Saltwater Fishing

Fishing regulations within Biscayne National Park are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). With limited exceptions, a valid Florida fishing license must be purchased to fish in the park. Visitors fishing within Biscayne National Park must follow the fishing license requirements in accordance with the laws and regulations of the FWC. Learn more about purchasing a license by visiting the <a href="https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/saltwater-fishing/">FWC website</a>. Children under 16 years of age do not require a license.

Fishing in Biscayne National Park

For thousands of years, people have fished the waters of Biscayne Bay. For ancient peoples like the Tequesta, it was a way of life. Today, we enjoy fishing as a way to relax and appreciate the outdoors. We want you, and those who come after you, to have a pleasant time fishing in the park. Before casting a line or diving down into the water, please take some time to learn the rules and regulations of fishing in the park. Biscayne National Park allows fishing as a means of providing for public enjoyment, and customary and traditional use. Fishing regulations within Biscayne National Park are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the park works with FWC to ensure that fishing activity is regulated in a manner that avoids unacceptable impacts to park resources. Licenses With limited exceptions, a valid Florida fishing license is required to fish in the park. Children under 16 years of age do not require a license. Visitors fishing within Biscayne National Park must follow the fishing license requirements in accordance with the laws and regulations of the FWC. Those who do not qualify for a fishing license exemption as listed <a href="https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/do-i-need-one/">here</a> can learn more about purchasing a license by visiting the <a href="https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/saltwater-fishing/">FWC website</a>. Please note that if you are engaging in shore-based shark fishing, reef-fishing from a private vessel, or specifically targeting snook, spiny lobster, or tarpon, additional permits/tags are required. Fishing Regulations Unless otherwise provided for, fishing regulations apply to all finfish found in both fresh and saltwater, and mollusks and crustaceans found in saltwater (shellfish). These fishing regulations apply, regardless of land ownership, on all lands and waters within the park that are under the legislative jurisdiction of the United States. Fishing shall be in accordance with the laws and regulations of the State of Florida (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=e74ead7e797e1c4cf26cfb62bcfa6af8&mc=true&n=pt36.1.2&r=PART&ty=HTML#se36.1.2_13">36CFR2.3</a>(a)) except as provided below. Where there is a conflict between a state regulation and a federal (NPS) regulation, the state regulation is superseded by the federal regulation. For state fishing regulations specific to Biscayne National Park, please visit the <a href="https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bnp/">Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission</a> website. Note that size regulations and bag limits for many species are more stringent within the park boundaries than for areas outside the park. For more information on how NPS fishing regulations work, go to the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fishing/how-regulations-work.htm">regulations page</a> on the NPS Fish and Fishing website. The following regulations apply throughout all of Biscayne National Park: <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="7" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="·" data-listid="26" role="listitem"> No person shall harvest any tropical ornamental marine life species or any tropical ornamental marine plant within Biscayne National Park, unless such person possesses a valid collecting permit issued by the superintendent of the park. </li> </ul> Prohibited species also include: Goliath Grouper, Nassau Grouper, Queen Conch, Sawfish, sea turtles, stony and fire corals, sea fans, Longspine Urchin, Bahama Starfish, and numerous species of sharks. For the full list, see see Florida <a href="https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/codes/prohibited-species/">saltwater fishing</a> regulations. The following regulations apply to specific locations within Biscayne National Park: <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="9" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="·" data-listid="27" role="listitem"> For the protection of artifacts, anchoring any vessel within the Legare Anchorage (the area bounded by latitude 25°30 N and 25°29 N and longitude 80°08 W and 80°07 W) is prohibited at any time except in the case of an emergency. However, hook and line "drift" fishing is allowed. </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="10" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="·" data-listid="27" role="listitem"> Fishing in the following waters is prohibited: </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="28" role="listitem"> Within the area marked by buoys at the mouth of Boca Chita Key Harbor as well as within the harbor </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="28" role="listitem"> Within the area marked by buoys at the mouth of Elliott Key Harbor as well as within the harbor. The only exception is that fishing from the maintenance dock just south of the main harbor is permitted. </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="28" role="listitem"> The National Park Service boat basin at Park Headquarters at Convoy Point </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="28" role="listitem"> The entrance/main road at Convoy Point </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="28" role="listitem"> The northern side of Adams Key dock </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="6" data-font="Times New Roman" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="28" role="listitem"> On the northern end of the Convoy Point picnic area adjacent to the boardwalk, just east of the canoe ramp/launch area </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="11" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="·" data-listid="26" role="listitem"> Cast netting (also called a throw net) is prohibited at Convoy Point along the Convoy Point Jetty and foot bridge. </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="12" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="·" data-listid="26" role="listitem"> The taking of lobster is prohibited in the Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Lobster Sanctuary including all natural, artificial and tidal creeks between the islands and along the mainland. Legally taken lobsters may be transported through the sanctuary. A map of the sanctuary can be accessed <a href="http://geodata.myfwc.com/datasets/spiny-lobster-sanctuary-biscayne-bay-florida">here</a>. </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="13" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="·" data-listid="26" role="listitem"> The taking of lobster is prohibited in the five Coral Reef Protection Areas, as shown on the map <a href="https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bnp/">here</a> (click on “Coral Reef Protection Areas”). The corners of these five rectangular areas will be marked with yellow buoys. </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="14" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="·" data-listid="26" role="listitem"> No traps may be deployed in the Trap-Free zone adjacent to the Visitor Center, as shown on the map <a href="https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bnp/">here</a> (Click on “BNP Headquarters trap-free zone”). </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="15" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="·" data-listid="26" role="listitem"> Trawls may not be operated in either of the No-Trawl zones, as shown on the map <a href="https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bnp/">here</a> (Click on “No Trawl Zones”). </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="16" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="·" data-listid="26" role="listitem"> The harvest of blue land crabs is prohibited at Convoy Point. </li> </ul>

Biscayne National Park preserves unique marine habitat and nursery environments that sustain diverse native fishery resources and support world-class fishing for spiny lobster, snapper, grouper, tarpon and bonefish.

Fish

Oceans

Birdwatching

A group of dark grey birds with orange faces standing on a dock

Double crested cormorants

From the north beach, wading birds and brown pelicans may be seen on the abandoned pilings near Ragged Key #5. If you see a closed area on a grassy field, it might be a Wilson's plover nesting area. Please maintain a respectful distance and use binoculars. Biologists are concerned about a recent decline in numbers for this species. Shorebirds use the boat basin walls during high tide to rest, and royal terns are abundant.

Pets, with the exception of service animals as defined by the ADA, are not allowed on Boca Chita including on vessels docked in the harbor.

Along with incredible array of marine life, Biscayne National Park is also home to significant populations of birds including protected species. Natural habitats for migratory stopover, feeding, and nesting make the park a wonderful place to watch and enjoy birds particularly in the winter months.

Birding at Boca Chita

Birds

White, black and grey bird with a pointed orange beak and grey legs standing on a post

Royal tern

Habitats at Elliott Key include tropical hardwood hammocks, mangrove forests and beaches. Due to its offshore location, a variety of rarities from the Caribbean sometimes arrive. Will you be next to see a Bahama mockingbird or a bananaquit? The forested areas also attract unexpected birds from the mainland including the red-headed woodpecker. Try birding along the hiking trail for red-shouldered hawks or warblers, or the oceanside boardwalk to see a squadron of brown pelicans. The marina and university dock often host shorebirds such as ruddy turnstones, least sandpipers, ring-billed and laughing gulls, and royal terns

Pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet are permitted within developed areas only. Pets may not be left unattended.

Birding at Elliott Key

A flock of white birds flying overhead in a cloudless, clear blue sky

White ibis

Watch for yellow crowned night herons hunting for crabs and other tasty tidbits along the main park road. The visitor center area is a great place for migratory warblers. Loggerhead shrikes and northern mockingbirds are year round residents. And if you’re very lucky, you might spot an elusive mangrove cuckoo darting among the branches. At the end of the jetty in the designated bird sanctuary, shorebirds, terns and double-crested cormorants may be observed, especially during winter. Nearby islands often serve as roosts for black and turkey vultures. In mornings and evenings, hundreds of wading birds - primarily white ibis, fly overhead to and from their park island roosting sites south of here.

Pets are welcome at Convoy Point as long as they are on a leash no longer than 6 feet and attended.

Birding at Convoy Point

Junior Ranger Program

Join Diego the dolphin, Peter the panther and Aleesha the alligator in exploring three South Florida parks (Big Cypress National Preserve, and Biscayne and Everglades National Park). Pick up a booklet at the park visitor center and complete the required activities to earn a badge. Complete the entire book and earn three badges plus an exclusive South Florida junior ranger patch!

A girl and boy wearing ranger hats and badges peering out from a big shark jaw framing their faces

Become a Biscayne Junior Ranger!

The Dante Fascell Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m until 5 p.m.

Become a Biscayne Junior Ranger

Animals

Alligators or Crocodiles

Estuaries and Mangroves

Coral Reefs

The Tropics

Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here too; from prehistoric tribes to shipwrecks, and pineapple farmers to presidents. For many, the park is a boating, fishing, and diving destination, while others enjoy a warm breeze and peaceful scenery.