Gordon River Greenway Fishing

Gordon River Greenway brings mangrove-river fishing into the middle of Naples: a free county park with a fishing pier on the tidal Gordon River, reached by paved paths and boardwalks.

• Snook and small tarpon along the mangrove edges
• Jacks, mangrove snapper and ladyfish on the moving tide
• A fishing pier and look-out piers right on the river
• Restrooms, picnic pavilions and a kayak launch
• A riverside break from the beaches, close to downtown

The Greenway follows the Gordon River through the middle of Naples, from Golden Gate Parkway south toward Central Avenue, and crosses the river by bridge to the city's Baker Park.

• Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
• No entrance fee is listed
• Main entrance: take the Naples Zoo's main entrance off Goodlette-Frank Road and drive to the back of the zoo lot, where the Greenway's parking, playground and kayak launch are
• A second entrance with parking is on Golden Gate Parkway
• The county's trail map shows the fishing pier on the southern part of the trail, well over half a mile from the zoo-side parking
• Trails: 2.5 miles of paved, mulch and boardwalk paths shared with bikes and skaters

The Gordon River is tidal and brackish here, fresher after summer rain and saltier in the dry season.

• Spring (Mar-May): snook and small tarpon move up the river as it warms; jacks and ladyfish follow the bait
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snook and juvenile tarpon at dawn and dusk; mangrove snapper around the roots and pilings; catfish on the bottom
• Fall (Sep-Nov): snook feed hard ahead of winter; jacks and ladyfish busy on the tide; the odd redfish
• Winter (Dec-Feb): snook hold in the deeper, warmer stretches on cold snaps; sheepshead around pilings

Light spinning tackle suits the narrow river: 10 to 15 lb braid and a 20 to 30 lb fluorocarbon leader.

• Snook and tarpon: small paddle-tail soft plastics, jerkbaits or a live shrimp free-lined along the mangroves
• Mangrove snapper: small pieces of shrimp on a light jig head close to structure
• Jacks and ladyfish: small jigs and spoons when bait is moving
• Use circle hooks with bait and release fish quickly
• A small landing net makes it easier to land fish from the pier

Tides here are mixed, usually two uneven highs and lows a day, and even the small range moves water through the river.

• Fish the moving tide; the outgoing flushes bait down toward Naples Bay
• Dawn and dusk are best, especially for snook and tarpon
• Heavy summer rain freshens and darkens the water, and the fish drop downriver
• Winter cold snaps push snook into the deeper holes
• Calm mornings let you spot rolling tarpon

This is a paved family park with boardwalks, so the main hazards are other trail users and wildlife.

• Watch for cyclists, joggers and skaters on the shared paths
• Alligators can turn up in the river; keep back from the edge and never feed wildlife or leave fish scraps
• Mosquitoes and no-see-ums are thick at dawn and dusk
• Summer lightning: get off the boardwalk at the first thunder
• Mind swinging hooks and rigs around children and dogs on the piers
• Paved paths and boardwalks lead to the pier, but its wheelchair access was not confirmed

The county lists these facilities, and its trail map puts the restrooms at the two entrances.

• A fishing pier and look-out piers along the river
• Restrooms with water fountains at the zoo-side and Golden Gate Parkway entrances
• Picnic pavilions and a playground with a tree house
• A canoe and kayak launch with a storage rack by the zoo-side parking
• Bike racks and benches
• No bait sales were confirmed in the park; the city-run Naples City Dock on Naples Bay sells live shrimp and frozen bait

• Come at first light, before the joggers and cyclists, for the best snook fishing
• Cycling the paved trail is the quickest way from the parking to the fishing pier
• Launch a kayak to reach quieter stretches of mangrove shoreline
• Cross the river bridge to explore Baker Park on the other bank
• Bring insect repellent in every season
• Keep your cast short; the river is narrow and the mangroves eat lures

The Gordon River Greenway is run by Collier County Parks and Recreation.

• Open 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Dogs must be kept on a leash
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required to fish for snook, tarpon and other saltwater species unless you are exempt
• Snook and tarpon have their own rules: check FWC
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything