Complete Guide to Fishing in Port St Lucie, FL
Port St Lucie is a southern Florida city on the Atlantic coast, located 30 minutes south of Fort Pierce. St Lucie County is a part of what makes up the beautiful Treasure Coast.
As one would imagine, Port St Lucie is known for being one of those charming, Old Florida towns lined with palm trees. Its uncrowded waters provide fishermen with excellent opportunities to catch the most sought-after fish. Port St. Lucie is undoubtedly a destination where to can break your personal record. Many famous anglers have done so, in places like Lake Okeechobee, it is also a place where you can fish from land or by water.
When visiting the state of Florida and traveling to Port St. Lucie, be sure to experience some excellent bass fishing. Beyond the great Florida Bass Fishing, you genuinely get to see what southern Florida and Port St Lucie are all about. People can catch largemouth bass year-round in large numbers and varying sizes. In addition to excellent freshwater fishing, Port St. Lucie offers incredible saltwater fishing opportunities, both inshore and offshore.
Experience world-record fishing in a small town with Port St Lucie fishing charters.
Best Nearby Bass Fishing Spots
Some of the country’s best freshwater game fish can be found within an hour of the Port St Lucie and Fort Pierce areas. Anglers travel from around the world to catch trophy bass in Lake Okeechobee, Stick Marsh, and Fellsmere Reservoir, as well as south to Lake Osborne to catch the exotic peacock bass.
Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee is a man-made lake and one of the most famous big bass bodies of water in the world. It’s Florida’s largest lake and provides a thriving habitat to our largemouth bass and other wildlife. The fishing here is excellent year-round, making it the ultimate lifetime fishing charter. There are multiple spots to fish out of on this giant lake, but Okeechobee City on the north end would be the best when traveling from Port St Lucie.
Stick Marsh
Another great fishery is Stick Marsh in East Central Florida. Because of the abundance of vegetation, natural cover, and stumps, Stick Marsh is primarily a bass fishing lake. Big bass love this stumpy, grass lake for all it has to offer. This spot provides a unique and scenic fishing adventure.
Headwaters Lake
Fellsmere is a world-class man-made lake that borders Stick Marsh. The SJRWMD and FWC conducted extensive habitat work before the flooding, making this a top fishing spot. Once it was flooded, the FWC stocked approximately 1,000,000 game fish and popular panfish, including crappie, redear sunfish, and bluegill.
Lake Osborne
Lake Osborne is a renowned fishery designated as a mega-fish area, located in the town of Lake Worth in Palm Beach County. Just a short drive from the city of Port St Lucie, you truly can experience its uniqueness. It provides the opportunity for largemouth bass, peacock bass, and Clown Knifefish. Enjoy our many Florida Fishing Trips in Port St. Lucie for a complete freshwater experience.
Saltwater Fishing
Port Saint Lucie has become home to some of the best saltwater fishing charters in the state. Its various inlets and creeks for inshore fishing charters, along with the mighty Atlantic Ocean close by, offer incredible offshore fishing.
Inshore
An inshore charter trip is an excellent option for anyone looking to catch Florida’s top game fish while still having the shoreline in sight. Explore the mangroves and grass flats, enjoying the beautiful views, and catch snook, tarpon, redfish, and sea trout, all within a few miles of shore. Other popular fish species caught on St Lucie inshore fishing charters include pompano, snapper, and jack crevalle. Additionally, the nearby Fort Pierce inlet is home to the world-record spotted sea trout, which weighed 17 pounds.
The St Lucie River is part of the Indian River Lagoon system, one of the most diverse estuarine ecosystems in North America, home to over 4,000 animal and plant species. While on a St Lucie River fishing charter, you will likely see manatees, dolphins, oysters, sea turtles, and seahorses.
The Indian River lagoon stretches 156 miles, meaning there are tons of different spots to launch from throughout the year. Inshore fishing charters are a great option throughout the year because, between the St Lucie River, Fort Pierce Inlet, and other parts of the lagoon, there will always be a spot with fish that your guide will know about.
Inshore fishing trips are ideal for fishermen of all ages and skill levels to enjoy the ultimate coastal fishing experience with friends and family.
Deep-Sea
Offshore fishing charters can involve bottom fishing the closer reefs for tasty species such as grouper and snapper, or traveling far offshore to the deeper waters for pelagic action on species such as sailfish, mahi-mahi, and more. Areas known as Bethel Shoal Buoy and St Lucie Hump are deep-water spots that hold giant snapper and grouper, as well as sea bass, tuna, and mahi-mahi.
Other fish species commonly found in the Atlantic and caught on various offshore fishing charters include Mackerel, Kingfish, marlin, and many more. Different fishing methods employed on offshore fishing trips include kite fishing, bottom fishing, and trolling motor to catch fish while traveling farther out.
Area Things To Do
St Lucie County is an excellent place to visit to experience a beautiful beach, incredible fishing, and iconic scenery that this part of the United States is famous for. In addition, there are numerous tours available to experience the fantastic mangroves and wetlands, or to cruise the St. Lucie River and see alligators and wild dolphins. Port St Lucie, Florida, is also home to numerous nature preserves and parks for nature lovers to explore the local flora and fauna firsthand.
Attractions
There are numerous places to visit and explore throughout St. Lucie County for visitors of all ages and interests. Some of the most popular attractions include Tradition Field, Superplay USA, Carmike Cinemas, River Lilly, Cruises, Dolphin Watch Boat Tours, and Civic Center Art Gallery.
Nature Parks
Be one with the natural world by exploring some of the best nature parks and trails in Port St Lucie and Fort Pierce. Some of the best places to check out are Woodstork Trail and Hillmoor Lake Park, Oxbow Eco-Center, Oak Hammocks Park, Port St Lucie Botanical Gardens, RiverWalk Boardwalk, and Spruce Bluff Preserve.
Dining
While fishing, Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce both offer popular chain restaurants and unique, quaint mom-and-pop eateries. Some of the most popular places to try are Fernando’s Dockside Grill, Berry Fresh Cafe, Cottage Grill, West End Grill, and The Tin Fish.
Local Port St Lucie Captains & Guides
Meet the team of local Port St. Lucie fishing guides. We know the best spots, baits, and techniques to provide you with the most incredible fishing experience in the area.
