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South Region Fishing Forecast | ||||||||||
The following is a general description and quarterly forecast (*bold 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
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. *Water levels in the Water Conservation Areas typically peak in October. The high water tends to disperse fish by giving them access to the extensive marsh areas. Some fish will, of course, remain in the canals, but anglers should not expect the same catch rates they enjoyed during the spring and early summer. However, this same high water allows anglers to utilize the numerous FWC-created marsh access trails off Alligator Alley and the L-67A Canal to pursue bass in the marsh (€œthe flats€). Please remember that displaying a 10x12 inch orange flag 10 feet above the bottom of the hull is required for all vessels entering the marsh. Anglers may also be able to gain access to marsh fishing in areas of WCA 2, although no marsh access trails are maintained there. Fishing in this typically dense cover requires weedless presentations. Floating soft plastics such as trick worms or frogs are good choices. Alternatively, pitch a large heavy-weighted Texas-rigged 10€ worm or a ¾-1 oz jig-and-pig into openings in the vegetation. Anglers seeking panfish should probe deeper pockets along the vegetation with crickets or worms, moving frequently until fish are located. Those preferring lures should make long casts with beetle spins or tiny crankbaits parallel to shoreline vegetation. Regardless of species targeted, don€™t continue to fish unproductive water€”keep moving until fish are located. Consider fishing early or late in the day, or even at night, for best results. 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 27o 12'N to 26o 40'N and longitudes 81o 07'W to 80o 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 59o F(14o C) in January to 86o F (30o 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. * The water level as of September 16, 2009 is 14.51 ft. The water has been rising steadily just under one foot per month. Bass less than 18 inches must be released; however you may only keep one fish over 22 inches. The bag limit remains the same, at five. Links for more fishing info: A map in PDF format is available courtesy of the South Florida Water Management District here. Also see 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. *Hydrilla is beginning to make a comeback and is presenting thicker patches to target throughout the system. Anglers have been catching lots of bluegill and numerous small bass along the shoreline edges. Grass shrimp, crickets, and small jigs have been the preferred baits for bluegill that should remain plentiful through October. Expect to take bass in the early morning with topwater lures and later in the day with plastic worms, crankbaits, and live shiners. Shiners have worked particularly well near heavily vegetated areas. As water temperatures begin to drop in late October, live shiners free-lined in deep holes will be an excellent producer for sunshine bass, as will fresh shrimp fished in areas such as the 6th avenue pass that funnel migrating fish. Black crappie anglers can expect more action as water temperatures start to decline, particularly around fish attractors and other brush piles in late October or early November. Jigs and live minnows should be excellent producers. Nice size channel catfish can be caught using chicken liver or live worms. Warm days should continue to provide anglers with peacock bass action as long as we avoid any sustained period of cold weather. Small shiners or lures retrieved quickly will be the preferred presentation for peacock bass. Mayan cichlids continue to be prominent in the lake and can be taken near shore next to the vegetation using grass shrimp, live worms, crickets, and small artificial lures such as beetle spins and jigs. They will become less prominent as water temperature drops below 70º F. 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: Butterfly peacock can often be found schooling in the fall and this should be a great time for some morning topwater bites. Anglers should watch for butterfly peacock breaking the surface then throw a Husky Jerk Bait, Heddon Torpedo, or small (3 inch) floating, gold or silver Rapala for some fast action. In the afternoon or if you lose the school, try switching to subsurface lures such as Rapalas, Rat-L-Traps, and Pro Traps for continued success. Largemouth bass fishing should improve as the water temperature cools off and they can also be found schooling in the morning. The same lures will catch butterfly peacock and largemouth bass and if anglers see some surface action, they should cast close to the school. If a largemouth doesn€™t hit, then reel in quickly with some good rod action and a butterfly peacock may! Soft plastics like Bass Assassin, Flappin Shad, or Flukes in watermelon or salt-and-pepper are all effective largemouth bass baits this time of year. Live shiners are a top choice for butterfly peacock and largemouth bass no matter what time of year, especially for inexperienced anglers. Wigglers or pieces of night crawler fished under a bobber are an excellent way to catch bluegill, redear sunfish, Mayan cichlid, and oscar in urban Miami-Dade canals. Small Rapalas, Roostertails, and beetle spins are also effective lures for bream fishing. Anglers may want to try Parkline (L-31W), Cutler Drain (C-100), and Snake Creek (C-9) canals for some great fall angling opportunities. Broward County: Cooling temperatures should improve the largemouth bass bite and make it a more pleasant time to fish. Rapalas in gold/black or silver/black fished early in the morning are a good bet for some fast action. If the bite slows down or you start fishing later in the day, you may want to try 8-10 inch rubber worms in black or red shad, 4-6 inch lizards in watermelon seed or cotton candy, or watermelon seed colored Flukes. 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. 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 publications page. 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. An exotic fish identifier is available as well as a series of Angler Friendly Guides by visiting FWC€™s Web site publications page. Local Fishing Guides include:
Local Bait and Tackle Shops include:
Taxidermists include:
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. *Water levels are near normal on Lake Trafford, which should make launching a boat easier. However, sand buildup around the Annie Olesky Park ramp has still kept this area relatively shallow. Reports from the marina indicate anglers are taking lots of nice bluegill and Mayan cichlid as summer winds down and a few small crappie are showing up in angler€™s creels. Most anglers use minnows for crappie and crickets for bluegill, but those experienced anglers that use artificial lures such as jigs and small beetle spins can expect to catch fish as well. Anglers can expect crappie fishing to pick up as the first cool fronts drift south through mid October. Largemouth bass are still difficult to come by and supplemental stocking is scheduled for spring of 2010. Anglers need to be aware of the new 18-inch minimum length limit established last summer for largemouth bass. This new regulation is designed to protect young bass that will be stocked until they have had a chance to spawn at least once and hopefully produce a more robust bass population. Non-native species such Mayan cichlid and blue tilapia should provide anglers with two additional species to harvest and there are no restrictions on the number of these species each angler can harvest. Brown bullhead catfish can be caught using liver or red worms fished on the bottom. Phase III dredging is currently underway but should have no impact on anglers€™ ability to access the fishery. However, boaters should navigate carefully in the vicinity of the dredge and partially submerged pipeline. | ||||||||||
(2.2mb) Our mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.
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