Haulover Park Intracoastal Shoreline Fishing

Haulover Park Intracoastal Shoreline is the bayside stretch of Miami-Dade's Haulover Park, where the county sets aside designated fishing areas along the Intracoastal Waterway. It is a calm alternative to the busy inlet, with room to spread out and a good chance at snapper and jacks.

• Designated fishing areas on the Intracoastal Waterway shoreline
• Snapper, jacks, ladyfish and sheepshead, with snook at night
• Close to the park's bait and tackle shop
• Parking fee at the park gate

Haulover Park is at 10800 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, run by Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces. The bayside shoreline lies on the west side of the park, away from the ocean beach.

• Parking: the county lists a weekday fee and a higher weekend fee for cars
• Hours: the county page gives park office hours only, so check the gate for lot hours
• Walk: from the bayside lots to the water is short and mostly flat grass and walkway
• Pin is an estimate at the Intracoastal water's edge, so follow the posted fishing signs

The bayside holds fish that use the Intracoastal and the nearby cut.

• Spring (Mar-May): jacks, ladyfish and seatrout, with snook warming up near structure
• Summer (Jun-Aug): mangrove snapper at night, snook and baby tarpon around shadows and lights
• Fall (Sep-Nov): mullet runs bring snook, jacks and the occasional tarpon
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and seatrout on cooler days, with the odd bluefish or Spanish mackerel pushed in through the cut

Light spinning tackle with 10 to 15 lb line and a fluorocarbon leader suits the bayside.

• Snapper and sheepshead: live shrimp or fiddler crabs dropped by the rocks and seawall
• Snook and tarpon: live pilchards, shrimp or a small swimbait along the edge on a moving tide
• Jacks and ladyfish: small spoons, jigs or a live shrimp under a float
• Seatrout: a live shrimp under a popping cork over grass and sand
• Keep a long-handled net or a landing grip; there is a drop to the water in places

The Intracoastal here rises and falls twice a day with the ocean, and the cut's current reaches the bayside.

• The first of the outgoing tide and the last of the incoming are best
• Night and early morning beat midday heat for snook and snapper
• A calm, clear day makes the water easy to read
• Strong easterlies and heavy rain muddy the water
• Boat wakes slosh the shore at busy times, so use a good drag and a steady stance

The bayside is a public county park, so watch for people and boats.

• Do not fish inside swimming areas or beside the marina
• Boat traffic and wakes are heavy on weekends
• Summer lightning is common in the afternoon
• Carry water and sun protection
• Access is easy from the parking lots, but not every part of the shoreline is a designated fishing area

Haulover Park is well equipped.

• Restrooms in the park
• A bait and tackle shop run through Bill Bird Marina
• Paid parking at the gate
• A park office open daily during the day
• Fish cleaning area at Bill Bird Marina

• Buy bait at the marina shop before heading to the shoreline
• Go early or late; the day-use crowds are thick on weekends
• Look for the posted fishing signs to find the designated stretches
• Bring a cast net only if you read the posted rules first
• Fish the tide change, when the cut's current brings bait past the shoreline
• Check the posted lot hours so your car is not locked in

Miami-Dade County Parks manages Haulover Park, and fishing is allowed in designated areas along the Intracoastal Waterway shoreline.

• No fishing in swimming zones or next to the marina, as posted
• Follow the posted signs for the exact designated stretches
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless an exemption applies; the county asks for a valid license
• Tarpon and goliath grouper have release rules; check FWC
• Shore-based shark fishing needs a free FWC permit, and check posted park rules first
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything