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Weedon Island Preserve

Weedon Island Preserve 1800 Weedon Drive Northeast
St. Petersburg, Florida 33702 United States
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Weedon Island Fishing Pier Closed for Renovations

Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, the Weedon Island fishing pier will undergo renovations and be closed to the public. The renovation is expected to take approximately 9 to 12 months.

During this period, fishing within the Weedon Island Preserve will be prohibited.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we improve our facilities to better serve our visitors.

Temporary Closures

The project has been delayed due to extreme, wet conditions.  Please check back for further updates and a new tentative start date.

We will soon conduct vegetation fuel reduction across 27.5 acres in three areas of the preserve using heavy equipment. During this time, the following areas will be impacted (See map)

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we continue to promote the safety and enjoyment for all our visitors.

For more information on Vegetation Fuel Reduction, please visit Managing Land in Pinellas

Vegetation fuel reduction to be completed over 24.45 acres of the preserve. 9.40 acres East of Weedon Dr NE near Boy Sout Trail. 5.09 acres North of main parking lot. 12.96 acres Northeast of education center.

A Place to Remember

Weedon Island Preserve is an expansive 3,000-acre natural area on Tampa Bay in north St. Petersburg. It is comprised mostly of marine ecosystems with some uplands. Indigenous peoples, including those during the “Weeden” (alternate spelling) Island Cultural Period, lived at this site for thousands of years.

A varied modern history is also part of the preserve’s legacy. Today, the preserve protects this wide diversity of natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.

The preserve serves as a natural floodplain that: 

  • Protects nearby development from flooding and coastal erosion by reducing storm surge.
  • Provides valuable habitats for many kinds of animals including oysters, stingrays and even small sharks.
  • Offers an array of recreational and educational opportunities, such as paddling, hiking, and bird watching.

Weedon Island Preserve is a well-known birding and fishing site. Although shell fishing is prohibited in Tampa Bay for health reasons, the preserve’s fishing pier and outlying oyster bars are ideal sites for catching sea trout, snook and sheepshead. State regulations governing saltwater fishing apply. Commercial fishing is prohibited. Two self-guided paddling trails allow exploration of the preserve’s islands and waterways (north trail is closed at this time). More than 4.7 miles of boardwalks and trails offer visitors an opportunity to enjoy and experience natural Florida.

Nestled deep within the preserve is the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center. Visitors are encouraged to view all the exciting exhibits and explore the gift shop which carries cultural and natural history items. A resource center is also available for visitors to explore environmental and cultural topics.

Amenities

Visit the Weedon Island Preserve website to learn more about the preserve, current programs, classes and events.