![]() | Skyway Fishing PierBrochure |
Brochure of Skyway Fishing Pier State Park in Florida - the world’s longest fishing pier. Published by Florida State Parks.
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Florida State Parks
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Recreation and Parks
History & Nature
The Skyway Fishing Pier State Park is located
to the north and south of the Sunshine Skyway
Bridge on Interstate 275 (US 19). Built over Tampa
Bay, the bridge connects St. Petersburg in Pinellas
County with Palmetto in Manatee County. The
original Sunshine Skyway Bridge was completed
and opened to the public in 1954. As the area
grew, so did the need for more roads, and in 1969
a similar structure was built parallel to it to make it
a four-lane bridge. During the years from 1954 to
1980, thousands of large ships and boats passed
underneath the bridge without any recorded
damage or loss of life. Then, during a violent
thunderstorm on May 9, 1980, a tragedy occurred.
The freighter Summit Venture collided with one of
the bridge’s western columns, causing 1200 feet
of bridge to collapse and killing 35 people.
In 1987, a new Sunshine Skyway Bridge was
constructed east of the old one and the center
spans of the old bridge were demolished. Rather
than removing all of the bridge it was decided to
use the remaining structures as a public fishing
pier. These were renovated and in 1994 became
Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. The pier provides
over four miles of fishing platform making it the
world’s longest fishing pier.
Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
4905 34th Street South, #5000
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
Phone: (727) 865-0668
FloridaStateParks.org
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Park Guidelines
Southwest
Florida
Skyway Fishing Pier
State Park
World’s longest fishing pier
Hours are 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
An entrance fee is required. Additional user fees
may apply.
All plants, animals and park property are
protected.
The collection, destruction or disturbance of
plants, animals or park property is prohibited.
Pets are not permitted in this park.
Fireworks and alcoholic beverages are
prohibited.
Castnetting in designated areas only.
Dispose of fishing line properly. It can kill
wildlife.
Do not feed the birds.
A Florida fishing license may be required.
Vehicles weighing over 12 tons are not allowed
on the pier.
Florida’s state parks are committed to providing
equal access to all facilities and programs.
Should you need assistance to enable your
participation, please contact the bait shop.
Alternate format
available upon
request at any
Florida state park.
FLORIDA
State Parks
Created on 11/14
SM
National Gold Medal Winner
Florida State Parks - “America’s First Three-Time Winner”
Real Fun in
Welcome to the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park,
where you can enjoy fishing from the longest
fishing pier in the world. View magnificent sunrises
and beautiful sunsets as the piers are open 24
hours a day all year round. Fishing supplies,
snacks, drinks and bait are all available on both
the north and south pier’s bait shops, where you
can also pick up a free copy of the latest fishing
regulations.
The Skyway Fishing Pier was once part of the
old Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The car lanes from
the former bridge still line the pier, so anglers
can drive to a spot that looks good, park and
unload their fishing gear. At night, the pier is lit so
anglers can see to rig a line, bait a hook and get
a good look at their catch. The light also attracts
many species of fish after sundown. Common
catches include snook, tarpon, grouper, black sea
bass, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia,
sheepshead, red snapper and pompano.
The pier is also a fine place to see a variety of
birds including pelicans, herons, seagulls, terns,
and ducks. Please, do not feed or tempt the birds
with fishing bait. Doing so encourages them to
look for and eat fishing bait rather than catching
their own food. Pier managers often have to net
birds that have become hooked and injured by
trying to eat bait from a line. These birds must
then be sent to a bird sanctuary hospital for
medical attention or rehabilitation. Please enjoy
the birds from a distance.
Directions
The Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
is located on the north and south
sides of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
on I-275 (U.S. 19).