Veterans Memorial Park, Edgewater Fishing

Veterans Memorial Park is a small, quiet City of Edgewater park on the Indian River, listed with a fishing pier. Its pier has a history of storm damage, so check what is open before you rely on it.

• Small riverfront park with a listed fishing pier
• Trout, redfish, black drum and sheepshead
• Restrooms and about 20 parking spaces
• Open sunrise to sunset

The park is at 1811 South Riverside Drive in Edgewater, on the Indian River side of the road. It is run by the City of Edgewater and is not the same as the Veterans Park in South Daytona.

• Hours: sunrise to sunset
• Parking: about 20 spaces, per the county sports listing
• Fees: none listed
• Surface: short paved and grass paths from the lot to the water
• The park lies about a mile south of Menard-May Park

The north Indian River Lagoon fishes with the seasons.

• Spring (Mar-May): spotted seatrout over grass, redfish and black drum on the flats
• Summer (Jun-Aug): mangrove snapper at the pilings, jacks and ladyfish with bait
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and trout as mullet move; black drum on the bottom
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead near pilings and shell, trout in deeper water

Light tackle and fresh bait are all you need.

• Spinning rod, 8 to 12 lb line and a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader
• Live shrimp under a popping cork or on a jig head for trout and redfish
• Fiddler crabs or shrimp down the pilings for sheepshead
• Cut shrimp on the bottom for black drum
• Gold spoons or soft plastics along the shore
• No bait shop is confirmed; buy bait on the way

The lagoon moves little with the tide, so wind and season drive the bite.

• Calm mornings with clear water are best
• A light breeze helps move bait along the shore
• Strong west winds stir the water
• Cold fronts slow the bite for a day
• Dawn and dusk are the best windows in summer

A small, easygoing park with ordinary risks.

• Check the pier's condition and posted notices before walking out
• Wet boards are slick
• Boat wakes can rock the dock
• Leave the water at the first lightning
• Keep children away from the edge
• Access: level paths from the lot; the pier's rails and ramps are not confirmed

The county sports listing gives a short list, and the park is small enough that you should bring what you need.

• A fishing pier (check its status first) and picnic tables
• Restrooms
• About 20 parking spaces
• No bait shop confirmed at the park; buy or bring bait and a bucket
• Lights, water fountains and fish-cleaning stations are not confirmed, so carry drinking water
• Food is not sold at the park, so pack a lunch if you plan a long visit

• Check the city's parks page or call for the pier's current status
• Fish early; the park is quiet and fish bite before the day heats up
• Live shrimp beat frozen
• Look for sheepshead on the pilings in winter
• Bring bug spray for the evening
• Have Menard-May Park as a nearby backup

The City of Edgewater manages the park.

• Sunrise to sunset hours
• The managing body's listings mention a fishing pier, but its condition after storm damage is unconfirmed, so read the posted signs
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Check FWC for special rules on redfish, snook and tarpon in the Indian River Lagoon region
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything