South Region, Florida Fishing Sites and Forecast

July-September 2008
	West Palm Weather, or Pick Another City

The following is a general description and quarterly forecast (teal-colored updates) for fishing conditions in major public water bodies in this region. For even more up-to-date information, we suggest you call or visit a local bait-and-tackle shop, fishing marina or guide service. We have provided information for some local contacts, who indicated they were willing to be listed herein. Clicking the clock/thermometer above will take you to a very detailed weather site, where you can get forecasts, historic weather information, moon phase, tide charts and sunrise/sunset times.

If you would like additional descriptions of these and other fishing sites listed by county, you can view or download the South Region Freshwater Fishing Guide (2.2 mb PDF). Please note, however, that their site is not routinely updated to reflect current fishing conditions. FMA guides for Caloosa, Okeeheelee, Plantation and Tropical are available as PDF files.

Everglades Conservation Areas	Miami-Dade, Broward & West Palm Canals	Lake Okeechobee
Lake Osborne	Lake Trafford	Statewide Forecasts

Receive email when this page changes by clicking the icon below:

EVERGLADES CONSERVATION AREAS (Palm Beach, Broward and Dade counties): Water Conservation Areas (WCA) 2 and 3 are two sections of northern everglades habitat that are managed for multiple uses. Health advisories related to consumption of fish, especially bass, gar and bowfin are in effect for the area. The WCAs were designated primarily to receive flood waters from adjacent areas and store them for beneficial municipal, urban, and agricultural uses. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) currently manages the fish and wildlife in these areas. Both areas have continually provided superior fishing throughout the years. Largemouth bass is the most sought after species, and when waters levels are right, provide anglers with some of the highest catch rates in the state. Other popular species readily caught include bluegill, redear sunfish, pickerel, oscar, and Mayan cichlid. The majority of fishing pressure takes place during the winter and spring months when water levels are typically dropping, which concentrates fish into the perimeter canals. When water levels are up, anglers have access to vast marsh systems for a different type of angling experience.

Water Conservation Area 2 encompasses 210 square miles and is located in western Palm Beach and Broward counties. The majority of fishing takes place within the L-35B and L-38E canals which are each approximately 12 miles long. Main access for this area is the Sawgrass Recreation Area, located two miles north of Alligator Alley (SR84) on U.S. 27. Current fishing information, as well as a guide service, camping, food, boat rental, fishing licenses, and bait and tackle can be found there (telephone number 954-389-0202).

The 915 square mile WCA-3 is located in western Broward and Dade counties, just south of WCA-2 and north of Everglades National Park. Many miles of canals run around and through the area, including the L-67A, L-67C, Miami, and Tamiami canals. All are accessible by boat and the Tamiami Canal has abundant bank access. In a joint project, the FWC and the South Florida Water Management District constructed eight boat trails off the L-67A Canal to provide anglers access to the marsh areas (when water levels are high enough) for "flats" fishing. Many of the canals can be accessed at Holiday Park Recreation Area (telephone number 954-434-8111). Amenities there include fishing guides, boat rentals, camping, food, bait and tackle, and the sale of fishing licenses. Other access points to WCA-3 are boat ramps along Alligator Alley, Tamiami Trail (SR41), and at Mack's Fish Camp (305-822-5033) which is located on Krome Ave., one-half mile south of U.S. 27. The L-67A Canal runs from Holiday Park Recreation Area to the S-333 spillway at Tamiami Trail. Those anglers wanting to try their luck in WCA-2 will find access at Sawgrass Recreation Area, two miles north of SR84 along U.S. 27. Twenty-five miles of canals and their associated marsh can be found there. Also see our Water Conservation Area Brochure.

Low spring water levels, and consequently the best fishing of the year, showed up late this year. Summer rains and heat will bring rising water levels and water temperatures—techniques and expectations should be modified accordingly. Bass fishing will slow down some, with the best opportunities coming early and late in the day. However, abundant butterfly peacock bass should continue to bite aggressively throughout the day. Remember that these fish are better targeted with hard plastic baits or spinnerbaits, rather than the soft plastics so popular for largemouth bass. Mayan cichlid, oscar, bluegill, and redear sunfish are also abundant, and should bite well into the summer. It is likely that the best days will be had this summer by anglers using light tackle casting small spinnerbaits for a mixed bag catch. In addition to ample bank access, more than a dozen public boat ramps are available to access these fisheries; Everglades Holiday Park and Sawgrass Recreation Area (both off US 27) are commonly used access points and offer bait and other services. Remember to keep an eye out for thunderstorms and bring plenty of cool drinks and sunscreen.

A map in PDF format is available courtesy of the South Florida Water Management District here.

LAKE OKEECHOBEE (Palm Beach, Martin, Glades, Okeechobee, and Hendry counties):

Lake Okeechobee is Florida's largest lake and the second largest body of freshwater in the contiguous United States. The word Okeechobee comes from the Seminole Indian language "Oki" (water) and "Chubi" (big) and means "big water." These early Floridians chose the name well. Vast surface area (730 sq. mi.), shallowness (averages only 9 feet) and enormous habitat diversities make the ecosystem unique on the North American continent. The lake is a multiple use resource, which supports valuable commercial and sport fisheries, provides flood control, and acts as a reservoir for potable and irrigation water for much of south Florida.

Lake Okeechobee is located on the south-central portion of the Florida peninsula at latitudes 27^o 12'N to 26^o 40'N and longitudes 81^o 07'W to 80^o 37'W. Major natural tributaries to the lake are Fisheating Creek, Taylor Creek and the Kissimmee River. Sheet outflow occurred originally across the entire southern rim into the Everglades. Prior to the 1900's, water quality was characterized as clear and alkaline, and bottom sediments were described as "clean sand." Levee and canal construction during the first half of the century confined the lake to a smaller area, eliminated overflow along the south shore, and facilitated backpumping of excess water from the Everglades agricultural area into the lake. During the past 30 years, rising nutrient levels and periodic increases in the lake stage regulatory schedules have decreased habitat quality and pushed the system nearer a hypereutrophic and ecologically undesirable state.

Primary sources of lake water include rainfall (30%) and major tributaries, canals and runoff (70%). Evaporation accounts for 70% of water loss, with the remainder exiting through engineered outflows. High water levels are maintained from October through March (dry season), while low water levels are maintained from June through August. Shallow depth, long fetch and moderate winds combine to preclude thermal stratification. Regular mixing by wind and wave action ensures dissolved oxygen levels adequate for biological processes throughout the water column. Water temperatures average between 59^o F(14^o C) in January to 86^o F (30^o C) in August.

Lake Okeechobee is nationally recognized as supporting high quality largemouth bass and black crappie fisheries. The lake also supports a commercial fishery dominated by catfish species. However, the commercial fishery is also nationally unique in that a limited entry fishery (10 nets) exists for haul seine gear which is permitted to legally harvest and sell bluegill and redear sunfish. Freshwater fishing retail sales in the five counties surrounding Lake Okeechobee were estimated at more than $117 million during 2000. Biologically, Lake Okeechobee can successively support recreational and commercial fishery interest. Fishery management concerns on Lake Okeechobee not only require allocating available fishery resources between recreational and commercial interests, but must also be concerned with resolution of socio-political issues that result from user conflicts.

Aquatic plant communities benefit fish by providing spawning habitat, serving as refuge areas from the environment and predators, and support an intricate food web by providing nutrients for invertebrates and herbivorous fishes, which serve as forage. Despite ecological advantages provided by aquatic plants to fishes and wildlife on Lake Okeechobee, controversy over management of vegetation continues among federal and state agencies with regulatory authority for aquatic plant management, water quality and supply, flood control, and fish and wildlife management.

Changes in water level and differences in plant community structural complexity and water quality within vegetation communities exert the greatest effect on fish distribution in the littoral zone of Lake Okeechobee. Historically, bulrush has yielded the highest mean standing stock values for total fish and game fish in block net sampling conducted on Lake Okeechobee. Importance of bulrush as habitat for adult game fishes has long been recognized by fisheries biologists and is frequently planted during lake restoration and habitat enhancement projects.

Submersed vegetation types provide important habitat for forage fish, such as minnows, shiners, and small bream. A positive relationship between hydrilla and production of juvenile game fish and forage fish has been documented by fisheries biologists. Dominant fish species abundance estimates for hydrilla, eel-grass, and Illinois pondweed (peppergrass) were similar which indicated equivalent habitat value for these vegetation types.

Since the adoption of higher regulation water level stages on Lake Okeechobee during the early 1990s, extreme high water events greater than 18 ft. above msl. (mean sea level) have occurred. High water levels, together with high winds, had a devastating effect on many plant communities. From the constant beating of high wind and waves, thousands of acres of plants such as bulrush, peppergrass, eel-grass, and hydrilla were uprooted or broken off. Plants near the bottom or in protected areas were subjected to die off from little or no sunlight reaching them as a result of highly turbid water.

The water level on Lake Okeechobee was lowered during May 2000 from 15 ft. msl. to 13 ft. msl. The subsequent drought, that struck much of the state of Florida, lowered the lake level to an all time record of 8.97 ft. msl (May 2001). Periods of drought have occurred on Lake Okeechobee about every ten years. Most of the emergent vegetation that was lost during the last several years was replaced by new plants. Thousands of acres of new bulrush, knotgrass, and other desirable emergent plants covered old established areas as well as many new areas where vegetation had not been before. Submergent vegetation such as peppergrass, eelgrass, and hydrilla, are returning but rather slowly.

Due to a wetter summer and fall during 2001, the water level on Lake Okeechobee rose nearly six feet in five months. This was a much greater rate than was hoped for as many new plants were lost before they could establish adequate root systems. Because of the great expanses of new vegetation these loses will not be perceived. The new WSE (water supply and environment) water level regulatory schedule, though it may prevent periods of extreme high water levels that have plagued the lake in recent years, has little or no decision criteria to protect the lake itself, as witnessed by the rapid water level rise during the summer and fall of 2001. Hopefully, the regulatory agencies will correct this soon and Lake Okeechobee will be better protected in the future. See the following links for more information: http://floridafisheries.com/forecast/toho-nov03.html http://www.charlotteharbornep.org/agendas-2004/TAC/1-14-04/7-LakeOLetter.pdf

The current water level on Lake Okeechobee as of June 11, 2008 is 9.32 feet NGVD, and has been below 11 feet since spring 2007. The water level in the lake is expected to increase during the fall. While low water levels are good for seed germination and vegetation re-growth, they can make navigation difficult or hazardous. Many areas of the lake that would normally be good areas for fishing are currently inaccessible by boat or completely dry. Many of the boat ramps to the lake are inaccessible. The few areas that are currently accessible to the lake include the Kissimmee River, Indian Prairie Canal (ramp may be difficult to use), Sportsman’s Canal, and Clewiston Channel. As always, use caution when you are running your boat in Lake Okeechobee. It is recommended that you use a depth finder if your boat has one. Otherwise, it may be best to remain in deeper areas such as the Kissimmee River, Indian Prairie Canal, the Rim canal, and other canals around the lake. However, the lower water levels will make it possible for more restoration projects, and anglers will hopefully be rewarded with good fishing in the following years from rejuvenated vegetation.

Largemouth bass anglers should try spoons and spinnerbaits in the grass flats, and plastic worms and flipping jigs in the heavier cover. Golden shiners are the best live bait for bass. The fishing should be best on the rim canals.

The best fishing for black crappie is in deeper waters near edges of the canal shoreline drop-offs and the pilings under the Highway 78 bridge. Fishing in the Kissimmee River will be best during times the river is flowing. Angling effort should be concentrated near the edges of vegetation stands. The best angling will occur early and late in the day. Use the usual fishing techniques for crappie throughout this time. Minnows should be suspended at various depths to locate schools. Jig fishing is most productive, as you can cover a great deal more area. The secret to successful crappie fishing is to move often, until you locate a school.

Best areas for bluegill will be the rim canals around Lake Okeechobee, the numerous canals leading to the lake and the Kissimmee River. Beetle spins and crickets are the preferred baits for bluegill.

Links for more fishing info:
Okeechobee Fishing Headquarters (800) 284-BIG "O" (2446) or www.fishokeechobee.com
Garrard Tackle Shop (800) 600-3474 (FISH) or www.okeechobeebassguides.com
For Crappie, Bluegill, and Shellcracker fishing contact: Marshall Shockley at 863 763 0466

A map in PDF format is available courtesy of the South Florida Water Management District here. Also se Real-time water level info from the USGS gage at Buckhead Lock.

OSBORNE CHAIN-OF-LAKES (Palm Beach County): Lake Osborne is a 356-acre water body located in Palm Beach County. Aquatic vegetation consists of cattail, spatterdock, and hydrilla. Nine fish attractors have been constructed on the lake and are marked with buoys. Fish present in Lake Osborne include largemouth bass, sunshine bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish, and Mayan cichlids.

Because much of the lake is surrounded by John Prince Park, bank access is plentiful. The park has a public boat ramp and fishing dock equipped with its own automatic fish feeder. Picnic pavilions, a campground, and public restrooms are also present in John Prince. There are no marinas, fish camps, or bait and tackle stores on the lake. Numbers to call for information or guide service on Lake Osborne are Lone Star Bassin' Pro Shops (561) 967-2248 and fish guide Butch Mosier (561) 732-5996.

This is the time of year anglers find an abundant number of bluegill and redear sunfish. Fishing was good this past month and should continue through July and September as the bluegill and redear continue to spawn through the early months of summer. Look for bedding areas and areas that provide cover to be the most productive, but baits such as live grass shrimp, crickets, and red wigglers will produce good results from many of the easily accessible shoreline access points. Good numbers of small bass have been taken during the past months, near the shoreline in the early morning and late evening. Plastic worms and jerkbaits seem to be most productive near the vegetated shoreline. Rat-L-Traps and crankbaits seem to work for the deeper areas once the sun gets up. The summer heat will drive sunshine bass to the deep refuges in the lake and will provide little or no action until next winter, along with black crappie. Catfish can be caught on chicken liver or live worms throughout the summer by fishing the bottom and anglers should find ample numbers of Mayan cichlid near the edge of vegetation using grass shrimp and live worms. Several mild winters have allowed peacock bass to expand their range to the Lake Ida-Osborne chain. Anglers targeting these feisty introduced fish should use smaller lures retrieved at a faster rate than normally used for largemouth bass.

METROPOLITAN MIAMI CANALS (Broward, Miami-Dade, West Palm counties): The man-made canals of coastal southeast Florida are part of an extensive, interconnecting network of canals that were primarily constructed in the early 1900's for drainage, flood protection, and water storage purposes. The freshwater canals in the southern section (Cypress Creek Canal and south) are mostly box-cut into a coral rock substrate, more than 10 feet deep with little littoral zone, and have much subsurface water flowing into them. The amount of groundwater flowing into some canals is sufficient enough to dramatically increase water clarity. Canals in the northern section (Hillsboro Canal and north) tend to be shallower, more bowl-shaped, have sugar-sand substrate, and little water ground water intrusion.

These urban canals provide excellent angling for a variety of sportfishes. Largemouth bass and snook roam throughout the tri-county canals and in the southern section, butterfly peacock and tarpon provide anglers an opportunity to complete a canal "trifecta" or "grand slam". The butterfly peacock is a world renowned sportfish that was successfully introduced by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission in 1984 to eat undesirable exotic fishes and to provide more sportfishing opportunities for anglers.

Miami-Dade County: Ashley Cornelius of Don’s Bait and Tackle (305-247-6616) in Homestead said this is the time for some good morning topwater bites. Cornelius suggests anglers try small (3 inch) floating Rapalas in largemouth bass or bluegill colors for largemouth bass. Shiners are always a good bet for bass and butterfly peacock and the peacocks will also aggressively hit the floating Rapalas. There may be some butterfly peacock on beds and an effective way of catching them is to throw a weighted jig like a bucktail or a jighead with a plastic tail right on the bed. Many of the butterfly peacock are off their beds and protecting young during this time. In this situation, most any lure you can drag past them will prompt a strike from one of these battlers. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission strongly encourages the catch and release of butterfly peacock year round but especially during the spawning season to ensure the continued success of this very popular south Florida sportfish.

Wigglers fished under a bobber are an excellent way to catch bluegill, redear sunfish, Mayan cichlid, and oscar in urban Miami-Dade canals and a fun way to get kids started fishing. Small beetle spins and Roostertails are also effective baits for catching bream. Cornelius recommends the Aerojet and Parkline canals for largemouth bass and butterfly peacock and the canals near the Speedway for bream.

Broward County: Judy Fitzsimmons who runs Everglades Pro Bass (954-434-4495) in Davie suggests anglers interested in catching Largemouth Bass during these summer months fish 8 inch plastic worms by Charlie or Mann’s and her favorite color is black grape. Fitzsimmons said patience is the key but if you cast into a shady spot under a tree, ledge, or bridge and fish those worms “slowly” you should be successful.

Butterfly peacock are off the bed and hungry and Fitzsimmons recommends anglers try small (3 inch) minnow imitating lures such as silver and blue or black and gold Rapalas to catch one of these scrappy fighters. Topwater lures such as Heddon’s Baby Torpedo are good for early morning or late afternoon bites. Fitzsimmons also said ProTraps are a good bet for a Butterfly peacock or two. Small shiners are always productive bait for butterfly peacock and largemouth bass.

Fitzsimmons suggests anglers try wigglers, red worms, crickets, or doughballs as excellent baits for catching bluegill, redear sunfish, Mayan cichlid and oscar in urban Broward County canals. The Griffin Road Canal runs right in front of Fitzsimmon’s store and she says the snook and tarpon are biting! She recommends anglers use 10-15 pound test line with a 20-30 pound test leader and fish large shiners or large Rat-L-Traps or ProTraps around the spillways and bridges, particularly when the water is moving. Fitzsimmons also recommends Wolf Lake, and any of the lakes in Broward County Parks as a good destination for summer fishing fun.

Palm Beach County: Bob Spickler of Perks Bait and Tackle (561-582-3133) in Lantana said hot temperatures will keep the largemouth bass in deeper water and anglers need to use dark-colored worms in Junebug, watermelon, watermelon seed, black, or red shad, or shad-colored crankbaits to get down to where the fish are. Summertime fishing for largemouth bass is generally better (and more comfortable!) early in the morning or during the late afternoon.

Butterfly peacock have been biting very well in Lakes Ida and Osborne. Spickler suggests free-lining a shiner or putting one under a bobber as your best bet for catching one of south Florida’s premier sportfish. Peacock bass hit throughout the day so wear sunscreen and bring some drinks!

Native and exotic bream (particularly Mayan cichlid) are caught on a variety of baits and Spickler recommends worms, wigglers, or crickets for some great freshwater action. Spickler recommends anglers try Lake Osborne (which has excellent shoreline access), Lake Ida, and any local canal or pond with public access as good summer fishing destinations.

An exotic fish identifier with color pictures will assist anglers in identifying that unusual catch. “Fast Facts” for each of the pictured fish provide some information on the distribution and biology of some of Florida’s most common exotic fishes. A copy of this identifier is available by writing: FWC South Regional Office, Fisheries, Attn. Exotic Fish Identifier, 8535 Northlake Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL, 33412, by calling (561) 625-5122, or by visiting FWC’s website at: www.myfwc.com/fishing/fishes/non-native.html. Also available upon request are Fifteen “Angler Friendly Guides” of south Florida canals, and a pamphlet providing directions to boat ramps accessing butterfly peacock canals. These free maps can be obtained by writing: FWC Non-Native Fish Lab, Attn. Canal Maps, 801 NW 40th Street, Boca Raton, FL 33431, or by visiting FWC’s web site at www.myfwc.com/fishing/pdf/index.html.

Caught a fish you can’t identify? A new color photo exotic fish identifier illustrates 19 species anglers may encounter in southeast Florida waters. This free guide is available by writing the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 8535 Northlake Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL, 33412. Fifteen “Angler Friendly Guides” of south Florida canals, and a pamphlet providing directions to boat ramps accessing butterfly peacock canals, are available by writing: FWC Non-Native Fish Research Lab, Attn. Canal Maps, 801 NW 40th Street, Boca Raton, FL 33431. The exotic fish identifier is available from FWC's web site: www.myfwc.com/fishing/fishes/non-native.html. The Angler Friendly Guides are available at www.myfwc.com/pdf/index.html

LOCAL FISHING GUIDES include:

Burke, John—954/971-1915
Fettes, Clark—954/426-2094
Harris, Doub—954/435-0486
Norling, Gregg—954/979-4933
Zaremba, Allen—954/961-7512

LOCAL BAIT AND TACKLE SHOPS include:

Everglades Pro-Bass Center—954/434-4495
Sea Shacks—305/279-8285
Southern Bass & Offshore Tackle Shop—954/979-4933
The Fishing Line—305/598-2444

TAXIDERMISTS include:

Marine Taxidermy of the Palm Beaches—561/585-0830
Steve's Marine Designs—954/752-4360
Don Winge—941/353-9359

A map in PDF format is available courtesy of the South Florida Water Management District here.

LAKE TRAFFORD (Collier County): Lake Trafford, located in Collier County, encompasses approximately 1,500 acres. Aquatic vegetation consists of cattail, spatterdock, and hydrilla. Fish species present in the lake include largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and large brown bullheads. Access to Lake Trafford is mainly by boat. However, there is a small county park located on the lake that provides some bank access along with a nice public fishing pier. Lake Trafford Marina and the park both have public boat ramps. Services available from the marina include boat rentals, guide service, airboat tours, and bait and tackle. The phone number for Lake Trafford Marina is (239) 657-2401.

The lake is still at the mercy of mother nature with no significant rains to provide relief from the second straight year of drought conditions. The low lake level makes it almost impossible to launch anything other than canoe or kayak. Anglers should pay attention to potential rain events that could bring lake levels up this summer and contact the Lake Trafford Marina (239-657-2401) for current lake conditions.

A new size limit on black bass in Lake Trafford went into effect on July 1, 2008. This new size limit is designed to protect young of the year bass, along with bass that will be stocked from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s new Largemouth Bass Conservation Center once the water level rises. The regulation establishes a minimum length limit of 18 inches for black bass, and a limit of one bass over 22 inches per person per day. The bag limit remains the same at 5 bass per day.

Take Me Fishing.org is a great general information site for recreational anglers and boaters.

Florida Fishing Capital of the World--Great Resources, Responsible Management