and spotted seatrout moving through the canals, sheepshead finishing their run
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snook, mangrove snapper, crevalle jack and ladyfish, best early and late
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the best redfish and trout of the year, plus flounder and black drum
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum; snook and trout look for the steady spring-fed river water on cold snaps

A light spinning rod with 10-15 lb braid and a 20-25 lb fluorocarbon leader suits both sites.

• Live shrimp under a popping cork along the canal edges for trout and redfish
• A shrimp or small soft plastic on a 1/8 oz jighead bounced along the bottom
• Fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader beside hard cover for sheepshead
• Cut mullet on a fish-finder rig for redfish and black drum
• A white soft plastic or small live pilchards late in the day in summer for snook
• Keep a landing net handy for lifting fish up the bank

The Crystal River gets two high and two low tides most days, usually one bigger than the other, with a range of about 2 to 3 feet.

• A moving tide, in either direction, is when the canal and the inlet fish best
• The falling tide pulls bait out of the marsh creeks toward the river
• The spring-fed water is often very clear, so light leaders and low light help
• Strong north winds after winter fronts drain the flats and push fish into deeper channels
• Summer mornings beat the heat and the afternoon storms

Both fishing areas are close to parking, with the office side the more developed.

• Manatees are common in Crystal River waters; never cast at them and give them room
• Keep casts clear of kayakers at the launches and tour boats in the basin
• Summer thunderstorms build fast; leave the water's edge at the first thunder
• Bring insect repellent, water and sun protection
• Restrooms are only at the park office, not at the Mullet Hole
• The dock with a river view and the picnic facilities are listed by the park as accessible

Most of the facilities are at the park office end of Sailboat Avenue.

• Restrooms at the park office; none at the trail and fishing sites
• Two picnic pavilions with tables and grills near the boat basin
• Two canoe and kayak launches: the Mullet Hole and the boat basin
• Boat tours run on the lower river, and a sunset cruise leaves from the park office
• No bait shop in the park, so bring bait with you
• No lighting; the park is open 8 a.m. to sunset

• The Mullet Hole launch leads into the Indian River Canal and on to the Crystal River, handy for a kayak angler
• Fish the office inlet if you want restrooms nearby; fish the Mullet Hole if you want space
• In winter, look for manatees and fish alike in the spring-warmed water
• Dogs are welcome on a 6-foot leash
• The same park's Redfish Hole, off Fort Island Trail, is a good walk-in option in winter

Crystal River Preserve State Park is managed by Florida State Parks; state park rules apply.

• Open 8 a.m. to sunset; no fee
• The park says all fishing must follow state rules on size, number, method of capture and season
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Dogs must be on a 6-foot leash and cannot be left unattended for more than half an hour
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything