James Lee Park Fishing

James Lee Park is the county's Gulf-front park in Destin, where anglers surf fish the same clear water that draws beachgoers, with parking and restrooms close to the sand.

• Surf fishing for pompano and Gulf whiting in spring and fall
• Spanish mackerel, bluefish and ladyfish chasing bait along the bar in summer
• Redfish and black drum when the water cools
• 170 parking spaces, pavilions and restrooms
• Free beach wheelchairs through Destin Public Safety, first come, first served

The park is at 3510 Scenic Highway 98 in Destin, east of Henderson Beach State Park and close to the Walton County line.

• Getting there: follow Scenic Highway 98 east through Destin; the park is on the Gulf side
• Parking: 170 spaces, including six handicapped spaces and a few golf-cart-only spaces
• Access: several access points lead from the park onto the beach
• Hours: county parks close from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise, with no overnight parking here from 11 p.m.
• Surface: soft sand, so a beach cart with wide wheels helps
• Beach wheelchairs are free on a first come, first served basis, but not under red flag conditions

This is open Gulf surf with a sandbar off the beach, so fish move along the troughs with the seasons.

• Spring (Mar–May): pompano and Gulf whiting on the sand, bluefish, and the first Spanish mackerel
• Summer (Jun–Aug): Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, blue runners and little tunny chasing bait along the bar
• Fall (Sep–Nov): the fall pompano run, redfish in the surf, whiting and black drum
• Winter (Dec–Feb): slow fishing; black drum, whiting and the odd redfish on calm, sunny days

A 9 to 11 foot surf rod with 15 to 20 lb line handles most of it, with a lighter spinning rod for the near trough.

• Pompano and whiting: a two-hook pompano rig with sand fleas, shrimp or scented synthetic bait and a 2 to 4 oz pyramid sinker
• Spanish mackerel and bluefish: 1/2 to 1 oz spoons or jigs thrown into feeding fish
• Redfish and black drum: cut mullet or fresh crab on a fish-finder rig
• No chum: the county bans chumming and blood baiting from its beaches
• Sand fleas: dig them at the water's edge right after a wave washes back

Gulf tides here are small, usually one high and one low a day, so surf, wind and water clarity matter more than the tide.

• Calm, clear green water is best for pompano and whiting
• A little surf that stirs the trough can switch fish on; heavy surf and rip currents mean go elsewhere
• Early morning and late afternoon beat midday in summer
• A rising tide often pushes fish up into the near trough
• The water often clears after a cold front passes, and pompano can follow

The beach is easy to reach from the parking lot, but surf fishing means soft sand, waves and currents.

• Check the beach flags: double red means the water is closed to the public, and purple warns of dangerous marine life
• Rip currents form in rough surf; never wade deep to cast
• Shuffle your feet when wading for sand fleas, since stingrays lie in the sand
• Leave the beach when thunderstorms build
• Fish well away from swimmers, especially on summer afternoons

The county lists the facilities below; there is no bait shop in the listing, so come stocked for a full session on the sand.

• Public restrooms
• Multiple pavilions
• 170 parking spaces, including six handicapped spaces
• Several access points onto the beach
• Free beach wheelchairs through Destin Public Safety, first come, first served
• Bring bait, ice, water and your own shade

• Dig sand fleas in the wash for the best pompano bait
• Look for darker water marking the trough and cast just beyond it
• Arrive early in summer, before the lot fills and swimmers crowd the water
• Check the day's flag before you go; Destin Beach Safety posts conditions daily
• Carry a sand spike so your rod and reel stay out of the sand
• Rinse reels after every trip; salt spray gets everywhere

Okaloosa County maintains the park; posted park and beach rules apply.

• Obey the beach flags; when double red flags fly, the water is closed to the public
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• The county code makes it unlawful to fish for sharks, or to chum or blood-bait, from its beaches
• County parks close from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise; pets, glass containers, cigarettes and vapes are not allowed
• Keep your lines well away from swimmers
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything