Great weather, unforgettable beaches, and fantastic fishing spots are among Miami’s highlights, which you shouldn’t miss if you’re planning to visit this magical city.
You won’t even have to leave the city to reel in a trophy catch since some of the best fishing spots in Miami are only a few miles away from the city’s downtown area.
Still, chartering a boat is the best way to make the most of your fishing trip to Miami, as you can explore different spots in Biscayne Bay or try your luck at one of the shipwrecks along Elliott and Sands Keys.
Let’s go through some of the best fishing spots in Miami that should be on your must-visit list and see what they offer.
Top Fishing Spots in Miami at a Glance
Here’s an overview of the top fishing spots in Miami:
- Best for offshore fishing: Biscayne Bay
- Best for sharks: Haulover Inlet and Beach Park
- Best for grunts: Oleta River State Park
- Best for kayak fishing: Bill Baggs Cape State Park
10 Best Fishing Spots in Miami in Detail
The Airport Lakes
You can start exploring some of the most popular fishing spots moments after you land at Miami International Airport. The Airport Lakes area comprises several small lakes, including the famous Blue Lagoon, Palmer Lake, and Lake Mahar.
Aside from angling from the shore, you can also charter a boat or rent a kayak to explore fishing spots you can’t reach from the coast.
The statewide bag limits apply to all lakes in the area, but you should still consult locals familiar with angling at these lakes about the fishing regulations before heading out to the water.
Type of fishing: Boat fishing, kayak fishing, freshwater fishing
Expect to find: Largemouth bass, butterfly peacock bass
Rules and safety guidelines: Navigating the lakes and the canals connecting them without a guide is difficult.
Biscayne Bay
Arguably one of Miami’s most scenic fishing destinations, Biscayne Bay provides a full range of saltwater fishing options. You can charter a boat and visit shipwrecks turned into artificial corals, or rent a canoe and explore the national park on your own.
Still, you cannot fish around Fowey Rocks Lighthouse’s coral reef protection areas or Alina’s Reef. The aggregate bag limit of ten fish per person applies throughout the park, but don’t forget to check which fish species are excluded from the park’s bag limit regulations.
Type of fishing: Canoe fishing, boat fishing, kayak fishing
Expect to find: Flounder, Grouper, Jacks, Snapper
Rules and safety guidelines: The national park’s fish size limits are frequently updated, and you must check the minimum size of a fish you can keep when fishing at Biscayne Bay.
Crandon Park Marina
It will take you less than twenty minutes to reach the Crandon Park Marina at Key Biscayne from Miami’s downtown area. Two bridges connect the island to Virginia Key and the mainland, so you’ll catch some stunning views on your way to the Crandon Park marina.
Plenty of fishing charters at the marina are available to anglers who want to explore the nearby fishing reefs, but you can also find a good fishing spot at the shore. Still, the Crandon Park Marina is crowded on weekends, so ideally, you should visit it on a workday.
Type of fishing: Boat fishing, surf fishing
Expect to find: Snook, Mangrove Snapper, Crevalle Jack
Rules and safety guidelines: Anglers arriving at the Crandon Park Maring with a car must pay a daily parking fee.
South Pointe Park Pier
Breathtaking vistas are reason enough to visit the South Pointe Park Pier at the southern end of Miami Beach. The pier is a popular fishing spot that attracts hundreds of locals and newcomers to Miami’s angling scene.
The 450-foot pier has fish cleaning stations, designated spaces to cut bait, recycle bins for fishing lines, and all other amenities anglers might need when fishing. Renting a kayak can be a good way to explore the waters of the Government Cut and catch some impressive fish.
Type of fishing: Pier fishing
Expect to find: Grunts, Snappers, Flounders, Barracuda
Rules and safety guidelines: Fishing is only allowed on designated parts of the pier.
Baker’s Haulover Inlet and Beach Park
Located south of Sunny Isles Beach, the Baker’s Haulover Inlet connects Biscayne Bay with the Atlantic Ocean. The inlet is the pathway between the bay and the ocean for numerous fish species, and it is a popular spot to catch barracuda, blackfin tuna, or sharks.
Chartering the boat is the best option for inshore anglers because the waters in the inlet are challenging to navigate due to an outgoing tide and strong wind.
Surf anglers can try their luck at the jetties or Haulover Beach Park, but only at designated spots.
Type of fishing: Boat fishing, surf fishing
Expect to find: Bluefin tuna, Sailfish, Sharks
Rules and safety guidelines: Large waves can make angling at the Haulover Inlet dangerous.
Shipwrecks Along Eliot and Sands Keys
Blue Fire, Almirante, and Hugo’s April Fool are only a handful among countless shipwrecks along Elliott, Sands Keys and Miami-Dade County.
Aside from being popular diving destinations, these shipwrecks are among Miami’s best fishing spots because they attract Mahi-Mahi, Sailfish, and other game fish.
The shipwrecks are also a magnet for smaller fish species like Amberjack, Snapper, or Grouper. However, visiting the shipwrecks along the Elliot and Sands Keys takes some planning because you’ll need an experienced captain to guide you to the shipwreck you want to visit.
Type of fishing: Boat fishing
Expect to find: Mahi-Mahi, Sharks, Amberjack, Grouper
Rules and safety guidelines: The fishing license fee is usually included in the cost of the fishing charter.
Oleta River State Park
Florida’s largest urban park is only a few miles from North Miami Beach and Haulover Park. The Oleta River State Park is home to various fish species, ranging from tarpon to grunts, and is a popular destination for anglers.
Besides the fishing pier, you can rent a kayak and angle along the Oleta River or surf fish from the beach. The park opens at 8:00 AM, and it&rsq