Fishing on the Manatee River at De Soto National Memorial
De Soto National Memorial is located on a peninsula surrounded by the Manatee River on its three sides. Much of the shore, particularly on the east side, is lined with small, sandy beaches. Mangroves cover the rest of the shoreline and are found mainly on the west side. If you can get to the water without clearing brush or hacking your way through the brush, then you can fish with a rod and reel from the park grounds. All you need is a Florida state fishing license; no special license from the National Park Service is required. Florida fishing regulations apply.
All of the fishermen I saw, and there were quite a few, were fishing from the cove on the east side of the park. The easiest way to get there is to follow the De Soto Expedition Trail. There are plenty of paths that lead from the trail to the water. I am not a fisherman, so I can’t recommend any place in particular, but you can always talk to a park Ranger to get advice.
The park gates are locked at 5 PM and any cars left inside will be locked up for the night and may be ticketed. To access the grounds after 5 PM, park at the Riverview Pointe parking area just down the street from the park entrance gates. Riverview Pointe borders De Soto National Memorial to the south, and a one-mile hiking trail connects both parks. When leaving from Riverview Pointe you will be walking up the eastern shoreline, which is where you want to be for fishing.
Park Rangers conduct fishing clinics at De Soto National Memorial at various times of the year. This is for those new to fishing, and ages 7 and up can attend. See the De Soto Rancho Fishing Clinics web page for more information.
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Last updated on February 16, 2021
