Boating and Angling Guides

About the Boating and Angling Guides

Since 1992, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) has produced a statewide series of educational guides that targets boaters and anglers to inform them about Florida's coastal and marine ecosystems. Each Boating and Angling Guide describes a major bay, estuary, or region. Each Guide contains a map, or several maps, that best display the area’s environmental information and complementary written text. This format appeals to boaters and anglers by explaining the natural world about them, and by informing them about boating and fishing facilities. The maps serve to display the distribution and extent of marine resources, while the written information explains the importance of marine habitats to the health of the marine ecosystem, as well as how boating and angling behavior can impact the environment.

With support from the Sport Fish Restoration Program, FWRI develops these guides through cooperative efforts with county, state, and federal agencies as well local and regional organizations. Most of the information depicted on these guides is derived from the FWRI Marine Resources Geographic Information System database, which is kept as current as possible by FWRI staff. FWRI provides technical support in the form of cartographic layout and design and works with local partners who provide information and secure funding. Even though local partners influence the design and content of the guides, the Guides are all part of a single series. Each one is unique in showing the important areas defined by the local community. To date, over 2.5 million guides have been printed, covering almost all of Florida’s coastal waters. These guides are available without cost at many marinas, tackle shops, boating supply stores and other marine businesses; or by visiting the Brochures and Videos page.

The Florida Boating and Angling Guide Series would not be successful without the help of its partners. The level of participation varies from Guide to Guide and version to version. Some partners provide content or are reviewers, while others provide funds for the development of the interactive web product and/or printing of a Guide. If you are interested in becoming partner on a future Boating and Angling Guide, e-mail us and let us know how you would like to help.

To date, FWRI has worked with over 50 partners. They are listed below in no particular order.