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Port guide / Florida Panhandle / Florida
St. Marks fishing guide
St. Marks is a small Wakulla County river town on the St. Marks River, and you fish it by running down the river into Apalachee Bay. The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge wraps around the town, with about 32,000 acres of bay and estuary inside its boundary, shallow flats and marshy estuaries for redfish, trout and flounder, and freshwater pools along Lighthouse Road for bank fishing. The difference from Carrabelle, the nearest guide: this is a river launch into a broad, shallow refuge bay rather than a sound behind a barrier island, and it sits in FWC's Big Bend Region, so seatrout season never closes.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Today’s bite
A forecast built from live data and the calendar below. Not a catch report.
Working out today from the tides, water and calendar.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
7 day forecast
National Weather Service, for St. Marks. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, St. Marks, St. Marks River, FL (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Apalachicola, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Apalachee Bay or Coastal Waters From Keaton Beach to Ochlockonee River FL out to 20 NM (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on St. Marks. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.
The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.
15 ft, fishing reports
Fishing reports
What people are catching, on what, and where. Every report links to whoever wrote it. We do not write these ourselves.
Latest reports
From local captains, shops and outdoor writers. Newest first, last 14 days.
- We have not found a report source that posts online for this water yet.
Report sources: Captain Experiences Saint Marks River region guide reports (opens in a new tab)
Straight from the dock
Reports sent to us by shops and captains on this guide. We check each one before it posts.
Checking for reports.
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around St. Marks. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Speckled trout | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Flounder | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Black drum | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Sheepshead | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Bluefish | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow |
| Tripletail | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Cobia | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
Redfish
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
The shallow flats and marshy estuaries near St. Marks are prime redfish water, and in winter they hold in deep holes; months follow the Apalachee Bay calendar for nearby Panacea.
Speckled trout
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
Fished on the flats off the refuge in every season, and the Big Bend Region has no closed season.
Flounder
Peak: May, June, July
One of the refuge's listed saltwater species, best late spring into summer; harvest closes Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
Black drum
Peak: May, June, July
A spring, fall and winter inshore target in Wakulla County, useful when cold water slows other fish.
Sheepshead
Peak: May, June, July
Paired with black drum on the county's spring, fall and winter inshore list; look around oyster bars and structure.
Bluefish
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Listed by the refuge as a saltwater species in its bay waters, best April through October.
Tarpon
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
A summer inshore fish in Wakulla County, and kayak guides on the Apalachee Bay flats list it as a target.
Tripletail
Peak: May, June, July, August
A summer and fall inshore target that St. Marks guides list alongside cobia.
Cobia
Peak: April, May, June
A spring through fall inshore visitor in Apalachee Bay, best April to June.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Red snapper, private recreational, Gulf state and federal waters
Summer season May 22 to July 31 daily. Fall season Sept. 1 to Oct. 4 daily, Oct. 9 to 22 daily, then Oct. 23 to 25, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, Nov. 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22, Nov. 26 to 29, Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20, Dec. 25 to 27, and Jan. 1 to 4, 2027. Also applies to charter boats without a federal permit fishing Florida Gulf state waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, federal for-hire (charter boats with a federal reef fish permit)
Opened 12:01 a.m. June 1, 2026 and closed 12:01 a.m. Oct. 26, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf state and federal waters
Open Sept. 1 to 30, 2026; harvest closed Oct. 1 for the rest of the year.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red, black and scamp grouper, Gulf
Open year-round in state waters; in federal waters closed Feb. 1 to March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, Gulf state waters
Open Sept. 1 through Oct. 13 and closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14, matching adjacent federal waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, Gulf state and federal waters
Open March 1 to May 31 and Aug. 1 to Dec. 31.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Flounder, state and federal waters off Florida
Closed every year Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
FWC, annual, applies to 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Spotted seatrout, Big Bend Region
Open year-round.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red drum, Big Bend Region
Open year-round.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Bay scallops, Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County zone (FWC names St. Marks in this zone)
Open July 1 through Sept. 24.
FWC, 2026 season as listed by FWC Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Channel
St. Marks River
The river runs from town down to Apalachee Bay, with about five miles inside or near the refuge boundary, and is reached from the city park ramp and the Newport ramp.
- Flats
St. Marks flats and estuaries
The shallow flats and marshy estuaries near St. Marks and Shell Point are prime habitat for redfish, speckled trout and flounder.
- Bay
Apalachee Bay inside the refuge
About 32,000 acres of bay and estuary lie within the refuge boundary, open to saltwater fishing year-round from the refuge's saltwater boat launch.
- Marsh
Lighthouse Road impoundments
About 2,000 acres of refuge pools along Lighthouse Road are open to bank fishing all year for bass, sunfish and catfish.
- Flats
Aucilla River mouth
East along Apalachee Bay, seagrass beds and oyster bars at the river mouth hold redfish, seatrout, Spanish mackerel, flounder and tarpon.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Marks River Park boat ramp (City of St. Marks) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 3 River Breeze Street, St. Marks, FL 32355 |
| Newport Boat Ramp (Wakulla County) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | Hwy 98 at St. Marks River, Newport, FL |
| Wakulla River Lower Bridge Boat Ramp (Wakulla County) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | Hwy 98 at Wakulla River Bridge, Crawfordville, FL |
| Shell Point Boat Ramp (Wakulla County) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | Shell Point Rd, Shell Point Beach, FL |
| Shields Marina double boat launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 95 Riverside Drive, Saint Marks, FL 32355 |
| St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge saltwater boat launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Lighthouse Rd (Co. Rd. 59), St. Marks, FL |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Where to get live and fresh bait, tackle and a guide. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle (4)
Showing all 4 shops
- MarinaLive bait
Shields Marina
Bait: live bait
95 Riverside Drive, Saint Marks, FL 32355
6,000 square foot ship store with tackle and bait, fuel dock and an all-tide double ramp; open Tuesday to Sunday 7 am to 7 pm, closed Mondays.
- Marina
Shell Island Fish Camp
440 Shell Island Rd, St Marks, FL 32355
Family-owned fish camp on the St. Marks River with an on-site marina, fuel dock, bait shop, boat ramp and boat rentals.
- Bait and tackle
Jerry's Bait & Tackle
664 Woodville Hwy, Crawfordville, FL 32327
Bait and tackle shop on Woodville Highway with a 24/7 ice machine.
- Bait and tackle
AMS Marine Supply
Bait: fresh shrimp, frozen shrimp, crickets, worms, fresh minnows, frozen minnows, frozen mackerel, frozen mullet, frozen squid
3026 Coastal Hwy, Crawfordville, FL
Bait shop and marine store open since 1987 with saltwater tackle, rods and reels and safety gear, on Coastal Highway in Crawfordville.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Fightin' Bottom Charters (Capt. Case White) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Barefoot Bill's (Capt. Bill) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Fly 98 Guide Service (Capt. Justin Wallheiser) (opens in a new tab) | Fly |
| Austin's Offshore Adventures (Capt. R. S. Austin) (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
| Reel-Fin-Addict Kayak Fishing (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
WHO Festival (St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge) (opens in a new tab)
winter
2026: January 24; 2027: February 6 (fishing among the outdoor exhibits, at the refuge visitor center)Gage Pitman Memorial Rockin' Reds Fishing Tournament (Panacea) (opens in a new tab)
June
2026: June 12 to 14 (weigh-ins at Woolley Park, Panacea)Panacea Rock the Dock Fishing Tournament (opens in a new tab)
September
2026: September 12 to 13 (16th annual, weigh-in at Woolley Park, Panacea)
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing St. Marks, asked and answered
Does the St. Marks River Park ramp charge a fee?
Yes. The City of St. Marks charges a daily or annual launch fee at the River Park ramp on River Breeze Street, and passes are sold only at City Hall or by mail. Shields Marina also has a double launch on Riverside Drive.
Where can I get live bait in St. Marks?
Shields Marina's ship store on Riverside Drive carries live bait and tackle and is open Tuesday to Sunday, 7 am to 7 pm. Shell Island Fish Camp also has a bait shop and fuel dock on the river.
Can I fish in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge?
Yes. Saltwater fishing is allowed year-round, and the refuge has a saltwater boat launch to the bay. The pools along Lighthouse Road are open to bank fishing all year, with hand-launch boats allowed March 15 to Oct. 15 on electric motors only.
When is scallop season near St. Marks in 2026?
FWC lists July 1 through Sept. 24 for the Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County zone and names St. Marks in it.
Can I keep a speckled trout in February near St. Marks?
Yes. St. Marks is in FWC's Big Bend Region, where seatrout season is open year-round, unlike the Panhandle Region to the west.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to St. Marks
Sources for this guide (23), last checked 2026-10-27
- bowlinemarinas.com/shields-marina/ (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/panacea/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bay-scallops/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/flounder/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/groupers/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/red-drum/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snappers/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gray-triggerfish-0226/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/greater-amberjack-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- cityofstmarks.com/things-to-do/ (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gulf-america-red-snapper-recreat (opens in a new tab)
- fws.gov/refuge/st-marks/visit-us/activities/fishing (opens in a new tab)
- mywakulla.com/departments/parks/boat_ramps.php (opens in a new tab)
- shellislandfishcamp.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- taylorflorida.com/fishing-in-taylor-county/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitwakulla.com/places/ams-marine-supply/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitwakulla.com/places/jerrys-bait-tackle/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitwakulla.com/places_categories/fishing-charters/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitwakulla.com/places_categories/fishing-charters/page/2/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitwakulla.com/places_categories/fishing-charters/page/4/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitwakulla.com/things-to-do/fishing-charters/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitwakulla.com/wp-json/tribe/events/v1/events?start_date=2026-01-01&end_date=2027-12-31& (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for St. Marks
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.