Scout Your Fishing Spot

Saltwater Fishing

Angling can be highly productive, whether you're fishing from the beach, piers or bridges, or by boat in the backcountry, inshore or offshore. This area is known as a "fisherman's paradise." Saltwater fly fishing and light tackle fishing are the fastest-growing segments in the fishing industry, and Lee County is considered one of the greatest areas in Florida to pursue this type of angling. In fact, several world-record fish have been caught in these waters.

Inshore Fishing

Lee County has fishing year 'round for snook, tarpon, redfish, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, jack crevalle, mangrove snapper and many other varieties of fish. These gamesters can be caught along the mangrove shorelines, over the open flats, around bridges, piers, docks or by wade fishing along the beaches or drifting the many passes and inlets that lead to the Gulf of Mexico.

Offshore Fishing

Lee County is well known for some of the best grouper in Florida and the abundant waters are filled with shark, bonito, barracuda, permit, cobia and Spanish and king mackerel. Sight-casting for tripletail gathered around floating objects is fast becoming a favorite among anglers, as well as casting lines around the natural or the many artificial reefs offshore.

Freshwater Fishing

Freshwater fishing is abundant and accessible all year long. The species of fish most often targeted by anglers are bass, crappie, blue gill, shellcrackers, catfish and oscars. Commonly used tackle includes cane poles, plug-casting reels, spinning reels and fly rods, and baits range from live worms and shiners to plastic worms and crank baits. Popular freshwater fishing areas include the freshwater canals in Cape Coral, the Caloosahatchee River and lakes and ponds throughout Lee County. Some lakes and ponds are private property, and permission is needed to fish them.