Must-Catch Florida Fish

View Full Size

One of the giant tarpon that visits Robbie's to be hand fed.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

View Full Size

Fishing for tarpon, the Silver King

Photo Credit: Greg Brown

View Full Size

Battling it out with a 70-pound sailfish in Stuart

Photo Credit: Zach Boyden-Holmes

View Full Size

Sailfish caught off Islamorada

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

View Full Size

The Atlantic waters off Martin County are a sailfish haven

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

View Full Size

Catch a spotted sea trout in Homosassa and along the Gulf Coast

Photo Credit: Doug Kelly

View Full Size

Catch some snook in the Everglades with Everglades Kayak Fishing.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

View Full Size

Snook, the catch of the day, can grow to four feet long and weigh up to 50 pounds.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

View Full Size

ier and bridge fishing is popular for catches of snook, redfish, trout and mackerel.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

View Full Size

Fish for snook and more in Sebastian Inlet

Photo Credit: Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism

View Full Size

The mangrove shorelines and sea grass beds around St. Petersburg are home to snook and redfish.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

View Full Size

Bass fishing in Florida's freshwater lakes and rivers is a great family activity.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

View Full Size

Wild Shiner is just one type of bass you'll discover while fishing in Florida's fresh water lakes.

Photo Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

View Full Size

Try to hook a largemouth bass when fishing in Florida's fresh water lakes.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

View Full Size

Bass are common catches throughout the year.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

View Full Size

Kissimmee lakes are world famous for bass fishing

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

From record-breaking largemouth bass to tackle-busting sailfish and everything in-between, add these 10 species to your life list.

With more than 7,700 lakes, more than 11,000 miles of streams, rivers and waterways, and 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline, Florida has no shortage of places to fish. So it’s no wonder that the state has produced more than 4,200 world records, more than any other state or country. So what are you waiting for? Get your rod, reel and hit the water.

SALTWATER

Tarpon
Sometimes called the "silver king of sportfish," the tarpon is highly prized for its fighting ability but not valued as food. One of the state's most popular gamefish, tarpon can tolerate a wide range of salinities and are found throughout the state’s waters.

Regulations: Go to www.myfwc.com to get up-to-date regulations

Where to go: Lee County (area includes Fort Myers and Sanibel Island); Charlotte County (area includes Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and Boca Grande); Florida Keys; Tampa Bay (area includes Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater); Homosassa

Sailfish
Florida’s official state saltwater fish, this tackle buster inhabits tropical and subtropical waters. Sailfish usually travel alone or in small groups. The outstanding feature is the long, high first dorsal fin. Known for its high, acrobatic jumps, the sailfish is a favorite of blue-water anglers.

Regulations: Go to www.myfwc.com to get up-to-date regulations

Where to go: Key West; Miami; Palm Beach

Spotted Sea Trout
Commonly known as speckled trout, it's a schooling species usually found in the shallow waters of bays and estuaries. It has two large canine teeth in the upper jaw and feeds mainly on shrimp and small baitfish in grassy areas. One of Florida’s most popular sportfish, spotted sea trout will hit everything from top water plugs to saltwater flies.

Regulations: For a complete list of the rules, go to www.MyFWC.com.

Where to go: Tampa Bay (area includes Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater); Indian River Lagoon

Snook
Highly sensitive to changes in water temperature, snook are found in the state’s warmer waters. A strong, voracious predator, the species will rip a fishing line to shreds. Great sport on light tackle, snook are a cagey prey but are well worth the time it takes to catch them.

Regulations: Vary from region to region in Florida. For a complete list of the rules, go to www.MyFWC.com.

Where to go: 10,000 Islands (area includes Naples, Marco Island and Everglades); Charlotte Harbor (area includes Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and Boca Grande); Jupiter Inlet

Red drum
Commonly known as redfish, this shallow-water schooling fish is found in both salt and brackish water on oyster bar, seagrass and mangrove habitats. It can be distinguished from the black drum by its lack of chin barbels and its more elongated body. It also has a large black spot (sometimes several spots) just before the tail. Once heavily over-fished, this species is now a conservation success story.

Regulations:  For a complete list of the rules, go to www.MyFWC.com.

Where to go: Northwest and Northeast Florida; Southwest Florida, including Charlotte Harbor (area includes Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and Boca Grande) and Tampa Bay (area includes Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater)

Grouper
A generic name for several deep-water species, these bottom-dwellers are important to both recreational and commercial fishermen. Red grouper and gag grouper (sometimes called black grouper) are most popular with anglers. Anglers typically “bottom fish” for these species, but during the cooler months, they can be caught in shallow water by trolling artificial lures.

Regulations: One of the heavily-regulated fish in Florida waters, grouper rules are constantly changing. Go to www.MyFWC.com for the latest.

Where to go: Tampa Bay (area includes Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater); Fort Myers area (includes Fort Myers and Sanibel Island)

Red snapper
An offshore fish usually found in 60 to 440 feet. It's pinkish to red in color, and its pointed anal fin distinguishes it from other snappers. Juvenile red snapper once died by the millions in shrimp trawls, but new regulations have helped this species bounce back. Red snapper are considered one of the finest food fish found in Florida waters.

Regulations: Anglers must monitor rules, as there have been frequent changes to regulations between state and federal waters. Go to www.MyFWC.com.

Where to go: Northwest Florida, Tampa Bay (area includes Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater)

King mackerel
Commonly known as kingfish, this species can be found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and into the Gulf of Mexico. One of the state’s top ocean predators, kingfish are the favorite target of tournament fishermen. This species can be distinguished from the Spanish mackerel by the sharp dip in the lateral line under the second dorsal fin.

Regulations:  For a complete list of the rules, go to www.MyFWC.com.

Where to go: Both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts; Key West

FRESHWATER

Largemouth Bass
Florida’s official freshwater fish, the legendary largemouth has an international reputation. Anglers come from all over the world just to add a 10-pound bass to their “life list” of big fish. The king of the lakes and rivers, a big bass will eat just about anything.

Regulations: Some rules may vary from region to region; for a complete list, go to www.MyFWC.com.

Where to go: Lake Toho (Central Florida); Lake Okeechobee; Lake Istokpoga; Lake Kissimmee

Panfish

A general term to describe a number of different species – including spotted sunfish, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, warmouth – these fish are the mainstay for many young anglers. Catch them on worms, popping bugs and spinner baits.

Regulations:  For a complete list of the rules, go to www.MyFWC.com.

Where to go: Harris Chain of Lakes (Central Florida); Winter Haven; Kissimmee River

Note: Regulations are subject to change. Please check www.MyFWC.com for the most up-to-date fishing information.