Fishing

Due to the dense populations of fish in the Everglades, many fishermen flock to southern Florida because of the sheer opportunity for a successful and adventurous fishing trip. In the vast area known as the Everglades, one-third of the space is covered by water, depending on the season. Anglers will find that the best time to fish for is in the rainy season, as many of the fishing locations cease to exist during the dry season. Species of game fish in the Everglades include bluegill, brown bullhead, channel catfish, Florida gar, bowfin, tarpon, largemouth bass, crappie, redear sunfish, and numerous small game species.

One of the most popular targets among fishermen in the Everglades is the bluegill. The bluegill in this area are known to grow to very large sizes; the record size bluegill from the Everglades is 16 inches. For best results while bluegill fishing, fishermen should seek out the narrow canals that sprawl through the Florida Everglades. When at these locations, anglers should use a medium weight rod equipped with top water baits and lures. Spinners and jigs are also quite effective. For those that desire a larger challenge or simply enjoy the sport of it, fly rods can also be used to catch bluegill.

Fishermen will also find that the Everglades is one of the best locations for largemouth bass fishing. Those wishing to catch a largemouth bass should target the various locations in the Everglades' canals. These areas are fairly narrow and contain dense vegetation that the largemouth bass is known to reside in. Anglers frequently catch largemouth bass and some of these can way up to 17 pounds. There is a large abundance of largemouth bass in the Everglades, so most areas with good hiding spots, such as logs and vegetation, are great places for a fisherman to target. Artificial worms, numerous jigs, spinners, and crankbaits are all ideal choices when targeting largemouth bass. The possibilities for fishing in the Everglades is endless. 

The tarpon is also a favorite of the Florida Everglades. With the Everglades made up of both freshwater and saltwater, the tarpon is found only in saltwater. Large tarpon can commonly be caught in the saltwater flats. This giant species of fish can be seen in broad daylight due to the shallow, clear water. Fishermen often resort to a heavy fly rod when targeting this species. It is not advisable to aim directly at the the tarpon, rather, cast a fly at the water about 3 feet away from the target. For the murkier waters of the Everglades, swimbaits and jigs equipped to a medium to heavy test of line is the best option available.

For anglers searching for sunfish and other species of panfish, a location known as Alligator Alley is the prime location. This location is shallow and provides excellent populations of panfish. Light tackle of many varieties is very successful.

Facilities

The Florida Everglades offers several facilities that will ensure that all visits are convenient and easy to plan. These facilities include piers, paved boat landings, numerous charter boats for hire, fueling stations, tackle shops, and lodging. 

Size and Description

The Florida Everglades covers a massive area of Florida that is covered by fishable waters during the rainy season. The entire park covers 1,509,000 acres, with one-third of the areas covered by water. These waters come in the form of rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, and shallow water flats. This allows for a vast community ecosystem excellent for fishing.

Fishermen should make every effort to visit the Everglades at least once due to numerous opportunities.

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