Stuart Causeway Fishing

Stuart Causeway is a local's lagoon spot close to the St. Lucie Inlet, with bridge structure, channel water and grass flats in one place. Nearby Stuart Beach and Bathtub Reef Beach are guarded beach parks where Martin County's code bans fishing; the causeway parks stay open to anglers at all hours.

• Snook around the Ernest F. Lyons Bridge
• Snapper, sheepshead and jacks on the structure
• Winter pompano and sheepshead
• Free parking by the causeway boat ramp

The causeway is on Ocean Boulevard (A1A) between Sewall's Point and Hutchinson Island, east of Stuart.

• Getting there: follow East Ocean Boulevard from Stuart through Sewall's Point and over the Ernest F. Lyons Bridge; the causeway island is at the bridge's east end.
• Parking: free parking at the causeway boat-ramp park; spaces are shared with trailers.
• Surface: paved lot, natural shoreline with rocks and sand; some spots involve a short scramble.
• Hours: Martin County's park code keeps causeway parks open at all times unless the county closes one for safety, and the FWC lists the causeway boat ramp as open around the clock.
• Nearby: Sewall's Point Park at the bridge's west end is another lagoon access.

Inlet-fed lagoon water holds a wide mix.

• Spring (Mar–May): snook, jacks, seatrout, pompano tailing off
• Summer (Jun–Aug): snook at night, mangrove snapper, tarpon in the channel
• Fall (Sep–Nov): mullet run with snook, jacks, ladyfish and tarpon
• Winter (Dec–Feb): sheepshead, pompano, black drum, seatrout
• Year-round: mangrove snapper, jacks and ladyfish around the bridge most days
• Occasional flounder on sandy edges in the cooler months

Medium spinning tackle handles most fish.

• Snook: live shrimp, pilchards or finger mullet on 30–40 lb leader around pilings; jerkbaits and bucktails at night
• Snapper and sheepshead: knocker rig with shrimp or fiddler crabs near structure
• Pompano: small pompano jigs along sandy channel edges
• Seatrout and redfish: soft plastics and gold spoons on the grass edges
• A long-handled net helps where the bank is steep.

Tides here are smaller than on the beach but noticeable this close to the St. Lucie Inlet.

• The incoming brings clean inlet water and the best bite
• Night and dawn fish best in summer
• Wind moves lagoon water as much as the tide; strong north winds muddy it
• After heavy rain or Lake Okeechobee releases the water can turn dark and fishing slows

Moderate access with a few hazards.

• A1A traffic is fast; take care crossing and walking the causeway
• Boat traffic at the ramp and under the bridge
• Rocky, uneven shoreline in places; wear good shoes
• Stingrays on the flats: shuffle your feet if you wade, and stay off the channel edges
• Lightning in summer; heat and sun
• Night fishing: bring a headlamp and watch the rocks

Basic.

• Boat ramp and parking at the causeway park
• Limited facilities on the causeway itself; restrooms and picnic areas are available at nearby county parks
• Bait and tackle shops in Stuart and Sewall's Point
• Beach facilities at Stuart Beach on Hutchinson Island a short drive away
• No lights, bait or food on the causeway itself: bring everything, including drinking water and a headlamp
• Sewall's Point Park at the bridge's west end has more space for picnics
• Shade under the bridge on hot days

• The first two hours of incoming are best.
• Fish the bridge shadow line at night for snook.
• Bring fiddler crabs for winter sheepshead.
• Weekday mornings avoid the boat-ramp rush.
• Check lagoon water quality reports after heavy rain.
• For surf fishing, skip Stuart Beach and Bathtub Reef Beach, where the county bans fishing; use an unguarded county beach access that the county's park finder lists for fishing, and leave sharks alone within 1,000 yards of the guarded parks.
• Snook bite best on the shadow line when the bridge lights come on.

The causeway parks are managed by Martin County Parks and Recreation; the bridge is state-maintained.

• Follow posted park rules; do not fish from docks while boats are launching
• The county's park code bans chumming or blood-baiting at its causeway parks, and throwing a cast net onto seagrass from any county park
• Fishing from the bridge roadway is not advised; fish the shoreline
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Snook, redfish and seatrout have their own rules; check FWC
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything