Goose Island State Parkâs boat launch makes getting out on the beautiful St. Charles Bay easy. Whether youâre fishing, searching for wildlife, or just looking for some wind in your hair, boaters will enjoy the calm waters of the bay and lush greenery of the marshes. But donât get too close to shore! Bulkheads and mud flats make the bay a less than ideal swimming spot, and motorized boats shouldnât wander too close to shore.
A 1,620-foot long fishing pier, boat launch, and fish cleaning station make Goose Island State Park an ideal fishing destination. No license? No problem! Texas State Parks donât require a fishing license as long as you stick to the shore or the pier. The pier is located at the farthest edge of the park, right by the Aransas bay, so youâre guaranteed some refreshing Gulf breezes and ocean views while you fish. This map will help you locate the best fishing spots in the park. And for all the fishy details, this guide should help.
The Turks Cap Trail is a .66 mile path that meanders through the parkâs flatlands, and is a great way to see the parkâs non-aquatic wildlife and lush flatlands.
The parkâs kayak and canoe launch makes it easy to explore the Aransas and St. Charles Bays. Since the St. Charles Bay is sheltered by the island, water is generally calm. If you paddle quietly, you might just come across an endangered whooping crane, which feeds on the crabs and berries of the coastal wetlands. Boat rentals are not available here; itâs BYOK at Goose Island State Park.
Whether youâre wandering through the mainland, the island, or have found yourself in the middle of the bay, youâll quickly notice that Goose Island State Park is winning the wildlife game. Explore the Big Tree in the middle of the park, an enormous live oak with branches that extend 90 feet across. A hike through the mainlandâs trails will reveal white-tailed deer, armadillos, and cottontail rabbits. Look carefully into the waters around the island, and youâll see plenty of trout and red drum swimming about. This nature guide offers all the wild details.