Russell-Fields City Pier extends more than 1,500 feet into the Gulf of Mexico from Panama City Beach, Florida. The pier is open year-round, and you can visit to fish or take in the Gulf views; admission is charged for both fishing and spectating.
- Location: 16101–16201 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
- Opening pattern: open 24 hours
- Daily admission: $7 for fishing or $4 for spectators.
- Nearby landmark: The pier stands directly across from the main entrance to Pier Park.
Finding Russell-Fields City Pier
Russell-Fields City Pier is at 16101–16201 Front Beach Road, across from Pier Park’s main entrance. The City of Panama City Beach and Visit Panama City Beach give different street numbers for Russell-Fields Pier & Beach, so use the pier’s name as well as the address to confirm the destination.
The City’s mapped coordinates are 30.19023° latitude and -85.83098° longitude. For beach parking, Visit Panama City Beach includes Pier Park/Russell-Fields City Pier among its four public beach-parking areas, alongside M.B. Miller County Pier, Rick Seltzer Park and St. Andrews State Park.
Pier views and fishing
The pier projects more than 1,500 feet over the Gulf, giving you a long stretch of open-water views as you walk out. Fishing admission is separate from spectator admission, and the City names cobia, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, red fish, blues, blue liners, pompano, flounder, hardtails, bonita, mullet, grouper and sheepshead among seasonal catches.
Visit Panama City Beach says anglers in area waters need a fishing license unless they fish from a licensed fishing pier or a charter boat operated by a licensed captain. If you plan to fish, check the official site before you go for current admission details and rules.
Access, fees, and facilities
The pier is handicapped accessible. Daily admission is $7 for fishing and $4 for spectators. Children age 6 and under enter free for either activity; the $3 rates for disabled visitors, active or retired military and seniors age 65 and older require documentation or ID.
For repeat visits, 20-visit passes cost $80 for fishing and $40 for spectating, three-month passes cost $80 and $40 respectively, and annual passes cost $150 and $120. Bay County residents have annual options at $120 for fishing and $90 for spectating.
The 20-visit passes expire one year after issue, with unused visits forfeited; three-month passes expire after three months, and annual passes after one year. City Pier passes are also honored at M.B. Miller County Pier. Eligible military members, seniors and disabled visitors can get half-price passes with documentation or ID.
Three beach-accessible wheelchairs are available at no charge. To use one, complete a form and show valid ID to the pier attendant at the ticket office. Beach Access #56, west of the ticket office, has a ramp for beach-accessible chairs. The beach facility also has six regulation volleyball courts, and the City describes its west side as dog friendly.
Weather and safety considerations
The City gives lifeguard hours as 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April 1 through September 30. Those hours do not cover the full year, so plan beach swimming with that seasonal schedule in mind. The pier itself is open around the clock, but schedule changes may be posted on the Panama City Beach Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
The pier bait shop is closed. Check the City of Panama City Beach’s official site before you go for current access, fees and facility updates.
Nearby places to combine with a visit
Pier Park is directly across from the pier’s main entrance, so you can pair time on the pier with the shops and dining at Pier Park in Panama City Beach.
Visit Panama City Beach includes Pier Park/Russell-Fields City Pier among four public beach-parking areas, alongside M.B. Miller County Pier, Rick Seltzer Park and St. Andrews State Park.
For a broader beach outing, Panama City Beach’s public shoreline access offers another way to plan time by the water.
Russell-Fields City Pier is about 2.5 miles from Summer Breeze, a motel in Panama City Beach.
FAQs
What are the Russell-Fields City Pier hours?
open 24 hours. The pier is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. Schedule changes may be posted on the Panama City Beach Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
How much does it cost to fish or watch?
Daily admission is $7 for fishing and $4 for spectators. Children age 6 and under are free, and eligible discounted rates require documentation or ID.
Do you need a fishing license at Russell-Fields City Pier?
Visit Panama City Beach says a license is required in local waters unless you fish from a licensed fishing pier or from a charter boat operated by a licensed captain.
Is the pier accessible?
Yes. The pier is handicapped accessible, and three beach-accessible wheelchairs are available free with a completed form and valid ID provided to the pier attendant.