Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Sport-Fishes

Freshwater Sport Fishes

The most popular freshwater sport fishes in Florida include largemouth bass (just one of many black basses), redear and bluegill sunfish, and black crappie.



Black Basses

Florida is home to several species of bass, including largemouth bass, Suwannee bass, shoal bass, and spotted bass.

Black Crappie

Black crappie is one of the most popular sport fish in Florida's fresh waters. Learn more about this species and ongoing black crappie research throughout the state.

Management Resources

FWC provides the public with information on issues related to freshwater fisheries management, including current fishing regulations, reports and publications, and fishing guides for popular freshwater fishing locations.

Freshwater Sunfishes

Many different species of sunfish are found in Florida's inland waters, such as bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker), redbreast sunfish, spotted sunfish (stumpknocker), and warmouth. This section is devoted to the research of these species.

Other Fishes

Although not traditionally considered game fish, species such as flathead catfish and American shad are targeted by anglers.


FWC Facts:
There are two crappie species reported in Florida. The black crappie is the most common; the white crappie occurs in just two Panhandle rivers.

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