Riverside Park, New Smyrna Beach Fishing

Riverside Park is the downtown New Smyrna Beach waterfront on the Indian River, with a boardwalk and fishing pier and the easiest walk-up fishing in town.

• Boardwalk and pier on the Indian River
• Trout, redfish, black drum and sheepshead
• Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Restrooms and a playground for the family

The park sits at the east end of State Road 44 in downtown New Smyrna Beach, by the river and just north of the South Causeway. The City of New Smyrna Beach runs it.

• Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, per the visitor bureau
• Parking: public lots near the park; the fee and time limits are not confirmed, so read the signs
• Surface: paved paths and boardwalk, easy for strollers and wheelchairs
• The park is walkable from downtown shops and restaurants

This is the north end of the Indian River Lagoon, so the catch follows the lagoon's seasons.

• Spring (Mar-May): spotted seatrout and redfish on the grass edges, black drum near the pilings
• Summer (Jun-Aug): mangrove snapper, jacks and ladyfish; snook and tarpon are possible but not the main draw
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and trout as mullet move along the shore
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum around pilings, with trout on calm days

Light tackle is all you need here.

• 6 to 7 foot spinning rod, 8 to 12 lb line, 15 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader
• Live shrimp on a jig head or under a popping cork for trout and redfish
• Fiddler crabs or small crabs for sheepshead and black drum near pilings
• Soft plastics and gold spoons along the shoreline for redfish
• Small shrimp on a light rig for mangrove snapper
• Bring a bait bucket; the park has no bait shop

The Indian River barely changes with the tide here, so conditions are mostly about wind and light.

• A light breeze with clear water makes the best fishing
• Early morning and the hour before dusk are most productive
• Strong west winds can stir the water and push fish away
• Winter cold fronts slow the bite for a day
• Boat traffic from the nearby causeway marinas can disturb fish at midday

A public park in a busy downtown, so the risks are modest.

• Boat wakes can rock the boardwalk edge; keep tackle secure
• Summer lightning is the main hazard; leave the water at the first thunder
• Keep children back from the waterline
• Handle catfish and stingrays carefully; the spines are sharp
• Access: paved paths and boardwalk, mostly level
• Lights and activity help after dark, but stay aware of your surroundings

The park is built for visitors.

• Restrooms
• Playground, walking paths and a pavilion
• Boardwalk and a fishing pier on the river
• Food and drink are a short walk away downtown
• No bait shop in the park: buy bait in town first
• A boat dock nearby is subject to the city's docking rules

• Fish the boardwalk at dawn, before the park fills with walkers and festival crowds
• Check the city calendar; art festivals and concerts can crowd the park
• Fresh live shrimp outperforms frozen at this spot
• Look for shade and grass lines where small fish hide
• Bring a light net or release tool; keep any catch in the water
• Combine a trip with the nearby South Causeway for a different angle

The City of New Smyrna Beach manages the park.

• Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., per the visitor bureau
• Follow posted park and docking rules
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Check FWC rules for redfish, snook and tarpon, which have special rules in parts of the Indian River Lagoon region
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything