North Bayshore William Lehman Park, North Miami Fishing

North Bayshore William Lehman Park is a free, easy neighborhood fishing pier on the western shore of Biscayne Bay, with the Broad Causeway bridge and the Miami Beach skyline as a backdrop. It is a relaxed place for a few hours with light tackle.

• A short fishing pier over shallow Biscayne Bay water
• Fish-washing stations beside the pier
• Snapper, snook and tarpon named by the guides who list it
• Free to fish, open sunrise to sunset

The park is at 12220 N Bayshore Drive in North Miami, on the bay side of the road, and the City of North Miami runs it.

• Hours: sunrise to sunset
• Cost: fishing is free; you still need a saltwater license unless exempt
• Parking: there are parking lots beside the park along Bayshore Drive; check the signs for any time limits
• The walk from the lot to the pier is short and on flat park paths
• The park also has a dog park, a tiki hut, benches and outdoor exercise equipment

The shallow bay shoreline holds small reef fish and passing predators.

• Spring (Mar-May): snapper, grunts and jacks on the incoming tide, and the first tarpon of the season after dark
• Summer (Jun-Aug): mangrove snapper and snook around the pilings, tarpon rolling at night
• Fall (Sep-Nov): mullet and baitfish schools bring jacks, ladyfish and snook
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead, pinfish and the odd seatrout on calm, cool days

Keep it light and simple from the pier.

• Live shrimp on a small hook and a split shot for snapper and grunts
• A live pilchard or pinfish on a free line or float for snook and tarpon at dusk
• Small jigs or spoons for jacks and ladyfish when bait is flipping
• Cut bait or shrimp on the bottom for catfish and the odd stingray
• 8 to 15 lb line with a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader covers most fish here

Biscayne Bay is tidal, with two highs and two lows a day, though the current here is gentle compared with the inlets. The nearest tide station the angling listings use is on the Intracoastal at Biscayne Creek.

• Moving water, in or out, fishes better than slack water
• Dawn, dusk and after dark are best for snook and tarpon in warm months
• Wind from the east piles water against the shore and clouds it
• Heavy rain freshens the bay edge and slows the bite for a day or two

This is an easy, public park, but the pier is small and the water is open to boat traffic.

• Keep casts clear of passing boats and of other anglers on the short pier
• Leave the pier at the first thunder; summer afternoon storms build fast
• Sun and heat: bring water and a hat
• Handle catfish and snapper spines with care, and shuffle your feet near the shore for stingrays
• Access: paved paths and a short, level walk from the lot

The park is simple but covers the basics for fishing.

• Fishing pier and fish-washing stations
• Dog park, tiki hut, benches and exercise equipment
• Parking lots beside the park
• No bait shop in the park that we could confirm; bring bait
• Restrooms and lighting were not confirmed, so plan for daytime visits

• Arrive early on weekends; a small pier fills fast
• Bring your own live shrimp; the nearest bait is a drive away
• A bucket and a knife for the fish-washing stations make cleanup easy
• Cast along the bridge-side shadow lines at dusk for snook
• Call the city at 305-895-9840 if you need to check hours or closures before a long drive
• Pack out line and hooks; monofilament harms the birds that roost here

North Bayshore William Lehman Park is managed by the City of North Miami and is open sunrise to sunset.

• Fishing from the pier is free
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Snook and tarpon have special rules; check FWC before keeping or handling either
• Shore-based shark fishing needs a free FWC permit; read the posted signs for any park rules
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything