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Temperature and Fishing

Monthly Temperature Averages from Weather Underground

Compare these to freshwater fishes preferred temperatures (below)

 

 

Tallahassee Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High Temp (F) 63 66 74 80 86 91 91 91 89 82 73 66
Low Temp (F) 38 40 47 52 61 69 71 71 68 56 46 40
Jacksonville Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High Temp (F) 64 67 73 79 85 89 91 91 87 80 74 67
Low Temp (F) 40 43 49 55 62 69 72 72 69 59 50 43
Orlando Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High Temp (F) 71 73 78 83 88 91 92 92 90 85 78 73
Low Temp (F) 49 50 55 599 66 72 73 73 72 66 58 51
Tampa Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High Temp (F) 770 71 77 82 87 89 90 90 89 84 78 72
Low Temp (F) 50 52 56 61 67 73 74 74 73 65 57 52
Miami Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High Temp (F) 75 76 79 82 85 88 89 89 88 85 80 77
Low Temp (F) 59 60 64 68 72 75 76 77 76 72 67 62

Freshwater Fishes Preferred Temperatures

In order of ascending initial spawning temperature. You can also see a calendar showing when freshwater fishing in Florida for these species is typically best. Please note that feeding temperatures only refer to preferred ranges and are subject to wide variations.

 

Species Feeding Spawning
Shoal Bass 65-80 64-73
Redeye Bass 65-80 62-69
Spotted Bass 65-80 60-70
Redbreast 70-85 60-82
Black Crappie 70-75 62-65
Striped Bass 55-75 55-71
Flier 70-80 62-68
American Shad 45-70 50-65
Largemouth Bass 65-80 62-75
Suwannee Bass 65-80 65-68
Blue Tilapia 65-85 68-72
Redear Sunfish 65-80 70-80
Flathead Catfish 65-80 70-80
Channel Catfish 70-85 72-82
Bluegill 70-85 75-85
Oscar 70-90 82-91

Temperature ranges are from the USFWS Fish Culture Guidelines or from the subjective recommendations of FWC biologists.