Freshwater Fishing
Florida is the Fishing Capital of the World
Florida's freshwater fisheries comprise 3 million acres of lakes, ponds and reservoirs, and approximately 12,000 miles of fishable rivers, streams and canals-with no closed seasons. The recreational fishery resources alone in these waters provide entertainment for more than 1.2 million anglers annually, who enjoyed 25.7 million days fishing recreationally in Florida's fresh waters (National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation-2011).
The Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management 2020-2021 Annual Review
Check out the division’s Annual Review for highlights from the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
Keep Up With Freshwater Fishing
Black Bass Tournament Exemption
Report a Fish Kill
The Fish and Wildlife Health Group at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) in St. Petersburg, has established a toll-free, statewide, fish kill hotline. The hotline allows the public to report directly to researchers the locations of fish kills and diseased or abnormal fish. Learn how you can report this information.
Florida's R3 Fishing Action Plan
The FWC strives to increase and diversify participation in fishing throughout Florida via an effort known as R3, which stands for Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation. The R3 initiative helps create the next generation of anglers who have a vested interest in conserving and managing Florida’s natural resources. For more information see Florida’s R3 Fishing Action Plan.