Best Places To Fish in Florida

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

Florida is renowned for its outstanding fishing opportunities, with numerous hotspots scattered across the state. From the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, as well as its freshwater lakes, rivers, and estuaries, Florida offers a wide range of fishing destinations. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing opportunities in the state, for a variety of fish species.

The Florida Keys, including Islamorada, Marathon, and Key West, are world-famous for their incredible fishing. Anglers flock to these islands to target species such as tarpon, bonefish, permit, and snook. The Keys provide a year-round fishing season, but the prime time to visit is during the spring and fall, when migratory species are abundant and the weather is pleasant.

Another popular fishing destination in Florida is the Everglades. This vast wetland offers exceptional opportunities to catch species such as largemouth bass, snook, redfish, and speckled trout. The best time to fish the Everglades is during the cooler months of the year, from late fall to early spring, when the water temperatures are more comfortable for both anglers and fish.

The Indian River Lagoon, located on Florida's east coast, is a renowned fishing destination known for its incredible diversity of species. This estuary is home to redfish, trout, snook, tarpon, and many other game fish. The best time to fish the Indian River Lagoon is during the spring and fall, when the water temperatures are moderate and fish activity is at its peak.

Florida's freshwater lakes, such as Lake Okeechobee, Lake Tohopekaliga, and Lake Kissimmee, offer excellent fishing opportunities for bass anglers. These lakes are known for their trophy-sized largemouth bass and are popular tournament destinations. The best time to fish for bass in Florida is during the cooler months, from late fall to early spring, when the fish are more active and less affected by the hot temperatures.

Overall, Florida offers year-round fishing opportunities due to its mild climate. However, the best season to fish may vary depending on the target species and location. It's always a good idea to check local fishing reports, consult with local guides or tackle shops, and consider factors such as weather conditions, water temperatures, and fish migrations to maximize your chances of success.

With its abundance of popular species, diverse fishing destinations, and favorable weather, Florida remains a top choice for anglers seeking memorable fishing experiences. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a novice, the Sunshine State has something to offer for every fishing enthusiast.

There are many great places to fish in The Sunshine State. Saltwater, Freshwater, lake, river and pond fishing opportunities attract anglers to Florida. Here, we focus on major lakes. Those listed here have reputations as great fisheries.

Florida's Top-Five, Amazing Fishing Spots

From year to year this list might vary, and several other terrific lakes could bounce in or out of this list. These five are lakes that have stood the test of time and should continue to be some of the best places to fish in Florida. Learn more...

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Most Popular Fish Species In Florida

Four species of bass, black crappie, four species of catfish, striped bass and hybrid stripers, a dozen kinds of sunfish and numerous other species populate fishing waters in the state. Learn more...

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Best Bass Fishing Lakes In Florida

Largemouth, spotted, redeye and shoal bass swim in various waters across the state. A long growing season, aquatic vegetation and and fertile waters make ideal conditions to grow big bass. Florida strain largemouths grow to giant size, and all bass here tend to grow fast. Learn more...

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Top Places To Fish For Crappie In Florida

Black crappie tend to grow to large size in this state, thanks to a long growing season and fertile water. They can be found in most fisheries and are a popular species for kids to learn about fishing. Learn more...

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Best Lakes To Fish For Catfish In Florida

White, blue, flathead and channel catfish all find homes in Florida fishing waters. There is abundant food source for these whiskered critters and they are relatively easy to catch. Learn more...

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Best Lakes For Striped Bass Fishing In Florida

Striped bass like flowing water, so river systems suit them quite well. The St Johns River is ideally suited and they grow big and strong there. Several of the larger lakes have healthy populations of stripers and hybrid striped bass. Learn more...

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Best Sunfish Fishing Lakes In Florida

Bluegill top the list of sunfish, and grow to bragging size in many of the state's fisheries. Redbreast, redear, spotted and flier sunfish, along with warmouth and white bass are also prevalent, and healthy in many waters. Learn more...

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Enjoy these top spots to go fishing in Florida