Florida is a vacation hotspot for many reasons, and it is not just the exciting theme parks and attractions. The Sunshine State is a haven for people who enjoy outdoor watersports and activities, including world-class freshwater and ocean fishing. You may want to plan some time to experience fishing in Florida.
The lush swamps and conservation areas throughout the state support a variety of fish species. Florida offers unique fishing experiences and exciting tournaments for experienced anglers. Tourists can plan and pack their fishing gear or visit some of Florida’s best fishing hotspots, which offer equipment and boat rentals, bait, and everything else you need to catch and release or land a prize fish you can have for dinner.
If fishing is on your bucket list of fun things for your next Florida vacation, here is the inside scoop on some of the best destinations for an exciting freshwater or saltwater fishing experience.
Do Tourists Need A License For Fishing In Florida?
If you are traveling with your family and planning on fishing in Florida, you should know that children aged 16 years or younger do not require a fishing license in Florida. Any other individual over the age of sixteen requires a license for saltwater and freshwater fishing. If you have a fishing license in your home state, it is not valid in Florida, and you’ll need to purchase the appropriate license before you head on your trip.
There are three types of fishing in Florida licenses available for tourists:
- Non-Resident Annual: $47
- Non-Resident 3-Day: $17
- Non-Resident 7-Day: $30
If you plan on fishing in Florida more than once per year, the annual license saves you a lot of money. The fines for fishing without a license in Florida range from $50 to $250 per infraction. If you decide to book a chartered fishing trip, you will still need a valid license before fishing in Florida.
How Do You Purchase a Florida Fishing License?
You can buy your Florida fishing license in three ways: by telephone, in person (at a retail location), or through the Fish/Hunt FL mobile app.
To purchase your license online, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. You can also call (888) FISH-FLORIDA to buy your license over the phone. Remember, you must have a license before fishing in Florida, or you can face fines.
Where Are The Best Places To Fish In Florida?
As locals living in the Sunshine State, we know that anglers are virtually guaranteed to catch fish. Florida is an ecological marvel, and unlike other states, we have abundant marine life and fish throughout the state.
Tourists who want to experience fishing in Florida should add these known hotspots to their list:
Lake Okeechobee
Locals often refer to Florida’s largest freshwater lake as “The Big O.” Lake Okeechobee is over 730 square miles in size, and the name was derived from the Seminole Native words for “big water.” The lake plays a vital role in Florida’s ecosystem as a nursery for fish and wildlife, feeding into the Everglades, St. Lucie, and the Caloosahatchee River.
Rental Equipment: Local marinas around Lake Okeechobee offer affordable rental of fishing rods and a variety of bait options.
Common Fish Species: Bass tournaments are hosted in Lake Okeechobee because the lake teems with trophy-sized fish. You can find largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish.
Fishing in Lake Okeechobee can be done via boat rental, and guided fishing trips are available. However, many public piers and boat ramps around the lake are also excellent for shore fishing.
St. Johns River
The legendary St. Johns River is Florida’s longest and most historic, stretching over 300 miles from Indian River County to the Atlantic Ocean. The Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés named it the “San Juan” river. The St. Johns River is home to manatees, alligators, and a diverse fish population, making it popular for anglers.
Rental Equipment: It is easy to find bait, rental gear, and boats to rent at local marinas.
Common Fish Species: The St. Johns River is a great place for fishing in Florida, and you can catch native freshwater fish, including crappie, catfish, assorted panfish, and largemouth bass.
Lake Tarpon
In the heart of Pinellas County, Florida, is a 2,500-acre body of freshwater called Lake Tarpon. This lake has a deep Native American history and is so famous for sport fishing that President Theodore Roosevelt frequented it often. The crystal clear waters of Lake Tarpon and its large freshwater fish populations make it a top destination to cast your line.
Rental Equipment: Readily available at all local tackle shops and marinas.
Common Fish Species: Largemouth bass is populous (and trophy-sized) in Lake Tarpon. You can also catch bluegill, catfish, and crappie. You don’t have to rent a boat to enjoy fishing on Lake Tarpon. Many public piers and shore fishing locations are available.
Apalachicola River
The Apalachicola River stretches over 100 miles from our border with the state of Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico. The Apalachicola Native American tribe gave the river its name, which translates to “where the land ends.” This area is famous for oysters, rich fish stocks, and birdwatching.
Rental Equipment: This fishing hotspot has plenty of outdoor outfitters, charters, and bait shops to serve tourists.
Common Fish Species: Striped bass, bream, catfish, and largemouth bass are regularly caught by anglers in the Apalachicola River.
Kayak fishing is popular and can provide better results than shore fishing along the Apalachicola River. Rentals are readily available and affordable for visitors.
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
Located in Central Florida, Lake Kissimmee, Lake Tohopekaliga, and Lake Hatchineha cover 50,000 acres and are the primary water sources replenishing the Everglades. Early settlers and Native Americans heavily used the region for transportation and fishing. Pro-anglers visit this region of Florida regularly for trophy bass fishing and tournaments.
Rental Equipment: You don’t have to pack your fishing gear to enjoy angling at Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, as plenty of bait shops are available for all your rental needs.
Common Fish Species: The chain is known for excellent bass fishing in Florida, but anglers can also catch catfish, bluegill, and crappie. Many lakes in the chain have varying conditions, supporting many sportfishing species.
Boat rental is recommended for fishing the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, but there are also public fishing areas and piers for shore fishing.
Lake Apopka
Also located in Central Florida, Lake Apopka is one of the largest lakes in the state, covering approximately 30,000 acres. The Seminole Native Americans named the lake, which translates oddly to “potato-eating place.” Industrialization threatened Lake Apopka in the 20th century, but a massive restoration effort revitalized the ecosystem and restored habitat.
Rental Equipment: Local bait shops and marinas have equipment rentals and supplies.
Common Fish Species: Anglers may catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and crappie in Lake Apopka.
Residents say boat renting is an option, but shore fishing is just as popular and successful.
St. Petersburg Pier
The first structure, built in 1889, was called the “Iron Pier,” renamed the “Million Dollar Pier” in 1926. Today, the St. Petersburg Pier is an iconic landmark and tourist destination, featuring an opulent design and “finger” structures with multiple piers that stretch into Tampa Bay.
Take a day to enjoy the St. Petersburg Pier, which offers entertainment, beautiful parks, dining, observation decks, and ample fishing locations.
Rental Equipment: Fishing gear rental and bait are available on the pier.
Common Fish Species: The pier is an excellent place to catch saltwater species, including snook, flounder, trout, and redfish.
No boat is necessary! Grab your gear and head to the pier. If the fish aren’t biting, move to a different location for exciting shore fishing in Florida.
Suwannee River
The mighty Suwannee River stretches 246 miles from Georgia (Okefenokee Swamp) to the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. One of the river’s most unique features is its karst formations and beautiful limestone springs, such as Wakulla Springs. This area is known as one of the world’s largest and clearest freshwater springs, and it inspired Stephen Foster’s song “Old Folks At Home.”
Rental Equipment: You won’t have a problem finding fishing outfitters, bait, or rentals; they are plentiful.
Common Fish Species: Get ready to catch largemouth bass, bream, and catfish, among other local freshwater varieties.
Residents recommend boat rental to access more secluded fishing areas, where you will find larger-sized trophy fish. There are also many shore fishing locations available.
Lake George
Tourists love visiting Lake George, Florida’s second-largest body of freshwater. The lake was named after King George II of England and is famous for its biodiversity. You may also see “mats,” floating islands of vegetation that drift on the water’s surface. The good news is that those structures also provide habitats supporting many fish and bird species.
Rental Equipment: Many conveniently located marinas and bait shops are available for your equipment and supply needs when fishing in Florida.
Common Fish Species: Anglers catch crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass in Lake George. Other varieties of fish can be found in the freshwater, and the lake is popular with local and tourist anglers.
Given the size of the lake and its tourist draw, many anglers prefer to rent a boat to fish in the less populated areas. Shore fishing is also available, however.
Make Florida Your Fishing Vacation Destination!
Florida remains a leading destination for anglers who travel worldwide to experience the rich diversity of our freshwater and saltwater sport fishing. An estimated 2 million people visit the Sunshine State annually for fishing in Florida, and there are exciting events and tournaments for every level of experience.
Florida is also famous for record-breaking fish catches. The most giant recorded largemouth bass caught in Florida was 17.27 pounds. Florida also holds the record for the largest Atlantic sailfish caught, which weighed 126 lbs.
If you plan on taking a guided tour or booking a charter trip with an expert angler, plan your fishing excursion before you leave home. Reservations in advance are recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Choose a Florida hotel close to the theme parks you want to visit and some of the best fishing destinations in America.
