Meigs Park, Shalimar Fishing

Meigs Park, Shalimar is a small county bay park in a residential part of Shalimar where you can fish from a sandy beach or a new seawall.

• A sandy beach where the county lists fishing, swimming and sunbathing
• A seawall built in 2021 and a boat ramp for small boats
• Speckled trout, redfish and flounder along the bay shore
• Covered picnic tables and portable toilets
• A quiet, local spot on the north shore of Choctawhatchee Bay

The county lists the park at 45A Meigs Drive in Shalimar, on the north shore of Choctawhatchee Bay a few miles northeast of downtown Fort Walton Beach.

• Getting there: head north from Fort Walton Beach into Shalimar and follow the neighborhood streets down to the bay
• Parking: at the park, where signs allow; boaters using the ramp share it
• Entry: the county's boat ramps are free, and no park fee is listed
• Hours: county parks close from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise
• Surface: a short walk onto sand, or level footing along the seawall

The north shore of the bay is shallow and grassy in places, with the mix of fish typical of Choctawhatchee Bay.

• Spring (Mar–May): speckled trout, redfish and croaker as the water warms
• Summer (Jun–Aug): trout at dawn, ladyfish, bluefish, flounder and the odd Spanish mackerel
• Fall (Sep–Nov): redfish and flounder at their best, white trout arriving and mullet schools along the shore
• Winter (Dec–Feb): white trout and trout in the deeper water off the seawall on mild days

A 7 foot spinning rod with 10 to 15 lb braid and a fluorocarbon leader covers the fishing from the beach and seawall.

• Speckled trout: live shrimp under a popping cork, or a soft plastic on a 1/8 to 1/4 oz jighead
• Redfish: cut mullet or shrimp on a Carolina rig, or a gold spoon along the shore
• Flounder: finger mullet or a jig dragged slowly over the sand
• White trout and croaker: small jigs or bits of shrimp on a two-hook bottom rig
• Ladyfish and bluefish: small spoons when fish are breaking

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

• Fish when the water is moving, especially the rising tide
• Early morning and evening are best in summer
• The shore faces south across the bay, so a strong south wind puts a chop on it and clouds the water
• A calm day after a blow often clears the water and brings fish close
• In winter, fish the warmest part of the afternoon

The park is small and simple, with a seawall that gives easier footing than the sand.

• Leave the shore when thunderstorms build; summer lightning is frequent
• Keep casts clear of the boat ramp and of swimmers on the beach
• Shuffle your feet if you wade, since stingrays lie in the sand
• Watch your footing at the edge of the seawall
• Bring water and sun protection; shade is limited to the covered tables

The county lists only simple facilities here, so plan to bring everything you need for the session.

• A boat ramp for small boats with access to Choctawhatchee Bay
• A sandy beach and a seawall installed in 2021
• Covered picnic tables
• Portable toilets
• No bait shop or food is listed, so bring bait, ice and drinks

• Fish the first light of the day before boaters and swimmers arrive
• Work the seawall edge with a jig for trout and white trout
• A rising tide on a calm morning is the best window for reds along the beach
• Keep the ramp area clear; small boats launch here all day
• Pack out line and bait; it is a small neighborhood park

Okaloosa County manages the park; posted park rules apply.

• 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 and alcohol are not allowed
• Keep the boat ramp clear and fish away from swimmers
• Take old line and hooks home
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything