Indian River Lagoon fishing report for the week of October 8, 2026. Fall in the lagoon means falling water temperatures, schooling redfish and big trout on the grass. The mullet run is also pushing predators toward the inlets.
What’s Hitting
Redfish are schooling on the shallow flats and the edges of the spoil islands, with some bull reds around Sebastian Inlet. Speckled trout are on the grass flats and around the channel edges, snook are staging at the inlets and under the dock lights, and black drum and sheepshead are around the bridges.
Where to Find Them
Look for redfish on the flats in the north lagoon and around the Mosquito Lagoon, where the schools move on the tide. Trout hold on the grass patches in 3 to 5 feet of water. Sebastian Inlet and Fort Pierce Inlet are the places for snook and bull reds, and the bridge pilings hold sheepshead and drum.
Tides & Conditions
The new moon brings stronger tidal flow. The inlets will run hard, concentrating fish on the edges, and the lagoon flats will drain quickly on the falling tide. Wind can be a factor on the open lagoon, and a northeast breeze muddies the shallows, so look for the protected side of the spoil islands.
Tackle & Tactics
For redfish, a gold spoon, a paddle tail on a quarter-ounce jig head, or live shrimp under a popping cork works well. For trout, a topwater at dawn or a soft plastic on a light jig head. At the inlets, live mullet or pilchards under a float is the standard for snook, and a heavier jig bounced on the bottom takes bull reds.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes Sebastian Inlet State Park, Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, and Pepper Park in Fort Pierce, with ramps along the lagoon in Vero Beach and Melbourne. Fish are concentrating on the shallow flats and the inlet edges. Check current FWC regulations and seasons before keeping any fish, and note the lagoon slot limits for redfish and trout.
This Week’s Tip
Pole or drift the flats quietly and look for pushes of water, tails and mud. Reds on the flats spook easily, so stay at the edge of casting distance and let the lure land past the school.
More Indian River Lagoon Resources
All Indian River Lagoon fishing reports · Seasonal fishing calendars · Submit your own report
Planning a trip to Indian River Lagoon?
This report tells you what happened. ReelAI tells you what to do about it — a briefing for your date, your target species and how you're fishing, built from our reports plus live NOAA and USGS data.
Powered by ReelAI — fishing.digital's intelligence layer. Answers are generated from fishing.digital reports and public NOAA, NWS and USGS data, and may be incomplete or out of date. Regulations and marine safety information are summaries only; always confirm with the responsible authority before you fish.