Matanzas River Fishing
Flagler County and St. Johns County, FWC Northeast region.
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Fishing on Matanzas River
Matanzas River, part of the Matanzas/Tolomato lagoon, lies in Flagler County and St. Johns County. Census hydrography shows about 7.7 square miles under the name. Redfish, snook and trout limits on Matanzas River follow the FWC Northeast region.
From Matanzas River, 9 public fishing piers lie within 14 miles and 14 saltwater boat ramps within 10. Reef anglers have 25 FWC deployments within 20 miles, largely concrete, at 56 to 87 feet.
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FWC Fishing Pier Finder, Boat Ramp Inventory and Artificial Reef layer, checked October 2026.
From the shore at Matanzas River
Piers around Matanzas River
- Palmetto Road Fishing PierMatanzas River, 3 miles
- St. Johns County Ocean PierAtlantic Ocean, 3 miles
- Lighthouse Park Fishing PierSalt Run, 4 miles
- Green Street County Boat RampMatanzas River, 5 miles
- Rose of Sharon PierMatanzas River, 5 miles
- Vilano Fishing PierTolomato River, 7 miles
- Usina Boat RampIntracoastal Waterway, 9 miles
- Fave-Dykes State ParkPellicer Creek, 11 miles
- Princess Place ReservePelicer Creek, 12 miles
Where to fish the beach near Matanzas River
- Dondanville Road Beach Rampparking, 2 miles
- St. Augustine Beachno listed parking, restrooms, 3 miles
- St. Johns County Pierparking, restrooms, 3 miles
- Frank B. Butler Park Eastparking, restrooms, 3 miles
- Anastasia State Parkparking, restrooms, 3 miles
- Crescent Beach Parkparking, restrooms, 4 miles
Saltwater launches near Matanzas River
- Vail Point Park – Paddlecraft Dockpaddle launch, free, under a mile
- Moultrie Bluffs – Lewis Point Park – Paddlecraft Accesspaddle launch, free, 1 mile
- Moultrie Creek Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces, portable toilet, 1 mile
- Douglas C. Crane Park2 lane ramp, free, 32 trailer spaces, portable toilet, 3 miles
- Palmetto Road Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 2 trailer spaces, 3 miles
- Frank B Butler Park West2 lane ramp, free, 14 trailer spaces, flush toilet, 3 miles
- Anastasia State Park Canoe/Kayak/Sailboard Accesspaddle launch, fee, flush toilet, 4 miles
- Coastal Drive Kayak Beachpaddle launch, free, 4 miles
- 206 Causeway Kayak Beachpaddle launch, 4 miles
- Lighthouse Park Boat Ramp2 lane ramp, free, 25 trailer spaces, portable toilet, 4 miles
- Green Road County Boat Ramp (Limited Parking)1 lane ramp, free, 4 trailer spaces, 5 miles
- Devils Elbow Fishing Resort1 lane ramp, fee, 12 trailer spaces, flush toilet, 5 miles
- Vilano Causeway Primitive Accesspaddle launch, free, 3 trailer spaces, 6 miles
- Vilano Public Boat Ramp4 lane ramp, free, 64 trailer spaces, flush toilet, 6 miles
Offshore structure near Matanzas River
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Material | Deployed | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rinker Reef | 68 | concrete | 2022 | 9 miles |
| Andy King Reef #1 & #2 | 65 | concrete | 2010 | 9 miles |
| Andy King Reef | 65 | module | 2021 | 9 miles |
| Nine Mile Reef | 63 | vessel | 1973 | 11 miles |
| North Nine Mile Reef | metal | 1982 | 12 miles | |
| North Nine Mile Reef | metal | 1982 | 12 miles | |
| North 9 Mile Reef Site | 56 | concrete | 1983 | 12 miles |
| North Nine Mile Reef | metal | 1982 | 12 miles |
FWC artificial reef deployments within 20 miles of Matanzas River; site coordinates are in the FWC reef layer. Florida reefs by county.
Passes and jetties, Matanzas River
- St. Augustine Inletinlet, 6 miles
- Matanzas Inletinlet, 9 miles
- Palm Valleyjetty, 22 miles
FWC FWRI inlets and passes layer and OpenStreetMap jetties.
Keeping fish from Matanzas River
Redfish, snook and trout: Northeast region. Others: statewide.
| Species | Bag | Size | Season | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red drum | 1 a day | 18-27 in. TL | Open year-round | Northeast Region |
| Snook | 1 a day | 28-32 in. TL | Closed December 15 – January 31, and June 1 – August 31 | Northeast Region |
| Spotted seatrout | 3 a day | 15-19 in. TL | Open year-round | Northeast Region |
| Flounder | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | Closed annually Oct. 15 through Nov. 30 | Statewide |
| Sheepshead | 8 a day | 12 in minimum | Open year-round | Statewide |
| Black drum | 5 a day | 14-24 in. with one fish over 24 in. | Open year-round | Statewide |
| Florida pompano | 6 a day | 11 in minimum | Open year-round | Statewide |
| Spanish mackerel | 15 a day | 12 in minimum | Open year-round | Statewide |
| Gray snapper | 5 a day | 10 in minimum | Open year-round | Gulf and Atlantic state waters |
| Cobia | 1 a day | 36 in minimum | Open year round | Statewide |
| Tarpon | catch and release | none | Catch-and-release year-round | Statewide |
FWC saltwater regulations as posted October 2026. Federal water rules differ. Full Florida limits.
Guides and shops for Matanzas River
Inshore guides in Flagler County and St. Johns County
- Anastasia Watermen's Campinshore, Saint Augustine, (954) 632-0176
- Brian Walker Fishing Chartersinshore, Saint Augustine, (904) 610-8859
- Captain Mike's Charters of St. Augustine, FLinshore, Saint Augustine, (904) 540-6840
- Captain Ron's Chartertsinshore, Saint Augustine, (904) 825-2102
- Coastal Fish Chartersinshore, Saint Augustine, (407) 417-2132
- Crescent Beach Fishinginshore, Saint Augustine, (904) 910-8906
- Drum Man Chartersinshore, Saint Augustine, (904) 687-9498
- Endless Summer Chartersinshore, Saint Augustine, (904) 501-7374
Marinas and tackle stores by Matanzas River
- First City Fishing Chartersbait and tackle, St Augustine, 2 miles
- Oldest City Bait & Tacklebait and tackle, Saint Augustine, 3 miles
- Fish Island Marinamarina, Saint Augustine, 3 miles
- Fishbites Trading Postbait and tackle, Saint Augustine, 4 miles
- Fishbites, 164 Nix Boat Yard Rdbait and tackle, Saint Augustine, 4 miles
- Cat's Paw Marinamarina, Saint Augustine, 4 miles
Next to Matanzas River
Places on Matanzas River
- St. Augustine Beach2 miles
- St. Augustine5 miles
- Palm Coast20 miles
More bays close to Matanzas River
- Tolomato River14 miles north
- Halifax River37 miles south
- Nassau Sound48 miles north
- Cumberland Sound63 miles north
Counties around Matanzas River
- Flagler County
- St. Johns County
Four Piscifun picks
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Species to look for at Matanzas River
Photo: Matthew Hoelscher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: LASZLO ILYES from Cleveland, Ohio, USA, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Jorge Alarcon or Dr. Daniel Benetti, Public domain
Photo: Citron, CC BY-SA 3.0
What anglers ask about Matanzas River
Where exactly is Matanzas River?
It touches Flagler County and St. Johns County and falls in the FWC Northeast region.
How many redfish can I keep on Matanzas River?
1 a day, 18-27 in. TL.
Are there fishing piers on Matanzas River?
9 piers within 14 miles, closest Palmetto Road Fishing Pier.
Which ramps serve Matanzas River?
Vail Point Park – Paddlecraft Dock is the closest of 14 open saltwater ramps.
Where are the reefs off Matanzas River?
Yes, 25 deployments sit within 20 miles.
Is a license required on Matanzas River?
A saltwater license is required at 16 and up; it runs $17 for residents.
When can I keep snook on Matanzas River?
Snook in the Northeast region close December 15 – January 31, and June 1 – August 31; the slot is 28-32 in. TL.
Can I hire a guide for Matanzas River?
34 guides list a home port in Flagler County and St. Johns County.
How far is Matanzas River from the ocean?
Closest: St. Augustine Inlet, Matanzas Inlet and Palm Valley.