Harry Harris Park Fishing

Harry Harris Park is an easy, family-friendly Upper Keys fishing stop, with a fishing jetty, the rebuilt Wilkinson Point and full park facilities on the Atlantic side.

• A fishing jetty at the edge of the park, repaired after Hurricane Irma and reopened in 2022
• Snapper, grunts and small reef fish on light tackle
• Restrooms, picnic pavilions, grills and a playground
• Daytime hours only

The park is in Tavernier at mile marker 92.5 oceanside, at the end of East Beach Road, and is run by Monroe County Parks and Beaches.

• Getting there: turn oceanside off US 1 in Tavernier and follow the side streets to the end of East Beach Road
• Entry: free for Monroe County residents; the county charges non-residents a per-vehicle admission fee on weekends and holidays, and trailered boats pay a ramp fee on top
• Hours: open daily from sunrise until half an hour after sunset (the ball fields stay open later)
• Surface: paved paths to the beach; the jetty is at the edge of the park

Shallow Atlantic water over grass and hard bottom holds small reef fish all year.

• Spring (Mar–May): mangrove snapper, grunts, barracuda, bonefish on the flats on calm mornings
• Summer (Jun–Aug): snapper, yellowtail on light chum, needlefish, small sharks
• Fall (Sep–Nov): snapper and grunts, jacks, a few tarpon offshore of the ramp
• Winter (Dec–Feb): barracuda, grunts and porgy-type bottom fish, Spanish mackerel on clear days

Light spinning tackle and small hooks are all you need.

• Snapper and grunts: live or fresh dead shrimp on a size 1 to 1/0 hook with a small split shot
• Yellowtail: a little chum in the water and a lightly weighted shrimp drifted back in it
• Barracuda: a tube lure or a live pinfish cast along the edge of the breakwater
• Bonefish: a live shrimp cast ahead of cruising fish on the flat, from the shore
• 10 to 15 lb line with a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader

Tides are twice a day and the water is shallow, so the moving tide and light matter most.

• An incoming tide brings clearer ocean water up to the rocks
• Early morning is best: fish before the heat and before the park fills
• A calm day lets you see fish on the flat; a strong east wind churns it up
• The park closes soon after sunset, so there is no night fishing here

The park is one of the more accessible fishing spots in the Upper Keys.

• Keep clear of the boat ramp and the boats using it; do not cast across the ramp lane
• The jetty and barrier rocks are slippery and sharp: watch your footing and wear sturdy shoes
• Keep lines away from the swimming lagoon and swimmers
• Hot sun and little shade on the jetty: water and sunscreen
• Paved paths and parking make it workable for most mobility needs

The county and local reports list a full set of park facilities.

• Restrooms, picnic pavilions, tables and grills
• A playground, a protected beach and swimming area, ball fields and basketball courts
• Public boat ramp
• No bait shop in the park; buy bait along US 1 in Tavernier
• Parking inside the park, shared with boat ramp users on busy weekends
• Shade under the pavilions and trees between sessions
• No food concession is listed, so bring snacks, drinks and ice
• Check the county's parks page before you go, since fees and hours can change

• Weekday mornings are quiet; weekends and holidays bring crowds and boat ramp queues
• Bring a small bag of frozen chum to bring snapper and yellowtail into range
• Look along the rocks for barracuda sitting still in the sun; they take a fast lure
• It is an ideal stop for children: short casts, lots of small bites, restrooms close by
• Carry a dehooking tool for small fish you release

The park belongs to Monroe County and is run by its Parks and Beaches department; follow the posted park rules and hours.

• The park is open from sunrise to half an hour after sunset; fish from the jetty, away from the swimming area and the ramp
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Shore-based shark fishing needs the free FWC shore-based shark fishing permit
• Goliath grouper and tarpon have their own release rules: check FWC before you fish for either
• The waters are inside the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary; follow its rules
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything