Callalisa Park, New Smyrna Beach Fishing

Callalisa Park is a small, quiet city park where Callalisa Creek meets the Indian River, right beside the South Causeway. It is a bank spot for redfish, snook and trout, popular with kayakers and anglers on weekends.

• Bank fishing at a creek mouth next to the lagoon
• Redfish, snook, trout and jacks
• Free parking
• No restrooms on site

The park is at 598 S. Peninsula Avenue, at the west end of the South Causeway bridge in New Smyrna Beach. It is a city park.

• Parking: free, in the park's small lots
• Hours: the visitor bureau lists sunrise to sunset
• Entry: no fee mentioned
• Walk: short and mostly flat from the lot to the shoreline
• The park also has a kayak launch, so share the shoreline with paddlers

The creek and river mix fresh runoff with salt, so the fish change with rain and season.

• Spring (Mar-May): trout and redfish along the shoreline; snook start to show
• Summer (Jun-Aug): snook and jacks near the bridge at night, ladyfish and small tarpon some years
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and snook feeding on the mullet run
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead, black drum and trout when the water is clear

Light spinning tackle and a landing net fit this bank spot well.

• Redfish and drum: cut bait or shrimp on a bottom rig, 2/0 circle hook
• Snook: live shrimp, finger mullet or a paddle-tail soft plastic along the edges
• Trout: shrimp under a popping cork or a small jig
• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs or shrimp right at the bridge fenders where you can reach them
• Cast net for mullet or pilchards if the baitfish are in

The lagoon moves little with the ocean tide, though the creek mouth shows current.

• Moving water at the creek mouth is best, so look for flow on the wind or a rainfall push
• Dawn and dusk are the best periods in warm weather
• Night fishing around the bridge shadows can be good for snook
• Heavy rain muddies the creek; fish clear runs along the river side
• A steady wind across the lagoon can pile weed along the bank

The park is an easy bank spot, but with some cautions.

• Watch for causeway traffic and keep casts away from passing cars
• The shoreline is uneven in places; wear closed shoes
• Summer lightning arrives quickly in the afternoon
• Little shade; bring water and sun protection
• Mosquitoes are bad at dusk

This is a basic city park, so plan to bring what you need for a few hours on the bank.

• Free parking in the park's lots
• A picnic area
• A boat, canoe and kayak launch
• No restrooms on site, per the visitor bureau, so use the facilities in town before you arrive
• No bait shop confirmed here; buy bait and ice in town on the way

• Come early on weekends, since kayakers and fishermen crowd the lot
• Use light leaders; the creek water is clear on calm days
• Fish the mouth of the creek on the first of a wind-driven current
• Bring bug spray for evening trips
• Pack your trash out; there is little shade or cover
• Redfish rules here differ from most of Florida, so read them first

The park is managed by the City of New Smyrna Beach.

• The visitor bureau lists sunrise to sunset hours
• Follow any posted park rules
• The FWC's Indian River Lagoon region has release rules for redfish; check FWC
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Snook have their own seasons and rules; check FWC before keeping one
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything