No boat? No worries! Here are 10 great places to fish onshore in Bay County

Melissa Clemmons
·8 min read

PANAMA CITY — If living in a coastal area has given you an itch to go fishing but you don't own a boat, we've got you covered.

Bay County is surrounded by water and there are a plethora of public places where you can enjoying sinking a hook from onshore. Many of the city or county parks have freshwater ponds that are open to the public for fishing.

Travis Barbee, parks division manager for Bay County, told The News Herald, in respect to Majette Park and H.G. Harders Park, "A lot of people think the parks are just for athletes and sporting events. However, Bay County strives to offer something for everyone, including those who don't play sports."

Panama City Beach has almost a hundred public beach access points where you can try your luck directly in the Gulf of Mexico. While a lot of them have parking areas, some do not. So check before you go. If fishing from a pier is more your style, there are several public piers in Panama City Beach, including two at St. Andrews State Park.

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The old Bailey Bridge on the north side of Lynn Haven is used as a walking area and fishing bridge.

"The department works hard to create a family-friendly fun atmosphere at the bridge and the park," said Ty Farris, director of parks and grounds for Lynn Haven. "We encourage parents to come out and bring their kids to fish and enjoy the outdoors in a safe, clean atmosphere. A lot of residents walk the bridge for exercise or just come to see the beautiful sunrises or sunsets, but with the bridge stretching over a half-mile across North Bay, there is plenty of room to fish."

Whether you're looking for a trophy catch, a fresh dinner or just want to relax and spend time with friends or family, all you need to bring home that prized catch is a fishing license, pole and some bait.

Before heading out, make sure you have the proper license for the body of water you are fishing in and are familiar with Florida fishing regulations, such as size limits, bag limits and what fish are in season. Current fishing regulations can be found at myfwc.com.

For freshwater, a recreational freshwater license is required to take or attempt to take native or nonnative freshwater fish. A Florida resident's annual license is $17 and a non-Florida resident's costs $47. A non-Florida resident will pay $17 for a three-day license and $30 for a seven-day license.

For onshore or pier saltwater fishing, a free annual recreational saltwater shoreline license is required. The license is valid for saltwater fishing from the shoreline or a structure affixed to shore. It is not valid when fishing from a vessel, or a shoreline reached by vessel, or when taking or attempting to take by swimming or diving.

Licenses and permits are available online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, in person at a license agent or tax collector's office or by calling toll-free 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356).

Let's get to it. Here are 10 great places to fish in Bay County:

M.B. Miller County Pier (saltwater)

12213 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach

The M.B. Miller County Pier sits 1,500 feet out into the Gulf of Mexico and is handicapped accessible.
The M.B. Miller County Pier sits 1,500 feet out into the Gulf of Mexico and is handicapped accessible.

The M.B. Miller County Pier sits 1,500 feet out into the Gulf of Mexico and is handicapped accessible

Fish that are caught in their respective seasons include cobia, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, redfish, blues, blue liners, pompano, flounder and hardtails.

Rates: Daily fishing bands are $6 per person over 6 years of age; $3 for disabled (presentation of registration and handicapped sticker), active/retired military and seniors (65 and older); and children under 6 years are free. Daily fishing bands can be purchased in the pier store along with rod rentals, bait and tackle. Annual passes are sold at Frank Brown Park and are honored at both the M.B. Miller County Pier and Russell Fields City Pier.

Hours: seven days a week, 24 hours per day

Additional information: 850-236-3035

Russell-Fields City Pier (saltwater)

16201 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach

The Russell-Fields City Pier is more than 1,500 feet long and is handicapped accessible.
The Russell-Fields City Pier is more than 1,500 feet long and is handicapped accessible.

The Russell-Fields City Pier is more than 1,500 feet long and is handicapped accessible.

Many varieties of fish can be caught off the pier in their respective seasons, including cobia, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, redfish, blues, blue liners, pompano, flounder, hardtails, bonito, mullet, grouper and sheepshead.

Half Hitch Tackle, located on the east side of the pier, has rods for rent as well as a variety of bait and tackle for sale.

Rates: Daily fishing licenses are $7 per person 6 years and older; $3 for disabled, active/retired military and seniors (65 and older); and children under 6 years are free. Annual passes are sold at Frank Brown Park and are honored at both the M.B. Miller County Pier and Russell Fields City Pier.

Hours: seven days a week, 24 hours per day

Additional information: 850-233-5080

St. Andrews State Park (saltwater)

4607 State Park Lane, Panama City 

St. Andrews State Park has two fishing piers, a large pier overlooking the Gulf, shown, and a pier overlooking Grand Lagoon.
St. Andrews State Park has two fishing piers, a large pier overlooking the Gulf, shown, and a pier overlooking Grand Lagoon.

St. Andrews State Park has two fishing piers, a large pier overlooking the Gulf and a pier overlooking Grand Lagoon.

The "T" portion at the seaward end of the Gulf fishing pier is currently closed for repairs from storm damage. However, you can fish up and down the sides of the pier.

Fish most commonly caught at the park are Spanish mackerel, redfish, flounder, sea trout, bonito, cobia, dolphin and bluefish.

All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. A Florida saltwater fishing license is required.

Park entrance fee: $8, gives you access to both piers

Hours: 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year

Additional information: 850-708-6100

Old Bailey Bridge (saltwater)

200 Michigan Ave., Lynn Haven 

The old Bailey Bridge is located between Lynn Haven and Southport, spanning a half-mile over North Bay.
The old Bailey Bridge is located between Lynn Haven and Southport, spanning a half-mile over North Bay.

The old Bailey Bridge is located between Lynn Haven and Southport, spanning a half-mile over North Bay. There is plenty of parking at Porter Park and limited parking on the east side of the bridge. No vehicles are allowed on the bridge.

Fish most commonly caught are black drum, spotted seatrout, flounder and occasionally black grouper or small sharks.

Hours: seven days a week, 24 hours per day

Additional information: 850-265-2121

Crooked Creek Fishing Pier (saltwater)

6370 Titi Road, West Bay (off County 388)

The Crooked Creek fishing pier is handicapped accessible and zigzags into brackish water where you can use a freshwater or saltwater license to fish.
The Crooked Creek fishing pier is handicapped accessible and zigzags into brackish water where you can use a freshwater or saltwater license to fish.

The Crooked Creek fishing pier is handicapped accessible and next to the boat ramp. The pier zigzags into brackish water where you can use a freshwater or saltwater license to fish. However, the fish you catch and keep must fall under the type that you are licensed for. The most popular species caught are red drum, spotted seatrout, largemouth bass and flounder.

Hours: seven days a week, dawn to dusk

Additional information: Bay County Parks & Recreation, 850-784-4065

Deer Point Lake (freshwater)

4242 County 2321, Southport

Deer Point Lake is a 5,000-acre freshwater lake where the Deer Point Dam, shown at bottom left, controls the outflow of water into North Bay.
Deer Point Lake is a 5,000-acre freshwater lake where the Deer Point Dam, shown at bottom left, controls the outflow of water into North Bay.

Deer Point Lake is a 5,000-acre freshwater lake fed primarily by Econfina Creek, Bear Creek and Cedar Creek. The Deer Point Dam controls the outflow of water into North Bay.

Freshwater fishing is available at a small fishing platform on the north side of the dam. However, saltwater fishing also is available on the south side of the dam on a fishing pier near the boat ramp. Be sure to fish the side you are licensed for.

Fish most commonly caught on the freshwater side are shellcracker, bream, largemouth bass, black bass, crappie, butterfly peacock bass and striped bass.

Hours: Seven days a week, dawn to dusk

Additional information: Bay County Parks & Recreation, 850-784-4065

Lake Powell Park (freshwater)

23104 Lake Powell Drive, Panama City Beach

Lake Powell, one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida, offers shoreline fishing for freshwater and saltwater fish.
Lake Powell, one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida, offers shoreline fishing for freshwater and saltwater fish.

Lake Powell, one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida, offers shoreline fishing. Freshwater and saltwater fish can be caught there. However, the fish you keep must fall under the license you have.

Red drum, spotted seatrout, flounder, mullet, sheepshead and largemouth bass are some of the most popular fish caught in the lake.

Hours: Dawn to dusk, seven days a week

Additional information: Bay County Parks & Recreation, 850-784-4065

Frank Brown Park Youth Fishing Pond (freshwater)

16200 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach

The youth fishing pond at Frank Brown Park is stocked once a year by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with catfish, bass and bream.
The youth fishing pond at Frank Brown Park is stocked once a year by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with catfish, bass and bream.

The youth fishing pond is located behind the dog park at the northwest corner of Frank Brown Park. Adults can fish as long as they are accompanied by a child 16 years or younger. Adults must have a Florida freshwater fishing license.

The pond is stocked once a year by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with catfish, bass and bream. Rules and daily limits are posted at the pond.

There is no charge to enter the park or fish in the pond.

Hours: Seven days a week, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Additional information: Panama City Beach Parks and Recreation, 850-233-5045

Majette Park (freshwater)

5304 Old Majette Tower Road, Panama City

Majette Park has nine freshwater ponds that are open to the public to fish at no charge. The ponds are catch and release only.
Majette Park has nine freshwater ponds that are open to the public to fish at no charge. The ponds are catch and release only.

Majette Park has nine freshwater ponds that are open to the public to fish at no charge. However, you must have a Florida freshwater license. The ponds are catch and release only and provide a great place to spend quality time fishing with your family.

Most common fish caught are largemouth bass, catfish and bream.

Hours: Seven days a week, dawn to dusk

Additional information: Bay County Parks & Recreation, 850-784-4065

H.G. Harders Park (freshwater)

8110 John Pitts Road, Panama City

H.G. Harders park has two freshwater ponds that are open to the public to fish at no charge. However, you must have a Florida freshwater license. The ponds are catch and release only.

Most common fish caught are largemouth bass, catfish and bream.

Hours: Seven days a week, dawn to dusk

Additional information: Bay County Parks & Recreation, 850-784-4065

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County offers great onshore fishing, so don't worry about the boat