Beaches & Fishing

Exploring the natural beauty and abundant fishing destinations in and around Tallahassee

Freshwater

Leon County Beaches
Leon County Parks & Recreation
(850) 606-1470

Tallahassee Parks & Recreation
(850) 891-3866

Lake Hall
Sandy beach; lifeguard, restrooms, boating, fishing, nature trails, and picnic tables/grills. Entrance fee:
$6 per vehicle, up to eight people. 3540 Thomasville Road at Maclay State Gardens. (850) 487-4556

Lake Bradford
Sandy beach; lifeguard, dock, restrooms, canoe rentals, boating, and picnic tables/grills. Entrance fee: $5 for 16 years and up, $2 per child (7–15), and free for children under 6. Florida State University Reservation, 3226 Flastacowo Road. (850) 644‑6892

Wakulla County Beaches
(850) 926-1848, wakullacountychamber.com

Wakulla Springs
Crystal-clear natural springs, grassy beach; lifeguard, restrooms, high dive, picnic tables/grills, boat tours, restaurant, lodge. Entrance fee: $6 per vehicle, up to eight people.
Wakulla Springs State Park. (850) 561-7276 

Saltwater

Franklin County Beaches
(850) 653-9419, apalachicolabay.org

Alligator Point Beach
Secluded natural dune beach; nearby accommodations/camping, dining, and groceries.

Carrabelle Beach
Coarse, sandy beach; restrooms, picnic tables/shelters, nearby accommodations/camping,
dining, gas, groceries, boat charters, and golf.

Dog Island Beach
Secluded, pristine, sandy beach accessible only by boat, water taxi, or plane.

St. George Island State Park
Pristine beach; restrooms, showers, camping, trails, picnic tables, shelters, grills, nearby accommodations, dining, gas, and groceries.
(850) 927-2111

850) 584-5366, taylorflorida.com

Taylor County Beaches
(850) 584-5366, taylorflorida.com

Dekle Beach
Popular for boating, fishing, scalloping;
nearby accommodations/camping, dining,
gas/groceries, and boat charters/guides.

Keaton Beach
Coarse, sandy beach; swimming,
restrooms, and picnic tables.

Steinhatchee and Econfina River Area

Fishing and boating.

Wakulla County Beaches
Wakulla County Chamber of Commerce
(850) 926-1848,
wakullacountychamber.com 

Mashes Sands Beach
Beach, shallow bay water; restrooms, showers, picnic tables, shelters/grills, nearby accommodations/camping, dining nearby,
gas, and groceries.

Shell Point Beach
Coarse, sandy beach; sailing/wind
surfing, boat rentals/charter, and proximity
to St. Marks Wildlife Refuge.

Gulf County Beaches
Gulf County Chamber of Commerce, (850) 227‑1223,
gulfchamber.org, visitgulf.com

Port St. Joe
A historic seaport community; shopping,
dining, walking trails, bayside beach, rest-
room facilities, Constitution Museum, and a
golf course.

Cape San Blas Lighthouse
and Gift Shop
Voted best beach in the continental
United States by beach experts;
camping, hiking, boating, shelling, birding,
and a choice of three beautiful parks:
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park,
Cape Palms Park, and Salinas Park.

Mexico Beach
White-sand beach; accommodations, dining, marina, boat charters, fishing, and shopping.

(888) 723-2546, mexicobeach.com

Fishing

With the Florida coast, rivers, and lakes in close proximity, Tallahassee is a prime spot for angling. Here are some of the area’s best fishing holes:

Lake Jackson
Fish found in the lake, include bass, shellcracker, spekled perch, and bream. A natural sinkhole lake, Lake Jackson periodically goes dry.

Lake Talquin State Park
This lake supports largemouth and striped bass, speckled perch, shellcracker, and bream. 

Ochlockonee River State Park
Abundant fresh and saltwater species, including largemouth bass, bream, catfish, speckled perch, redfish, and speckled trout.

St. George Island State Park
Grouper, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, pompano, amberjack, and redfish are found in the waters of Apalachicola Bay.

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
The river and bay are home to speckled trout, redfish, grouper, mangrove snapper, kingfish, migrating cobia, and black sea bass.

Licenses

Florida fishing licenses are required for all anglers ages 16 and older. Licenses are available online at myfwc.com/license, and can also be purchased at any of the Leon County Tax Collector’s offices, which are open Monday through Friday,
8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., and can be reached
at (850) 606-4700. 

Picture ID and application are required. If you are 65 or older, there is no fee. The costs for all other applicants are as follows:

Freshwater Fishing: $17 (annual)
Saltwater Fishing: $17 (annual)
Freshwater/Saltwater Fishing: $32.50