Fishing in Gulf County, Florida
Seat: Port St. Joe. FWC Northwest region.
- 24launches
- 1lakes
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An angler's guide to Gulf County
The county seat of Gulf County is Port St. Joe, and FWC manages its fresh water from the Northwest regional office. Gulf County covers 553 square miles of land and 241 square miles of water, per the Census. FWC lists 24 open public launches for Gulf County, split 13 fresh and 11 salt.
Gulf County has 1 lake with an FWC fishing page, the largest being Dead Lake. Along the Gulf County shore there are 0 fishing piers, 7 beach accesses with fishing and 21 artificial reef deployments. The heaviest freshwater state record from Gulf County is a 3.93 pound spotted bass caught in 2025.
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FWC boat ramp inventory, pier finder and lake sites, checked October 2026.
Fishing lakes in Gulf County
- Dead Lake6,700 acres, 0 ramps
All Gulf County launches
Lakes and rivers in Gulf County (13)
- Beards / Cox Landing Pay RampChipola River – Dead Lakes, 1 lane ramp, fee, 4 trailer spaces
- Bryant LandingLockey Lake / Chipola River, 1 lane ramp, free, 2 trailer spaces
- Dead Lakes County ParkChipola River – Dead Lakes – Stone Mill Creek, 1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Douglas LandingChipola River, 1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Fisherman's Landing RV ParkApalachicola River, 1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Gaskin Park Public Boat RampApalachicola River, 2 lane ramp, free, 10 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Howard's Creek LandingApalachicola River, 2 lane ramp, free, 15 trailer spaces
- Iola Landing Public Boat RampApalachicola River – Iola Lake, 2 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces
- Land's Landing Park Public Boat RampChipola River, 1 lane ramp, free, 10 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Lister's LandingChipola River, 1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Preacher Glass Park and Boat Ramp at Lake AliceLake Alice (Gulf County – Wewahitchka), 1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Whitfield Landing Pay RampWetappo Creek, 1 lane ramp, free, 4 trailer spaces
- Willis Landing Public Boat RampApalachicola River, 2 lane ramp, free, 12 trailer spaces
Coastal launches in Gulf County (11)
- Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area – Misfit Landing Boat RampApalachicola River – Sauls Creek, 1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces
- Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area – Saul's Creek Canoe LaunchApalachicola River – Sauls Creek, paddle launch, free, 3 trailer spaces
- Frank Pate Park at Port St. JoeSaint Joseph Bay, 4 lane ramp, fee, 15 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Highland View Public Boat RampSaint Joseph Bay, 1 lane ramp, free, 20 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Indian Pass Beach Public Boat RampApalchicola Bay – St. Vincent Sound, 1 lane ramp, free, 7 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Odena Landing at Depot Creek Public Boat RampDepot Creek / Lake Wimico, 1 lane ramp, free, 12 trailer spaces
- Overstreet Public Boat Ramp (Wetappo Creek)Wetappo Creek, 2 lane ramp, free, 12 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- St. Joseph Bay Aquatic and Buffer Preserve Troy Deal Canoe LaunchSt. Joseph Bay, paddle launch, free
- T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park – Boat Ramp and Kayak AccessSt. Joseph Bay, 1 lane ramp, fee, 52 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- T.H. Stone Memorial Joseph Peninsula State Park- Bayview Picnic Area Kayak Launch, paddle launch, free
- White City Public Boat RampSearcy Creek / ICW, 3 lane ramp, free, 16 trailer spaces, flush toilet
FWC Florida Boat Ramp Inventory, open and temporarily closed launches only.
Inshore and offshore in Gulf County
Inshore water in Gulf County
- East Bay (Bay County)St. Andrew Bay system
- St. Joseph Bay
- St. Vincent SoundApalachicola Bay system
Passes in Gulf County
- St. Joseph Bay Entranceinlet
- Indian Passinlet
Artificial reefs off Gulf County
21 FWC reef sites are tied to Gulf County, from 35 to 103 feet deep.
Gulf County inshore limits, FWC Panhandle region
| Species | Bag | Size | Season | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red drum | 1 a day | 18-27 in. TL | Open year-round | Panhandle Region |
| Snook | 1 a day | 28-33 in. TL | Closed December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31 | Panhandle Region |
| Spotted seatrout | 3 a day | 15-19 in. TL | Open March 1 – Jan. 31 | Panhandle 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 |
FWC pier finder, artificial reef layer and saltwater regulations, checked October 2026.
Gulf County rivers and live flow
- Apalachicola River7 launches in Gulf County
- Chipola River5 launches in Gulf County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Apalachicola R.ab Chipola Cutoff Nr Wewahitchka,fl | 10,300 cfs, 13.20 ft gage height | Nov 10 12:15 am |
| Iww East Of Gulf Co Canal Near Port St Joe, Fl | 1.06 ft gage height | Nov 8 1:30 am |
| Iww West Of Gulf Co Canal Near Port St Joe, Fl | -147 cfs, 1.66 ft gage height | Nov 9 6:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 10, 2026 12:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Stocking and record fish in Gulf County
Where FWC stocks in Gulf County
| Water | Fish | Species |
|---|---|---|
| Buck Griffin Pond | 5,511 | Channel Catfish – Sub Adult (> 6 inches), Channel Catfish Fingerlings (1 – 3 inches) |
| Buck Griffin Park | 1,400 | Channel Catfish Fingerlings |
Record fish from Gulf County
| Species | Pounds | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Spotted Bass | 3.93 | 2025 |
| Yellow Perch | 1.47 | 2005 |
FWC Completed Stockings reports 2021-22 to 2023-24 and FWC freshwater state records.
Tackle and charters in Gulf County
Marinas and shops, Gulf County
- Bluewater Outriggersbait and tackle, Port Saint Joe
- Half Hitch Tackle, 212 Highway 98bait and tackle, Mexico Beach
- Half Hitch Tackle, 212 W Highway 98bait and tackle, Port Saint Joe
- Half Hitch Tackle, 202 Monument Avebait and tackle, Port Saint Joe
- Half Hitch Tackle, 212 E Highway 98bait and tackle, Port Saint Joe
- Captain's Cove Marinamarina, Port Saint Joe
- Marinamarina,
- Marquardt's Marinamarina, Port Saint Joe
- Port St Joe Marina Incmarina, Port Saint Joe
- Presnell's Bayside Marina & RV Resortmarina, Port Saint Joe
- Saint Joe Marinamarina,
- Sea Tow Port St. Joemarina, Port St Joe
Charter captains in Gulf County
- Big Time Chartersinshore, Port Saint Joe, (850) 647-3474
- Fifth Day Chartersinshore, Port Saint Joe, (304) 582-4853
- Inshore Chartersinshore, Port Saint Joe, (850) 227-6272
- Kidd Mullet Chartersinshore, Port Saint Joe, (850) 691-6611
- Lady J Chartersinshore, Port Saint Joe, (850) 227-1200
- Mexico Beach Chartersinshore, Port Saint Joe, (850) 227-3200
- Saltwater Obsessionsinshore, Port Saint Joe, (850) 227-6550
- Shore Thang Chartersinshore, Port Saint Joe, (850) 227-6272
- Wicker Bill's Guide Serviceinshore, Port Saint Joe, (850) 229-2710
- Gettin' Reel Sport Fishingoffshore, Port Saint Joe, (850) 227-8056
- ReefDonkeyChartersoffshore, Port Saint Joe, (229) 416-5185
Next to Gulf County
Towns in Gulf County
- Port St. Joepop. 3,357
Bordering counties to Gulf County
- Bay County26 miles northwest
- Franklin County30 miles southeast
- Liberty County37 miles northeast
- Calhoun County37 miles north
Shorelines close to Gulf County
Photo: Mike Tilley, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY 2.5
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: The Bushranger, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fishing in Gulf County: common questions
How many boat ramps are in Gulf County?
24, with 13 on fresh water and 11 on salt.
What lakes are in Gulf County?
Dead Lake, 6,700 acres.
Is Gulf County on the coast?
Yes: 0 piers, 11 salt launches and 21 reef deployments.
Which FWC office manages Gulf County?
The Northwest region for fresh water, and the Panhandle region for redfish, snook and trout.
Are there bait shops in Gulf County?
12 places sell bait or tackle, including Bluewater Outriggers, Captain's Cove Marina and Half Hitch Tackle.
Are there fishing guides in Gulf County?
11 guides list a home port in Gulf County.
Has FWC stocked waters in Gulf County?
FWC stocked 2 sites in recent years.
What town is the Gulf County seat?
The seat is Port St. Joe.
Is a license required in Gulf County?
A license is required from age 16; buy the one for the water you plan to fish.
Get on the water in Gulf County
Details for every spot are one click away.