Kingfish is the big public launch at the east foot of the Anna Maria Island bridge. For a paddler it is pure access: you put straight onto Anna Maria Sound with the bridge overhead and open water in every direction, an easy reach to the north end of the island, Bimini Bay, and the southern edge of Tampa Bay. That openness is also the catch. This is exposed sound water, so a steady wind stacks up a real chop and the boat wakes never stop on a busy morning, which makes it a launch to time for calm air and a slack-ish tide rather than a place to dawdle. Parking is available, but overnight parking is prohibited and current capacity is not stated. Current fee and restroom availability are not verified, and the operator's general 24-hour ramp service conflicts with the facility page's overnight-parking restriction.
Where do I park, and is it free?
- Cost
- Current fee unknown
- Parking
- Unknown
- Restrooms
- Current availability unverified (checked 2026-08-20)
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Manatee County currently identifies Kingfish as a public boat-ramp and canoe and kayak access site. Parking is available without overnight parking; current fee, capacity, restroom availability, and launch hours are not fully verified.
Access sources: ocean.floridamarine.org (checked August 20, 2026), mymanatee.org (checked August 20, 2026), public.mymanatee.org (checked August 20, 2026), mymanatee.org (checked August 20, 2026), mymanatee.org (checked August 20, 2026).
How clear is the water?
Open sound water by the bridge.
What will I see?
- Dolphins work Anna Maria Sound and the bridge channel year-round, often in sight of the ramp
- Manatees pass through the sound and the warmer channels in the cooler months
- Pelicans, herons, and ospreys around the bridge pilings; snook, redfish, and trout on the surrounding flats
What's the fishing like?
Anna Maria Sound: trout, redfish, and snook on the flats and around the bridge, sheepshead and mangrove snapper on structure.
How do I share the water here?
The water off this bridge sits inside the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve system, grass flats and mangrove shoreline that the whole sound depends on. Hold to the posted manatee idle-speed zones, keep off the shallow grass at low water, and carry every scrap of line and bait bag out: this is a heavily fished, heavily trafficked launch, and the pelicans that perch on the docks pay for what gets left behind. Harassing a manatee here is a federal and state offense, with fines that climb into the tens of thousands, so watch and give room.
See how it scores before you drive out.
Check Kingfish Boat Ramp on the live map