Bernice Braden Park Fishing

Bernice Braden Park puts you on the Caloosahatchee right where the Cape Coral Bridge comes ashore, and the City of Cape Coral names it as one of its approved places to fish.

• Shore fishing along the river and under the bridge, allowed 24 hours a day
• Sheepshead and black drum on the bridge pilings in winter
• Snook, redfish, mangrove snapper and trout along the shoreline
• A long, narrow waterfront park on both sides of Cape Coral Parkway
• Few facilities, so come self-sufficient

The park is a 10-acre strip at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge in southeast Cape Coral, spanning both the north and south sides of Cape Coral Parkway.

• Getting there: follow Cape Coral Parkway east toward the bridge; the bridge itself has a toll plaza
• Parking: limited; there is a small lot by the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce building in the park, while the neighboring business and condo lots are private, so follow posted signs
• Never stop or fish on the bridge approach or the bridge roadway
• Hours: the city lists shoreline and under-bridge fishing here as allowed 24 hours
• The walk: a few hundred yards from that lot along the waterfront to the bridge
• Lee County plans to replace the Cape Coral Bridge, with construction expected to begin in 2028, and some of the park is set aside for the new roadway, so expect changes here then

The lower river is usually salty enough here for a good mix of inshore fish, especially around the bridge.

• Spring (Mar-May): sheepshead finishing their run on the pilings, snook and redfish becoming active, jacks and ladyfish chasing bait
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snook in the bridge shadows at dawn and dusk, mangrove snapper around the pilings, tarpon rolling in the channel
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and trout along the shoreline, snook feeding before winter, black drum moving in
• Winter (Dec-Feb): the best season for sheepshead and black drum on the bridge pilings

Most fish here are caught close to structure.

• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs, shrimp or barnacle bits on a short leader and a small, strong hook, fished tight to the pilings nearest the shore
• Black drum and redfish: shrimp, crab or cut bait on the bottom with a sliding sinker
• Snook: live pinfish or shrimp on a 2/0 circle hook and 30 to 40 lb leader in the bridge shadows, or a white jig at night
• Trout: shrimp under a popping cork along the shoreline
• Bring a long-handled landing net; lifting a big fish up the bank snaps lines

The river follows the coast's mixed tides, usually two uneven highs and lows a day, and the current runs hardest under the bridge.

• Fish the moving tide; slack water is the time to work baits tight to the pilings for sheepshead
• The incoming tide pushes saltier, clearer Gulf water up the river
• Dawn, dusk and night are best for snook around the bridge
• After heavy rain or freshwater releases, the river runs dark; the bite can slow
• Winter cold fronts bring the best sheepshead fishing

The shoreline is easy to reach but has a few hazards.

• The water's edge can be slippery; wear good shoes
• Boat traffic passes under the bridge; keep lines clear of boats
• Stay off the bridge approach and roadway, and watch for traffic on Cape Coral Parkway
• Summer thunderstorms come quickly over the river; leave at the first thunder
• At night, bring a headlamp and fish with a friend
• Access is fairly flat along the waterfront, but the bank itself is uneven

This is a simple waterfront park.

• Fishing areas along the shoreline, as listed by the city
• A parking lot by the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce building, which offers visitor information
• No restrooms, bait or lights for anglers were confirmed; bring what you need
• Room for a picnic blanket with views of the river
• The bridge carries traffic overhead; expect road noise

• Winter sheepshead are the most reliable fish here; bring fiddler crabs
• Cast tight to the pilings nearest the shore rather than far out into the river
• After dark, work a white jig slowly past the bridge pilings for snook
• Check the tide and fish the first hours of the incoming for cleaner water
• Park legally and walk in; do not stop on the bridge approach

The City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department manages the park and lists it as an approved fishing location.

• Fishing along the shoreline and under the bridge is allowed 24 hours
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless an exemption applies; the city points anglers to the FWC for license rules
• Tarpon and goliath grouper have special release rules: check FWC
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything
• For problems in a city park, the city asks you to call the police non-emergency line