Florida freshwater fishing and fisheries--site map

The Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management is responsible for all of Florida's freshwater fisheries, including the fish populations themselves, as well as recreational and commercial uses of those sustainable resources.
Florida has 3 million acres of freshwater lakes and reservoirs, and 12,000 miles of rivers and streams. Freshwater fishing in Florida is estimated to generate $1.057 billion in retail sales, which produced an economic impact of $1.962 billion. This economic boon to the state of Florida sustains nearly 20,000 jobs and provided recreation for 1.316 million anglers (resident and non-resident), who spent 20.840 million days fishing¹.
The Division welcomes you to our home page and invites you to learn more about freshwater fishing in Florida. By exploring the links below, you can learn who needs a license, how to buy one, what fishing regulations are in place, where to go fishing, and where our boat ramps are. You can also discover more about Fisheries programs, life history information about Florida's recreational fish species and tips on how to catch them. Recent news releases will keep you up-to-date, and our links page will help you to quickly plan a fishing trip in Florida, or lead you to other sites about fishing and aquatic biology. A description of our site and navigation links can be found below. Feel free to book mark this page and come back often to see what's new. Good luck, good fishing and enjoy your browsing...
¹(Per the American Sportfishing Association analyses of the 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Outdoor-Associated Recreation Study)

	Freshwater Fishing Rules and Regulations-text of the current Florida Sportfishing Regulations Summary, with extra links and information added.
	Fishing License Information--details about license types (including lifetime and 5-year), who needs them and how to obtain one instantly via phone or the web.
	Fish Facts--detailed information about 33 species of freshwater fish commonly caught by anglers, including fish identification, the fish's life history and tips for anglers. Also lists and photos of other Florida freshwater fish, including non-native, threatened and endangered.
	Fishing Times--tips on when to go fishing based on the solunar calendar, temperature and other seasonal factors.
	Fishing Tips--beginning and intermediate tips on fishing for some of Florida's premier freshwater fish.
	Fishing Forecasts and Fishing Site Locator--describes many premier fishing areas in Florida, by region, and provides quarterly fishing forecasts. It also includes a list of consistent bass, bream and crappie lakes and occasional "hot spots" advisories.
	ADA Compliant Sites. Links to Fishing Forecasts and Fishing Site Locator based on access for the physically challenged with indications of boat, pier and shoreline accessibility.
	Interactive Fishing Maps--interactive fishing maps for some of Florida's best freshwater fisheries..
	Boat Ramps--information about Commission-owned boat ramps. You can access them from a map or county list and get detailed routing directions and local weather reports.
	Boating Safety--how to get a boating education cards, boating safety laws and tips, accident statistics.
	Fishing Piers--information about all of the freshwater fishing piers. You can access them from a map or county list and get detailed routing directions.
	Fish Management Areas--explains what a Fish Management Area is and provides a list of them for you, many have links to brochures about local features.
	Fish Links to a Plethora of Great Sites--Links to travel agencies, fishing guides, weather sites and map routing options. Other links take you to government and non-government fisheries agencies, educational sites, and relevant private and commercial sites.
	Fisheries Reports/Publications--access to many Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management reports and publications in PDF Acrobat Format. This includes regulations, regional guides, Fish Management Area brochures etc.
	Fisheries Updates (FishBusters' Bulletin)--brief articles providing updates on Fisheries' programs and fishing opportunities.
	Fisheries News--has the agency's recent New Releases annotated with links, so you can learn even more. Some have extra photos or graphics that were not included in the original news release.
	Fisheries Offices--contact information and maps for all Freshwater Fisheries Offices and facilities. Several Division programs and have their own Web pages linked here.
	Freshwater Fisheries Permits--permits issued by or on behalf of the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management.
	Historic Timeline--a history of fisheries in Florida from prehistoric times to the present.
	"Big Catch" Angler Recognition Program-- information on our free angler recognition program for your next "Big Catch".
	Record Fish--lists all of Florida's current state record fish and provides information on a free angler recognition program for your next "Big Catch".
	Sport Fish Restoration (Wallop-Breaux/Dingell-Johnson)--explains the nation's premier user-pays, user-benefits program and how Florida manages freshwater fishing with some of your Federal tax dollars.
	Bass Specialty Plate Information--all you want to know about the bass specialty plate, including how buying one contributes to fish and wildlife conservation in Florida. They can be placed on any private car, truck or trailer.
	Diving & Underwater Photography Pages--underwater photography and links to SCUBA and snorkeling web sites.
	Kids & Educators Pages--access to the Joe Budd Aquatic Education Center and educators links.
	Fun Stuff and Games--On line games and fun things to do when you and the kids can't be on the water.
	Threatened & Endangered Fishes and Aquatic Habitat--Aquatic GAP project information from the Office of Environmental Services, as authored by Ted Hoehn.
	Event Schedule for Fisheries--overview of fishing related events scheduled around the state, such as urban pond clinics, kids rodeos, Ladies Bait Your Own Hook and Project Eagle cleanups.
	Health Advisories for Fisheries--this area provides information about water bodies that have mercury advisories issued by the Department of Health.
	Questions and Answers about Fisheries--this area attempts to answer some frequently asked questions, such as "what is a slot limit?" and "how can I manage a farm pond?"
	Shows and MultiMedia--was developed for presenting "Power Point" presentations of topics interesting to the public and Fisheries staff as well as to sponsor audio and visual media, such as underwater footage from some of Florida's springs.
	Women's Fishing--this page provides some specific opportunities and information for female anglers.
	Sitemap--this is the page you are currently on, clicking here will take you back to the top.

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