THE WORLD’S LEADING FISHING DESTINATION - … › wp-content › uploads › 2015 › 09 › FLA...THE WORLD’S LEADING FISHING DESTINATION Published under contract with Florida

AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA

2015 EDITION

T H E W O R L D ’ S L E A D I N G F I S H I N G D E S T I N A T I O N

Published under contract with Florida Sports, a division of Enterprise Florida, Inc., by:

Destination Media, Inc.PO Box 897

Melrose, FL 32666 352.475.2200

Gary A. Jones President/CEO

[email protected]

Deborah J. Green Executive Vice President

PARTNER DEVELOPMENT

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA

Dick Myers 352.697.1432 [email protected]

Design and Production by Muddy Creek Creative

Emily R. YoungProject Coordinator

Nile Young Jr.Contributing Photographer

A Division of Enterprise Florida, Inc.101 N. Monroe St., Suite 1000,

Tallahassee, FL 32301850.488.8347

John WebbPresident

Nick GandyCommunications Director

All contents are fully protected by Copyright 2015, Florida Sports and Destination Media, Inc. Contents may not be reproduced without written permission.

For additional copies: www.flasports.com

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information herein. However, the State of Florida, Florida Sports, Enterprise Florida, Inc. and Destination Media are not responsible for any errors or omissions which might occur. Also, advertising material and information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser, and appearance in FLORIDA FISHING & BOATING does not necessarily reflect endorsement of the product or service by the State of Florida, Florida Sports, Enterprise Florida, Inc., or the publisher, nor are the State, Florida Sports, Enterprise Florida, Inc. and the publisher responsible for the contents of the individual advertisements. The publisher thanks Florida Sports staff for its efforts on behalf of this guide.

Contents Northwest

North Central

Northeast

Central

Central West

Central East

Southwest

Southeast

Northwest

NortheastNorth

Central

Central East

Southwest

Southeast

Central West Central

On the Cover: Fishing at StreamSong Resort. Courtesy of Nile Young Photohraphy

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T H E W O R L D ’ S L E A D I N G F I S H I N G D E S T I N A T I O N

“Florida has earned the title, ‘Fishing Capital of the World,’ with more 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline, more than 7,700 lakes, and 10,550 miles of rivers and streams – all waiting to be explored. In addition to our beautiful waterways, outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy Florida’s award-winning park system, the nation’s only three-time winner of the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence. While you are enjoying Florida’s fishing and boating, I invite you to learn more about how we are making Florida the best place in the world for families to work, live, and pursue the American dream.”

Governor Rick Scott

“Florida offers a great diversity of saltwater fishes and an

equally impressive amount of freshwater fish. With Florida’s

temperate year-round climate, there’s not a day from January

to December when our fishing season is closed. Once you’re

done in the water, enjoy Florida’s many attractions, like the

International Game Fish Association Fishing Hall of Fame &

Museum, in Dania Beach and variety of natural resources.”

John WebbPresident

Florida Sports Foundation

Welcome to World’sLeading Fishing Destination

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FLORIDA – “THE FISHING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD”WELCOME TO THE 2015 EDITION of Florida’s Official Fishing

& Boating Guide. This newly designed resource will highlight key regions

within The Sunshine State and identify great fishing and boating venues

throughout. The editorial features tips for saltwater and freshwater

angling, a rundown of some terrific and longstanding events and festivals,

an expanded look at a couple of terrific destinations and suggestions

on what to look for in a charter captain or guide.

From Pensacola to Key West and from Jacksonville to Naples, Florida

is comprised of more than 7,700 lakes, contains 10,550 miles of rivers

and 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline. Florida’s freshwater fisheries comprise

three million acres of lakes, ponds and reservoirs, and 10,550 miles of

rivers, streams and canals—with no closed seasons. With more than 700

world-record fish catches and Florida’s documentation as the country’s

number one recreational fishing destination, Florida Sports and the Florida

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are spreading the

word that The Sunshine State is the best place to fish and invite you to

take advantage of our unparalleled resources. FWC’s comprehensive

website (www.myfwc.com) is updated regularly and is the place to go

for specific questions on licensing, limits and legalities as it relates to

fishing, boating and related activities.

Recreational fishing has been found to be the number one gateway

activity connecting youth of all ages to the great outdoors partially

because it is available to everyone and is a low-cost wholesome form

of recreation. Florida is the “Fishing Capital of the World” because of

great resources and responsible management. We encourage you to

enjoy recreational fishing with your family and friends as a great way

to reconnect with nature, relax and lead a happier, healthier and more

active lifestyle.

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EVENTS

arts and crafts, children’s rides, & FOOD. Fried scallop dinners are available as well as scallops to take home & cook. 2 days of fun & activities for the whole family.

September 11-13 – ROBERT JAMES SALES S.L.A.M. CELEBRITY TOURNAMENTKey West, 305-664-2002In the first of three tournaments in the annual Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series, also called The Trilogy, anglers target tarpon, permit and bonefish to achieve the coveted “flats grand slam.”

September 11-13 – SOUTHERNMOST LIGHT TACKLE ANGLERS MASTERSKey West, 305-664-2002www.redbone.org

September 11-12 – FLORIDA SCALLOP & MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SCALLOP DROPPort St. Joe, 850-227-1223www.scallopfest.com

September 24-27 – MARATHON INTERNATIONAL BONEFISH TOURNAMENTMarathon, 305-304-8682For more than 50 years, this challenge awards individual and team champions scoring the largest bonefish and permit, the top anglers in fly and grand slam divisions (for the top spin or fly angler who releases the largest bonefish, permit and tarpon “slam”), as well as the tongue-in-cheek “wet pants” champion titles for anglers wading from shore. The event is one of the few tourna-ments where anglers can fish without a professional guide. Notable and celebrity participants have included crooner Perry Como during the early 1960s, former U.S. Rep. Dante Fascell, Broadway actor David Wayne and Heublein Inc. magnate John Martin of A-1 Sauce fame.

September 18-20 – HERMAN LUCERNE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENTIslamoradaNamed after the man known affectionately as “Mr. Everglades,” fishing is set against the backdrop of Everglades National Park, challenging anglers who seek the hard-to-reach yet fruitful fishing areas that Lucerne favored. Lucerne spent nearly 40 years exploring the backcountry’s labyrinth of canals, water trails and mangrove mazes, earning the affectionate moniker. The tournament distinguishes the overall grand champion as an individual angler who catches at least four of the seven eligible species: black drum, bonefish, redfish, snook, snapper, tarpon and sea trout.

September 25-26 – CURTIS ANDERS MEMORIAL FLORIDA CATFISH CLASSICWewahitchka www.floridacatfishclassic.com

September 25-27 – ANNUAL TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN BACKCOUNTRY CHALLENGEKey Largo, 305-304-0421For philanthropic anglers, this popular annual gathering proffers an important fundraising opportunity while fishing trout, snook and redfish. Proceeds benefit both local Rotary Club of Key Largo scholarships and Take Stock in Children, a statewide scholarship program for children in seventh through 12th grades. Trophies for

first through third place are to be awarded anglers in adult and pro divisions, as well as first-place snook, trout and redfish prizes for juniors age 17 and under.

OCTOBEROctober 1-31 – DESTIN FISHING RODEODestin, 850-837-6734www.destinfishingrodeo.orgEstablished in 1948, free to angler’s fishing aboard a registered boat in the Rodeo, over $100,000 awarded in cash and prizes. Daily, weekly and overall prizes.

October 9-11 – BAYBONE TOURNAMENTKey Largo, 305-664-220www.redbone.org

October 9-11 – ROBERT JAMES SALES BAYBONE CELEBRITY TOURNAMENTKey Largo, 305-664-2002The second of three tournaments in the annual Redbone Trilogy, the Baybone targets permit and bonefish to raise money for cystic fibrosis research. Among the celebri-ties who have fished recent Baybone tournaments is legendary angler Stu Apte, former Denver Bronco and Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mark Cooper and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs.

October 11-14 – ISLAMORADA FALL ALL-TACKLE BONEFISH Islamorada, 305-587-1460Known locally as the “Fall All-Tackle,” the three-day challenge attracts energized newcomers to face seasoned veterans, in a competitive format since 1970. Up to 25 participants in the tournament. One angler per boat pairs with a licensed captain to vie for division winners’ trophies. Permit was added to the challenge in 2013 and the three largest bonefish and three largest permit are to be scored by length, not weight.

October TBD – FLY FISHING EXPO Crystal River, 850-942-9776www.fedflyfishers.org/Councils/Florida

October 21-22 – THE IRISHWATERDOGS - KAYAK FISHING TOURNAMENT Jacksonville, 904-657-8038www.irishwaterdogsinvitational.com October 17-18 – CEDAR KEY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL Cedar Keywww.VisitLevy.comThe festival offers fine food, entertainment, shopping and family fun. The Cedar Key Seafood Festival cel-ebrates the area’s fishing heritage, offering two days of fantastic food, a Seafood Festival parade, 250 arts and crafts exhibitors, free live music and family fun. State Route 24 and Second Street at the Gulf Front City Park.

October 31-November 1 – FLORIDA SEAFOOD FESTIVALApalachicola, 850-653-9419The oldest seafood festival in the state. If you love great seafood, arts and crafts, fine folks and wonderful entertainment this will be a great event! Oyster eating and shucking contest, 5K Redfish Fun, Blue Crab Race and MORE!

NOVEMBERNovember 5-9 – FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW http://bit.ly/9KfE5p.Show exhibits range from yacht builders and designers to exotic cars and brokerage yachts. A wide variety of boats and sea vessels will be on display including runabouts, sport fishers, high performance boats, center consoles, cabin cruisers, flats boats, skiffs, express cruisers, sailing yachts, motor yachts, bowriders, catamarans, ski boats, jet boats, trawlers, inflatables, canoes, and extraordinary super yachts.

November 6-8 – REDBONE TOURNAMENTIslamorada, 305-664-2002www.redbone.org

November 10-11 – HOMOSASSA SEAFOOD FESTIVALHomosassa, 352-628-9333www.homosassaseafoodfestival.org

November 12-14 – CHEECA LODGE & SPA ALL-AMERICAN BACKCOUNTRY TOURNAMENTIslamorada, 305-517-4449Compete for prizes and trophies in this second annual event, targeting snook, redfish, bonefish, tarpon and permit.

November 21-22 – INGLIS YANKEETOWN ARTS, CRAFTS AND SEAFOOD FESTIVALYankeetownFood vendors, over one hundred arts & crafts vendors, and entertainment fill this coastal village, on the Withlacoochee River. www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/inglisyankeetown/

November 21 – RIGHT WHALE FESTIVALSeawalk Pavillion, Jacksonville Beach, (904) 247-6100 www.rightwhatefestival.com

DECEMBERDecember 3-6 – ISLAMORADA SAILFISH TOURNAMENTIslamorada, 305-522-4868The first leg of the triple-crown Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship Series is characterized by high-flying sail action, conservation and sportsmanship. It’s also the only tournament in the Gold Cup series to offer a junior division for anglers aged 16 and younger. Unlimited anglers are allowed per vessel.

December 14 – THE POMPANO BEACH BOAT PARADE http://bit.ly/Tcnv1J.Along the Intracoastal Waterway in Pompano Beach and is one of the oldest Holiday Boat Parades in the Na-tion. Special events such as the Captain’s Party with the culmination of approximately 50-75 brightly decorated boats illuminating our waterway. The boat parade has no boat entry fee.

December 12 – THE SEMINOLE HARD ROCK WIN-TERFEST BOAT PARADEFort Lauderdale, 954-767-0686http://winterfestparade.com/index.php

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JUNEJune 7 – NORTH LIGHT RED SNAPPER CHALLENGENiceville, 850-678-2350www.NorthLightChallenge.com

June 6 – FISHERMANS CHOICE ANNUAL KIDS FISHING TOURNAMENTEastpoint, 750-670-8808 Kids 16 & under will fish for fresh & saltwater species. Each entry receives a t-shirt and after the tournament entrees are invited to attend a cookout at Fisherman’s Choice where they will weigh their fish, eat hot dogs and hamburgers and win great prizes.

June 6-7 – ED ALBER TARPON RODEOTierra Verde, 727-867-8166www.tampabaywatch.orgAn all-release fishing tournament with cash and prizes totaling $5,000. Anglers will fish in Tampa Bay in an expanded field this year, including all of Tampa Bay to one-mile offshore running north to Clearwater Pass and south to Sarasota Big Pass.

June 6-7 – FSFA: ANNUAL SLAM Sunrise Marina, Port Canaveral, 321.403.5241www.FSFAclub.org

June 11-14 – POMPANO BEACH SALTWATER SLAM Pompano Beach, 954.725.4010www.saltwaterslam.com

June 19-20 – PENSACOLA JUNIOR ANGLER TOURNAMENTPensacola, 850-453-4638

June 10-21 – BIG BEND SALTWATER CLASSIC Port St. Joe, 850.697-2800www.saltwaterclassic.com

June 15-19 – GOLDEN FLY INVITATIONAL TARPON TOURNAMENTIslamorada, 305-587-1460www.goldcuptt.comSpecial flies, accurate casts and a bit of luck are the recipe for winning this prestigious challenge, using only a tournament-furnished tippet not greater than 16-pound test. Eligible tarpon must measure at least 48 inches in length to earn release points, and weigh at least 70 pounds for weight points.

June 16-17 – ANNUAL DOLPHIN DAYS FISHING TOURNAMENTMiami, [email protected]

June 15-19 – GOLD CUP TARPON [email protected]

June 17-21 – EMERALD COAST BLUE MARLIN CLASSICSandestin, 866-216-2271www.fishebc.com

June 19-21 – KEY WEST GATOR CLUB DOLPHIN DERBYKey West, 305-304-1348

June 26-27 – UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SPORTS HALL OF FAME CELEBRITY DOLPHIN TOURNYIslamorada, 305-925-3660This annual event invites you to fish with some of your favorite former ‘Cane All-Stars! Cash prizes for the heaviest dolphin, a charity auction and more highlight the one-day tournament. Headquartered at Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina. Up to four-angler teams

June 16-17 – THE DOLPHIN & BLACKFIN TUNA FUN FISHING TOURNAMENTMarathon, 305-743-5317Top prizes of $700, $350 and $200 await individual adult anglers who catch the tournament’s three heaviest dolphin, with additional cash awards for the heaviest blackfin tuna and wahoo. Headquartered at Burdines Waterfront restaurant, the 14th annual challenge is open to adult and junior anglers.

June 24-28 – PENSACOLA INTERNATIONAL BILLFISH TOURNAMENTPensacola, 850-453-4638www.pbgfc.com

JULYJuly 10-11 – SAILFISH MARINA BIG DOG & FAT CAT KDW SHOOTOUTLake Park 561-315-3722www.fishska.com

July 10-12 – ISLAMORADA DOLPHIN TOURNYIslamorada, 305-522-4868This annual event features $15,000 in cash and prizes

up for grabs. Competition is open to all anglers and there is no limit on the number that can participate.

July 11-14 – DEL BROWN PERMIT TOURNAMENTKey West, 305-360-6969Anglers fly-fish on the flats in a challenge that honors the late angling pioneer Del Brown, who caught and released more than 500 permit off the Keys.

July 13-18 – GREATER JACKSONVILLE KINGFISH TOURNAMENT & FESTIVAL Jim King Park & Boat Ramp at Sister CreekJacksonville, 904-251-3011www.kingfishtournament.com

July 24-25 – GATOR CLASSIC CATFISH TOURNY Gaskin Park Landing, Wewahitchkawww.floridacatfishclassic.com

July 22-25 – KEY WEST MARLIN TOURNAMENTKey West, 305-304-0317Anglers ply the waters once fished by Ernest Heming-way, vying for $50,000 in guaranteed cash prizes. Held in conjunction with Key West’s annual Hemingway Days, the event awards $25,000 to the first-place team.

AUGUSTAugust 6-9 – POMPANO BEACH SALTWATER SHOWDOWNPompano Beach, 954-725-4070www.saltwatershowdown.com

August 7-9 – PENSACOLA LADIES BILLFISH TOURNAMENTPensacola, 850-453-4638www.pbgfc.com

August 28-29 – ELITE REDFISH CHALLENGESteinhatchee, 352-215-3686 www.eliteredfishchallenge.com

August 29-September 1 – THE GEM CITY SHRIMP BLAST Palatka, 386-312-6266 www.thegemcityshrimpblast.com

SEPTEMBERSeptember 5-6 – SCALLOP FESTIVALSand Hill Park, Port St. Joe, 800-227-1223 A family oriented festival featuring live entertainment,

2015 EVENT CALENDAR

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WARMOUTHAppearance: It has a stout, deep body similar to other panfish. A red eye and large mouth are conspicuous field marks. Three or four dark stripes radiating back from the eye across the cheek and gill cover like war paint confirm the identity.

State Record: 2.44 lbs. Big Catch: 10 inches or 0.75 lbs.

Habitat: Warmouths inhabit swamps, marshes, shallow lakes, slow-moving streams and canals with soft, muddy bottoms. They stay around aquatic vegetation, stumps and snags and under the banks of streams and ponds. They have more tolerance for muddy water than most species.

WHITE BASS Appearance: White bass look like short stripers. They are silvery-white with five to eight dusky black stripes on the sides. Stripes below the lateral line are faint and may be uneven. Whites are stockier than stripers, with a smaller head, and dorsal fins are set closer together.


Habitat: White bass are found mostly in the Apalachicola and Ochlockonee river systems.

SUNSHINE BASS: Appearance: Sunshine bass were first produced in Florida by state hatcheries, and all sunshines are still produced and stocked. This is because they are a hybrid of a female white bass and male striped bass that does not occur naturally. Sunshines often have broken stripes on the front half and straight lines on the rear half of the body.


Habitat: Sunshines occur where they are stocked by the FWC--typically in community lakes or waters with an abundance of shad.

PEACOCK BASS: Appearance: Color is very vivid— generally golden with three black vertical bars that fade with age. A black spot with a yellow halo on the tail fin is distinctive.

State Record: 9.08 lbs.

Big Catch: 18 inches or 3.75 lbs.

Habitat: Butterfly peacock bass were stocked, after research showed temperature would limit their range. Biologists sought to control exotic fishes and to provide a high quality sport fishery. Many miles of canals in Miami-Dade and Broward counties now have self-sustaining peacock fisheries worth millions of dollars locally.

CHANNEL CATFISH: Appearance: Catfish are easy to distinguish by their whisker-like sensory barbels and a forked tail. Channel catfish have a rounded anal fin and scattered black spots along their back and sides. Males become especially dark during spawning season and develop a thickened pad on their head.


Habitat: Channel catfish are found throughout Florida, and spawn in holes and crevices

BEHAVIOR: Primarily bottom feeders, channels also feed higher up. Major foods are aquatic insects, crayfish, mollusks, crustaceans and fish—not detritus or decaying material.

FLATHEAD CATFISHAppearance: A flat head, tiny eyes, squarish tail and protruding lower jaw distinguish flathead from other. They are yellow-brown, usually mottled above, with a creamy colored belly.

State Record: 48.4 lbs. Big Catch: 36 inches or 25 lbs.

Habitat: Flathead are found in the Apalachicola and Escambia rivers, where they recently arrived from Georgia and Alabama. Flatheads prefer long, slow-flowing, moderately-turbid rivers.

WHITE CATFISHAppearance: Sides are blue-gray to blue-black and may be mottled. The tail is moderately forked, and the anal fin is shorter and rounder than that of channel or blue catfish.


Habitat: found statewide in rivers and streams and in slightly brackish coastal waters.

OSCARAppearance: Adults are olive blue-green with mustard colors, and a bright red eyespot on the tail fin.

Habitat: Oscars are illegally/ accidentally established nonnative fish. They are abundant in Water Conservation Area canals and occur throughout south Florida. Native to South America.

CHAIN PICKERELAppearance: Chain pickerel are deep olive-green on the back, shading to a creamy yellow on the belly, with the back and anal fin about the same size and located far back on an elongated body. A distinct black chain-like or interwoven marking on the sides give them their name.


Habitat: Found statewide, normally in vegetated lakes, swamps and backwaters of small to large rivers.

FLORIDA GARAppearance: Prehistoric fish with ganoid (bony) scales that have peg-and-socket joints forming a hard armor. Irregular round, spots occur on top of the head, all over the body and fins.


Habitat: They are found in the Ochlockonee River and waters east and south in peninsular Florida where they inhabit streams, canals and lakes with mud or sand bottoms near underwater vegetation.

AMERICAN SHADAppearance: Green or greenish blue with metallic luster on back and silvery sides. The chest and abdomen have bony scutes. They typically have several spots along their side.


Habitat: In Florida, it occurs only in the northeast, mostly in the St. Johns River and Nassau River when it returns from the ocean to spawn, typically between late December and early April.

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Note: “Big Catch” refers to a free angler recognition program. Copies of the application form and rules are available in the printed Regulations and online at MyFWC.com/fishing. The sizes listed are adult qualifying weights; youth qualify with slightly smaller catches, and “Specialist,” “Master” and “Elite Angler” classifications are available. A frame-able certificate and window sticker are sent to qualifying anglers.

LARGEMOUTH BASSAppearance: The largemouth bass is the best known and most popular game fish in North America. It is distinguished from other black bass because the upper jaw extends beyond the rear edge of the eye, and the first and second dorsal (back) fins are separated by an obvious deep dip.

State Record: 17.27 lbs. (Note several larger fish have been documented but not certified.) Big Catch: 24 inches or 8.0 lbs.

Habitat: The Florida largemouth bass is the state freshwater fish. Found statewide in lakes and rivers, they are commonly found along vegetation, or underwater structure, but schooling bass are also found in the middle of lakes.

TIP: The best live bait is a golden shiner, fished under a float or free-lined. Typically, the shiner is hooked through the lips or back with a large hook, 2/0 to 5/0. A medium to medium-heavy rod with 14- to 20-pound test line is preferred, particularly when fishing in areas with thick vegetation or cover.

SPOTTED BASSAppearance: Spotted bass are similar to largemouth bass, but unlike the largemouth, the spotted bass has scales on the base portion of the second dorsal fin; their first and second dorsal fins are clearly connected, and its upper jaw does not extend past the eye.


Habitat: They prefer small to medium streams and rivers with clear, slow-moving water, and gravel or rock bottoms. Seldom found in natural lakes, and they do not enter brackish water.

BLACK CRAPPIE OR SPECKLED PERCH/SPECKS:Appearance: A deep body with nearly symmetrical dorsal and anal fins and a speckled pattern on the body and fins identify the black crappie.


Habitat: Unlike most other panfish, crappie spend much of their time offshore feeding on small fish in lakes or in large slow-moving clear water rivers.

BLUEGILLAppearance: Bluegill have the deep-bodied look of “bream,” with a long dorsal fin and slightly forked tail. A dark ear covering and a blotch at the dorsal fin’s back bottom edge set them apart.


Habitat: Bluegill are common throughout Florida but are best known in lakes and ponds.

TIP: Live worms or crickets are the best bait, either fished on the bottom or suspended below a float. Crickets, grubs, sand maggots or grass shrimp will also catch bedding bluegill.

REDEAR SUNFISH OR SHELLCRACKER:Appearance: A bright red mark on the back edge of the gill cover is very distinctive.


Habitat: Redear prefer hard bottoms, congregating in deeper water than bluegill.

REDBREAST SUNFISH:Appearance: A very long black ear flap distinguishes this fish from other Florida bream.

State Record: 2.08 lbs. Big Catch: 10 inches total length or 0.75 lbs.

Habitat: Also known as river bream and redbellies, these are the flowing water cousins of bluegill. Redbellies often can be found in backwater areas with less flow, especially where there are sandy bottoms. Common in rivers of north Florida, but absent from south Florida.

SPOTTED SUNFISH OR STUMPKNOCKERAppearance: Spotted sunfish are olive-green to brown in color, with black or reddish spots on the base of each scale forming rows of dots on its sides.


Habitat: The preferred habitat is slow-moving, heavily vegetated streams and rivers with limestone, sand, or gravel substrates.

FRESHWATERThis section describes some of Florida’s most popular freshwater fishes and identification information.

For regulations, please visit MyFWC.com/Fishing or pick up a copy of the Florida Fishing Regulations—Freshwater Edition, wherever licenses are sold.

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take chunks of fish for bait. Mutton snapper are common over grassbeds or mangroves with larger individuals occurring on reefs. Red snapper are most common on the continental shelf in northern Florida near structure. Mangrove snapper are common throughout Florida in many habitats.

DOLPHIN Appearance: Dolphin, or Mahi-Mahi, are brightly colored fish, with a high forehead. The dorsal fin extends from just behind the head to just before the tail. Males have a nearly vertical head profile, and females have a more sloping head contour.


Habitat: Dolphin are open-ocean fish. The young live in floating sargassum weed.

SAILFISH Appearance: The sailfish is Florida’s state saltwater fish. Its name originates from the greatly enlarged first dorsal fin that runs almost the length of its back and is covered with spots.


Habitat: Sailfish are found throughout Florida; year-round in the Keys, during the summer in the Gulf and off the Atlantic during summer and fall.

BLUEFISH Appearance: Bluefish are greenish blue on their back, with silvery sides and a large mouth filled with prominent, sharp teeth.


Habitat: Young usually are inshore during spring and summer and move offshore to join adults during fall and winter. Large numbers of bluefish migrate to Florida from northern stocks during winter. Anglers on the east coast catch larger bluefish than fishermen on the west coast.

BLACK SEA BASS Appearance: These fish have a three-lobed tail fin with a dark body and a sharp spine on the gill cover.


Habitat: Sea bass are typically found along structure, associated

with reefs and rubble offshore, although smaller specimens are found in inshore finger channels.

SHEEPSHEADAppearance: Sheepshead have 5-6 broad vertical dark gray bars, a forked tail and human-like teeth.


Habitat: Look for sheepshead inshore around oyster bars, bridges, pilings and artificial reefs.

KING MACKERELAppearance: Mackerel are long-bodied fish with a deeply forked tail and a series of finlets behind the dorsal fin. Kings are iridescent blue-green along the back; the lateral line starts high and drops sharply below the second dorsal fin. Spanish mackerel have golden yellow irregular spots above and below the lateral line. Cero have yellow spots forming lines above and below a bronze stripe from pectoral fin to base of the tail.

State Record: 15.5 lbs. (king).

Habitat: Found both nearshore and offshore, often around piers.

SWORDFISHAppearance: A rather unique billfish, with a flattened bill formed from an elongated upper jaw. It has a single high dorsal fin and one keel on each side in front of the tail fin.


Habitat: Deep sea fish found from the surface down below 2,000 feet. They are heavily overfished internationally.

BEHAVIOR: Swordfish over 200 pounds are generally females and tend to migrate to the surface at night, when most drift fishing occurs.

WAHOOAppearance: A member of the mackerel family, long and streamlined with about 30 dark wavy bars for camouflage.

State Record: 139 lbs.

Habitat: Found offshore; generally not in schools.

BLUE MARLINAppearance: A cobalt blue color shading to silvery white on bottom gives this large billfish its name. The dorsal, pectoral and anal fins are all pointed. (Note in white marlin they are rounded).

State Record: 1046 lbs. (blue)

Habitat: A deep-sea fish that makes major trans-Atlantic migrations.

TRIPLETAILAppearance: The rounded second dorsal and anal fins are similar in size and along with a rounded tail fin, give the fish its name. The bases of those fins have scales.


Habitat: Frequently associated with structure.

GULF FLOUNDERAppearance: A flattened bottom fish. The eyes have migrated to one side of the body so that when laying flat both eyes can see upward. The Gulf flounder has a brown back and three eyespots in a triangular pattern; the southern flounder lacks those spots.

State Record: 20.6 lbs. (Gulf).

Habitat: Inshore or nearshore lying on sandy or mud bottoms.

BLACKTIP SHARKAppearance: Blacktips have a dark bluish gray (young paler) back, with a distinctive whitish stripe on the flank; and the inside tip of the pectoral fin is conspicuously black, as are the dorsal and anal fin tips, and lower lobe of caudal in young blacktips. Numerous other shark species exist in Florida waters. All have multiple gill openings, and rough skin with embedded scales that make the skin feel like sandpaper.

State Record: 152 lbs. (blacktip).

Habitat: Most sharks are pelagic (offshore), but blacktips often come inshore in large schools, particularly in association with Spanish mackerel. Frequently the most common shark in clear-water cuts and along beaches in Florida and Bahamas.

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FLORIDA FISHES

BONEFISHAppearance: Silvery, with torpedo-shaped body and conical snout.


Habitat: Bonefish primarily inhabit inshore shallows of the Florida Keys, often in water that is less than 1 foot deep.

TIP: Live shrimp or jigs tipped with fresh shrimp are the best baits for conventional fishermen. Fly fisher-men patiently pole through shallow flats stalking these elusive fish. Bonefish are very seldom eaten and should be carefully released.

SNOOK Appearance: Snook are identified by their black lateral line and protruding lower jaw.


Habitat: “Linesides” are found in coastal and brackish waters, along mangrove shorelines, and near seagrass beds, seawalls, jetties and bridges. Snook abound on both coasts of Florida from central Florida south, because they cannot tolerate water temperatures below 60˚F.

GAG GROUPER Appearance: Grouper are bottom fish that range from several pounds to 700 or more pounds. They vary in color with massive under-slung jaws, chunky bodies, a tenacious attitude and large, broad, powerful tails.


Habitat: Adults inhabit rocky bottoms, reefs and drop-off walls in water over 60 feet deep; young occur inshore in waters around seagrass beds, mangrove forests and hard-bottom communities.

SPOTTED SEATROUTAppearance: Spotted seatrout have a distinctive pair of canine teeth that protrude from the upper jaw.


Habitat: Seatrout abound in seagrass meadows, mangrove-fringed shorelines, deep holes and channels and above oyster bars.

REDFISH (RED DRUM) Appearance: Redfish are easily recognized by the spot or spots at the base of their tails.


Habitat: In winter, redfish are found in seagrass, over muddy or sand bottoms, or near oyster bars or spring fed creeks.

TARPON Appearance: Tarpon have a distinctive dorsal fin ray that extends into a long filament, a large upward

pointing mouth and very large scales

State Record: 243.00 lbs.Habitat: Primarily inshore fish, preferring shallow estuaries around mangrove forests, salt marshes or hard-bottom/seagrass communities of the Keys. They tolerate a wide salinity range, and as juveniles, enter fresh waters.

BEHAVIOR: Tarpon can gulp air and remove oxygen by means of lung-like tissue near their swim blad-der. This “rolling” effect is one way to spot tarpon. Anglers catch tarpon that weigh 40 to 150 pounds on average. Tarpon do not mature until 7 to 13 years of age. They spawn offshore between May and September.

PERMIT Appearance: Permit are deep-bodied fish with a very deeply forked tail that gives them the speed to catch crabs and other invertebrates in seagrass flats. Pompano are similar but not as deep bodied and rarely grow larger than 6 pounds.


Habitat: These coastal fish inhabit tropical grass and sand flats, near reefs and wrecks.

COBIA Appearance: Cobia are long, slim fish with a broad depressed head. The lower jaw extends past the upper jaw, and they have a dark lateral stripe that extends through the tail. These fish are also known as ling, or lemonfish, and resemble remoras.


Habitat: Cobia are found in nearshore and inshore waters with inlets and bays. Cobia are frequently found around buoys, pilings and wrecks in these areas.

RED SNAPPERAppearance: Most snapper are bottom fish with varied shapes, sizes and colors, a terminal mouth, and broad tail. Florida has 15 species of snapper, including mangrove (gray), lane, mutton, yellowtail and red.

State Record: 46.50 lbs. (red).

Habitat: Larger snapper are found further offshore. Lane snapper inhabit grassbeds and shallow reefs. Yellowtail snapper are common over grassbeds, reefs and sandy areas near reefs. Unlike most snapper, they are up in the water column and

SALTWATERThis section highlights some of the great diversity of saltwater fishes that Florida has to offer

and identification information. For regulations, please visit MyFWC.com/Marine or pick up a copy of the Florida Fishing Regulations wherever licenses are sold.

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THE PANHANDLE REGION OF FLORIDA is not only home to the state’s capital;

it also houses Florida’s largest river, Florida’s river with the greatest variety of native

North American freshwater fish and stretches more than 200 miles along the Gulf.

NORTHWESTCOUNTIES: ESCAMBIA, SANTA ROSA, OKALOOSA, WALTON, HOLMES, WASHINGTON, BAY, JACKSON, CALHOUN, GULF, LIBERTY, FRANKLIN, GADSEN, LEON, WAKULLA, JEFFERSON, MADISON, TAYLOR

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Apalachicola BayFrom shallow sea grass beds to deeper waters, a large variety of fish make their home in the bay. King mackerel, cobia and grouper prefer the deep end, while sheepshead and flounder stick to the shallow grass beds. Early anglers who use live minnows and shrimp will prove the luckiest.

Apalachicola RiverFlorida’s largest river runs from Lake Seminole, on the Florida-Georgia border at Chattahoochee, 106 miles south through the Panhandle to the Gulf. Fishing opportunities are best at the extreme ends: its origin at Lake Seminole and its stopping point in the Gulf. The lower Apalachicola consists of the main river channel and the distributaries which form the delta: the St. Marks River, Little St. Marks River, and East River. Shoreline access is available only from the public docks on the waterfront in Apalachicola and at the City Dock under the Hwy. 98 bridge. Private launching facilities can be found at several marinas in Apalachicola, in

East Point, and Howard's Creek off the Brother's River, and on Searcy Creek in White City. The upper Apalachicola River has good shore access from Jim Woodruff Dam to Race Shoal (0.9 miles) on the east bank, and from the dam to Hwy. 90 on the west bank.

Bear LakeThis 107-acre lake is home to bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish. Bass are best baited with plastic worms and lizards, while the crappie re-spond well to crappie minnows and curly-tailed jigs. A boat ramp is located within the lake’s campground, and parking is available. Bear Lake is located in northeast Santa Rosa County within the Blackwater State Forest, approxi-mately 2 miles east of Munson, FL on SR 4.

Blackwater RiverThe Blackwater River runs through Florida for 49 miles. The river’s headwaters start in the Conecuh National Forest of Southern Alabama and enter Florida in Okaloosa County. The Blackwater River, especially the lower section,

is a great place to catch bluegill and sunfish. Try beetle spins, earthworms and crickets as bait. Adequate amounts of bass can be found in the spring; try crankbaits and artificial worms. Milton’s Carpenters Park offers plenty of boat ramps, as does Highway 191 in Bagdad. A 31-mile section of river from Kennedy Bridge near Munson, FL to Deaton Bridge in the Blackwater River State park is designated as the Blackwa-ter River Canoe trail.

Chipola RiverThe scenic 95 mile Chipola River is home to the unique shoal bass. When fishing for shoal bass try beetle spins, worms and crickets as attractors. This spring-fed coldwater river has fast water shoals and also provides excellent sunfish (redbreast, redear and bluegill) fishing in the spring depending on the water level. Boat operators should be cautious of these shallow limestone shoals while running their boats in this river during low water. The Chipola River is accessible in Marianna off CR 280 (Magnolia

Fishing is more fun in Panama City Beach. Plan your trip today.visitpanamacitybeach.com 800. 722. 3224

County Marina Phone Water Body Rest

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Bay Bay Point Marina 850-235-6911 Grand Lagoon 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Bay Lighthouse Marina 850-234-5609 Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Bay Bayside Marina of Panama City 850-234-7650 St. Andrews Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8

Bay Cook Bayou Marina 850-874-8300 East Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8

Bay Captain Anderson’s Marina 850-234-3435 Grand Lagoon 8 8 8 8 8

Bay Panama City Marina 850-872-7272 St. Andrews Bay 8 8 8 8

Bay Pier 98 Marina 850-874-8723 East Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8

Bay Pirate’s Cove Marina 850-234-3939 Grand Lagoon 8 8 8 8 8 8

Bay St. Andrews Marina 850-872-7240 St. Andrews Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8

Escambia The Pensacola Beach Marina 877-650-3474 Little Sabine Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8

Escambia Bell Marine Service, Inc. 850-455-7639 Bayou Chico 8 8

Escambia Pelican’s Perch Marina and Boatyard 850-453-3471 Bayou Chico 8 8

Escambia Day Break Marina 850-434-9022 Bayou Chico 8 8 8 8

Escambia Harbor View Marine 850-455-2628 Bayou Chico 8 8 8

Escambia Holiday Harbor Marina 850-492-0555 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Escambia Island Cove Marina 850-455-4552 Bayou Chico 8 8 8

Escambia Mac’s Marina 850-453-3775 Bayou Grande 8 8 8

Escambia Yacht Harbor Marina 850-455-4552 Bayou Chico 8 8

Escambia Perdido Cove RV Resort & Marina 877-402-7873 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8

Franklin Bay City Lodge & Restaurant 850-653-9294 Apalachicola River 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Franklin Miller Marine Service 850-653-9521 Apalachicola River 8 8 8 8

Franklin Scipio Creek Marina 850-653-8030 Scipio Creek 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Franklin Carrabelle Marina 850-697-3351 Carrabelle River 8 8 8

Franklin C-Quarter’s Marine 850-697-8400 Carrabelle River 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Franklin The Moorings 850-697-2800 Carrabelle River 8 8 8 8 8 8

Franklin Alligator Point Yacht Basin 850-349-2511 Gulf of Mexico/ Alligator Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8

Gulf Mexico Beach Marina 850-648-8900 St. Josephs Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Gulf Port St. Joe Marina, Inc. 850-227-9393 St. Josephs Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Gulf Presnell’s Bayside Marina & RV Resort 850-229-2710 St. Josephs Bay 8 8 8 8 8

Okaloosa Destin Fishing Fleet Marina 850-837-3400 Destin Harbor 8 8 8 8 8

Okaloosa Destin Marina 850-837-2470 Choctawhatchee Bay 8 8 8 8

Okaloosa Harbor Walk Marina 850-650-2400 Destin Harbor 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Okaloosa Blanchita, Inc. 850-837-0961 Destin Harbor 8 8

Okaloosa Legendary Marina 850-337-8200 Choctawhatchee Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Okaloosa The Boat Marina 850-244-2722 Choctawhatchee Bay 8 8 8

Okaloosa Fort Walton Beach Yacht Basin 850-244-5725 Okaloosa Sound 8 8 8 8 8

Okaloosa Bluewater Bay Marina 850-897-2821 Oyster Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Santa Rosa Santa Rosa Yacht & Boat Club 850-934-1005 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8

Wakulla Bayside Marina 850-984-5548 Ochlockonee Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8

Wakulla Panacea Harbor Marina 850-984-5844 Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Wakulla Shields Marina, Inc. 850-925-5612 St. Marks River 8 8 8 8 8 8

Northwest Marinas

Rd), Peacock Bridge Rd (located north of Sink Creek), SR 274 west of Altha on Hamilton Spring Rd, and SR 20 at Clarksville.

Choctawhatchee BayNearly two dozen species of fish inhabit Choc-tawhatchee Bay; Red fish, Spanish mackerel, spotted sea trout, sheepshead and sea trout are common catches. The Destin area yields a lot of amberjack, triggerfish, dolphin, wahoo and marlin in its open waters.

Choctawhatchee RiverFlorida’s third largest river system, the Choc-tawhatchee River originates in Alabama, flowing into the Gulf at Choctawhatchee Bay. Bluegill and redear can be lured with crickets and wigglers. Largemouth bass respond well to crank baits and artificial worms. Boat ramps can be found off C.R. 179 in Holmes County at Curry Ferry, Old Ware-house Landing and Ward Landing. Bank fishing is allowed at all locations.

Dead LakeThis strangely beautiful 6,700-acre lake with dark tannic waters is located on the Chipola River near the town of Wewahitchka. West Arm Creek of the lake is accessible from Dead Lake State Park and Recreation Area, located off SR71 just north of Wewahitchka. There are fish camps located around the lake and care should be taken when operating a motorboat here as it is filled with cypress snags and stumps. This lake enjoys an excellent reputation for its bluegill and redear fishing in the spring.

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Deerpoint LakeDeerpoint Lake is a 5,000-acre impoundment located 7 miles north of Panama City. It is also home to a wide variety of fish, including bass, bluegill, shellcracker and crappie. Bluegill are especially partial to crickets and earthworms, while bass are best caught with plastic worms and crankbaits. There are boat ramps located on C2321 on either side of the dam. A fishing pier is located near the boat ramp on the west side of the dam and bank fishing is permitted. Boaters should be careful of the vegetation around the ramps.

East PassLocated between St. George Island and Dog Island, the east pass is thick with Spanish mackerel, whiting, flounder, redfish and sea trout. St. George Island State Park offers two boat ramps.

Econfina RiverThe shallow waters of the Econfina River yield plenty of cobia, sea trout and redfish. The Econfina River State Park’s boat ramp is always open for saltwater angling in the Gulf. Overnight accommodations are small and clean.

Escambia RiverThe Escambia River is a 92-mile river of which 54 miles are found in Florida ending in Pensacola Bay. The Escambia is the fourth largest river in Florida and with 85 native freshwater fish; it sports the widest variety of native North Ameri-can freshwater fish in the state. The McDavid Ramp is located 7.5 miles south of Century on U.S. 29; another boat ramp is located on the northeast side of Escambia Bay.

Hurricane LakeHurricane Lake is a 318-acre man-made impound-ment constructed in 1971, opened to fishing in 1973, and is designated as a Fish Management Area. Hurricane Lake is a haven for bass, bluegill, shellcracker and catfish. Shellcrackers will like earthworms or crickets, while bass anglers should try plastic worms. Concrete boat ramps and docks are located in the campgrounds of the Blackwater State Forest. Restrooms, picnic areas and campsites with electrical and water hookups, maintained by DOF, are also available. Bait, supplies, and other conveniences are available in nearby Baker, Blackmon, and Munson.

Juniper LakeJuniper Lake is regularly stocked with catfish and bream, and fish attractors have been added to increase the harvest. Bass fishers should try shiners, but dark-colored plastic worms work well. Bream prefer crickets and worms. Juniper Lake has two boat ramps, and bank fishing is offered as well. Restroom and picnic areas are available.

Karick LakeKarick Lake is a 65-acre man-made impoundment constructed in 1965, opened to fishing in 1966, and is designated as a Fish Management Area. A

considerable amount of flooded timber remains, providing fish habitat. The lake has been stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker), and channel catfish. Plastic worms and topwater lures work best for bass fishing. Try earthworms or crickets for bluegill, concentrating on the oyster shell and gravel beds, both popular spawning sites for bluegill and shellcracker. Concrete boat ramps are available at the north and south sides of the lake, along with restroom, shower and picnic areas. Bank fishing is permitted.

Lake JacksonLocated just north of Tallahassee, this 4,000-acre

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EmeraldCOASTING.com877-574-5123

“Top Beach in the U.S.” USA TODAY“Top Place to Visit” National Geographic“Top 25 Destinations in the U.S.” TripAdvisor

EmeraldCOASTING.com877-574-5123

“Top Beach in the U.S.” USA TODAY“Top Place to Visit” National Geographic“Top 25 Destinations in the U.S.” TripAdvisor

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County Water Body Location Barrier Free Rest Rooms Fish Attractor Boat RampEscambia Lake Stone southwest of Century 8 8 8 8

Gadsden Apalachicola River ChattahoocheeGadsden Lake Talquin High Bluff Road 8 8 8

Gulf Intracoastal Waterway White CityJefferson Lake Miccosukee west of Monticello 8 8

Leon Lake Talquin Lake Talquin State Park 8 8

Madison Lake Francis Madison 8 8

Okaloosa Hurricane Lake six miles west of Blackman 8 8 8 8

Santa Rosa Bear Lake northeast of Munson 8 8 8 8

Northwest Freshwater Fishing Piers

Pier Name Water Body Location Barrier Free Rest Rooms Fish AttractorM.B. Miller County Pier Gulf of Mexico/Intracoastal Panama City Beach 8 8

Russell-Fields Pier Gulf of Mexico/Intracoastal Panama City Beach 8 8

Fort Pickens Fishing Gulf of Mexico/Intracoastal Pensacola 8 8

Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier Gulf of Mexico Pensacola Beach 8 8

Okaloosa Island Fishing Gulf of Mexico Ft. Walton Beach 8 8

Northwest Saltwater Fishing Piers

is available off C.R. 271 with unpaved parking for about 10 cars.

Lake StoneLake Stone in a 130-acre man-made impoundment constructed in 1967, opened to fishing in 1969 and designated as a Fish Management Area. A considerable amount of flooded timber remains, providing fish habitat. Lake Stone is great for catching crappie, largemouth bass, redear sunfish and catfish. Bass are best baited with plastic worms or top-water lures, while chicken livers and earthworms are effective for catching catfish. A single-lane ramp with 30 spaces of parking is available. Boaters should be aware, while electric trolling motors are allowed, gasoline motors are prohibited.

Lake VictorLake Victor is a 130-acre artificial impoundment constructed in 1966 and opened to fishing in 1968. Deepest areas are near the dam and along the old stream bed. A considerable amount of timber remains, providing fish habitat and cover. Lake Victor is a great place to find bass, bluegill and redear sunfish. A rotating population of black crappie seems to peak every five years, and catfish will be abundant during the summer months. Two boat ramps with parking are available on the east and west sides of the lake, but be aware the west ramp is only accessible by small boats, as the water is very shallow.

Merritt’s Mill PondThis is a unique 202-acre spring-fed impoundment

with crystal clear waters near the city limits of Marianna. Merritt’s Mill Pond is famous for trophy redears. A 4.86-lb. redear from the pond holds the state record and until recently the world record. Try plastic worms or crickets as bait, and concentrate on the eelgrass beds. A single-lane boat ramp is available off Hunter Fish Camp Road.

Ocheesee PondCovered with cypress trees, 2,225-acre Ocheesee Pond is a great spot for bluegill; crickets and grass shrimp work well as bait. Redear sunfish and largemouth bass are best found with worms or live shiners. The Shady Grove Ramp off of C.R. 69A will provide boat access to the pond.

Ochlockonee RiverFlowing from Georgia into the Gulf of Mexico, the Ochlockonee River is known for its snags and deep water holes. Catfish, crappie and sunfish are popular catches. Worms or crickets will lure sun-fish, while crappie prefer minnows and jigs. The river is a great spot for canoeing, about a dozen boat ramps are available along the river’s shores.

Panama City BeachWith an abundance of black drum, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, pompano and whiting, Panama City Beach is a great place for a full day of fishing. The bays usually harbor grouper and flounder, while the open waters typically yield red snapper, black sea bass, sailfish and king mackerel.

Pensacola BayPensacola, Navarre Beach, Gulf Breeze and Perdido Key are all great places for saltwater fish-ing. Red snapper and grouper can be found in the off-shore reef, but large game fish such as tuna, sailfish, wahoo and marlin are the trophy catches.

Perdido RiverMarking Florida’s northwest border, the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area includes 15 miles along the river and plenty of fishing opportunities. The public is welcome all year for fishing and frogging.

St. Josephs BayConveniently located near Port St. Joe, the bay’s shallow waters and seagrass beds harbor plenty of catches. Spanish mackerel, bluefish, sheeps-head, redfish and sea trout are popular catches; stick to live bait and jigs to land them. Skin divers will find sweet scallops with a little work.

Yellow RiverThe Yellow River is a 92-mile-long river of which 61 miles occur in Florida; flowing southwesterly into Blackwater Bay, an arm of Pensacola Bay. Bass and bream are popular catches. Plastic worms and floater-diver minnows work best to catch bass, while the bream can be hauled in with live worms and crickets. Brown’s Fish Camp and Lindsey’s Fish Camp near the mouth of the river offer access to the water. Access to the lower river is provided by two fish camps near the mouth of the river.

Park Phone Camping FishingBoating/Canoeing Boat Ramp

Apalachoicola National Forest 850-643-2282 8 8 8 8

Gulf Islands National Seashore 850-934-2600 8 8 8 8

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge 850-925-6121 8 8 8

St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge 850-653-8808 8 8

Park Location Phone CampingFreshwater

FishingSaltwater

FishingBoating/Canoeing Boat Ramp

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park Tallahassee 850-487-4556 8 8 8

Big Lagoon State Park Pensacola 850-492-1595 8 8 8 8

Blackwater River State Park Holt 850-983-5363 8 8

Camp Helen State Park Panama City Beach 850-233-5059 8 8 8 8

Econfina River State Park Lamont 850-922-6007 8 8 8

Florida Caverns State Park Marianna 850-482-9598 8 8 8 8

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park Niceville 850-833-9144 8 8 8 8 8

Grayton Beach State Park Santa Rosa Beach 850-231-4210 8 8 8 8 8

Henderson Beach State Park Destin 850-837-7550 8 8

Lake Talquin State Park Tallahassee 850-922-6007 8 8

Ochlockonee River State Park Sopchoppy 850-962-2771 8 8 8 8 8

Perdido Key State Park Pensacola 850-492-1595 8

St. Andrews State Park Panama City 850-233-5140 8 8 8 8

St. George Island State Park St. George Island 850-927-2111 8 8 8 8

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park Port St. Joe 850-227-1327 8 8 8 8

Three Rivers State Park Sneads 850-482-9006 8 8 8 8

Northwest Boating & Fishing in National Parks & Refuges

Northwest Boating & Fishing in State Parks

lake has been nationally known for its largemouth bass fishery. The best bass fishing time of year is the spring through early summer (February through May). This lake has a high diversity of aquatic vegetation, but hydrilla, eelgrass, and maidencane are the best habitats to fish for bass in this lake. This lake is shallow with an average depth of about 7 feet and a maximum depth of 30 feet. Five public boat ramps exist around the lake’s shore.

Lake TalquinLake Talquin offers 8,000 acres, where crappie fishing is quite favorable. The best crappie are caught during the winter and early spring. Live minnows and jigs work best as bait. Also popular are largemouth bass, bluegill and redear. Plenty of tree stumps and logs are excellent fish habitats, and plastic worms work well. Gadsden County offers three public boat ramps and two public piers. Leon County has seven

public ramps and five public piers. Several fish camps are open to visitors around the lake.

Lake SeminoleNestled next to the Georgia border, Lake Seminole is a 37,500-acre haven for freshwater fishing. Catfish, bream and black crappie are all popular catches, and the lake is annually stocked with bass. Try earthworms, crickets, plastic worms and top-water lures as bait. A boat ramp

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UNLIKE OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE, nature is North Central Floria’s theme

park. Taking to the water; be it for fishing, paddling or boating, is well...second

nature for those who frequent this region of The Sunshine State.

NORTH CENTRALCOUNTIES: HAMILTON, COLUMBIA, SUWANNEE, LAFAYETTE, DIXIE, GILCREST, ALACHUA, UNION, BRADFORD, LEVY, MARION, CITRUS

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Snorkeling with the Manatee, courtesy of Plantation Inn on Crystal River

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Citrus Pete’s Pier, Inc. 352-795-3302 Crystal River 8 8 8 8 8 8

Citrus Twin Rivers Marina 352-795-3552 Salt River 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Citrus Mac Rae’s of Homosassa 352-628-2602 Homosassa River 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Citrus Homosassa Riverside Resort 352-628-2474 Homosassa River 8 8 8 8 8

Citrus Magic Manatee Marina 352-628-7334 Homosassa River 8 8 8 8 8 8

Citrus Riverhaven Marina 352-628-5545 Homosassa River 8 8 8 8 8 8

Dixie Miller’s Marina of Suwannee, Inc 352-342-7349 Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Dixie Suwannee Marina 352-342-9159 Suwannee River 8 8 8 8 8

Levy Cedar Key Marina 352-543-6148 Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8 8

Levy B’s Marina & Campground 352-447-5888 Withlacoochee River 8 8 8

Levy Yankeetown Marina 352-447-2529 Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8 8

North Central Marinas

Alligator LakeAlligator Lake is located in Columbia County near Lake City. Nearly two-thirds of this 800-acre Fish Management Area lies within the city limits. Alligator Lake is filled with sinkholes, includ-ing some that connect directly to underground aquifers. Here you can attract black crappie with live minnows. Redear and bluegill prefer crickets and worms, while bass respond well to soft plastic bait. Catfish can be lured with chicken liver. A single-lane boat ramp is available on the north side of the lake with room for about 20 cars. Bank fishing is permitted for boat-free angling. A license is required to fish in north and south lake basins and north and south marshes.

Cedar Key The Gulf waters off of Cedar Key are teeming with Spanish mackerel, pompano, ladyfish, sea trout and bluefish. Redfish and speckled sea trout usually stick to the oyster bars and sea grass beds, respectively. Try shrimp and jigs as bait.

Chassahowitzka RiverPronounced “chess-a-whiskey,” this shallow river should be navigated with caution. Relatively warm, spring-fed water affects fishing all year. Anglers should find stocks of snook, redfish, and sea trout.

Crystal RiverThe docks and seawalls in Crystal River are a gathering place for snook. Catches should be plentiful with crabs, minnows and baitfish as bait. Deep holes near the shore should provide a good harvest on cooler days, and the grassy areas will yield sea trout.

Eagle LakeOld and very fertile Eagle Lake provides excellent fishing year-round. At 200 acres Eagle Lake has steep sides, a maze of narrow cuts with points and sand bars and cattails in the coves that characterize it. Largemouth bass fishing is best in spring; bluegill, redear sunfish and brown

bullhead catfish are best in the summer; black crappie and stocked sunshine bass are best in fall and winter. Boaters should be aware that gasoline motors may be attached to fishing vessels, but only trolling motors may be used.

Homosassa RiverThe river’s unique headwaters allow both salt and freshwater species to freely mingle. Snook, mullet, and sheepshead can be found next to gar, largemouth bass, and bream. The inshore flats can yield tarpon with bait such as flies, crab, mullet or shrimp.

Lang LakeThis 86-acre Lake Fish Management Area is a reclaimed pit and is full of vegetation and fish. Largemouth bass and bluegill are the most popular catches. Be wary of the boat ramps; four-wheel-drive vehicles would be helpful in launching and recovering your craft. No gasoline motors may be used on the lake (trolling motors only), but they can be attached to the boat.

Lochloosa LakeLochloosa Lake is a 5, 700-acre designated Fish Management Area located 5 miles south of Hawthorne near the town of Lochloosa. Sur-rounded by ancient cypress trees and spotted with grass beds, Lochloosa Lake is a great spot for summer angling. Bluegill, redear sunfish and bream are abundant from April to September, but some species of bream are available throughout the year. Try grass shrimp as bait and focus on the deep-water grass beds. Summer and fall will bring in full catches of crappie in the open water. A public boat ramp provides access to the lake from Highway 301.

Lake Santa Fe

Snorkeling for Scallops

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Suwannee and Santa Fe RiversFrequent and extreme changes in water level keep the fishing interesting, with the best fishing at low tide. Tree roots and rocky shelves provide habitats for plenty of fish in the upper Suwannee area; a greater amount of vegetation makes the lower Suwannee more habitable for bass. Bait resembling crawfish bring the most success, as Suwannee bass prefer this particular shellfish. The Suwannee drains from the Okeefenokee Swamp through limestone shoals stretches to become a large flood plain river in the lower reaches. Numerous boat ramps can be found along the river’s shoreline.

Tsala Apopka LakeMade up of more than 19,000 acres of heavily-vegetated shallow marsh and open water ponds, Tsala Apopka is a vast span of fishing oppor-tunities, but the Hernando Pool and Little Lake Henderson are the most productive. Panfish and largemouth bass can be found near the boat

ramps and bluegill and redear are abundant along the shorelines.

Wauberg LakeThis fertile 254-acre lake in a state park (electric trolling motors only) is famous for black crappie more than any other species. The fertile green water supports shad and a deep grass line is good to hold fish. Big largemouth bass are caught in spring, and redear sunfish and bluegill during spring and summer. There is a nice campground here for a relaxing fishing vacation.

Withlacoochee RiverThis 157-mile stream originates in Green Swamp in Hernando County and flows north to the Gulf at Yankeetown. The stream has many limerock areas and associated swamps. Try the area below the dam at Lake Rousseau for a year-round source of catfish. Mullet have been caught downstream, using handfuls of meal combined with BB-sized pellets of plastic white grub on small hooks.

Public boat ramps can be found along the length of the river.

Lake WeirLake Weir is a 5,600-acre lake in Marion County east of Bellview. Lake Weir is an easily acces-sible lake with two county parks offering well maintained launch facilities. It is unusual for Florida lakes because it is relatively deep (depths common to 30 feet). It’s also unusual in that crap-pie fishing on this lake is continually productive, unlike other lakes that tend to have strong and weak years. To assist anglers in pursuing crappie, the Florida Wildlife Commission maintains 12 fish attractors throughout the lake.

Waccasassa BayBordering the Gulf Hammock Wildlife Manage-ment Area, Waccasassa Bay harbors large amounts of redfish and sea trout. Stick to the oyster bars and sand bars through fall, as these are popular areas for fish.

County Water Body Location Barrier Free Rest Rooms Fish Attractor Boat RampAlachua Lake Johnson Hawthorne 8 8 8

Alachua Lake Lochloosa Hawthorne 8 8

Bradford Lake Sampson Starke 8

Citrus Lake Tsala Apopka Inverness Pool 8

Columbia Lake Montgomery Lake City 8 8 8

Columbia Watertown Lake Lake City 8 8 8

Lafayette Koon Lake east of Mayo 8 8

Levy Suwannee River Manatee Springs State Park 8 8

Suwannee Suwannee Lake northeast of Live Oak 8 8

Union Lake Butler city of Lake Butler 8 8 8

North Central Freshwater Fishing Piers


Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge 352-493-0238 8

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge 352-563-2088 8 8

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge 352-493-0238 8 8 8

Ocala National Forest 352-625-2520 8 8 8 8

Osceola National Forest 386-752-2577 8 8 8 8


FishingSaltwater


Crystal River Preserve State Park Crystal River 352-563-0450 8 8

Fort Cooper State Park Inverness 352-726-0315 8 8 8

Ichetucknee Springs State Park Fort White 386-497-4690 8

Manatee Springs State Park Chiefland 352-493-6072 8 8 8

O’Leno State Park High Springs 386-454-1853 8 8 8

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Micanopy 352-466-3397 8 8 8 8

North Central Boating & Fishing in National Parks & Refuges

North Central Boating & Fishing in State Parks

Newnans LakeSurrounded by cypress trees, Newnans Lake offers the best fishing when the water is high. Catfish and bream are the most popular catches. Try the deeper areas of the lake for catfish; bream will be found along the shoreline. Newnans Lake is a 5,800-acre Fish Management Area located about two miles east of Gainesville on Highway 20.

Orange LakeA giant of a lake, this 12,550-acre Fish Manage-ment Area has vast amounts of lilypads, which often prevent shallow-water angling. The deeper areas of the lake offer bluegill, redear sunfish, bass and crappie. A boat ramp and a fishing pier with fish attractor is located at Heagy-Burry Park at the southwest portion of the lake. Boats also can launch from Mike’s Fish Camp. Orange Lake is located about 20 miles southeast of Gainesville.

Lake RousseauAn impoundment of the Withlacoochee River, this large lake is full of cypress trees, hyacinth and pennywort islands and sometimes

hydrilla. Abundant cover and structure grow plenty of bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish, black crappie and largemouth bass. The deeper river channel is always good to locate and fish underwater bends. The rest of the lake is referred to as the "flats" or the backwaters.

Lake Sampson and Lake RowellLake Rowell is connected to Lake Sampson by a canal and lies upstream. It is considered very fertile due to a shallow, mucky bottom and hydrilla growths. Good numbers of bluegill and redear sunfish are known to be in the south and southwest side of the lake. Live bait, such as earthworms and crickets, is a good choice for bream and can be fished around vegetation in the shallower portions of the lakes and around the masses of vegetation away from shore. Big catches of largemouth bass are quite likely in the deeper waters of Lake Rockwell.

Lake Santa FeThis 5,850-acre lake has a "little" northern area and a "big" southern arm connected by "the pass" where shad school and fishing is usually good for

schooling largemouth and stocked sunshine bass. Numerous homes surround the lake, most with docks and ski boats; fishing is always best early and late or at night and on weekdays. In spite of development, the fish habitat is outstanding with many areas of cypress and healthy maidencane grass beds.

Santa Fe RiverFreshwater shrimp, water scuds and aquatic insects are abundant in the heavily vegetated waters of this Suwannee tributary. As a result, the fish growth is phenomenal. Redbreast sunfish and stumpknocker are the most common catches.

Suwannee LakeThis 63-acre manmade, state-owned impound-ment is stuffed with both cypress trees and largemouth bass. It is a Fish Management Area and a license is required. Two fishing piers, one fully handicapped accessible, and several earthen fishing fingers provide boatless angling opportuni-ties. The lake is shallow around the edge with good vegetative cover and several old sink-holes out in the trees providing deep cover.

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WHEN IT COMES TO BOATING & FISHING

the one word that comes to mind is relaxation!

There is no better place to do that than Crystal

River, Florida. It is the Florida of old, unspoiled by

development with no overcrowding and all the

amenities you could want to create those relaxing

memories of a lifetime. Visit Citrus, the area visi-

tor’s bureau, has named this the “Water Lover’s

Paradise” and the city of Crystal River is the

perfect example of that life style. The Plantation

on Crystal River is located on the head waters of

the Crystal River at Kings Bay and just minutes

from the main spring, the King Spring, which then

leads directly to the Gulf of Mexico. Our Adven-

ture Center, Marina & Dive Shop can provide the

services you need to help make this the perfect

headquarters for all your water fun.

FISHING & SCALLOPINGIf you’re hooked on fishing, then there’s no better

place to cast out your lines than the Plantation on

Crystal River, with a convenient waterfront loca-

tion alongside the Crystal River inlets and inviting

King’s Bay. That’s only the beginning, because

we are also located nearby Seven Rivers, a wide

assortment of local lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico,

leaving you with all kinds of options to plan the

most ideal Florida fishing trip. In addition, we are

a popular spot for our nationally known famous

scalloping grounds. Scalloping season is July

1st till September 24th (2013) and is a great

experience for the whole family.

WHAT CAN YOU CATCH?Simply put, Central Florida fishing doesn’t get

any better than this. Whether you prefer to fish

for largemouth bass, crappie, and brim, or snook,

redfish, and grouper, you’re sure to find it here,

on top of local lakes and reservoirs, the area

features over 25,000 acres of water for you to

discover your new “honey hole”. There’s never

been a better time to plan the Florida fishing

vacation you’ve always dreamed of. If you dream

of records, the world record tarpon* caught on a

fly rod was taken in our waters! (*Jim Holland, Jr.

May 11, 2011 / 202lb 8oz – 20 lb tippet)

Bring your own boat; we have a boat ramp and

plenty of trailer storage along with over 1,600

feet of sea wall where you can tie your boat up

right outside your room. We also work with the

area’s top fishing guides and can arrange you to

be picked up right at the Plantation. Need a loca-

tion for your group to fish or have a tournament

that needs a home? We are the perfect location.

And don’t for get to bring your catch back so the

chef can prepare it at the West 820 Bar & Grill.

BOATING, DIVING & MANATEESWith our convenient location, Crystal River is one

of the best places to go boating in all of Central

Plantation on Crystal River

Florida’s Finest FISHING & BOATING DESTINATIONS

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DESTINATION NOTESWe are proud to announce that once again Plantation on Crystal has been selected as the host site for the 2014 Florida Fly Fishing Expo which will be held October 10-11, 2014. For more information you can visit the Florida Federation of Fly Fishers at www.fedflyfishers.org/Councils/Florida. We hope you can attend!

*Subject to availability. Prices per person per night, based on double occ. in a garden-view room; both packages include professional guide (non-guided packages also available) & are 2-night midweek stays. Weekends, high season rates may be higher. Tax & gratuity not included. Call for details.

Fish For An inshore slAm in The morning & snorkel For scAllops in The AFTernoon

Southern Hospitality with Florida Charm 9301 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429

www.PlantationOnCrystalRiver.com

plAnTATion on The hook

pAckAge Starting From

$169per person per night*

scAlloping pAckAge

Starting From $139

per person per night*

If you’re hooked on fishing & boating, then there’s no better place to cast out your lines than the Plantation on Crystal River! A hidden gem located on the Gulf of Mexico just north of Tampa, we offer unrivaled water-lover experiences for the sportsman or entire family!

@ Fish inshore for a slam of Tarpon, Redfish & Trout, plus dozens of other species

@ Offshore, target Grouper, Snapper, Kings & Cobia to name a few

@ Freshwater Fishing options include Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie & more

@ Snorkel our shallow water grass flats for scallops during summers

@ Reserve one of our rental boats for you and your party

@ Launch your own boat from our ramp and tie up right outside your room with over 1,600 feet of sea wall

Make us your place to Stay & Play along The Nature Coast. You can also enjoy great golfing, nature tours, spa treatments and delectable dining at the West 82 Bar & Grill, including our “cook your catch.” So come for as long or as little as you like, a la carte or at great savings with our packages.

See Your Travel Agent, Visit Us Online or Call 800-632-6262

PCR full-pg Fishing ad_final.indd 1 1/11/13 9:23 AM

Florida. Whether you prefer to lazily drift along,

cast up your sails, paddle from shore to shore, or

roar around in your power boat, you’ll have over

25,000 acres of water to explore. We offer afford-

able rentals on kayaks, canoes, Jon boats, and

pontoon boats which you can charter for a half or

full day, or even multiple days.

When it comes to diving in Florida, it doesn’t

get much better than Crystal River. Featuring

crystal-clear water, an average year-round tem-

perature of 72 degrees (hot spring fed waters),

underwater caverns, and a wide variety of wild-

life such as tarpons, redfish, grouper, dolphins,

and the West Indian Manatee, Crystal River is

home to the best Florida diving around. We also

have PADI certified dive instructors who not only

lead the tours we offer but can help with diving

certifications. Do you need to do your check-out

dives to finish your course or the full course

itself? We can help. And we have and full dive

shop that offers the latest equipment and we can

fill you tanks if you need compressed air.

Come explore why our waterfront location

has been described as a Central Florida boating

paradise. After only a few minutes out on the

picturesque river inlets, with its ideal climate,

72 degree average water temperature, and wide

range of native wildlife, including a large concen-

tration of local manatees in the winter, we’re sure

you’ll agree.

What makes this the absolute unique water

lover paradise beside its picturesque scenery and

the old relaxed Florida life style is the fact Crystal

River and Citrus County is one of the only places

where you can still get in the water and interact

with the West India Manatee! While there are

is a year round resident population of manatees

in the Bay, from November through March, is the

best time of year to see hundreds of the gentle

giants nestled by the springs in the river.

Popular sites include King’s Springs, Three

Sisters Spring’s and there are many caves and

grottoes in King’s Bay. Do not miss the excel-

lent Florida diving at Rainbow Springs (named for

its amazing variety of multicolored fish and plants),

Devil’s Den, and Blue Grotto, all of which are

within easy driving distance from The Plantation.

All this makes the Plantation on the Crystal

River the place to Play & Stay!

Our beautiful, eco-friendly and certified green

lodging resort is situated on 232 acres of lush

preserve land with emerald greens, surrounded

by the natural springs of King’s Bay. Combine

all the water lovers’ activities with our 27-hole

golf course and the full service AVEDA Spa, and

we offer a truly unique Florida experiences to

treasure with family and friends. See your travel

professional or call us today!

The Florida Sports Foundation thanks its sponsors for all they do to help us make Florida a great state for

the Sports Industry.

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Florida’s Northeast Coast serves up a great mix of inland and open

water opportunities including one of Florida’s most famous rivers, The St. Johns,

and Marineland, Florida’s original marine attraction opened to the public in 1938.

NORTHEASTCOUNTIES: BAKER, NASSAU, DUVAL, CLAY, ST. JOHNS, FLAGLER, PUTNAM

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Flagler Palm Coast Marina 386-446-6370 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8

Putnam Crystal Cove Marine Center 386-325-1055 St. Johns River 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Putnam Georgetown Marina & Lodge 386-467-2002 St. Johns River 8 8 8 8 8 8

Putnam Stegbone’s 386-467-2464 St. Johns River 8 8 8 8 8

Putnam Trail Boss Campground Marina 386-467-2319 St. Johns River 8 8 8 8

Putnam Acosta Creek Marina 386-467-2229 St. Johns River 8 8 8 8

Putnam Boathouse Marina 386-328-2944 St. Johns River 8 8 8

Putnam Georgia Boys Fish Camp 386-325-7764 Crescent Lake 8 8 8 8 8 8

St. Johns Conch House Marina Resort 904-829-8646 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

St. Johns Devils Elbow Fishing Resort 904-471-0398 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8

St. Johns Oyster Creek Marina 904-827-0520 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8

St. Johns Sea Love Charters 904-824-3328 San Sebastian River 8 8 8

St. Johns St. Augustine Municipal Marina 904-825-1026 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8

St. Johns Pacetti’s Marina & Fishing Resort 904-284-5356 Trout Creek 8 8 8 8 8 8

Northeast Marinas

Pier Name Water Body Location Barrier Free Rest Rooms Fish AttractorFlagler Beach Municipal Pier Atlantic Ocean Flagler Beach 8 8

St. Johns County Atlantic Ocean St. Augustine 8 8

Usina Waterway Park Intracoastal St. Augustine BeachVilano Fishing Pier Intracoastal St. Augustine Beach 8 8 8

Northeast Saltwater Fishing Piers

County Water Body Location Barrier Free Rest Rooms Fish Attractor Boat RampPutnam Rodman Reservoir below the dam at Raceway 8 8

Putnam Rodman Reservoir Rodman Recreation Area 8

Putnam St. Johns River East Palatka 8 8

St. Johns Lake Ponte Vedra north of St. Augustine

Northeast Freshwater Fishing Piers


FishingSaltwater


Anastasia State Park St. Augustine 904-461-2033 8 8 8

Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park Bunnell 386-517-2084 8 8 8 8

Faver-Dykes State Park St. Augustine 904-794-0997 8 8 8 8 8

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area Flager Beach 386-517-2086 8 8 8 8

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Palm Coast 386-446-6780 8

Northeast Boating & Fishing in State Parks

should produce a good amount of catfish, bluegill and bass.

Lower St. Johns River and Lakes Bass anglers can expect to find bass hiding in shoreline vegetation, eelgrass, and around docks and pilings. Locating fish should become easier

as water levels fall and fish become somewhat more concentrated. Anglers should target edges of submerged vegetation along banks, sharp bends, and drop-offs near shallow bars. Swimming plastic worms/jerk baits and twitching shallow running minnow imitations are the choice among many bass fishermen.

Nassau RiverThe colder months deliver the largest bass in Nassau River. Try deep-diving lures and live eels for the 20-pounders. Redfish, drum and sea trout should be plentiful as well.

Crescent BeachCrescent Beach, a short distance from St. Au-gustine’s Anastasia Island and Vilano Beach, is a great spot for coastal angling. Redfish, floun-der, mahi, sea trout and marlin are all popular catches. Fish from the pier or take a deep sea charter for larger sport fish.

Lake CrescentThis 15,960-acre lake is a tributary of the St. Johns River. Public access to Crescent Lake can be obtained on the west shore off of Highway 17 in Crescent City. Private access can be obtained from Lake Crescent Resort.

Lake GeorgeThis lake is a 46,000-acre natural impoundment of the St. Johns River with extensive vegetation that provides excellent habitat for fish. There are jetties located on the south end of the lake where the St. Johns River enters the lake. Public access can be obtained from Blue Creek Road to Lake George Road off of Highway 40.

Lake MonroeA 9,406-acre lake in the middle of the St. Johns River, Lake Monroe should provide excellent opportunities in the bulrushes, as long as water level remains high. The bulrushes on the west side have seen plenty of bass and redear. Bluegill and crappie harvests will be spotty,

but a combination of full moon, deep water and vegetation won’t disappoint. The intersection of US 17/92 and I-4 features a public boat ramp as does the Monroe Harbor Marina in Sanford.

Doctors Inlet, St. Johns River, and Black CreekBoth the inlet and the hard sand bottom areas in this stretch of the St. Johns River support healthy stands of eelgrass and great fishing for largemouth bass and redear sunfish. Schooling bass are present all year and redear are caught spring, summer and fall. Nearby Black Creek is deep with vegetated shorelines. It’s a good water body for black crappie year-round and all riverine panfish during spring, summer and fall.

Fernandina BeachFernandina’s warm waters make it the perfect spot for variety—trout, cobia, bluefish, sheeps-head, sea bass, king mackerel, flounder, pompano and grouper. Five-foot-long, 140-lb amberjack have been harvested here.

Flagler BeachNestled between the Intracoastal and the Atlantic, the deep channel of Flagler Beach offers an abundance of snapper, tarpon, snook, redfish and whiting. Blue crab is a potential catch when lured with raw chicken.

Boat access is available from the county

dock or through Gamble Rogers Memorial State Park. Boatless anglers can fish from the Flagler Beach Pier.

St. Mary's and Nassau RiversThis 125-mile river starts in the acid swamps of Okeefenokee and becomes a tidal river below US 17 north of Jacksonville. Upstream is redbreast sunfish and small largemouth bass territory. The salt marsh zone is famous for striped bass and the same is true for nearby Nassau River. Live baits, such as worms and crickets, are great choices for sunfish in these waters. Both the Nassau and the St. Mary’s River have good populations of largemouth bass as well.

Rodman ReservoirThis premier largemouth bass fishery covers 9,500 acres and is about 15 miles long. It is located south of Palatka off of Hwy 19. A four-gate spillway controls the water levels of the reservoir. Submersed vegetation like hydrilla, coontail and eel grass is common in the pool section of the reservoir.

St. Johns River One of the most famous rivers in Florida, the St. Johns is known primarily for its bass population. Stick to live bait for the most success. Deep wa-ters and the areas around submerged structures

EXPLORE THE WATERWAYS OF

PUTNAM COUNTY

WWW.PUTNAMCOUNTYCHAMBER.COM 1100 REID STREET, PALATKA, FLORIDA

DON’T WORRY ABOUT YOUR BAIT.WORRY ABOUT YOUR LINE WEIGHT.

In the world of bass angling, there is a name synonymous with the great expectations of trophy Largemouths at the end of taunt, singing lines and straining rod tips. It has been immortalized in song and written word, and many

have been the stories of it told around crackling campfi res in the dark, cool of the night. It is a ‘living’ legend and probably the most famous bassin’ water in the World - the fabled St. Johns River of Putnam County Florida.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT YOUR BAIT.

FLORIDA

FLA_FishBoat_SPR12 Putman Ad.indd 1 1/2/12 7:31 AM

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PUTNAM COUNTY






FLORIDA


Thanks to the trophy largemouth black bass fishing that’s available, Putnam County has long been known as the “Bass Capital of the World”. Palatka, the County Seat, is bordered on the east by the beautiful St. Johns River. The St. Johns is one of the few rivers that run north, flowing gracefully through the heart of the county. Along with big bass, it’s also known for its blue crabs and great shrimp season.

Fisheries in Putnam County are always on the “Top Ten” list produced annually by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and fishing is excellent the year round. In addition to the largemouth black bass, speckled perch, blue gill, striped bass and other native freshwater species abound in our many lakes and rivers.

Lake George is one of the premier bass fishing lakes in Florida. At 46,000 acres, it is the second-largest lake in the state and one of the many natural lakes on the St. John’s River. It has exten-sive vegetation that provides excellent habitat for bass. Wade fishing in eelgrass, with plastic worms fished on the surface, and other top water artificial lures, is productive. Fishing with live shiners is also an excellent method for catching trophy bass during the spring spawning season.

In winter and early spring, look for bass to congregate at the jetties on the south end of Lake George. Additionally, casting deep-diving crank

baits is productive near old dock structures along the northeast shore and off Drayton Island.

South of Palatka is the 9,500-acre Rod-man Reservoir. Since its creation in 1968, this habitat-rich reservoir has been known for trophy largemouth bass. In 2000, the state’s two biggest bass – a 17-pounder and a 15-pounder – were pulled from the Rodman in March. Much of the largemouth bass fishery’s success is due to abun-dant habitat in the form of stumps and aquatic vegetation. Periodic drawdowns are a factor as well. Strong year classes of largemouth bass are produced following drawdowns, which allow a higher percentage of fish to reach trophy sizes.

Largemouth bass are most active during Florida’s cooler months. Anglers targeting trophy largemouth bass use live golden shiners – either floated under a cork or free-lined. Most big bass are caught in the pool area (known as the “stump fields”) along the river channel. However, many trophy bass also come from the area between Cypress Bayou and Kenwood Landing. Successful anglers often use artificial baits such as deep-diving and lipless crank baits, spinner baits and soft plastics.

Crescent Lake is a 15,725-acre body of water that borders the east side of Crescent City on the Putnam/Flagler county line. Crescent Lake flows into the St. Johns River via Dunns Creek

on its north end. Past electrofishing samples for largemouth bass revealed one of the highest catch rates recorded for areas on the St. John’s River. Largemouth bass up to 20 inches long were well represented in the sample and good numbers of larger fish (8 lb. +) were collected.

In the fall and early winter, the best fishing tends to be near deep-water structures such as dock pilings. Preferred artificial baits include plastic worms, spinner baits and crank baits. Live golden shiners are also very popular.

All of Putnam County’s bodies of water have natural shorelines that are undeveloped and protected and they give our residents and visitors the opportunity to see the “Real Florida”.

For more information about fishing or boat-ing in Putnam County please visit our web site at www.putnamcountychamber.com

“Bass Capital of the World” Putnam County Florida

Florida’s Finest FISHING & BOATING DESTINATIONSEXPLORE THE WATERWAYS OF

PUTNAM COUNTY






FLORIDA



PUTNAM COUNTY






FLORIDA


www.putnamcountychamber.com 1100 Reid Street, Palatka, Florida

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While the bass bountiful Central Region of Florida may be the only without costal angling oportunites, it does serve up countless acres of renowned freshwater options. And if you don’t think you can land the big one inland...ask Evan Meritt about the record 41-lb. Longnose Gar he pulled out of Lake Panasoffkee.

CENTRALCOUNTIES: SUMTER, LAKE, SEMINOLE, ORANGE, OSCEOLA, OKEECHOBEE, HIGHLANDS, DESOTO, HARDEE, POLK

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Bass fishing at StreamSong Resort

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Highlands Cypress Isle RV Park & Marina 863-465-5241 Lake Istokpoga 8 8 8 8 8

Lake Astor Bridge Marina 386-749-4407 St. Johns River 8 8 8 8 8 8

Lake Front Street Bait & Tackle 352-759-2795 St. Johns River 8 8 8

Lake Haines Creek RV Village 352-728-5939 Haines Creek

Lake Venetian Cove Marina 352-728-0901 Lake Harris

Lake Banana Cove Marina 352-343-7951 Lake Harris 8 8 8 8 8

Lake Fisherman’s Cove 352-343-1233 Lake Harris 8 8 8 8 8

Lake Lake Harris Lodge 352-343-4111 Lake Harris 8 8 8 8

Lake Triangle Marine Center 352-343-6146 Lake Eustis 8

Lake Pier 44 Marina Sales & Service 352-589-8370 St. Johns River 8 8 8

Osceola Big Toho Enterprises, Inc. 407-846-2124 West Lake Toho 8 8 8 8 8

Osceola Cypress Lake Fish Camp & RV 407-957-3135 Cypress Lake 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Osceola Middletons Fish Camp 407-436-1966 Lake Kissimmee 8 8 8 8 8

Osceola The Lakeside Inn & Café 407-892-3195 Alligator Chain 8 8 8 8 8 8

Polk Harbor RV Resort & Marina 863-696-1194 Lake Rosalie 8 8 8

Seminole Boat Tree Marina 407-322-1610 St. Johns River 8 8 8 8 8 8

Seminole Monroe Harbor Marina 407-322-2910 Lake Monroe 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Seminole Wekiva Island 407-862-1500 Wekiva River 8 8

Central Marinas

Lake ParkerLake Parker is a 2,272-acre Fish Management Area in North Lakeland. A canal on the northwest shore connects to Lake Crago. Both offer good largemouth bass fishing, particularly during the winter and spring. The canal can be a real hot spot for large bass. Bluegill and catfish fishing is popular all year and don't be surprised to find a black crappie at the end of your line. During low water the canal can be tough to navigate. Kissim-mee grass, bulrush, and cattail are the predomi-nant vegetation. There are three boat ramps on Lake Parker.

Saddle Creek ParkSaddle Creek Park is a series of phosphate pits on 740 acres of mined phosphate land east of Lakeland off U.S. Route 92 in Polk County. The park provides convenient opportunities for family outings, picnics, boating, and fishing. An abundance of bank fishing makes this a unique Fish Management Area. Channel catfish are stocked regularly by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and largemouth bass are popular with Saddle Creek anglers.

TenorocTenoroc Fish Management Area, located northeast of Lakeland, offers a unique fishing opportunity. Tenoroc is an old phosphate mine where 14 lakes ranging in size from seven to 227 acres provide quality public fishing. All anglers are required to

register at the area headquarters where a daily use fee of $3 is charged. Tenoroc is nationally noted for largemouth bass and provides excellent fishing for panfish, black crappie and several varieties of catfish. Seasonal patterns are well established for these fish and appropriate fishing techniques are updated quarterly in this report.

Walk-in-WaterAlso known as Lake Weohyakapka, this 7,528-acre anglers' favorite is located south of State Route 60, 10 miles east of Lake Wales off Walk-in-the-Water Road in Polk County. Predominant vegetation is cattail, bulrush, Kissimmee grass, and hydrilla. Tiger Creek flows in from the southwest and Weohyakapka Creek flows from the north end of the lake. Nationally known for largemouth bass fishing, Lake Walk-in-Water provides both large numbers and trophy-sized fish. Drifting live shiners over offshore hydrilla is the most consistent technique, but many bass are caught on artificials as well, particularly topwater lures. There is a county boat ramp on the west shore at the end of Boat Landing Road.

Winter Haven Chain of LakesLocated within the city of Winter Haven, nine lakes compose this 6,000-acre chain where fish-ing and boating are extremely popular. Boat and shore access to the South Chain are available at lakes Summit, Shipp, Howard, Cannon, and Hartridge. The North Chain can be accessed

through lakes Conine, Rochelle, and Haines. Fish attractors are located and marked in lakes Summit, Winterset, Cannon, Smart, and Haines. Bass anglers achieve success by "flipping" plastic worms around shoreline plants such as cattail and maidencane, as well as docks.

Fish OrlandoMany people do not know that the greater Orlando urban region houses over 60,000 acres of freshwater, providing many exciting angling opportunities for the 2 million local residents and over 40 million yearly visitors from around the world. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's mission through Fish Orlando! is to create, conserve, and promote convenient quality fishing opportunities in the greater Orlando area.

Ocala Forest LakesThere are approximately 600 natural lakes in the Ocala National Forest with lakes Bryant, Mill Dam, Kerr, Crooked, Wildcat, Lou Echo, Grasshop-per, Eaton and Quarry Fish Pond being the most popular. A Visitors Welcome Center is located at the intersection of S.R. 40 and C.R. 315.

Oklawaha River Oklawaha begins in Lake County and flows to the St. Johns River. Black crappie fishing will become slower as warm weather sets in, while bluegill, redear and catfish should be plentiful year-round. Try grass shrimp and worms to bait the redear;

Clermont ChainEleven lakes make up this Fish Management Area; most of the lakes have dark water, but Lake Minneola is relatively clear. Bluegill and redear sunfish hang around the shallow water near veg-etation. Worms, crickets and grass shrimp should be productive as bait. Catfish and bass are also popular catches, using chicken liver and plastic worms as bait, respectively. Black crappie isn’t as plentiful, but still a good catch. Use minnows as bait around deep grassy areas.

Lake ConwayThe hard, sandy bottom and vegetation of this 1,800-acre chain is a great place to catch bass. Try jig spoons, spinnerbaits, topwater lures and soft jerk baits. Jigs and beetle spins should bring in a good catch of crappie.

Lake HarrisThis 13,788-acre lake, located south and east of the City of Leesburg, offers decent largemouth bass with plastic worms, crankbaits or live shin-ers as bait. Stick to the areas around the S.R. 19 bridge and the grassy shoreline. The full moon should produce a good amount of bluegill and redear spawning. Try grass shrimp, crickets and worms as bait. Singletary Park on Highway 27 offers access to the lake, as does a public boat ramp in Leesburg’s Venetian Gardens. Florida Av-enue in Astatula provides another ramp. Hickory Point recreational area’s boat ramp has a usage fee. Lake Harris Lodge is another option.

Lake IvanhoeWacky-rigged plastics or fluke juniors help lure bass near the lake’s many drop-offs. Aerator diffusers, easily located by bubbles, may draw schooling activity.

Lake JessupOne of the top fishing areas in this section of the St. Johns River, this massive lake is a great spot for bluegill, redear sunfish and black crappie, which prefer minnows and spinners.

Lake KissimmeeLake Kissimmee is a 34,948-acre lake located 40 miles south of Orlando and 18 miles east of Lake Wales. The vegetation in Lake Kissimmee provides a terrific home for plenty of largemouth bass. Spinnerbaits will act as the prime artificial lure here, as will soft jerkbaits and plastic worms. Full moon should induce bluegill spawn-ing, providing the best fishing opportunities. Live bait with a split-shot sinker about 5 inches above the bait will work best in areas with a clean, sandy bottom.

Lake PanasoffkeeShallow, spring-fed and more than 4,000 acres large, Lake Panasoffkee offers a good amount of bass, bluegill and redear. Bass will be prolific around grassy areas both early and late in the day; try topwater lures and plastic worms as bait. Redear and bluegill will flee when they see a boat through the clear water, but patience will be

rewarded. A public boat ramp is available on C.R. 470 on the Outlet River.

Lake MonroeThe St. Johns River flows through this 9,406-acre lake. The city of Sanford borders the southern shoreline. Public access can be utilized off the Seminole County side of the intersection of High-way 17/92 and I-4; the north side of the lake off of Enterprise Road; and at Monroe Harbor Marina in downtown Sanford.

Lake TohopekaligaKnown to locals as Lake Toho, the 18,810-acre lake offers fish attractors for successful fishing. Largemouth bass are often found near Goblets Cove, Lanier Point, Brown’s Point, and Little Grassy Island. Live and artificial bait should yield good catches, especially golden shiners and dark-colored plastic worms. Bluegill are especially prolific during the full moon. Sandy, vegetated areas pocked with small holes are signs of bedding; try live bait or small jigs.

Lake IstokpogaLocated five miles northeast of Lake Placid, Highlands County, this 27,692-acre lake has quality fishing for black crappie (specks) and one of the highest bass catch rates in the state. The best speck fishing occurs during winter months drifting over open water. Predominant aquatic vegetation includes spadderdock, bulrush, cattail, and pondweed.

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catfish will respond to chicken livers. The shal-lower, clearer waters of the lower portion harbor largemouth bass and spotted and redear sunfish. Drift shiners in holes along the riverbank for bass; try live worms and grass shrimp for the sunfish.

Peace RiverThis scenic river runs south for over 100 miles from Lake Hancock, north of Bartow to Charlotte Harbor. Popular with canoeists, the Peace River offers excellent fishing for largemouth bass, bream, and catfish. Snook weighing over 30 pounds migrate from Charlotte Harbor and are caught year round as far north as Fort Meade. Bass, snook, and catfish prefer deep holes around

tree snags where flow is strong. Tarpon are also caught in the lower Peace River.

Turkey LakeUsing lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits, large-mouth bass may be pulled out of deeper pads and grassy bottlenecks, where they are commonly found. Although public boat access is restricted, anglers can choose to participate in a Boat Loaner Program for a small fee.

Starke LakeTo catch some of the plentiful largemouth bass, stick close to fish attractors, which are marked with yellow buoys. Texas rigged plastic worms

usually bait well. If temperatures are below 80 degrees, try submerged eel grass and pepper-grass below 5-10 feet of water.

Lake YaleLargemouth bass fishing should be decent around vegetation; shiners, plastic worms, top-water plugs and spinnerbaits work well as bait. Bluegill and redear sunfish will be plentiful as spawning continues. Using worms, grass shrimp and crickets as bait near shoreline vegetation should bring in a good haul. Boat ramps are available in Marsh Memorial Park and the north side of the lake. Marsh Memorial Park permits bank fishing.


FishingSaltwater


Lake Griffin State Park Fruitland Park 352-360-6760 8 8 8 8

Lake Louisa State Park Clermont 352-394-3969 8 8 8

Rock Springs Run State Reserve Apopka 407-884-2008 8 8

Wekiwa Springs State Park Apopka 407-884-2008 8 8 8

Central Boating & Fishing in State Parks

County Water Body Location Barrier Free Rest Rooms Fish Attractor Boat RampHighlands Lake Istokpoga Lorida, Istokpoga Park 8 8 8

Highlands Lake Jackson Sebring 8

Highlands Lake June in Winter Lake Placid, H.L. Bishop Park 8 8 8

Lake Bear Pond Seminole Forest Wildlife Area 8 8 8

Lake Big Lake Harris Hickory Point Marina 8 8 8

Lake Dora Canal Lake Eustis 8

Lake Grasshopper Lake Ocala National ForestLake Lake Griffin Fruitland Park 8 8

Lake Lake Griffin Herlong Park at Leesburg 8 8

Lake Lake Harris Singletary Park 8 8 8

Lake Lake Minneola Clermont 8

Okeechobee Lake Okeechobee U.S. 441, south of Okeechobee 8 8 8

Orange Clear Lake Orlando 8 8 8 8

Orange Lake Lawne Barnett Park 8 8

Orange Lake Santiago Demetree Park 8 8

Osceola Lake Tohopekaliga Kissimmee 8 8 8

Polk Crystal Lake LakelandPolk Derby Lake Lakeland, Tenoroc Fish Area 8 8 8

Polk Lake Ariana Auburndale 8 8

Polk Lake Cannon Winter HavenPolk Lake Hollingsworth LakelandPolk Lake Howard Winter Haven

Polk Lake Kissimmee Lake Wales/ Kissimmee State Park 8

Polk Lake John Peterson Lakeland 8 8

Polk Lake McLeod Eagle LakePolk Lake Shipp Winter Haven 8

Polk Lake Summit Winter HavenPolk Patterson Park Fort Meade 8 8 8

Polk Peace River Homeland 8 8

Polk Saddle Creek Park Lakeland 8 8 8

Seminole Secret Lake Altamonte Springs 8 8 8

Central Freshwater Fishing Piers

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THE FLORIDA PADDLING TRAIL ASSOCIATION (FPTA) is the proud steward of all Florida’s water trails. This includes Florida’s longest and most ambitious sea kayaking trail, the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. It begins at Big Lagoon State Park near Pensacola, extending around the Florida peninsula and Keys, and ending at Fort Clinch State Park near the Georgia border. The Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail (commonly referred to as The CT) is a 1,515-mile sea kayaking para-dise; exposed to every Florida coastal habitat type, from barrier island dune systems to salt marsh to mangroves. Several historical sites and points of

interest are accessible along the way with colorful fishing communities and urban centers. The CT is divided into 26 segments, ranging from the remote Big Bend Coast and Everglades/Florida Bay wilderness, to the more urban-ized coastlines of Pinellas County and Fort Lauderdale. Some hardy souls have paddled the entire trail, and others seek to complete the trail in segments over several years.

The CT is only the beginning of the unbelievable paddling opportunities here in Florida. Following is a list of some of our favorite places to put your oars in the water and begin your paddling adventure.

Paddling Paradise There is no better way to explore Florida’s waterways

Coldwater CreekLocated in the Panhandle approximately three miles southwest of Munson, Coldwater Creek flows through the Blackwater River State Forest and is said to be some of the swiftest water in Florida. Because it is spring-fed, the shallow water is always pleasantly cool and makes a perfect paddle for all ages. Flowing for 20 miles through undeveloped land, Coldwater Creek is a fun, shallow and easy paddle.

Blackwater RiverThis 31-mile trail near Milton flows through the unspoiled Blackwater River State Forest with trees often forming a dense canopy over the river. High bluffs occur in some sections where pine and cedar trees tower above paddlers. The water is coffee colored, the reason why Creek Indians called the river “Oka Lusa” (“water black”). Along the bends, white sandbars provide a perfect place for camping or picnicking.

St. Joseph BayIn Port St. Joe, the St. Joseph Bay is 15 miles long and the only body of water in the eastern Gulf of Mexico that does not have any rivers or streams flowing into it. The clear waters of the St. Joseph Bay Aquatic Preserve provide homes and nurseries for numerous fish and sea animals such as sea urchins, scallops and snails. A popular destination along the bay is the St. Joseph Peninsula State Park Wilderness Preserve, one of only six in the state park system.

Chipola RiverBeginning at the bridge on State Road 166 in Marianna, this scenic 51-mile canoe trail flows through river swamps and hardwood forests. Limestone bluffs and caves, visible from the water, add a unique touch. Several shoals are found in this pale-colored stream, especially dur-ing low water, and should be attempted only by intermediate or experienced paddlers.

Wakulla RiverWildlife is abundant along the 10-mile, clear, spring-fed river located just 30 minutes south of Tallahassee. Manatees are often spotted in warmer months. Paddlers can choose between a four- or six-mile trip below Wakulla Springs State Park.

Suwannee River (left)

The Suwannee originates in the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia and meanders for 207 miles

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side, within easy reach of the mainland. Paddlers can cruise along Honeymoon Island’s 80-acre old-growth slash pine forest with its high density of active osprey nests, or paddle an easy three-mile, round-trip trail through a mangrove forest along Caladesi Island.

Little Manatee RiverNear Bradenton, this tannin-tinted river has a sandy bottom and steep banks. With numerous access points along this 7-mile trail, paddlers will journey through a variety of habitats including sand pine scrub, willow marsh, and hardwood forest. The trail ends on the south bank at Little Manatee River State Park.

Myakka RiverFew rivers in Florida equal the short but scenic Myakka when it comes to an all-around paddling experience. The river begins in a hardwood swamp and runs through more than 60 miles of varied terrain before emptying into the fertile fishing grounds of Charlotte Harbor.

Peace River (above)

The Peace River, true to its name, is a serene, slow-moving river with few signs of civiliza-tion. Along the 67-mile trail, from Ft. Meade to Arcadia, the pale, tea-colored river shows many different faces. The Peace River is split by tiny islands and joined by numerous creeks. Sandy beaches and sloping banks provide excellent camping spots.

Boca Grandes/PlacidaCharlotte Harbor Blueways Trails in the Boca Grande/Gasparilla Island and Placida area take paddlers to every extreme – from remote creeks to the Intracoastal Waterway and the ultimate in sea-kayaking on the Gulf of Mexico. Paddlers will feel right at home in the mangrove canopies of the Woolverton Trails. Along the way, paddlers are treated to sight-ings of magnificent birds, diverse marine life, uninhabited keys, cypress forests, sand beaches, fish-house res-taurants, and glimpses of Old Florida.

The Great Calusa BluewayThe Great Calusa Blueway is a meandering 100-mile paddling trail with easy-to-find mark-ers that guide canoeists and kayakers through shallow areas away from powerboat traffic. The trail stretches along the pristine waters of Estero Bay to Sanibel and Pine Island Sound. The trail is perfect for a one-hour trip for beginners as well as avid and experienced back-country paddlers.

Loxahatchee RiverOver nine-miles of the upper portion of this river is worthy of its status as Florida’s first National Wild and Scenic River, the first in Florida to re-ceive such designation. The Seminoles named the river “Loxahatchee”, which means river of turtles. The coffee-colored stream meanders through an unspoiled subtropical river swamp where bald cypress, pond apple, orchids, and ferns line the shores while heron and osprey fly overhead.

Oleta RiverOleta River State Park resembles a coastal Central Park in its urban Miami metropolitan setting located on Biscayne Bay. Exceeding 1,000 acres, this is the largest urban park in the state. The beautiful mangrove-lined, seven-mile, Oleta River is the dominant feature, offering kayaking

opportunities for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.

Florida KeysPaddling in the Keys is full of both tropical splendor and unique culture. Just a short distance from launch areas are lush, uninhabited islands and winding tunnels through mangrove forests. Civilization in the form of great restaurants, lodg-ing, and entertainment is often within easy reach of the water, along with several historic sites.

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before reaching the Gulf of Mexico near the town of Suwannee. Numerous access points and outfit-ters along the trail make it easy to customize your trip or do it in sections.

Ichetucknee River (above)

Located four miles northwest of Fort White, off of State Roads 47 and 238, the pristine Ichet-ucknee River flows for six miles through shaded hammocks and wetlands before it joins the Santa Fe River. Since the river is spring fed, it is crystal clear and always 72 degrees.

Santa Fe RiverThis beautiful trail begins in O’Leno State Park, where the Santa Fe reappears after flowing underground for more than three miles. For the next 30 miles, this tributary of the Suwannee River curves past hardwood hammocks and through river swamps.

St. Mary’s RiverPicturesque hardwood forests frame the gentle curves of this river, originating in the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia. Cypress and tupelo trees and snow-white sandbars contrasting with the tea-colored water dominate the scenery. There are several access points along the 60-mile trail, and the gentle current makes for easy paddling.

Florida Sea Islands TrailFour rivers and their salt marshes, plus several barrier islands, create the perfect location in northeast Florida for exceptional coastal saltwa-ter paddling. Enjoy the tranquility of estuaries and tidal creeks while observing a vast array of birds and wildlife.

Bulow CreekBulow Creek is 13 miles long and begins at Bulow

Plantation Ruins State Park and leads upstream and back and then downstream to the entrance of the Intracoastal Waterway. The sugar mill, a spring house and the foundations of the mansion are all that remain of the plantation today.

Juniper CreekThis seven-mile creek is in the Juniper Springs Recreation Area, in the heart of the Ocala National Forest, 20 minutes east of Ocala. Many people consider Juniper Creek to be among the best paddles in Central Florida because of its intimate character and lush, wild setting.

Ocklawaha RiverThe Ocklawaha River is approximately 110 miles long. It originates in several lakes and flows northward from Central Florida, along the edge of the Ocala National Forest and through the Cross Florida Greenway, until it joins the St. Johns River near Palatka. Clear water runs gently through semi-tropical forests and moss-draped trees.

Withlacoochee RiverFlowing out of the Green Swamp in West Central Florida near Brooksville, this river twists and bends through lush cypress swamps, hardwood and pine forests. Overhanging limbs form a lacy canopy. Camping is available at Silver Lake Recreation Area. Although the trail is 83 miles long, numerous access points enable paddlers to choose shorter trips.

Homosassa RiverThe Homosassa River is a beautiful, six-mile me-andering river flowing to the Gulf of Mexico. The source is a crystal-clear spring located within the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. One of the largest herds of West Indian Manatee in Florida gathers near the constant 72-degree headwaters.

St. Johns River/Blue Spring Run Located in Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, the Blue Spring Run is a half-mile stretch of crystal clear water. Plant life is abundant along the shoreline up to the spring boil, which releases close to 100 million gallons each day at 72 degrees. This helps draw Florida’s favorite mammal, the West Indian Manatee, during the winter months resulting in the run being closed to swimmers and paddle watercraft, usually from November 15 through March 1.

Wekiva River/Rock Springs RunBeginning just north of Kelly Park in Apopka, Rock Springs Run winds it way swiftly downstream to join the spring run flowing out of Wekiwa Springs State Park. The trail continues north approxi-mately 15 miles to the St. Johns River. Traveling through sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, ham-mocks and swamps, paddlers will see a variety of wildlife.

Indian River LagoonThe Indian River Lagoon extends 156 miles along Florida’s East Coast from Ponce de Leon Inlet to Jupiter Inlet and is considered to be North America’s most diverse estuary. Premier paddling opportunities along the lagoon include the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Turkey Creek, the St. Sebastian River, the Banana River, Merritt Is-land National Wildlife Refuge, and the Mosquito Lagoon in Canaveral National Seashore.

St. Sebastian RiverLocated along Florida’s East Coast near Vero Beach, the meandering St. Sebastian River starts out narrow with overhanging branches before it opens up into a sunny, peaceful river. Wildlife such as manatee, scrub jay, red-cockaded wood-pecker, southern bald eagle, bobcat, river otter, deer and turkey can be seen along the river.

Hillsborough RiverThe Hillsborough runs from Crystal Springs to the City of Tampa’s Rowlett Park. From nearly pristine conditions, this 31-mile trail winds its way to Tampa Bay through rural, suburban, and urban settings.

Honeymoon Island/Caladesi IslandHoneymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Parks are two unspoiled jewels that lie side-by-

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The Central West Region is home to Florida’s larget open-water estuary, Tampa Bay, extending to over 400 miles and forming coastlines in three counties. You’ll also find the world’s longest fishing piers at the Sunshine Skyway.

CENTRAL WESTCOUNTIES: HERNANDO, PASCO, PINELLAS, HILLSBOROUGH

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Hillsborough Inter-Bay Moorings, Inc. 813-677-2739 Alafia River 8 8 8 8 8

Hillsborough Little Harbor Marina 813-645-2411 Tampa Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Hillsborough Jean Street Shipyard 813-239-2526 Hillsborough River 8 8 8 8

Pasco Anclote Village Marina 727-937-9737 Anclote River 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Pasco Port Hudson Marina 727-869-1840 Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Pasco Skeleton Key Marina & Yacht Sales, Inc. 727-868-3411 Gulf of Mexico 8 8

Pasco American Marina 727-842-4065 Cotee River 8 8

Pasco Sunset Landing Marina 727-849-5092 Pithlachascotee River 8 8 8 8

Pasco Hudson Beach Marina 727-863-9093 Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Pinellas City of Clearwater Municipal Marina 727-462-6954 Clearwater Harbor 8 8 8 8 8 8

Pinellas Pirate’s Cove Marina 727-733-1102 Gulf of Mexico 8

Pinellas Gulfport Municipal Marina 727-893-1071 Boca Ciega Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8

Pinellas Indian Springs Marina, Inc. 727-595-2956 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8

Pinellas ABC Marina of Madeira Beach 727-393-2090 Intracoastal WaterwayPinellas Home Port Marina 727-784-1443 Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8

Pinellas Ozona Shores Marina 727-784-1998 St. Joseph Sound 8 8 8

Pinellas Marino’s Marina 727-784-0143 St. Joseph Sound 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Pinellas Pass-A-Grille Marina 727-360-0100 Pass-A-Grille Channel 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Pinellas Bay Pines Marina 727-392-4922 Boca Ciega Bay 8 8 8

Pinellas Harborage Marina 727-821-6347 Tampa Bay 8 8 8 8 8

Pinellas Maximo Marina, Inc. 727-867-1102 Boca Ciega Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Pinellas O’Neill’s Marina 727-867-2585 Tampa Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Pinellas Pasadena Marina 727-343-4500 Intracoastal Waterway 8

Pinellas St. Petersburg Municipal Marina 727-893-7329 Tampa Bay 8 8 8 8 8

Pinellas Anclote Harbors Marina 727-934-7616 Anclote River 8 8 8

Pinellas Belle Harbor Yacht & Marina 727-943-8489 Anclote River 8 8 8 8 8 8

Pinellas Port Tarpon Marina 727-937-2200 Anclote River 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Pinellas Loggerhead Club and Marina 727-867-2600 Tampa Bay 8 8 8 8

Pinellas Hubbard’s Marina 727-393-1947 Boca Ciega Bay 8 8 8 8


FishingSaltwater


Alafia River State Park Litnia 813-672-5320 8 8 8

Anclote Key Preserve State Park Dunedin 727-469-5942 8 8

Caladesi Island State Park Dunedin 727-469-5918 8 8

Egmont Key State Park St. Petersburg 727-893-2627 8 8

Hillsborough River State Park Thonotosassa 813-987-6771 8 8 8

Honeymoon Island State Park Dunedin 727-469-5942 8 8

Lake Kissimmee State Park Lake Wales 863-696-1112 8 8 8 8

Paynes Creek Historic State Park Bowling Green 863-375-4717 8 8

Skyway Fishing Pier State Park St. Petersburg 727-865-0668 8

Central West Boating & Fishing in State Parks

Pier Name Water Body Location Barrier Free Rest Rooms Fish Attractor

Anna Maria City Tampa Bay Bradenton 8 8

Bayport Park Gulf of Mexico Spring Hill 8 8

Jenkins Creek Park Gulf of Mexico Spring Hill 8 8

Linda Pedersen Park Gulf of Mexico Spring Hill 8 8

Pier 60 Gulf of Mexico Clearwater Beach 8 8

Redington Long Pier Gulf of Mexico Redington Shores 8 8

Rod and Reel Pier Tampa Bay Anna Maria 8 8

N. Skyway State Fishing Tampa Bay St. Petersburg 8 8

S. Skyway State Fishing Tampa Bay Palmetto 8 8

Central West Saltwater Fishing Piers

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Edward Medard ReservoirThis 770-acre reclaimed phosphate mine within Edward Medard Park is located approximately six miles east of Brandon, one mile south of State Route 60 on Turkey Creek Road. The park, maintained by the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department, has facilities for fishing, boating, canoe rental, picnicking, camping, hiking, and swimming. Kissimmee grass, bulrush and cattail are the predominant vegetation. Sunshine bass are stocked on a regular basis and channel catfish are very abundant.

Lake TarponLake Tarpon is a 2,534-acre Fish Management Area near Tarpon Springs, in Pinellas County. The largemouth bass population and size structure is

excellent and it is rated one of the Top 10 bass lakes in the state of Florida by FWC fisheries biologists. Primary largemouth bass fishing areas are found among the weeds which rim the shore-line. Bulrush, cattail, and tape grass beds are good places to try. Offshore humps, particularly with submerged vegetation, are productive and bass will school and chase shad in open water during the summer months. Public boat ramps are located at the county parks off U.S. Route 19 and County Road 611.

Clearwater & St. Petersburg BeachesTarpon are the best catches, both at the beaches and the in shallow flats. Open water harbors the larger, fully matured fish.

New Port Richey Flats The saltwater flats of New Port Richey harbor plenty of snook, which can be caught with pinfish, crab and sardines. Redfish are popular as well, sticking to shallow water areas. Try spoons, shrimp and jigs as bait.

Tampa BaySummer is prime time for tarpon fishing, but redfish, sea trout and snook are popular as well. Black drum can be lured with shrimp and fiddler crab as bait. Shrimp also work well when catching Spanish mackerel, lady fish or jack from the pier.

County Water Body Location Barrier Free Rest Rooms Fish Attractor Boat RampHernando Lake Townsen Regional Park Brooksville 8 8

Hernando Withlacoochee River NobletonHillsborough Al Lopez Park Pond Al Lopez Park 8 8 8

Hillsborough Hillsborough River Hillsborough River State Park 8

Hillsborough Hillsborough River John B. Sergeant Park 8

Hillsborough Hillsborough River Lowry Park 8 8 8

Hillsborough Hillsborough River Morris Bridge Road Park 8

Hillsborough Hillsborough River Trout Creek Park 8

Hillsborough Medard Reservoir Edward Medard Park 8 8 8

Pasco Crews Lake San Antonio 8

Pasco Middle Lake Growers Corner 8 8

Pasco Withlacoochee River Dade City 8

Pinellas Lake Maggiore St. Petersburg Park 8

Pinellas Lake Tarpon Palm Harbor, Chestnut Park 8 8

Central West Freshwater Fishing Piers

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All things aquatic come together in this stretch of Florida’s east coast. This active area is a hotbed for paddling, surfing and reeling in just about anything that swims.

CENTRAL EASTCOUNTIES: BREVARD, INDIAN RIVER, ST. LUCIE, VOLUSIA

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Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge 772-562-3909 8

Canaveral National Seashore 321-267-1110 8 8 8

Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge 386-985-4673 8

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge 321-861-0667 8 8 8

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge 561-562-3909 8 8 8

Central East Boating & Fishing in National Parks & Refuges


FishingSaltwater


Blue Spring State Park Orange City 386-775-3663 8 8

DeLeon Springs State Park DeLeon Springs 386-985-4212 8 8 8

Hontoon Island State Park Deland 386-736-5309 8 8 8

Tomoka State Park Ormond Beach 386-676-4050 8 8 8 8

Central East Boating & Fishing in State Parks

Pier Name Water Body Location Barrier Free Rest Rooms Fish AttractorCocoa Beach Pier Atlantic Ocean Cocoa Beach 8 8

Inlet Harbor Inc. Intracoastal Ponce Inlet 8 8

Sun Glow Pier Atlantic Ocean Daytona Beach Shores 8 8

Central East Saltwater Fishing Piers

County Water Body Location Barrier Free Rest Rooms Fish Attractor Boat Ramp

Volusia St. Johns RiverBluffton Recreation Area; Dexter/Mary Forams Units; Lake George Wildlife Area

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Volusia St. Johns River Ed Stone Park 8 8

Central East Freshwater Fishing Piers


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Brevard Cape Marina at Port Canaveral 321-783-8410 Port Canaveral 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Brevard Sunrise Marina & Tiki Bar 321-783-9535 Atlantic Ocean 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Brevard Cocoa Village Marina 321-632-5445 Indian River 8 8 8 8

Brevard Treasure Coast Marina & Boat Yard 321-733-3390 Indian River Lagoon 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Brevard Telemar Bay Marina 321-773-2468 Banana River 8 8 8 8

Brevard Anchorage Yacht Basin 321-773-3620 Indian River 8 8 8 8 8

Brevard Melbourne Harbor Marina 321-725-9054 Crane Creek 8 8 8 8 8 8

Brevard Pineda Point Marina 321-254-4199 Indian River 8 8

Brevard Harbortown Marina 321-453-0160 Barge Canal 8 8 8 8 8

Brevard Palm Bay Marina 321-723-0851 Turkey Creek 8 8 8 8

Brevard Westland Marina 321-267-1667 Indian River 8 8 8

Indian River Captain Hiram’s Resort 772-589-4345 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Indian River Aqua-Marine Services, Inc. 772-564-0040 Indian River 8 8

Indian River Loggerhead Club and Marina 772-770-4470 Indian River Lagoon 8 8 8 8

Volusia Loggerhead Club and Marina 386-523-3100 Halifax River 8 8 8 8 8

Volusia Aquamarina Daytona 386-675-0742 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Volusia Halifax Harbor Marina 386-671-3600 Halifax River 8 8 8 8 8 8

Volusia Lighthouse Boat Yard & Marina 386-767-0683 Ponce Inlet 8 8 8 8 8

Volusia Highbanks Marina & Camp Resort 386-668-4491 St. Johns River 8 8 8 8 8 8

Volusia Holly Bluff Marina 386-822-9992 St. Johns River 8 8 8 8 8 8

Volusia Tropical Resort & Marina 386-734-3080 Lake Beresford 8 8

Volusia Marker 57 at Cameron’s 386-428-3063 Indian River 8 8 8 8 8 8

Volusia Fishin’ Cove Marina 386-428-7827 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8

Volusia Adventure Yacht Harbor 386-756-2180 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Volusia Seven Seas Marina & Beyond 386-761-3221 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8

Central East Marinas

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Banana RiverAnglers can expect to find shallow seagrass and mangrove-based ecosystems at Banana River. The northern part is an important spring habitat for the east coast population of manatees. Activities such as sail boarding, kayaking, duck hunting and bird watching are year-round.

Miami Lakes-Ansin GarciaThe Lake Garcia Reservoir is a 3,149-acre section of the Blue Cypress Water Management Area in north Indian River County. This impoundment is noted for good numbers of smaller largemouth bass, but does produce its share of trophy bass each year. Largemouth, bluegill and black crappie are the sportfish most often targeted by anglers. Facilities include a double lane concrete boat ramp, air boat launch site, paved parking lot, picnic pavilion and restroom.

Lake Blue CypressBlue Cypress is a 6,555-acre lake located in Indian River County. It is a scenic body of water with a shoreline structure composed of cypress and spatterdock. Several fish attractors have been constructed in open-water areas and are marked with buoys. Lake Blue Cypress has a good popula-

tion of largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie, and catfish.

Farm 13/Stick MarshThe St. Johns Water Management Area, known to most anglers as the Farm 13/Stick Marsh, is a 6,500-acre impoundment located along the east coast of central Florida in northwest Indian River County. Popular sportfish include largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and several catfish species.

Fort Pierce InletAlthough late summer to early spring boasts great lobster catches, there are still plenty of fish to be found by anglers. The large reefs close to shore offer nooks and crannies where lobsters, as well as fish, are most commonly found.

Kenansville Lake-formerly Blue Cypress ReservoirOnce a cattle pasture, Kenansville Lake is a shallow 2,500-acre impoundment with an average water depth of 3 feet. Most anglers fish this area by boat, bank fishing is available along the access canal and north end of the lake for those willing to walk or ride a bicycle to those areas. The

most popular fish species include: black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish.

Indian River LagoonThis 155-mile stretch of water is extremely fertile, offering more than 1,300 plant species, 300 bird species and 700 fish species, both fresh and saltwater varieties. Crevalle jack is plentiful in the lagoon and feeds on baitfish close to the surface. The eight-pound sheepshead is another popular catch. Stick to seawalls, oyster bars and inshore tidal creeks, as these are good congregating spots.

Sebastian InletThe prime fishing hotspot on the East Coast, this gem of a beach harbors blue marlin, grouper, amberjack, wahoo and dolphin in its warm waters. Spotted sea trout are another common catch, especially around grassy areas in the sum-mer. In colder weather, follow them to the deeper open water. Snook, redfish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel should be plentiful as well.

St. Lucie RiverSt. Lucie River and estuary, one of the largest brackish water systems on Florida’s east coast, provide an ample habitat for substantial fish populations. Snook, trout, redfish, flounder, permit, sand perch, whiting and more can be found in these waters. At St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park, try for snapper and sheepshead from the dock, or visit the beach for pompano and bluefish.

SavannahsAlong the Savannahs Chain of Lakes and marsh-es, largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie can be found. Vegetation is plentiful, and the area is perfect for wade angling or smaller boats. Gas motors are prohibited.

Lake WashingtonAt 4,362 acres, Washington is Brevard County’s largest lake. Largemouth bass make up a good number of prime fishing; stick with crankbaits, spinnerbaits and live worms. Black crappie respond best to minnows and small jigs.

Upper St. Johns River & LakesExcept for Lake Washington, many of the lakes including lakes, Winder and Poinsett, may be too shallow to fish the traditional habitats around their shorelines. Bass anglers may have to target habitat around the deepest water.

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The section of the state offers many small islands for exploring and is home to one of the county’s last remaining, undisturbed mangrove estuaries nestled between Naples and Marco Island.

SOUTHWESTCOUNTIES: MANATEE, SARASOTA, CHARLOTTE, LEE, GLADES, HENDRY, COLLIER

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J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge 239-472-1100 8 8 8

Southwest Boating & Fishing in National Parks & Refuges

County Water Body Location Barrier Free Rest Rooms Fish Attractor Boat RampCharlotte Webb Lake & Ponds Babcock, Webb Wildlife Area 8 8

Glades Caloosahatchee River La Belle, Franklin Locks 8 8

Glades Lake Okeechobee Lakeport Park 8 8

Lee Lakes Park Fort Myers 8 8 8

Manatee Manatee Reservoir Bradenton 8 8

Sarasota Myakka River Myakka River State Park 8

Southwest Freshwater Fishing Piers

Pier Name Water Body Location Barrier Free Rest Rooms Fish Attractor

City of Bradenton Beach Anna Maria Sound Bradenton Beach 8 8

City of Naples Gulf of Mexico Naples 8 8

Ft. Myers Beach Pier Gulf of Mexico Ft. Myers Beach 8

Seaport Bocilla Island Gulf of Mexico Bokeelia 8 8

S. Skyway State Fishing Tampa Bay Palmetto 8 8

Venice Municipal Fishing Gulf of Mexico Venice 8 8

Southwest Saltwater Fishing Piers


FishingSaltwater


Cayo Costa State Park Boca Grande 941-964-0375 8 8 8

Collier-Seminole State Park Naples 239-394-3397 8 8 8 8 8

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park Naples 239-597-6196 8 8 8 8

Don Pedro Island State Park Boca Grande 941-964-0375 8 8

Gasparilla Island State Park Boca Grande 941-964-0375 8 8

Koreshan State Historic Site Estero 239-992-0311 8 8 8 8 8

Lovers Key State Park Ft. Myers Beach 239-463-4588 8 8 8

Myakka River State Park Sarasota 941-361-6511 8 8 8 8

Southwest Boating & Fishing in State Parks

Southwest Marinas


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Collier Rod & Gun Lodge & Restaurant 239-695-2101 Barron River 8 8 8 8 8

Collier Calusa Island Yacht Club 239-394-2076 Big Marco River 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Collier Walker’s Coon Key Marina 239-394-2797 Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Collier Cedar Bay Yacht Club Marina 239-394-9333 Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8 8 8 8

Collier Gulf Shores Marina 239-774-0222 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8

Collier Naples Boat Club 239-430-4994 Naples Bay 8 8 8 8 8

Glades Uncle Joe’s Marina & Motel 863-983-9421 Lake Okeechobee 8 8

Hendry Belle Hatchee Marina 863-675-4371 Coloosahatchee River

Manatee Catchers Marina 941-778-1977 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Manatee Cannons Marina 941-383-1311 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8

Manatee Cut’s Edge Harbor Marina 941-729-4878 Manatee River 8 8

Manatee Regatta Pointe Marina 941-729-6021 Manatee River 8 8 8 8 8

Charlotte Harbor Aquatic PreservesFive Charlotte Harbor aquatic preserves can be explored through their tidal creeks and bay backs via kayak, canoe, or a shallow draft flat-bottomed power boat. Lemon Bay, the smallest preserve, holds 200 species of fish. Seagrass shallow, artificial reefs, and mangrove fringes are lucrative fishing spots in Gasparilla Sound, the deepest and most diverse. Near Boca Grande Pass, tarpon and goliath grouper can be caught.

Lake TraffordLake Trafford, located in Collier County, en-compasses approximately 1,500 acres. Aquatic vegetation consists of cattail, spatterdock, and hydrilla. Fish species present in the lake include largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and large brown bullheads. Access to Lake Trafford is mainly by boat. However, there is a small county park located on the lake that with a nice public fishing pier.

Rookery BayOne of the county’s last remaining, undisturbed mangrove estuaries lies nestled between Naples and Marco Island. The National Estuarine Research Reserve is home to a variety of habitats and endangered species, making it an educational hot spot for both students and scientists. Among the backwaters, anglers can catch snook, redfish,

mangrove snapper and tarpon. Shell Island Road provides a boat ramp, and more access points can be found at Bayview Park and the 951 ramp.

Marco IslandThe largest island in the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Marco Island’s intricate channels and bays make excellent fishing habitats. Anglers can expect to catch sea trout, grouper, pompano, shark, mackerel, snapper, snook and tarpon.

Sanibel IslandWith warm waters and mangrove forests, Sanibel Island is the perfect habitat for snook. Sea trout and snapper are common as well, preferring pin-fish, shrimp and live sardines. Stick to the man-grove areas and your patience will be rewarded. Tarpon and redfish inhabit the island’s various inlets, while grouper live in the coquina ledges off the coast. Shallow waters harbor cobia, shark, crevalle jack, king mackerel and tripletail.

Lake TraffordThis 1,500-acre lake offers a plethora of vegeta-tion and fish. Bluegill, bass, crappie, redear and bullheads are all popular catches. Bank fishing is available from a small county park on the lake. Boaters have plenty of access opportunities, with a county park and Lake Trafford Marina each offering boat ramps. Boaters should take caution

around shallow areas and rocky outcrops.

Manatee River/Lake ManateeLargemouth bass, snook, catfish and bream call Manatee River home, while catfish, sunshine bass and crappie live in Lake Manatee. A small canoe launch is available for canoes, kayaks and low-horsepower boats within Little Manatee River State Park. Please note motors are restricted to 20 horsepower or less.

Myakka RiverCatfish, bass and panfish are popular year-round, with access to the river available at Upper Myakka Lake in Myakka River State Park. The colder months see an influx of snook in the lower portion of the river. A semi-roofed fishing pier offers fishing as well as an interactive alligator display.

Webb LakeLocated on the Babcock/Webb Wildlife Manage-ment Area, this nearly 400-acre lake offers fish feeders to encourage catches. Bluegill, bass, snook, catfish and tilapia are all popular with some unusual baits. Dough balls and hot dogs will attract bluegill. Catfish like chicken livers and dough balls, while small bits of hot dog will catch tilapia. A daily use permit or a Wildlife Manage-ment Area stamp is required to use the lake, and three boat ramps give access.

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Florida’s largest county and largest lake, through the wild and wonderful Everglades to our country’s southernmost point in Key West; Southeast Florida isn’t only glamor and glitz.

SOUTHEASTCOUNTIES: MARTIN, PALM BEACH, BROWARD, DADE, MONROE

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too. Vegetation around the shoreline will provide the best harvest of bass, especially with golden shiners as bait. Spring is a slow season for black crappie, but decent-sized specimens aren’t uncommon. Stick to deep water, and keep moving until you find a school.

Lake OsborneBass, crappie, bluegill, redear, catfish and Mayan cichlids flourish in this 356-acre lake. Nine buoys around the lake mark the location of fish attractors. Using shiners and live shad as bait around the shoreline has been known to catch upwards of 20 bass per trip, especially during early morning. The fish attractors and vegetation are good places to look for any fish species, and deeper water is the best spot for warmer mid-day fishing. John Prince Park surrounds the lake, providing a public boat ramp and fishing dock with fish feeder.

Loxahatchee RiverBlue crabs, mullet, snook and tarpon inhabit the Loxahatchee River/Lake Worth Creek Aquatic Preserve. Freshwater and tidal marshes, man-groves, tidal flats, seagrass beds and oysters bars

make for interesting fishing and boating. A boat ramp is available in Jonathon Dickinson State Park, although boaters must mind the idle speed limit.

Miami-Dade County CanalPart of a more extensive man-made canal system, the Miami-Dade Canal harbors large-mouth bass and the ever-popular butterfly

peacock bass. Catch-and-release of this fish is strongly encouraged, especially during April’s spawning season. Live shiners and minnow imitators are great for this catch. Bluegill, redear sunfish, Mayan cichlid and oscar are popular; try wigglers, crickets and night crawlers for the most success. The canal’s urban areas can often yield snook and tarpon; entice these critters with live shiners.

Palm Beach County CanalFor largemouth bass fishing, live shiners and shad are the angler’s best bet. Clown knifefish are another possible catch with shad bait. Bridges are a common congregating point for these fish. Butterfly peacock bass like this canal as well; small shiners and minnow imitators will get the best response.

Pompano BeachAmberjack, snapper, sailfish, grouper and dolphin inhabit the large, man-made reef located off-shore at Pompano Beach. More than 20 freighters at 100 feet deep create an ideal spot for fish. The Hillsboro Inlet offers access to the reef.

County Water Body Location Barrier Free Rest Rooms Fish Attractor Boat RampBroward Brian Piccolo Park Lake DavieBroward C.B. Smith Park Lake Flamingo Road 8 8 8

Broward Delevoe Park Lake Sistrunk Boulevard 8 8

Broward Trade Winds Park Lake Sample Road 8 8

Palm Beach Lake Biwa Morikami Park 8 8 8

Palm Beach Lake Ida West Palm Beach 8 8 8 8

Palm Beach Lake Osborne West Palm Beach 8 8 8

Palm Beach Okeeheelee Lake West Palm Beach 8 8 8 8

Palm Beach Catchment Lake West Palm Beach

Southeast Freshwater Fishing Piers

Pier Name Water Body Location Barrier Free Rest Rooms Fish AttractorAnglins Fishing Pier Atlantic Ocean Lauderdale-by-the-Sea 8

Pompano Beach Fishing Atlantic Ocean Pompano Beach 8 8

Southeast Saltwater Fishing Piers

Broward County CanalLive shiners are the angler’s best bet for prime butterfly peacock bass fishing. Largemouth bass and bream are popular, too. Silver or black top-water lures work well for catching bass in the early morning; switch to a red or black shad worm later in the day. Bream are lured with white and green jigs.

Everglades Conservation AreasWater Conservation Areas 2 and 3 have consistently produced top-quality bass fishing. Largemouth bass is the most popular catch, yielding one of the largest catch rates in Florida

when the water level is good. Bluegill, redear, pickerel, oscar and Mayan cichlid also are popular. Low water levels make for ample fish populations, but higher levels create a arshy landscape, providing a different type of fishing altogether.

Flamingo BeachThis town at the tip of Florida is famous for being the only place in the world where saltwater crocodiles coexist with alligators. Cobia, tripletail, grouper, redfish, snapper, crevalle jack, sea trout and snook also inhabit this popular fishing spot.

Florida Keys & Florida StraitsThe Keys boast more than 225 species of game fish, including bonefish, tarpon and marlin. Islamorada, known as the “Sport Fishing Capital of the World,” is home to tuna, wahoo, dolphin, king mackerel and sailfish. Sea trout, snook and redfish are popular, as well. Key Largo offers spectacular sailfish populations, especially in the colder winter months. Cobia, king mackerel, grouper, yellowtail and snapper like to inhabit the area’s flats, shipwrecks and reefs. The Florida Straits, the current passing between Cuba and the Florida Keys, are a great spot for large sport fish, such as grouper, snapper, wahoo, tarpon, permit, barracuda and the infamous blue marlin.

Lake IdaLocated in an urban area, fisherman can stay within minutes from home at Lake Ida. Known for its sunshine, largemouth and butterfly peacock bass population, this lake produces a large quan-tity of fish. Stick to minnow imitations, crankbaits and jigs as bait.

Lake OkeechobeeMeaning “big water” in Seminole language, Lake Okeechobee is the largest lake in the state. With a surface area of 730 square miles and a depth of only about 9 feet, fishing odds are good. An extensive selection of vegetation provides places for fish to hide and spawn. Black crappie and largemouth bass are arguably the best catches, but bluegill and redear populations are decent,

Coconut Grove Marina

KEY WEST B IG P INE KEY & THE LOWER KEYS MARATHON

ISLAMORADA

KEY LARGOHere in the Florida Keys & Key West, you can run-and-gun for dolphin in the

morning, fly a kite for sailfish in the afternoon and battle giant swordfish deep into the night. So come down and milk the world’s best deep-sea fishing for all its worth. fla-keys.com 1.800.fla.keys

MCTG-9475 Florida Fishing & Boating Guide LO3 • Jan ‘15

Fish until the cows come home.

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Monroe Burdines Waterfront 305-743-5317 Bootkey Harbor 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Harbor Point Marina 305-289-0505 Altantic Ocean 8

Monroe Bootkey Harbor City Marina 305-289-8877 Bootkey Harbor 8 8

Monroe Keys Fisheries Market & Marina 305-743-4353 Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Curtis Marine, Inc. 305-852-5218 Altantic Ocean 8 8 8 8

Monroe Mangrove Marina 305-852-8380 Florida Bay 8 8 8 8

Monroe Robbie’s Marina 305-664-9814 Florida Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Banana Bay Resort & Marina 305-743-3500 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Captain Hook’s Marina & Dive Center 800-278-4665 Marathon’s Reef 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Palm Beach Delray Harbor Club Marina 561-276-0376 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8

Palm Beach Marina Delray, Inc. 561-276-7666 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8

Palm Beach Gateway Marina 561-588-1211 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8

Palm Beach Palm Beach Yacht Center 561-588-9911 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8

Palm Beach Bluff’s Marina, Inc. 561-627-6688 Intracoastal Waterway 8

Palm Beach JupiterPointe Club & Marina 561-746-2600 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8

Palm Beach Loggerhead Club & Marina-Palm Beach 561-627-6358 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8

Palm Beach PGA Marina Center 561-626-0200 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Palm Beach Jib Yacht Club & Marina 561-746-4300 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8

Palm Beach Cannonsport Marina 561-848-7469 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8

Palm Beach Palm Harbor Marina 561-655-4757 Lake Worth Inlet 8 8 8

Palm Beach Delray Harbor Club Marina 561-276-0376 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8


FishingSaltwater


Bahia Honda State Park Big Pine Key 305-872-2353 8 8 8 8

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Key Biscayne 305-361-5811 8 8

Collier-Seminole State Park Naples 239-394-3397 8 8 8 8 8

Curry Hammock State Park Marathon 305-289-2690 8 8 8

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Key West 305-292-6713 8

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park Fort Lauderdale 954-564-4521 8 8 8

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park North Palm Beach 561-624-6950 8 8

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Key Largo 305-451-1202 8 8 8 8

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park Dania 954-923-2833 8 8 8

Jonathan Dickinson State Park Hobe Sound 772-546-2771 8 8 8 8 8

Long Key State Park Long Key 305-664-4815 8 8 8

Oleta River State Park North Miami 305-919-1844 8 8

St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park Stuart 772-219-1880 8 8

Southeast Boating & Fishing in State Parks


Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 561-735-6030 8 8 8

Biscayne National Park 305-230-7275 8 8 8

Dry Tortugas National Park 305-242-7700 8 8

Everglades National Park 305-242-7700 8 8 8 8

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary 305-743-2437 8 8

Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge 305-872-2239 8 8

Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge 561-546-6141 8 8

Key West National Wildlife Refuge 305-872-2239 8 8

National Key Deer Refuge 305-872-2239 8

Southeast Boating & Fishing in National Parks & Refuges


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Broward American Offshore Marina 954-924-9555 Dania Canal 8 8

Broward Cozy Cove Marina, Inc. 954-921-8800 Atlantic Ocean 8 8

Broward Royale Palm Yacht Basin 954-923-5900 Dania Cutoff Canal 8 8

Broward Cove Marina 954-427-9747 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8

Broward Freedom Marine Center 954-418-0777 Hillsborough River 8 8 8

Broward Pennell’s Marine, Inc. 954-426-2628 Hillsborough Canal 8

Broward Bahia Mar Yachting Center 954-764-2233 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Broward Billfish Marina 954-587-6226 New River 8 8 8

Broward Cable Marine, Inc. 954-587-4000 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8

Broward Hall of Fame Marina 954-764-3975 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8

Broward Falls at Marina Bay 954-791-7600 New River 8 8 8

Broward Lauderdale Marine Center 954-527-0040 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8

Broward River Bend Marina 954-523-1832 New River 8 8 8

Broward Riverfront Marina, Inc. 954-527-1829 New River 8 8 8 8 8 8

Broward Sundance Marina 954-522-2800 Atlantic Ocean 8 8 8 8

Broward Loggerhead Club & Marina 954-457-8557 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8

Broward Sands Harbor Hotel & Marina 954-942-9100 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Martin Indiantown Marina 772-597-2455 Okeechobee Waterway 8 8 8 8 8

Martin Four Fish Marina 772-334-0936 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8

Martin Lighthouse Point Marina, Inc. 954-942-8118 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8

Martin Finest Kind Marina & Tackle Store 772-223-4110 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8

Martin Manatee Marina, Inc. 772-288-2888 Manatee Pocket 8 8 8 8 8 8

Martin Pirate’s Cove Resort & Marina 772-287-2500 Manatee Pocket 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Martin Blowing Rocks Marina 561-746-3312 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Martin Jupiter Hill Lighthouse Marina 561-744-0727 Indian River 8 8 8

Martin Sunset Bay Marina & Anchorage 772-283-9225 St. Lucie River 8 8 8 8 8

Miami-Dade Haulover Marina 305-947-3525 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Miami-Dade Grove Isle Marina 305-858-4753 Biscayne Bay 8 8 8 8

Miami-Dade Dinner Key Marina 305-579-6980 Biscayne Bay 8 8 8

Miami-Dade Crandon Park Marina 305-361-1281 Biscayne Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8

Miami-Dade Marine Stadium Marina 305-361-3316 Biscayne Bay 8 8 8 8 8

Miami-Dade Power House Marina, Inc. 305-892-2628 Biscayne Bay 8 8

Miami-Dade Grove Key Marina 305-858-6527 Biscayne Bay 8 8 8

Miami-Dade TNT Marine Center 305-947-6088 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8 8 8

Miami-Dade Waterways Marina 305-935-4295 Intracoastal Waterway 8 8

Miami-Dade Miamarina at Bayside 305-579-6955 Biscayne Bay 8 8 8

Miami-Dade Loggerhead Club & Marina 305-258-3500 Biscayne Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Bud N’ Mary’s Marina 305-664-2461 Atlantic Ocean 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Caribee Boat Sales & Marina 305-664-3431 Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8

Monroe Coconut Cove Resort & Marina 305-664-0123 Atlantic Ocean 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar 305-664-4656 Florida Bay 8 8 8

Monroe Watermark Marina of Islamorada 305-664-8884 Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Robbie’s Marina 305-664-9814 Florida Bay/Atlantic Ocean 8 8 8 8

Monroe Smuggler’s Cove Resort 305-664-5564 Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Treasure Harbor Marine, Inc. 305-852-2458 Atlantic Ocean 8 8 8 8

Monroe World Wide Sportmans 305-664-4615 Florida Bay 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Key Colony Beach Marina 305-289-1310 Fat Deer Key 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Pilot House Marina 305-451-3452 Atlantic Ocean 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe A&B Marina 305-294-2535 Florida Straits 8 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Conch Harbor Marina 305-294-2933 Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Pelican Landing of Key West 305-293-9730 Garrison Bight 8 8 8 8

Monroe Safe Harbour Marina 305-294-9797 Atlantic Ocean 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Sunset Marina 305-296-7101 Gulf of Mexico 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Sea Bird Marina 305-664-2871 Florida Bay 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Sugarloaf Marina 305-745-3135 Sugarloaf Sound 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Monroe Holiday Isle Beach Resort and Marina 305-664-2321 Atlantic Ocean 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Southeast Marinas

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Hiring a Guide Checklist

DO YOUR HOMEWORK: The best way to insure a quality fishing experience is to spend some time researching a guide’s qualifications, background, experience, and knowledge.

BOOK EARLY: Book your charter as soon as you know your date. Otherwise you may have to compromise to get the date you want. Make your deposit on time to secure your date and mark your calendar to call the guide the day before to confirm.

VERIFY RATES AND CANCELLATION POLICY: Be sure you know the price of the charter and any charges related to additional anglers if applicable. Also inquire about a cancellation policy.

CLARIFY YOUR DESIRES AND EXPECTATIONS: Let your chosen captain know what you would like to accomplish on the trip. Find out if lunch is provided or if you should bring it; let him know it you want to bring your own equipment; and identify any special needs.

SHOW UP ON TIME: Show up on time with an open mind ready to follow your guides instruc-tion and advice. You hired him for his local knowledge so take advantage of the opportunity to learn and increase your own knowledge base.

RESPECT YOUR GUIDE’S EQUIPMENT: Professional guides pride themselves in the equipment they use. It is chosen for specific applications and is normally of the highest quality. Use this opportunity to learn about the equipment and why the guide chose it and how he maintains it.

TIP YOUR GUIDE: Like any service business it is traditional to tip your guide. An eight-hour charter is equivalent to at least a ten-hour workday for the guide. Base your tip on the services rendered and recognize when a guide goes beyond the call of duty to make your day an enjoyable one.

For more information and a list of Professional Charter Fishing Guides from the Florida Guides Association, please visit www.florida-guides.com.

Getting Your License

Anglers should view fishing licenses not only as an inexpensive ticket to healthy outdoor recreation, but also as a contribution to nature and sustaining those great fishing and boating opportunities. An annual fishing license or three-day license for non-residents costs just $17 (freshwater or saltwater fishing, $34 for both). For your money, you not only get great year-round fishing opportunities and to build a host f memories, but you are guaranteed by law that your license fees go to fish and wildlife conservation.

A NEW license opportunity allows youth to buy their first license, as a matter of pride and community at any age, and yet it will stay valid until their 17th birthday. Since they would normally buy their first license when they are 16, it doesn’t cost them anymore, may save them a fewdollars and most importantly each of the years between when they purchase and turn 17 the state with receive approximately $7.00 in Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration funds.

GETTING ON THE WATER

Public Boat Ramp Capital of the World

Trailer your boat to new fishing destinations throughout Florida. It is easy to plan your next ad-venture by searching one website for information, maps and photographs for 1,800 public boat ramps from Pensacola to Key West.

Florida, the Fishing Capital of the World, boasts seemingly limitless opportunities for great fishing adventures. Fishermen are also fortunate to have a wealth of public boat ramps from which to choose from.

The Florida Public Boat Ramp Finder helps fishermen by showing them the wide variety of public boat ramps that provide boating access to Florida’s public waterways. These ramps range from primitive gravel launch sites to fully equipped mega boat ramp facilities.

The Florida Public Boat Ramp Finder provides several options to search for a desired boat ramp. You can search for boat ramps on a particular body of water, near a specific city, or within distance of a street address or GPS coordinates. You can even call up a map or satellite image showing the general area of interest. The public ramp finder provides basic information about each boat ramp. Onsite photographs let fishermen see each ramp as if they are there in person. The public ramp finder is a great reconnaissance tool.

Try it today by visiting MyFWC.com/Boatramps.

It’s time to plan your f ishing getaway. From locating thousands of places to boat and f ish to tips on how to help your kids land a lunker, it ’s all here. Learn, plan and equip for a memorable day on the water.plan and equip for a memorable day on the water.

OFFIC IAL PARTNERS

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