Fishing in Charlotte County

Charlotte Harbor and Gasparilla Sound include 750,000 acres of estuary — no wonder this area is known as a fisherman’s paradise! The state of Florida is the number one recreational fishing destination in the United States, and the Charlotte Harbor area is one of Florida’s favorite spots.

Between deep-sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass, and flats fishing in Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound, fishing in the Charlotte County area is unsurpassed. Fishermen also favor the harbor’s many bays and mangrove islands, the Peace River and Myakka River, and literally hundreds of creeks, canals, tributaries and lakes,

The area is perhaps best known for its tarpon fishing, with the “World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament” taking place every summer at Boca Grande Pass. Anglers come from all over the country to vie for the tournament’s $250,000 in prize money.

But besides tarpon, the area’s waterways are teeming with an abundance of game fish and food fish, including flounder, pompano, grouper, trout, bluefish, red snapper, mangrove snapper, sheepshead, kingfish, mackerel, redfish, and more.

Just south of Punta Gorda is the 395-acre Webb Lake, a man-made lake that provides great fishing grounds for largemouth bass, bluegill, snook, and more. The Peace River, which flows 100 miles through central and southern Florida, is teeming with bass and snook. Bass and panfish occupy the Myakka River, which empties into Charlotte Harbor.

Numerous public fishing piers are available, and fishing charter services are plentiful, so one doesn’t even need a boat to take advantage of the great fishing in this area.

From children learning to cast a line, to competitive fishermen wrestling a 120-pound tarpon, to grandfathers spending the day with a line in the water, everyone can enjoy fishing in the waters of Charlotte County.

Quick link: Visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s fishing license page to obtain your fishing license online.

• The top three reasons people fish are for relaxation, to be close to nature and to spend time with friends and family.
• Florida is the number one state for adult anglers
• The sailfish is Florida’s state fish
• Nearly 50 million people fish in the United States each year.
• Top ten boat sale states also are the top 10 fishing states: FL, MI, TX, MN, CA, WI, LA, NC, NY and SC.
• Anglers outnumber golfers nearly two to one.
• Women make up about 33 percent of freshwater anglers.
• About 85 percent of freshwater anglers start fishing at age 12 or younger.
• Florida’s Top 10 most sought-after saltwater game fish:
  Redfish
  Sea Trout
  Snook
  Tarpon
  Sailfish
  Dolphin
  Grouper
  Snapper
  Cobia
  King Mackerel

Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service