Fourteen public fishing piers stand between the Skyway and Bokeelia, and on most of them you don’t need a fishing license. The 2024 hurricanes rearranged the list — Venice Pier is rebuilt and open, the Skyway south pier is closed for full replacement, and Tony Saprito, Anna Maria City, and Rod & Reel are still down. The map below color-codes every pier by its verified 2026 status; detailed specs follow.
How many fishing piers near Sarasota are open in 2026?
Nine of the 14 piers from Tampa Bay to Pine Island are confirmed open as of July 2026. Four are closed for hurricane rebuilds — the Skyway south pier, Tony Saprito, Anna Maria City (target: fall 2026), and Rod & Reel — and El Jobean needs a local status check. Green pins are open and free, amber are open with a fee, red are closed or rebuilding.
Open · free 7
Bridge Street Pier
200 Bridge St, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
Rebuilt Cortez Bridge approach; bait shop + rod rental. Summer snook, snapper, tarpon; spring mackerel; winter sheepshead. No license required.
Green Bridge Pier
801 Riverside Dr, Palmetto, FL 34221
2,000 ft over the Manatee River; fish-cleaning table, restrooms. Pompano in spring, sheepshead in winter. Resident shoreline license.
City Island Piers
1700 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236
Fish directly over the O.D. Miller reef in 9–21 ft — a county reef under your feet, near Mote Marine. Resident shoreline license.
Venice Fishing Pier
1600 Harbor Dr S, Venice, FL 34285
700 ft with a rebuilt hardwood T-end (2025); lights, cleaning stations, Papa's Bait mid-pier. Summer snook + night sharks; spring mackerel and pompano. No license.
Gilchrist Park Pier
400 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Harborwalk pier; snook on the lights at night. Resident shoreline license.
Laishley Park Pier
120 Laishley Ct, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
400-ft pier on the Peace River; juvenile tarpon roll here April–November.
Boca Grande Fishing Pier
5810 Gasparilla Rd, Placida, FL 33946
County pier into Gasparilla Sound on the causeway. Resident shoreline license.
Open · paid 2
Skyway North Pier
Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, St. Petersburg, FL 33711
World's longest fishing pier, lit all night. Spring/fall mackerel, summer night tarpon, winter sheepshead. Free FWC Skyway course cert required for everyone.
Bokeelia Fishing Pier
8421 Main St, Bokeelia, FL 33922
Private Pine Island pier, no license required; snapper, redfish, snook, grouper, mackerel.
Closed / rebuilding 4
Tony Saprito Pier
420 John Ringling Causeway, Sarasota, FL 34236
560-ft lit pier under the Ringling Causeway; snook on the lights when open. Closed since the 2024 storms.
Anna Maria City Pier
100 S Bay Blvd, Anna Maria, FL 34216
~$8M rebuild underway on stronger concrete pilings; confirm before visiting.
Rod & Reel Pier
875 N Shore Dr, Anna Maria, FL 34216
Destroyed by Helene and Milton; restaurant relocated to Holmes Beach, rebuild awaits state authorization.
Skyway South Pier
Skyway South Pier, Terra Ceia, FL 34250
Closed beyond its bait shop since Oct 2025; FDOT announced a full south-pier replacement in 2026.
Confirm status 1
El Jobean Pier
El Jobean, Port Charlotte, FL 33953
Old Myakka River trestle; confirm post-hurricane status before a trip.
Florida residents fishing from shore or a land-attached structure need the free resident shoreline license; non-residents need a standard saltwater license. Details on the Florida fishing licenses guide.
Can you fish the Skyway Pier in 2026?
Yes — the north pier, 24 hours a day. Skyway Fishing Pier State Park is the world’s longest fishing pier, built from the old Sunshine Skyway spans at the mouth of Tampa Bay.
| Item | Skyway North Pier |
|---|---|
| Length | ~1.5 miles of fishable old bridge span |
| Hours | 24/7, year-round |
| Cost | $4/vehicle ($12 oversized) + $4/adult fishing, $2 child 6–12; 24-hour ticket |
| License | Not required — pier license covers paid anglers |
| Required anyway | Proof of the free FWC Skyway education course — everyone, even license-exempt anglers |
| Lights | Yes — lit all night; the night-fishing draw |
| Cleaning stations | No — clean your catch at home |
| Bait | Bait shop on the pier |
| Gear rules | Max two hook-and-line sets per angler; multi-hook rigs and treble/double hooks banned Nov 15–Mar 15 |
| Species by season | Spring/fall: king and Spanish mackerel runs. Summer: tarpon at night, mangrove snapper, cobia, sharks. Winter: sheepshead, pompano, grouper |
| Parking | On the pier beside your spot, included in vehicle fee |
| GPS (approx.) | North pier 27.647, -82.678 |
| Storm status | North pier open. South pier (27.590, -82.628) closed beyond its bait shop since Oct 2025; FDOT announced March 20, 2026 a full south-pier replacement and a 20-year rehab for the north pier |
The winter treble-hook ban protects overwintering tarpon — and tarpon are exactly why regulars fish here on summer nights. Full fee math, south-pier status tracking, rigs, and the night program are in the dedicated Skyway Fishing Pier guide.
Is the Tony Saprito Pier open?
No. The 560-ft pier under the Ringling Causeway has been closed since the 2024 hurricanes tore out whole deck sections — roughly $1.3 million in damage. The City of Sarasota says reconstruction of the pier, Eloise Werlin Park, and Hart’s Landing is targeted for completion in fall 2026. Hart’s Landing — the bait shop under the causeway since 1934 — lost over 80% of its building and was demolished; it rebuilds as part of the same FEMA project set.
| Item | Tony Saprito Pier |
|---|---|
| Location | 420 John Ringling Causeway (Eloise Werlin Park), GPS approx. 27.332, -82.556 |
| Specs | 560 ft with an 80-ft T, built 1979; open 24 hrs and lit when operating |
| 2026 status | CLOSED; rebuild targeted fall 2026 |
| When open | Snook at night on the lights, trout, Spanish mackerel, sheepshead, pompano |
While it’s down, the free City Island piers at Ken Thompson Park (GPS approx. 27.332, -82.578, near Mote Marine) are the in-town alternative — you fish directly over the O.D. Miller artificial reef in 9–21 ft, one of the few places on this coast you can work a county reef with your feet on concrete. More reef coordinates in the artificial reefs database.
Can you fish Venice Pier at night?
Yes — the Venice Fishing Pier is free and open 24/7, and the summer night bite (snook on the lights, sharks off the end) is the best reason to be there. The T-end destroyed by Helene and Milton was rebuilt for about $400,000 in Brazilian hardwood and fully reopened in September 2025.
| Item | Venice Fishing Pier |
|---|---|
| Length | 700 ft |
| Hours | 24/7 |
| Cost | Free |
| License | Not required on the pier |
| Lights | Yes |
| Cleaning stations | Yes |
| Bait | Papa’s Bait Shop mid-pier; Sharky’s on the Pier at the base |
| Species by season | Spring: Spanish mackerel, pompano, whiting. Summer: snook, night sharks. Fall: mackerel, bluefish. Winter: sheepshead, whiting |
| Parking | Free lot at Brohard Park, 1600 Harbor Dr S |
| GPS (approx.) | 27.072, -82.455 |
| Storm status | Fully rebuilt and open |
Three miles north, the Venice Inlet jetties fish like piers: the North Jetty (Nokomis) is open with a bait shack and cleaning stations; the South Jetty walkway at Humphris Park remains closed with no reopening date (city status page). Tides, rigs, and the month-by-month jetty bite are in the Venice Jetty fishing guide.
Which Anna Maria Island and Bradenton piers are open?
Two of four. Bridge Street Pier and the Green Bridge Pier are open; the island’s two historic north-end piers are still down from 2024.
| Item | Bridge Street Pier | Green Bridge Pier |
|---|---|---|
| Location | 200 Bridge St, Bradenton Beach | 801 Riverside Dr, Palmetto |
| Length | Historic Cortez Bridge approach; rebuilt 2015 | 2,000 ft over the Manatee River |
| Hours | Daily (restaurant hours vary) | 24 hrs |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| License | Not required — city pier license | Resident shoreline license (free) or non-resident saltwater license |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Cleaning stations | No (restaurant on pier) | Yes — fish-cleaning table, restrooms |
| Bait | Bait shop + rod rental ~$8/day | Nearest shops in Palmetto/Bradenton — see bait and tackle directory |
| Species by season | Summer: snook, mangrove snapper, tarpon in season. Spring/fall: Spanish mackerel. Winter: sheepshead, redfish | Spring: pompano. Summer: snapper, bonnethead sharks, catfish. Winter: sheepshead, black drum |
| Parking | Free public lots on Bridge Street | Free at Riverside Park |
| GPS (approx.) | 27.467, -82.697 | 27.516, -82.573 |
| Storm status | Open | Open |
The two closed piers, verified July 2026:
- Anna Maria City Pier (100 S Bay Blvd, GPS approx. 27.531, -82.731): closed since 2024; the ~$8 million rebuild is underway on stronger concrete pilings and the city targets a fall 2026 reopening — confirm before visiting.
- Rod & Reel Pier (875 N Shore Dr, GPS approx. 27.538, -82.744): destroyed by Helene and Milton; the restaurant relocated to Holmes Beach, a community fundraiser passed $104,000 in May 2026, and the rebuild still needs state trustee authorization. No date.
What about Charlotte Harbor, Boca Grande, and Bokeelia piers?
| Pier | Location / GPS (approx.) | Cost & hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilchrist Park pier | 400 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda · 26.929, -82.059 | Free | Harborwalk pier; snook on the lights at night |
| Laishley Park pier | 120 Laishley Ct, Punta Gorda · 26.934, -82.044 | Free | 400-ft pier on the Peace River; juvenile tarpon roll here April–November |
| Boca Grande Fishing Pier | 5810 Gasparilla Rd, Placida · 26.817, -82.264 | Free | County pier into Gasparilla Sound on the causeway (county page) |
| El Jobean pier | El Jobean, Port Charlotte · 26.962, -82.211 | — | Old Myakka River trestle; confirm post-hurricane status locally |
| Bokeelia Fishing Pier | 8421 Main St, Bokeelia · 26.707, -82.160 | $15/person, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. | Private pier, no license required; snapper, redfish, snook, grouper, mackerel |
The Punta Gorda and Boca Grande area pages cover the water around each.
What can you catch from a pier by season?
| Season | Best pier bets |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Spanish mackerel everywhere; king mackerel run at the Skyway; pompano at Venice and Green Bridge |
| Summer (Jun–Sep) | Night tarpon at the Skyway; snook on the lights at Venice, Bridge Street, Gilchrist; mangrove snapper on every structure; sharks at Venice |
| Fall (Oct–Nov) | Second mackerel run (Skyway, Venice); bluefish; redfish around Bridge Street |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Sheepshead on every piling; pompano, whiting, black drum |
Time any pier session to moving water — the tides and currents guide covers the local stations.
Is it legal to fish from bridges in Florida?
Only where it isn’t posted. Florida Statute 316.1305 prohibits fishing from a state-road bridge wherever FDOT has posted it against fishing; catwalks and dedicated fishing piers are the lawful alternative. Around Sarasota, treat the active vehicular spans — Ringling, Cortez, the Siesta bridges — as no-fishing from the roadway. The Skyway piers, Green Bridge Pier, Bridge Street Pier, and Tony Saprito Pier exist precisely because they’re converted bridge spans.
The bridges still matter enormously — by boat. The night-snook shadow-line pattern at Ringling, Siesta Drive, Stickney Point, and the US 41 river bridges is the classic local game: idle in, cast a live bait up-light, and work the shadow edge — the full method is in the dock light night fishing guide. Boca Grande Pass has its own strict FWC tarpon gear rules: no bottom-weighted jig rigs in the pass, three-line max April–June.
Do you need a fishing license on a pier?
| Situation | License needed? |
|---|---|
| Skyway Pier (paid angler) | No — but the free FWC Skyway course certificate is mandatory for everyone |
| Venice Pier, Bridge Street Pier, Bokeelia Pier | No — pier licenses cover you |
| Green Bridge, Gilchrist, Laishley, City Island | Florida residents: free shoreline license. Non-residents: standard saltwater license |
| Wading, beach, jetty, kayak | Yes — standard saltwater license rules apply |
Rules change; the authority is FWC — verify current license requirements before you fish.
FAQ
What is the best fishing pier near Sarasota? Open right now: Venice Pier for free 24/7 variety, the Skyway north pier for big-fish potential, Bridge Street Pier for an old-Florida bay session. All three cover your license.
Which piers are free? Venice, Bridge Street, Green Bridge, Gilchrist, Laishley, Boca Grande, and City Island. The Skyway charges $4/vehicle + $4/adult; Bokeelia is $15.
Where can you catch tarpon from a pier? The Skyway north pier on summer nights is the serious shot. Bridge Street Pier sees seasonal fish. Tarpon are catch-and-release statewide — see the catch-and-release guide.
Can kids fish these piers without paperwork? Kids under 16 need no license anywhere in Florida — but at the Skyway, every angler including kids must carry the free education-course certificate.
Which piers have fish-cleaning stations? Venice Pier, Green Bridge Pier, and the Venice North Jetty. The Skyway and Bridge Street do not — bring a cooler and clean at home.
When does the Anna Maria City Pier reopen? The city targets fall 2026 — the walkway rebuild was roughly three-quarters done by early 2026. Confirm with the city before making a special trip.
Related
Piers are one column of the no-boat program: the Sarasota fishing spots guide maps all 25 shore-access options, surf and shore fishing covers the beaches and jetties, and the kayak launches and boat ramps directories get you afloat. The passes and inlets guide explains the water most of these piers sit on, and the Venice, Anna Maria Island, and Bradenton area pages cover the towns around each pier.
