Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Fishing

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has one of the wildest beaches left in South Walton: miles of white sand under towering dunes, with rare coastal dune lakes behind them. Anglers who make the trip to the beach get room to roam and lightly fished surf.

• 3.2 miles of undeveloped Gulf beach, which the park calls excellent for saltwater fishing
• Pompano, Gulf whiting and redfish in the troughs
• Spanish mackerel, bluefish and ladyfish in the warm months
• A tram, a bike ride or a 0.8-mile walk from the parking area to the beach

The park is at the west end of South Walton, where US 98 meets County Highway 30A, near Miramar Beach and Santa Rosa Beach.

• Getting there: follow US 98 east from Destin to the park entrance at County Highway 30A
• Entry: $6 per vehicle when checked in 2026 ($4 for a single occupant, $2 on foot or by bike)
• Hours: 8 a.m. to sundown, every day of the year
• The beach is 0.8 miles from the parking area: ride the park tram, or walk or bike the paved tram path
• A new nature walk and visitor center are under construction, and the tram stop and temporary restrooms have moved beside the construction fence
• Bring a cart with wide wheels, or pack only what you can carry

The surf here follows the Emerald Coast calendar.

• Spring (Mar–May): pompano and Gulf whiting, Spanish mackerel and bluefish; cobia cruise past the bar
• Summer (Jun–Aug): Spanish mackerel and ladyfish early in the day, whiting in the troughs
• Fall (Sep–Nov): the best season, with pompano returning and bull redfish on the bars
• Winter (Dec–Feb): Gulf whiting and the odd redfish on calm, sunny days

Carry one surf rod and one lighter rod; the walk rewards a light kit.

• Pompano and whiting: a double-drop rig with sand fleas, shrimp or Fishbites in the first trough
• Redfish: cut mullet on a fish-finder rig cast to the outer bar
• Spanish mackerel and bluefish: silver spoons and gotcha plugs when fish break
• Pompano jigs worked slowly along the trough bottom
• A sand spike, a small cooler and bait bought before you arrive are enough

Tides are small along this coast and often one a day, so read the water instead of the chart.

• Look for clean, green water and a light south or southeast breeze
• Fish the moving tide; slack water is slow
• A few days after a front, when the surf settles and clears, is prime
• Rough surf makes the troughs hard to fish; the calmer end of the week is better
• The first hours after the 8 a.m. opening are best in summer, and you may have the beach to yourself

The beach is well away from the parking lot and has no lifeguards.

• Rip currents are common on this coast; check the flags and never wade deep in rough surf
• Shuffle your feet to avoid stingrays
• Leave the beach at the first sign of lightning; the tram runs on a schedule, so allow time to walk back
• The tram path is paved, and the park lends all-terrain beach wheelchairs (ask at the ranger station), but the beach itself is soft sand
• Carry plenty of water; there is no shade on the beach

Most facilities are at the day-use area and the campground, with a small cluster where the tram path meets the beach.

• A tram from the day-use parking area to the beach
• An accessible restroom, outdoor showers and a water bottle refill station at the beach end of the tram path
• A camp store open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with snacks, drinks and beach gear, and a coffee shop until early afternoon
• A campground, bungalows and cabins in the park
• No bait sales are listed, so bring bait, ice and shade for the whole session

• Check the tram schedule when you arrive and plan your return
• Walk away from the tram stop to find unfished troughs
• Rangers run weekly programs; check the park's events for anything on fishing
• Spring and fall mornings with clean water are the days to go
• Stay off the dunes, which are fragile and protected
• The dune lakes behind the beach are freshwater, with separate rules

The Florida Park Service manages the preserve; park rules are posted.

• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt; the dune lakes are freshwater and need a freshwater license
• Walton County's beach ordinance, which covers the park's beach, makes it unlawful to intentionally fish for sharks, or to chum or bloodbait, from the beach or the water near shore
• State park rules protect animal life other than food and game fish, so bring bait rather than collecting it in the park
• No alcohol, glass, fires or pets on the beach; sea turtles and shorebirds nest here, so stay out of posted areas and fill in holes
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything