Jonathan Dickinson State Park Fishing

Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a big, wild park where you can fish the Loxahatchee River from the bank, then paddle your own boat or hike.

• Bank fishing along the Loxahatchee River by the picnic area and boat ramp
• Snook and mangrove snapper in brackish water, with jacks and juvenile tarpon
• A federally designated Wild and Scenic River in a park of more than 10,000 acres
• Picnic pavilions, grills, accessible restrooms and a paddle launch

The park entrance is at 16450 SE Federal Highway in Hobe Sound, and the river area is a drive inside the park. The Florida Park Service manages it.

• Getting there: enter from US 1 (SE Federal Highway) and follow the park road to the Loxahatchee River picnic area and boat ramp
• Fees: $6 per vehicle at the entrance
• Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset, every day of the year
• Parking: inside the park; the entry fee covers the vehicle
• The walk: short; a wheelchair-friendly sidewalk runs through part of the picnic area near the river

The river changes from fresh to salty as it runs toward Jupiter Inlet, and the park notes that some species overlap.

• Spring (Mar-May): snook moving up the river, mangrove snapper, jacks
• Summer (Jun-Aug): mangrove snapper and snook early and late in the day, juvenile tarpon rolling in the river
• Fall (Sep-Nov): snook and jacks chasing bait; ladyfish in saltier water
• Winter (Dec-Feb): snook hold in the river on cold days; sheepshead around docks and pilings
• Freshwater fish such as largemouth bass live upriver, so check which license you need

Light spinning gear with 10-15 lb braid and a 20-30 lb fluorocarbon leader suits the river.

• Snook: live shrimp or small pilchards, or soft-plastic jerkbaits worked along shoreline cover and shadows
• Mangrove snapper: small live baits or cut shrimp on a light leader and a small hook near structure
• Jacks and ladyfish: small jigs and spoons when bait shows
• Juvenile tarpon: small swimbaits or flies early in the day in summer; release them in the water
• Sheepshead: shrimp or fiddler crabs close to pilings in winter
• Snook hug snags, so fish a leader heavy enough to pull them clear

The lower Loxahatchee is tidal, with two tides a day from the Atlantic through Jupiter Inlet, though the range this far upriver is small.

• An incoming tide brings saltier, clearer water and often the best bite
• Heavy summer rain turns the river dark and fresh and pushes saltwater fish downstream
• The first hours after the 8 a.m. opening and the last hours before sunset are prime for snook and snapper
• Cold snaps push snook up rivers like this one to shelter
• Calm, overcast mornings are ideal for working lures along the banks

The river area is easy to reach, but it is a natural riverbank, not a pier.

• Fish away from the boat ramp and give launching boaters room
• Alligators live in the river and the park's ponds; keep children and pets back from the water's edge
• Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer; get off the bank at the first thunder
• Bring insect repellent, water and sun protection
• A wheelchair-friendly ramp and small pier lead to the boat dock, and a sidewalk runs through part of the picnic area
• Manatees use the river; watch for them and never feed wildlife

Jonathan Dickinson is a full-service state park.

• Picnic pavilions, picnic tables and grills near the river
• Accessible restrooms
• An accessible canoe and kayak launch and a boat ramp
• Paddlers can launch their own canoes and kayaks at the boat ramp; the park lists its boat tours and boat and canoe rentals as currently unavailable
• An environmental education center, two campgrounds and miles of trails; the cabins close for renovation from October 18, 2026
• There is no bait shop and the park lists its concession store as currently closed, so bring bait, food and drinks

• Arrive at the 8 a.m. opening; the early hours are the best time for snook
• Check the recent rainfall; after a dry spell the river fishes much saltier
• Carry both a saltwater license and, if you might hook bass, a freshwater one
• Work shadows and fallen trees quietly; snook here are wary
• Pair a morning of fishing with a paddle to Trapper Nelson's historic site upriver; it is closed to visiting boats on Tuesdays
• Pack everything you need; it is a drive back to the entrance and US 1

Jonathan Dickinson State Park is run by the Florida Park Service.

• Follow park hours and posted rules; the park is open 8 a.m. to sunset
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt, and freshwater fishing needs its own license
• Snook and tarpon have their own seasons, permits and handling rules; check FWC
• Shore-based shark fishing needs the free FWC permit
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything