Are you wondering where to go fishing in western Florida? If you love fishing as much as we do, you might want to know the very catch places to cast your reel. So, that’s why we’ve made a list of the top places to go fishing in Western Florida. These locations have an abundant amount of freshwater streams, rivers, and lakes where the fish population is thriving.
Spoiler alert: Crystal River is the best spot to go fishing in Western Florida!
Crystal River Natural Spring and River
This is the first place on our list of the top places to go fishing in Western Florida. The Crystal River is a natural spring-fed river. It is located in Citrus County in the city of Crystal River.
The river is about 6 miles long and ranges from about 20 feet to 60 feet wide. This river flows into a large spring-fed lake on the south side of the river. This is a top spot to go finishing in Western Florida since the 1950s.
Crystal River is the only national wildlife refuge in the country to protect the Florida manatee. Aside from the manatee, there is abundant wildlife. This includes fish, birds, turtles, otters, and alligators. This makes it a wonderful place for tourists to visit and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The river is stocked with plenty of fish that are fun and exciting to catch.
What kind of fish will you find in Crystal River, FL? You can find grouper, snapper, cobia, and redish to name a few. Most of the fish in this river are saltwater species, but there are a few species that fall under the freshwater category.
The redfish and snapper are two popular options for anglers who are looking for an exciting catch. These fish are both excellent eating options, and they can put up a fight as you reel them in. If you’re interested in catching something other than fish, you might want to try diving for scallops.
Be mindful of the time of year that you’re fishing in Western Florida. The type of fish you will find depends on the season. This can make all the difference in your experience!
Inland Lakes
In addition to Crystal River, there are several other top places to go fishing in Western Florida. These include inland lakes and rivers.
Lake Rousseau is a natural lake located in Citrus County, Florida. The lake is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. It is a wonderful place to go fishing. This lake also has an abundance of alligators along with alligator nests.
The Withlacoochee River runs through Pasco and Hernando counties. This river’s name means Little Big Water, deriving from a Creek Indian word. It is a beautiful freshwater river with a variety of species. This includes fish such as largemouth bass, bluegill, and spotted bass. This river covers 2100 square miles.
This river also has some of the top freshwater species in the state of Florida. This is an ideal destination if you want to go bass fishing or snag a catfish or redear sunfish and blue gill.
Gulf of Mexico
Are you gearing up to fish in the Gulf of Mexico? This is a popular destination for anglers from all over the world. There are many areas in and around the Gulf to spend the day fishing. You can also find a variety of fish in this area.
The Gulf of Mexico has a lot of different species of fish, but a few of them are more common than others. The red snapper is one of the most popular fish in the Gulf of Mexico, especially with charter boat captains. Fun fact: red snappers found in deep waters tend to be redder than snappers in shallow waters.
Red snapper are also very popular for eating. So if you’re looking for a delicious fish to eat, this is a great option. Blackfin tuna is another popular option.
Blackfin tuna is one of the cheapest types of tuna, but it’s also very delicious. If you’re looking for something a little fancier, cobia is another excellent option. Cobia has a very unique flavor, and it’s very popular in Asian dishes. Simply put, there’s no shortage of delicious fish to try here in Western Florida.
The good news is that you can find many of these fish in Crystal River as well!
Pro Tip: Watch Out for Red Tide in the Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico has a lot of red tide. This situation is negatively impacting the fishing industry there for years now. Many people no longer go fishing in the Gulf of Mexico due to health concerns.
The red tide has also impacted tourism negatively there. Red tide is a naturally occurring algae bloom that can cause a variety of negative effects, ranging from nausea to respiratory issues in humans. It can also kill fish, which makes it devestating to the ecosystem as a whole.
Red tide is a naturally occurring algae bloom that can cause a variety of negative effects, ranging from nausea to respiratory issues in humans. The last bad bloom outbreak was 2019. Keep an eye out for red tide outbreaks if you choose to go fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Try Tidal Waters When Fishing in Western Florida
Treading into Southwest Florida, anglers can gear up for some wade fishing in Tidal Creeks. This is a lot different than going out fishing on a charter boat in Crystal River. If you decide to go wade fishing, you better be ready to get dirty!
One of the most popular tidal creek areas is Little Manatee River. Adult snooks use these creeks as nurseries and primary habitats for juveniles. There are many species that can be found in this area, including largemouth bass, bluegill, and others. It’s also not uncommon to find species such as snapper in tidal waters.
This river is a wonderful place to go fishing and is a great location to take people who want to go fishing but have never done it before. It is easy to fish tidal waters. Tidal waters are also a great location for many different types of fishing.
There are tidal creeks located all throughout Western Florida. It is a wonderful place to go fishing and is a great location for people who want to go fishing but have never done it before. This is typically a quiet environment that’s away from the hustle and bustle, unlike the Gulf of Mexico.
The Best Place to Go Fishing in Western Florida is Crystal River
As you can see from this article, there are many places to go fishing in Western Florida. The western part of the state has many freshwater rivers, lakes, and tidal waters, making it an ideal place to go fishing. If you love fishing, add one or all of these places to your bucket list!
Still looking for the best place to go fishing in Western Florida? Begin your journey at Crystal River. Come aboard our fishing character and experience the wonders of Western Florida with family and friends. Contact us today to learn more.