About Indian River, FL

The Indian River in Florida is a 121-mile brackish river and lagoon that is part of the Indian River Lagoon system, forming part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway along the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. The river carries on down south from the Ponce De Leon inlet in New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County and beyond the Haulover Canal and along Merritt Island’s west shore, continuing south to the St. Lucie Inlet where its mouth is located. Indian River County in the Treasure Coast region was named after the river. The island’s south side is where waters from the Banana River flow into the lagoon. 

The Indian River used to be called Rio de Ais, named after the Ais Indian tribe who resided along the east coast of the state. Bridges at the river tend to impede the flow of gracilaria, a form of red algae, at certain times of the year, resulting in an odor of hydrogen sulfide in its area. Palm Bay is an estuary of the river and its tributaries include the man-made Merritt Island Barge Canal and C-54 Canal as well as Crane Creek, the Eau Gallie River, St. Sebastian River, St. Lucie River, Sykes Creek, Turkey Creek, Horse Creek, and Mullet Creek.

All About Fishing in Indian River, FL

The Indian River, which is part of the system dubbed as the “Lagoon Fishing Capital of the World”, is a very diverse fishing destination as a lot of offshore and inshore fish breed in its waters. Anglers can find trophy-sized bull redfish and spotted sea trout in the river and its deep flats where the system attracts a lot of shrimp and mullets for feeding. Grouper, snapper, snook, black drum and tarpon can also be caught in the river. The lagoon also provides excellent grass habitat that results in gator trout growing to massive sizes. State record catches have been caught in the river due to the size of fish it produces. 

The Indian River Lagoon is the closest saltwater fishing spot to Orlando. The best place to target record-sized redfish and spotted sea trout is at the northern part of the river, surrounded by acres of freshwater impoundments and marsh. Using live bait is the preferred way to fish in the river though one can apply light tackle fishing, trolling, spinning or fly fishing there and still have a productive fishing trip. Anglers can fish from boats or kayaks with the surrounding area riddled with several fishing and charter services. New Smyrna Beach, Titusville, Melbourne, Sebastian, and Vero Beach are the most popular fishing spots at the river. Anglers can also wade in the river with its bridges being the ideal locations. Finding fish at or by the river’s shorelines, canals, deeper mangroves, inlets, docks, and clear grass flats is recommended by veterans.

Fishing Seasonality

Trout are best targeted in the Indian River during the winter when the waters are calm and they’re normally found in schools all over the river’s flats. Ideal conditions to fish for trout in the area is when it’s right before dusk when and there’s an overcast sky. Snook prefer warmer waters though they can be caught year-round. Tarpon is also best caught during the summer. The peak time to fish for redfish is in September as they spawn from August to November. Grouper season is from June to December while snapper can be caught in June and July. The best months to catch black drum is in February and March when they come en masse inshore. It’s recommended to check local fishing regulations, daily weather and water forecasts as well as daily or seasonal catch and bag limits for certain species before endeavoring the fish in the river.

Fishing Seasonality

Trout are best targeted in the Indian River during the winter when the waters are calm and they’re normally found in schools all over the river’s flats. Ideal conditions to fish for trout in the area is when it’s right before dusk when and there’s an overcast sky. Snook prefer warmer waters though they can be caught year-round. Tarpon is also best caught during the summer. The peak time to fish for redfish is in September as they spawn from August to November. Grouper season is from June to December while snapper can be caught in June and July. The best months to catch black drum is in February and March when they come en masse inshore. It’s recommended to check local fishing regulations, daily weather and water forecasts as well as daily or seasonal catch and bag limits for certain species before endeavoring the fish in the river.

All About Fishing in Indian River, FL

The Indian River, which is part of the system dubbed as the “Lagoon Fishing Capital of the World”, is a very diverse fishing destination as a lot of offshore and inshore fish breed in its waters. Anglers can find trophy-sized bull redfish and spotted sea trout in the river and its deep flats where the system attracts a lot of shrimp and mullets for feeding. Grouper, snapper, snook, black drum and tarpon can also be caught in the river. The lagoon also provides excellent grass habitat that results in gator trout growing to massive sizes. State record catches have been caught in the river due to the size of fish it produces. 

The Indian River Lagoon is the closest saltwater fishing spot to Orlando. The best place to target record-sized redfish and spotted sea trout is at the northern part of the river, surrounded by acres of freshwater impoundments and marsh. Using live bait is the preferred way to fish in the river though one can apply light tackle fishing, trolling, spinning or fly fishing there and still have a productive fishing trip. Anglers can fish from boats or kayaks with the surrounding area riddled with several fishing and charter services. New Smyrna Beach, Titusville, Melbourne, Sebastian, and Vero Beach are the most popular fishing spots at the river. Anglers can also wade in the river with its bridges being the ideal locations. Finding fish at or by the river’s shorelines, canals, deeper mangroves, inlets, docks, and clear grass flats is recommended by veterans.