Sunrise Park, Oak Hill Fishing

Sunrise Park is a small waterfront park in the town of Oak Hill, on the Intracoastal Waterway where it meets Mosquito Lagoon. It is a quiet bank-and-pier spot in redfish country, and it works best for patient anglers with light tackle.

• Waterfront park on River Road at the south end of Mosquito Lagoon
• Redfish, seatrout and black drum are the lagoon's main attractions
• Piers are mapped on the waterfront near the park
• A good fallback when the beaches are blown out

The park is at 275 River Road in Oak Hill, a short drive from US 1. It is listed as a public park on the Intracoastal Waterway.

• Parking: a small lot right at the park
• Hours: a visitor listing says the park is open around the clock, but check the signs, since this is not confirmed by the town or county
• Walk: a short walk from the lot to the water
• Launch: kayakers use the park, so keep lines clear of paddlers

The lagoon fishes through the year, with the best light-tackle action in the cooler months.

• Spring (Mar-May): seatrout and redfish as the water warms, with jacks and ladyfish on bait
• Summer (Jun-Aug): early and late bites for redfish and trout, with mullet and pinfish in the shallows
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the mullet run brings redfish, jacks and ladyfish close to shore
• Winter (Dec-Feb): black drum, sheepshead and seatrout around cooler, clearer water

Keep the gear light for the shallow, clear water of the lagoon.

• Redfish and black drum: cut mullet, crab or live shrimp on the bottom near edges and oyster bars
• Seatrout: live shrimp under a popping cork or a soft plastic on a light jig head
• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs or shrimp dropped beside any pilings
• Cast nets catch bait; check rules before you throw one from a pier
• Use 8 to 12 lb line and a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader

Mosquito Lagoon barely moves with the tide, so conditions change slowly.

• Wind, not tide, drives water clarity and the current here
• The Intracoastal side sees some tidal flow from the inlets, so a moving tide can help
• Early mornings and evenings fish best, especially in summer
• A calm morning with a sun behind you helps you spot cruising reds
• After heavy rain the water clouds and slows the bite

A sheltered spot with few hazards beyond the weather and the boats.

• Watch for wakes from boats passing on the waterway
• Leave at the first thunder in summer storms
• Bring bug spray; mosquitoes are real here at dusk
• Use sun protection; shade is limited
• Access: a short walk from the lot to the water; surfaces vary, so check on arrival

Facilities were not confirmed from an official page.

• Parking at the park
• Other amenities are unconfirmed
• Restrooms and a boat ramp are listed on some visitor sites but not confirmed here, so plan without them
• No bait shop at the park; buy bait in Oak Hill or on US 1 before you arrive

• Look for tailing redfish and pushing mullet in the shallows
• Arrive early on weekends for parking when kayakers launch
• Bring a small cast net to catch your own bait where it is allowed
• Fish the grass edges and oyster bars rather than open water
• Polarized glasses help you spot fish in the clear water
• Check the weather; summer storms build fast

The managing body does not list fishing at this park on any page we could read, so read the posted signs before you fish.

• Follow any signs about hours, piers and cast nets
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• The FWC's Indian River Lagoon region has release rules for redfish; check FWC
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything