Clam Bayou Nature Park Fishing

Clam Bayou Nature Park protects the Gulfport side of the Clam Bayou estuary, where marsh, mangroves and upland scrub meet the deeper water of Boca Ciega Bay. It suits anglers who like quiet water, a short walk and a light rod.

• A mangrove backwater that holds snook, redfish and trout, with bait and small fish around the docks.
• The city lists trails, boardwalks, observation decks, docks and a canoe and kayak launch.
• The park's fishing pier, at its southeast corner, was repaired after the 2024 hurricanes; the city completed the work in October 2025.
• Wildlife is part of the trip: the city notes wading birds, dolphins and manatees in the estuary.

The park is in Gulfport on Miriam Street South, just south of 29th Avenue South, on the Clam Bayou estuary of Boca Ciega Bay.

• Getting there: follow 29th Avenue South to Miriam Street South and head south to the park.
• Hours: the city lists one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
• The walk: trails and boardwalks lead through the preserve; the fishing dock is at the park's southeast corner, facing the bayou.
• Next door: the City of St. Petersburg runs the adjoining Clam Bayou Nature Preserve, with its own entrance, trails, restrooms and kayak launch on 34th Avenue South.
• Parking: check the posted signs at the entrance before you leave the car.

This is shallow, sheltered water, so it fishes best from spring through fall and slows down when cold fronts chill the bayou.

• Spring (Mar–May): snook and redfish move back up the mangrove edges as the water warms, and trout feed over the grass toward the bay.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): snook, jacks and ladyfish chase bait on the tide, and juvenile tarpon sometimes roll in the backwater at dawn.
• Fall (Sep–Nov): the best months for redfish and trout, with small mangrove snapper and sheepshead around the docks.
• Winter (Dec–Feb): sheepshead and black drum on structure, and snook sheltering in the deeper holes on warmer afternoons.

Keep it light and quiet: a 7-foot spinning rod, 10–15 lb braid and a 20–30 lb fluorocarbon leader.

• Snook and redfish: a live shrimp or pilchard free-lined or under a small cork along the mangroves, or a weedless soft plastic worked slowly.
• Trout: a shrimp under a popping cork, or a 1/8–1/4 oz jig with a paddle tail over the grass.
• Snapper and sheepshead: a small hook and a split shot with a piece of shrimp, dropped beside the docks.
• Kayak: a short paddle from the launch reaches water the docks cannot.
• Landing: a long-handled net helps from a dock; never lift a heavy fish by the line.

Gulf tides reach the bayou through Boca Ciega Bay; they are small and mixed, often two uneven highs and lows a day, and the shallows can nearly drain on a big low.

• Best: the first half of the incoming tide, which floods the mangrove edges and brings cleaner bay water in.
• Outgoing: fish the mouth of the bayou and the deeper cuts as bait drains out.
• Light: dawn, dusk and cloudy days; bright midday sun pushes fish under the mangroves.
• Water: runoff after heavy rain clouds the bayou, so give it a day or two to clear.

The docks and decks are easy to reach on foot along the trails, but the water itself is shallow and soft-bottomed.

• Wading: soft mud and shell make wading hard work; shuffle your feet for stingrays if you do go in.
• Lightning: summer storms build fast over the bay, so leave at the first thunder.
• Bugs and heat: mosquitoes and no-see-ums bite hard at dawn and dusk; bring repellent and water.
• Paddlers: the launch gets busy on weekends, so keep lines clear of kayaks.
• Wildlife: give manatees and dolphins room, and never feed birds your bait.

The Gulfport side is a nature park, so facilities are simple: the city lists trails, boardwalks, observation decks, docks and a canoe and kayak launch.

• Restrooms: the City of St. Petersburg lists restrooms at its adjoining Clam Bayou Nature Preserve on 34th Avenue South.
• Bait and food: none are listed, so bring live shrimp, water and snacks.
• Sun: bring a hat and sunscreen for a long session on the docks.
• Daylight only: the park closes an hour after sunset.

• Time a visit for the first two hours of a rising tide at dawn; that is when snook and reds push into the mangroves.
• Walk the boardwalks slowly and watch for tailing redfish and bait showers before you cast.
• Use weedless lures near the mangroves; snags cost rigs and leave line in the roots.
• After a heavy downpour, wait a day or two for the bayou to clear.
• A kayak from the launch reaches the quieter creeks the docks cannot.
• Release snook and redfish quickly in summer; they tire fast in warm, shallow water.

Clam Bayou Nature Park is run by the City of Gulfport, which lists it as open from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

• Gulfport code bans commercial fishing in city parks and within 100 feet of them, and any fishing in areas the city posts as no fishing.
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt.
• It is a nature preserve, so treat the habitat gently and follow the posted park rules and any signs at the docks and the launch.
• Snook and redfish have specific FWC rules, and tarpon have release rules; check FWC.
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything.