Imperial River Boat Ramp Fishing

Imperial River Boat Ramp gives Bonita Springs anglers a simple, cheap way to fish tidal river water from a small county pier, with restrooms and parking a few steps away.

• A small fishing pier reached by a wooden walkway from the lot
• Snook along the mangrove banks, baby tarpon in summer
• Mangrove snapper, jacks and ladyfish on the moving tide
• Restrooms on site and a daily parking fee
• A handy spot for a short session with light tackle

The ramp is at 27551 South Tamiami Trail (US 41) in Bonita Springs, on the Imperial River just east of the US 41 bridge.

• Parking: $5 per day per vehicle; the Lee County annual parking pass is valid
• There are separate parking areas for vehicles with and without boat trailers
• Hours: dawn to dusk
• The walk: a small wooden walking path from the lot to the fishing pier
• Keep off the boat ramps, the kayak launch and the boat dock, where fishing is not allowed

The Imperial River is tidal and brackish here, so saltwater fish come and go with the season and the rain.

• Spring (Mar-May): snook along the banks as the water warms, jacks and ladyfish chasing bait
• Summer (Jun-Aug): juvenile tarpon rolling at dawn and dusk, mangrove snapper around the structure; heavy rain can freshen the river quickly
• Fall (Sep-Nov): snook feeding hard, the odd redfish working the banks
• Winter (Dec-Feb): snook tucked into the river's warmer, deeper water; sheepshead around pilings when the water is salty

Light tackle and live bait are the way here.

• Snook: live shrimp or small pinfish on a 1/0 to 2/0 circle hook with a 25 to 30 lb leader, drifted along the mangrove edges
• Juvenile tarpon: small soft plastics, twitch baits or flies on a light rod at first light
• Mangrove snapper: small hooks and live or cut shrimp near structure
• Jacks and ladyfish: small jigs and spoons
• A 7-foot medium-light spinning rod with 10 to 15 lb braid covers almost everything

The river follows the coast's mixed tides, usually two uneven highs and lows a day, with a small range, but the current still matters.

• A moving tide in either direction fishes better than slack water
• The incoming tide brings saltier, clearer water up from Estero Bay
• After heavy summer rain the river runs dark and fresh and the saltwater bite drops off
• Dawn and dusk are best, especially for snook and baby tarpon in summer
• Cold fronts in winter can push snook into the river's deeper holes

This is an easy, sheltered spot with a few cautions.

• Boats launch and retrieve a short way from the pier; keep lines and casts clear of the ramps and of boats heading out
• Summer thunderstorms build fast; leave at the first thunder
• Mosquitoes and no-see-ums can be fierce at dawn and dusk; bring repellent
• The walkway and pier are close to the lot, with restrooms nearby
• The river can flood after extreme rain; do not fish when the water is over the banks

Lee County lists a compact set of facilities.

• Restrooms
• A small fishing pier and wooden walkway
• Two boat ramps and a paddlecraft launch
• Paid parking, $5 per day per vehicle, with the county annual parking pass accepted
• Viewing areas and a boardwalk
• No bait or food for sale was confirmed; bring bait, ice and water

• Fish the first two hours of the incoming tide for clearer water
• Drift a live shrimp along the mangrove edge at dawn for snook
• Use light leaders for baby tarpon, and keep them in the water for release
• Stay out of the ramp, kayak launch and boat dock areas, where fishing is banned
• Skip it after big summer rains, when the river runs dark and fresh

Lee County Parks and Recreation runs the ramp.

• Open dawn to dusk; parking fee applies
• No fishing in the boat launch area: the boat ramp, kayak launch and boat dock
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required to fish from shore or the boardwalk; Lee County notes Florida residents can get the shoreline license at no cost
• Tarpon have special release rules: check FWC
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything