Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park Fishing

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is a peaceful state park on a sheltered arm of Choctawhatchee Bay, where you can fish the bayou from the shore and camp beside it.

• Rocky Bayou, which the park calls a prime spot for saltwater fishing
• Mullet, speckled trout and flounder named as the common fish
• A calm, sheltered bayou and an aquatic preserve of seagrass
• Restrooms, showers, pavilions and a 42-site campground
• Old longleaf pines, nature trails and big bayou sunsets

The park is at 4281 State Road 20 on the east side of Niceville, on the south shore of Rocky Bayou.

• Getting there: the entrance is on State Road 20, a short drive east of central Niceville
• Entry: $5 per vehicle; boaters also pay the $5 boat ramp fee
• Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset, every day of the year
• Parking: a large lot at the boat ramp and other day-use parking in the park
• Surface: park roads and short paths down to the shoreline

Rocky Bayou is tidal and brackish, fed by a freshwater stream, so saltwater fish share it with freshwater fish near the creek mouth.

• Spring (Mar–May): speckled trout, croaker and redfish along the grass edges
• Summer (Jun–Aug): mullet schools, trout at dawn, ladyfish and flounder on the sand
• Fall (Sep–Nov): flounder and redfish at their best, mullet still thick
• Winter (Dec–Feb): trout and white trout in the deeper water; freshwater fish near the creek mouth

Light spinning tackle with 8 to 12 lb line suits this sheltered water.

• Speckled trout: live shrimp under a popping cork, or a soft plastic on a 1/8 oz jighead
• Flounder: finger mullet or a jig dragged slowly over the sandy bottom
• Redfish: cut mullet or shrimp on a Carolina rig near the grass edges
• Mullet: tiny hooks with bread or dough under a small float
• White trout and croaker: small jigs or bits of shrimp near the bottom
• Keep your casts off the seagrass beds close to shore

Tides in Rocky Bayou are small and often only one high and one low a day, and wind can move the water more than the tide.

• Fish when the water is moving, rising or falling
• Dawn and dusk are best, especially in the summer heat
• The bayou is sheltered, so it stays fishable on windy days
• Heavy rain freshens the upper bayou near the creek mouth
• Cold snaps push trout into the deeper bayou water

The bayou is sheltered, and the park has restrooms and showers close to the day-use area.

• Leave the shore when thunderstorms build; summer lightning is frequent
• The shoreline seagrass beds are the park's most fragile habitat, so do not trample them
• Watch for boats at the ramp and keep casts clear of the launch
• The park lists accessible campsites and accessible picnic facilities
• Bring water, sun protection and insect repellent

The park lists a good set of facilities for a day or a camping trip.

• Restrooms and public showers
• Two picnic pavilions with grills, and a playground by the pavilion overlooking the bayou
• A double boat ramp with trailer parking and a canoe and kayak launch
• A 42-site campground with water and electric
• Nature trails and an interpretive exhibit
• No bait shop is listed, so bring bait and ice

• Arrive at the 8 a.m. opening on summer days for the cool morning bite
• Mullet are thick in the bayou; bring small hooks and dough for easy action
• Look for dolphins and otters along the shore, which the park says are often seen
• Alcohol is not allowed in the day-use areas, including the pavilions
• Time your last cast for sunset over the bayou; the park closes at sunset

Florida State Parks manages the park; park rules apply.

• Open 8 a.m. to sunset; $5 per vehicle
• A Florida fishing license may be required, so check which license covers the water you fish
• Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet and are not allowed on beaches or playgrounds
• Alcohol is prohibited in all day-use areas
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything