Seminole Rest Fishing

Seminole Rest is a peaceful corner of Canaveral National Seashore in Oak Hill, where the National Park Service allows fishing from the dock. It is protected for its archaeological and historical resources, so it stays quiet and uncrowded.

• Spotted seatrout, redfish and black drum on the lagoon
• Sheepshead in the cooler months, ladyfish and jacks in summer
• A short walk from a paved lot to the dock
• Daylight only: closed from sunset to sunrise

Seminole Rest is at 210 River Road in Oak Hill. From U.S. 1, turn east onto Halifax Avenue at the flashing caution light, follow it to River Road, turn north, and the site is two tenths of a mile along on the east side.

• Parking: motor vehicles in the paved parking lot only
• Walk: along the designated pathway past the two historic buildings to the dock
• Hours: closed from sunset to sunrise year-round
• Passes for the seashore are not sold at Seminole Rest; they are sold at the Apollo and Playalinda beach entrance stations

The lagoon here is shallow, and it holds the classic lagoon species through the year.

• Spring (Mar-May): seatrout and redfish becoming more active as the water warms; black drum around
• Summer (Jun-Aug): trout early and late, ladyfish, jacks and the odd mangrove snapper
• Fall (Sep-Nov): mullet schools bring redfish, trout and jacks close to the dock
• Winter (Dec-Feb): black drum and sheepshead near any structure, trout on warm afternoons

Keep it light and simple; this is sight and finesse water.

• Seatrout: a popping cork with live shrimp, or a small soft plastic, early and late
• Redfish and black drum: shrimp or cut crab on the bottom with a small sliding sinker
• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs or shrimp on a small, strong hook near the dock pilings
• Ladyfish and jacks: small jigs or spoons when bait is showing
• Carry a landing net; the dock sits above the water
• Do not dump leftover bait or bait-bucket water into the lagoon

The lagoon at Oak Hill has very little lunar tide; wind and weather move the water more than the moon.

• Calm, clear mornings are best
• A light breeze that ripples the surface helps on bright days
• Strong wind stirs the shallows and colors the water
• Cold snaps slow the fishing; try the warmest part of the afternoon
• Summer heat pushes fish off the shallows by midday

Seminole Rest is gentle, sheltered lagoon water with no surf, and the dock is reached on foot.

• Summer afternoon lightning is the main hazard; leave the dock when thunder starts
• Heat, sun and biting insects; bring water and repellent
• Access is on foot along the designated pathway from the paved lot
• The site closes at sunset, so plan to be off the dock in time
• Watch for manatees and dolphins and keep casts clear of them

Seminole Rest is a historic site, not a developed park, so come prepared.

• Paved parking lot
• A designated pathway to the two historic buildings and the dock
• The fishing dock
• No concession or bait sales are listed, so bring bait, water and snacks
• Seashore passes are not sold on site; they are sold at the Apollo and Playalinda beach entrance stations

• The site opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, so come at opening for the calmest, coolest trout fishing and leave in time at the end of the day
• Walk the pathway quietly and fish the dock with light line; the water is shallow and fish spook easily
• Look for mullet and bait flicking on the flats; that is where predators feed
• Combine a trip with the seashore's Apollo Beach district, reached by road through New Smyrna Beach
• Respect the historic site: stay on the pathway and leave nothing behind

Seminole Rest is part of Canaveral National Seashore, managed by the National Park Service, and the park's compendium sets the rules.

• Fishing is allowed from the dock
• The site is closed from sunset to sunrise year-round
• No motor-boat launching, bicycles, golf carts or skates; vehicles stay in the paved lot
• Pets only on the pathway, on a leash no longer than six feet
• Digging for bait and dumping bait or bait buckets are prohibited in the seashore
• A Florida fishing license is required unless an exemption applies
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything