Fishing Seasons and Species Chart for Southwest Florida

Our fishing is excellent, and one of the many reasons is the exceptionally large number of species which regularly prowl our waters. Even though some of these species are seasonal in their presence, there are always many that are available and feeding.

The following chart lists the fish species which are regularly caught in Southwest Florida, together with the approximate times that they are most available. Although seasonal and weather variations can occur, this is a real good starting point for planning and scheduling your vacation.

1=Scarce

2=Spotty

3=Available

4=Good Months

5=Best Months

Species Availability Guide
Southwest Florida

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Species Click on Any Species for Further Information

Amberjack 5 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 5

Barracuda 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 3 3

Black Drum 5 5 5 4 3 2 2 2 3 4 4 5

Black Grouper 5 5 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 5 5

Cobia 1 1 3 5 3 2 1 2 4 5 5 4

Flounder 5 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 5

Gag Grouper 5 5 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 5 5

Jack Crevalle 3 4 4 5 5 5 4 4 4 5 5 4

Jewfish 3 3 3 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 3 3

King Mackerel 5 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 5 5

Ladyfish 5 4 3 2 1 1 1 1 2 3 4 5

Lane Snapper 5 5 4 4 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 4

Mangrove Snapper 5 5 5 4 4 5 5 4 4 3 3 4

Mutton Snapper 1 1 1 2 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1

Permit 1 1 1 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1 1

Pompano 5 5 4 4 4 5 5 4 3 3 4 5

Redfish 2 2 3 4 5 5 4 4 5 5 4 3

Red Grouper 4 5 5 4 4 4 5 5 4 3 3 3

Shark 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 4 3 2

Sheepshead 5 5 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 5

Snook 3 3 4 4 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 2

Spanish Mackerel 5 5 5 4 4 3 3 3 2 3 3 4

Spotted Seatrout 5 5 4 3 2 2 2 2 3 4 4 5

Tarpon 1 2 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1 1 1

Tripletail 5 5 4 3 3 3 4 5 5 4 3 4

Yellowtail Snapper 1 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 4 3 2 1

Information Gathered by Don Phillips - Marco Island