Dutton Island Preserve Fishing

Dutton Island Preserve is a wooded island park in the salt marsh between Atlantic Beach and the Intracoastal Waterway, and a peaceful place to fish close to the Jacksonville beaches. Its fishing and viewing pier looks out over a tidal creek on the island's north side.

• Redfish, seatrout and flounder in the marsh creeks
• Sheepshead and black drum in the cooler months
• Trails, pavilions, campsites and a canoe and kayak launch
• Wide views over the marsh and the waterway

The island is at the end of Dutton Island Road West, west of Mayport Road, on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway (Pablo Creek). The City of Atlantic Beach lists the address as 793 Dutton Island Road West.

• Hours: the city lists 8 a.m. to dusk, changing with sunrise and sunset
• The road onto the island crosses the marsh on a causeway and bridge
• Parking: the city lists parking; no entry fee is listed
• The pier: at the north tip of the island; its walkway starts close to the parking area
• A wheelchair can be reserved at no cost through the city

This is salt marsh water close to the Intracoastal, and the fish move with the tide in and out of the creeks.

• Spring (Mar-May): redfish and seatrout on the move, black drum and the last of the sheepshead
• Summer (Jun-Aug): flounder, croaker, jacks and ladyfish, with small mangrove snapper around structure
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the best season, when the mullet run brings redfish, seatrout and flounder into the creeks
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum around the pilings, seatrout in the deeper creek bends

Light spinning tackle is ideal in the marsh.

• Seatrout: live shrimp under a popping cork, or a soft plastic on a 1/4 oz jig head
• Redfish: cut mullet or shrimp on a light Carolina rig with 1/2 to 1 oz of lead, or a live finger mullet
• Flounder: mud minnows on a Carolina rig, dragged slowly along the creek bottom
• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader near the pier pilings
• Jacks and ladyfish: small spoons and jigs when bait is showering
• A long-handled net helps from the pier deck

Atlantic tides run twice a day through the marsh here, and the creeks fill and drain with every tide.

• The falling tide drains shrimp and baitfish out of the marsh and usually fishes best
• The first of the rising tide pushes fish back up the creeks
• King tides can flood the road and some campsites, and the city may close the island while high water covers the road
• Calm mornings are best; a strong wind makes the marsh hard to read
• Heavy rain freshens and darkens the creeks for a day or two

The park itself is gentle, but the marsh has its own hazards.

• King tides: check the city's notices before you go, and do not drive through water on the road
• Soft marsh mud: never try to wade out into the marsh
• Summer lightning: leave the exposed pier at the first thunder
• Mosquitoes and biting flies: bring repellent, especially at dawn and dusk
• Access: the pier's walkway starts close to the parking area; the FWC's older survey listed the pier as handicap accessible, and a wheelchair can be reserved at no cost

The city lists a good set of facilities spread around the island.

• Restrooms and picnic areas, with pavilions
• Nine thousand feet of nature trails
• A canoe and kayak launch
• Campsites by permit
• A fishing and viewing pier
• Parking and trash barrels
• A wheelchair that can be reserved at no cost
• No bait shop is listed, so bring bait, ice and water

• Fish the first half of the falling tide as the marsh drains
• Live shrimp is the best all-round bait; keep it lively in a bucket with an aerator
• Check the city's king tide notices before a fall trip
• Bring repellent; the marsh is buggy on still evenings
• A kayak from the island's launch reaches more creeks than the pier

Dutton Island Park is run by the City of Atlantic Beach, and the surrounding preserve lands by the City of Jacksonville.

• The City of Atlantic Beach lists hours of 8 a.m. to dusk
• Camping is by permit only, for adults 21 or older
• Atlantic Beach bans smoking in its city parks
• The island may be closed during king tides
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything