The City of Deerfield Beach calls its 976-foot International Fishing Pier a place “attracting thousands of visitors and anglers annually.” This page covers what an angler needs before the first cast: hours, fees, the license question, rentals, what the bait shop stocks, the City’s list of common catches and the rules we could confirm. We read every source on Oct. 20, 2026.
- The City of Deerfield Beach calls it the "International Fishing Pier" (page title) and describes it as "The 976-foot Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier … the crowning jewel on our beach, attracting thousands of visitors and anglers annually." City of Deerfield Beach: International Fishing Pier
Before you go: the night closure
The City posts pier hours of 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Its pier page also says that as of Oct. 20, 2026 the pier is closed from sunset through sunrise until further notice, for maintenance. That rules out evening and night fishing while the notice stands. The City gives no end date, so call the pier at 954-250-4167 before you go. The full schedule is on our hours and fees page.
- Under "Upcoming operational impacts" the city says: "As of October 20, 2026, we will be CLOSED SUNSET through SUNRISE until further notice, due to maintenance needs." No end date is given. City of Deerfield Beach: International Fishing Pier
What fishing costs
Fishing costs $4.00 a day, free with ID for veterans and active military. Deerfield Beach residents and first responders walk out free as sightseers, but the City does not list them as free for fishing. Regulars can buy a pass. Residents pay $50 a month, $300 for six months or $500 a year. Non-residents pay $63, $375 or $625. Active military, veterans and first responders pay the resident prices. Online payments carry a 3% convenience fee or a $.50 ACH fee.
- Fishing: $4.00 (FREE for Veterans and Active Military with ID). Unlike sightseeing, the fishing fee is not listed as free for residents or first responders. City of Deerfield Beach: International Fishing Pier
- Monthly fishing pass: $50 DFB Residents; $63 Non-DFB Residents; $50 Active Military/Veterans/First Responders. City of Deerfield Beach: International Fishing Pier
- Six-month fishing pass: $300 DFB Residents; $375 Non-DFB Residents; $300 Active Military/Veterans/First Responders. City of Deerfield Beach: International Fishing Pier
- Annual fishing pass: $500 DFB Residents; $625 Non-DFB Residents; $500 Active Military/Veterans/First Responders. City of Deerfield Beach: International Fishing Pier
Do you need a Florida fishing license on the pier?
We could not confirm the answer, and we would rather say so than guess. FWC’s license page says no individual saltwater license is needed for “Individuals saltwater fishing from a pier with a valid saltwater pier license.” Neither the City’s pier page nor the FWC pages we read on Oct. 20, 2026 say whether this pier holds such a license.
You may read elsewhere that the pier’s license covers every angler. Until the City or FWC says so in writing, ask at the bait shop window (954-250-4167) when you pay, or carry your own license. FWC explains who needs one on its Do I Need a License? page.
- FWC: no individual saltwater license is needed for "Individuals saltwater fishing from a pier with a valid saltwater pier license." (Whether the Deerfield Beach pier holds such a license is NOT stated on the city or FWC pages we read.) Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Do I Need a License?
Sharks need a separate permit
FWC has required a shore-based shark fishing permit since July 1, 2019. It applies to anglers 16 and older taking or trying to take sharks from shore, and FWC names piers in that rule. The permit is in addition to a saltwater fishing license, and FWC says there are no permit exemptions, even for anglers exempt from the license. Details are on FWC’s saltwater licenses page.
- FWC: since July 1, 2019 a shore-based shark fishing permit is "required for anglers 16 and older in addition to a saltwater fishing license when taking or attempting to take sharks from shore, including jetties, bridges and piers. No permit exemptions, even if exempt from fishing license requirements." Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Saltwater Fishing Licenses
Rod rental and the bait shop
The bait shop sits at the pier entrance. The rod rental package is $20: a rod, one $6 pack of bait (as available) and five hours of parking in the pier lot (if available). A rod alone is $15. Both need a $25 refundable cash deposit with ID. Rentals run 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. only, rods must stay on the pier, and there are no rentals when the bait shop is closed.
The City says the concession stocks fresh and frozen bait, tackle, fishing accessories, ice and t-shirts. Its list includes floats, spoons and jigs, leader and monofilament, bait buckets and bubblers, fish rulers, chum bags, weights from 1/4 oz to 8 oz, hooks, sunscreen, drinks, chips and souvenirs. The City does not publish the shop’s opening hours or prices for those items.
- Rod Rental Package $20 ($15 rod only) plus a $25 CASH ONLY refundable deposit with ID. 8 AM – 5 PM only; rods must remain on the pier; package includes rod, 1 pack of $6 bait (as available) and 5-hour parking in the Pier lot (if available). No rod rentals when the Bait Shop is closed. City of Deerfield Beach: International Fishing Pier
- "In addition to renting fishing rods, the pier concession stocks fresh and frozen bait, tackle, fishing accessories, ice, and t-shirts." Items listed include floats, spoons/jigs, leader and monofilament, bait buckets and bubblers, fish rulers, chum bags, weights from 1/4 oz to 8 oz, hooks, sunscreen, drinks, chips and Deerfield Beach souvenirs. City of Deerfield Beach: International Fishing Pier
- The city describes "the Bait Shop, which is located at the International Fishing Pier entrance." City of Deerfield Beach: International Fishing Pier
Angler parking
Anglers can park in the pier lot for $10 per 5 hours, when space is available and only when the bait shop is open. Otherwise the pier lot’s hourly rate applies. See our parking page for zones and rates.
- Angler Parking (Pier lot only): $10 per 5 hours, "when available and only when the bait shop is open." City of Deerfield Beach: International Fishing Pier
What gets caught: the City’s top ten
The City’s Fish Guide says the pier has plaques with artistic renderings and information about “the 10 most common fish caught from the pier.” The City’s list is: mutton snapper, bonito, blue runner, mangrove snapper, pompano, crevalle jack, kingfish, bluefish, lookdown and Spanish mackerel.
That is the City’s list, not a promise of a catch. We do not add species by month or bag and size limits here, because we have not sourced them for this pier. Check FWC’s current saltwater rules for any fish you plan to keep. The plaques themselves are worth a look on your walk out.
- The pier has "unique plaques featuring artistic renderings and information about the 10 most common fish caught from the pier." City of Deerfield Beach: Fish Guide
- The city's list of the 10 most common fish caught from the pier: Mutton Snapper, Bonito, Blue Runner, Mangrove Snapper, Pompano, Crevalle Jack, Kingfish, Bluefish, Lookdown and Spanish Mackerel. City of Deerfield Beach: Fish Guide
If you hook a sea turtle
The City’s Sea Turtles page says it takes part in a Responsible Pier Initiative “by stationing a Turtle Retriever Net in the bait house at the Pier” to help anglers who hook a sea turtle. The net is kept at the bait house, so that is where to go for help. Three turtle species nest on Deerfield Beach. Our sea turtles page covers the season and the lighting rules.
- The city participates in Loggerhead Marinelife Center's Responsible Pier Initiative "by stationing a Turtle Retriever Net in the bait house at the Pier" to help anglers who hook a sea turtle. City of Deerfield Beach: Sea Turtles
Rules we can confirm, and ones we cannot
City code keeps people out of the water near the pier. Swimming, snorkeling and diving are prohibited within 150 feet of the pier, and Section 50-112(f) of the City Code also bans paddling, kayaking, surfing and kiteboarding within 50 yards, or 150 feet, of it.
- "Swimming, snorkeling, and diving are prohibited 150 feet around the pier. Section 50-112(f) of the City Code prohibits swimming, paddling, kayaking, surfing, or kiteboard/surfing within 50 yards or 150 feet of the City fishing pier." City of Deerfield Beach: Livestream Cameras (legal disclaimer)
The City’s pier page does not publish rules on how many rods you may fish, cast nets, gaffs, or pets on the pier. We do not guess at them. Ask the bait shop or the pier manager (954-250-4166) before you set up.
Tides, water and dive sites
NOAA’s nearest tide prediction station is 8722832, “Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro River”. By our straight-line calculation from NOAA’s coordinates it is about half a mile west-southwest of the pier, and it is on the river, not the open ocean. The nearest ocean-inlet station is 8722861, “Hillsboro Inlet, Coast Guard Light Station”. Open NOAA’s station 8722832. The City’s diving page puts the ocean at 72 degrees in winter and 80 in summer.
- Nearest NOAA tide-prediction station: 8722832 "Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro River" (harmonic reference station, lat 26.3133, lon -80.0817), about half a mile west-southwest of the pier by our straight-line calculation from NOAA's coordinates; it is on the river, not the open ocean. The nearest ocean-inlet station is 8722861 "Hillsboro Inlet, Coast Guard Light Station" (subordinate to 8723178). NOAA CO-OPS Tides & Currents: station 8722832 (metadata from the CO-OPS stations API)
- City diving page: "Ocean temperature ranges from 72 degrees in the winter to 80 degrees in the summer." City of Deerfield Beach: Diving
Dive sites off Deerfield Beach
The City’s dive-site table includes Pennel’s Reef (a metal dredge pontoon, 30 feet), Mt. Deerfield (500 tons of rock, 65 feet), the Noula Express (a vessel, 114 feet) and the Miracle of Life (a vessel, 167 feet). Divers and snorkelers must keep 150 feet from the pier. The beach rules allow snorkeling and scuba diving with a dive flag.
- City dive-site table includes Pennel's Reef (metal dredge pontoon, 30 feet, 26.319667 / -80.068), Mt. Deerfield (500 tons of rock, 65 feet), Noula Express (vessel, 114 feet) and Miracle of Life (vessel, 167 feet). City of Deerfield Beach: Diving
Planning a full day? Our day planner and hours and fees page pull the times together, and the pier cams page links to the City’s underwater camera.
Decision tool · what will it cost?
What will the pier cost your group?
Tell us who is coming and what you need. We add up the fees the City of Deerfield Beach lists for walking out on the pier, fishing from it, renting a rod and parking as an angler.
| Who | Daily fee | As listed |
|---|---|---|
| Walking out, not fishing | $2.00 | Sightseeing $2.00 |
| Walking out: Deerfield Beach resident, veteran, active military or first responder (with ID) | $0.00 | Sightseeing free with ID |
| Fishing | $4.00 | Fishing $4.00 |
| Fishing: veteran or active military (with ID) | $0.00 | Fishing free with ID |
| Rod rental package (rod, a pack of bait as available, 5 hours in the pier lot if available) | $20.00 | $20, plus a $25 cash deposit returned with the rod |
| Rod only | $15.00 | $15, plus a $25 cash deposit returned with the rod |
| Angler parking in the pier lot, per 5 hours | $10.00 | $10 per 5 hours, when available and only while the bait shop is open |
Florida fishing licence: FWC exempts anglers on a pier that holds a valid saltwater pier license, but neither the City nor FWC says whether this pier holds one. Ask at the bait shop or call 954-250-4167. Shore-based shark anglers need FWC's shark permit. Regular pier-lot parking is $3 an hour Monday 6 a.m. to Friday 4 p.m. and $4 an hour from Friday 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday, enforced 24/7.
Fees as the City of Deerfield Beach lists them (effective Feb. 23, 2026), checked 2026-10-20. Rod rentals run 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. only, and the $25 deposit is cash only and refundable. Online pass payments carry a 3% card fee or a $0.50 ACH fee. Passes for regular visitors are on the hours and fees page. City of Deerfield Beach: International Fishing Pier
Coming back every weekend? See what living near the pier is like.
How much does it cost to fish from the pier?
The daily fishing fee is $4.00. It is free with ID for veterans and active military. Unlike sightseeing, the city does not list fishing as free for residents or first responders.
Do I need a Florida fishing license to fish from the Deerfield Beach pier?
We could not confirm this. The FWC exempts anglers "saltwater fishing from a pier with a valid saltwater pier license", but neither the city's pier page nor the FWC pages we checked say whether the Deerfield Beach pier holds one. Ask the bait shop (954-250-4167) or buy a license from FWC. To target sharks from any pier, anglers 16 and older also need FWC's shore-based shark fishing permit, and FWC allows no exemptions to that permit.
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Do I Need a License?
Are there monthly or annual pier passes?
Yes. Fishing passes cost $50 a month, $300 for six months or $500 a year for Deerfield Beach residents and for active military, veterans and first responders. Non-residents pay $63, $375 or $625. Non-residents can also buy sightseer passes at $13 a month or $63 for six months. Online payments carry a 3% convenience fee or a $0.50 ACH fee.
Can I rent a fishing rod at the pier?
Yes. The rod rental package is $20 ($15 for the rod only), plus a $25 cash-only refundable deposit with ID. The package includes a rod, one $6 pack of bait (as available) and 5 hours of parking in the pier lot (if available). Rentals run 8 AM to 5 PM only, rods must stay on the pier, and there are no rentals when the bait shop is closed.
Is there a bait and tackle shop on the pier?
Yes. The bait shop is at the pier entrance. The city says the concession stocks fresh and frozen bait, tackle, fishing accessories, ice and t-shirts. Its list also includes weights from 1/4 oz to 8 oz, hooks, leader and monofilament, fish rulers, sunscreen, drinks and snacks.
What fish are caught from the pier?
The city lists the 10 most common catches as mutton snapper, bonito, blue runner, mangrove snapper, pompano, crevalle jack, kingfish, bluefish, lookdown and Spanish mackerel. Plaques on the pier show each one.
What happens if I hook a sea turtle?
The city takes part in the Responsible Pier Initiative and keeps a turtle retriever net in the bait house at the pier. Alert the bait shop staff, and they can help bring the turtle safely to shore for the proper authorities.
Where can I check tides near the pier?
NOAA's closest tide-prediction station is 8722832, "Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro River", about half a mile west-southwest of the pier on the river. For an inlet reading, use NOAA station 8722861, "Hillsboro Inlet, Coast Guard Light Station". For surf and flag conditions, use the city's Beach Conditions & Flags dashboard or call (954) 480-4413.
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: City of Deerfield Beach: International Fishing Pier (operator)