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Port guide / Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida / Florida
Bonita Springs fishing guide
Bonita Springs fishes the south end of Estero Bay, the Imperial River, the passes and Gulf beaches from Lovers Key down to Bonita Beach and Little Hickory Island, and a run of wrecks and reefs offshore. Its nearest existing guide is Naples, but Bonita is a different setup: it sits in Lee County, entirely inside FWC's Charlotte Harbor region, and its inshore water is the mangrove backcountry of Estero Bay rather than Naples Bay and the Ten Thousand Islands. Local guides work snook, tarpon, trout and pompano in the bay and passes, then run offshore for permit, cobia, snapper and goliath grouper.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Today’s bite
A forecast built from live data and the calendar below. Not a catch report.
Working out today from the tides, water and calendar.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
7 day forecast
National Weather Service, for Bonita Springs. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Little Hickory Island, Estero Bay, FL (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Fort Myers, Caloosahatchee River, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from Bonita Beach to Englewood FL out 20 NM (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Bonita Springs. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.
The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.
15 ft, fishing reports
Fishing reports
What people are catching, on what, and where. Every report links to whoever wrote it. We do not write these ourselves.
Latest reports
From local captains, shops and outdoor writers. Newest first, last 14 days.
- Checking the latest reports.
Report sources: Coastal Angler Naples Conservation column (Capt. Billy Norris, Pale Horse Fishing Charters) (opens in a new tab) Coastal Angler Naples Fishing Forecasts (opens in a new tab) Coastal Angler Fort Myers Fishing Reports (opens in a new tab)
Straight from the dock
Reports sent to us by shops and captains on this guide. We check each one before it posts.
Checking for reports.
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Bonita Springs. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snook | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Spotted seatrout | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Pompano | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| Sheepshead | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good |
| Cobia | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Slow |
| Permit | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| Mangrove snapper | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Spanish mackerel | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Good |
Snook
Peak: May, September, October
Fish mangrove edges and dock lines in Estero Bay and the Imperial River in warm months, then deeper holes and creeks in winter; harvest is open only in March, April, October and November.
Tarpon
Peak: April, May, June
Tarpon move into the Bonita backwaters in better numbers by late May; early mornings and late afternoons have been the best windows.
Redfish
Peak: September, October, November
Reds feed in the backwater year-round and school up on bars and shorelines in fall; shrimp pitched to structure works in winter.
Spotted seatrout
Trout bite best on moving tides around the passes and grass in Estero Bay.
Pompano
Peak: May, September
The passes hold pompano in late spring and early fall; jigs and live bait both catch them.
Sheepshead
Peak: January, February, March
Shrimp around docks, seawalls and nearshore reefs in winter, with the best bite usually in February.
Cobia
Peak: January, February, October, November
Cobia follow rays and hang on nearshore structure and debris in winter, spring and fall.
Permit
Peak: May, September
Permit cruise the offshore wrecks and reefs, with bigger fish in late spring and early fall and schools of smaller fish in winter.
Mangrove snapper
Peak: August, September
Nearshore reefs inside 20 miles; drop to 12-pound fluorocarbon leader when the water is clear.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: October, November
Fall and winter fish on bait schools along the beaches and over nearshore reefs.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Red snapper, Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational)
Remaining 2026 schedule: Sept. 23 to Oct. 4, every day Oct. 9 to 22, Oct. 23 to 25, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, Nov. 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22, Nov. 26 to 29, Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20, Dec. 25 to 27, and Jan. 1 to 4, 2027. Also applies to charter boats without a federal permit, in state waters only.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf state waters
The 2026 recreational season ran Sept. 1 through Sept. 30 and closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1, matching the NOAA season in adjacent federal waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, Gulf state waters
The 2026 recreational season ran Sept. 1 through Oct. 13 and closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14, matching adjacent federal waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, Gulf state and federal waters
Open March 1 to May 31 and Aug. 1 to Dec. 31.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Snook, Charlotte Harbor region
Harvest is closed Dec. 1 through the end of February and May 1 through Sept. 30, so it is open in March, April, October and November. Keeping one also requires a snook permit.
FWC, current (standing rule) Official page (opens in a new tab)
Spotted seatrout, Charlotte Harbor region
Open year-round under the regional seatrout rules FWC put in place in 2026.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Bay
Estero Bay backwaters
Mangrove shorelines and docks where local guides fish light tackle with live and artificial bait for snook, reds and trout.
- Pass
Bonita passes
Moving tides through the passes hold pompano and trout in spring and fall.
- Beach
Bonita Beach and Little Hickory Island beach parks
County beach parks on Hickory Boulevard with shore access to the Gulf; Bonita Beach is one of the area beaches open to fishing.
- Beach
Lovers Key State Park
Two miles of beach plus canals and lagoons at the north end of Bonita's waters, with fishing allowed and a boat ramp.
- Wreck
Offshore wrecks and reefs
Permit, cobia, snapper, goliath grouper and big bull and tiger sharks on the wrecks and hard bottom off Bonita.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial River Boat Ramp (Lee County) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 27551 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 |
| Lovers Key State Park boat ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 8700 Estero Blvd., Bonita Springs, FL 33931 |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Where to get live and fresh bait, tackle and a guide. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle (1)
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Master Bait & Tackle
Bait: live shrimp, live pinfish, freshwater shiners, nightcrawlers, red wigglers, live blue crabs, frozen shrimp, frozen squid, frozen bonita, frozen mullet, frozen ladyfish, frozen threadfins, frozen sardines, chum, sand fleas
4465 Bonita Beach Rd., Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Family-owned full-service shop since 1994; spools line, repairs rod tips and books local charters.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Master Bait & Tackle charters (opens in a new tab) | Ask when you book |
| Get Hooked Charter Fishing (Capt. Matt DeAngelis) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Pale Horse Fishing Charters (Capt. Billy Norris) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
RedSnook Catch & Release Charity Tournament (Conservancy of Southwest Florida) (opens in a new tab)
usually October
MidMay Mayhem Beach Fishing Tournament (Fort Myers Beach) (opens in a new tab)
usually mid May
Lee County 4-H Annual Catch & Release Fishing Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually May
SWFAEP Annual Fishing Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually October
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Bonita Springs, asked and answered
Where do I launch a boat in Bonita Springs?
Lee County's Imperial River Boat Ramp on South Tamiami Trail is $5 a day, and Lovers Key State Park at the north end of Bonita's waters has a boat ramp inside the paid state park.
Are Bonita Springs snook rules the same as Naples?
Not necessarily. Bonita waters lie north of 26 degrees 15.227 minutes north, the line near Vanderbilt Beach Road, so they fall in FWC's Charlotte Harbor region, where snook harvest is closed Dec. 1 through February and May 1 through Sept. 30. South of that line is FWC's Southwest region, so check its rules if you run south. You need a snook permit with your saltwater license to keep one.
Where can I buy live bait in Bonita Springs?
Master Bait & Tackle at 4465 Bonita Beach Road carries live shrimp and pinfish plus a long list of frozen baits, and can set you up with a charter.
What can I catch offshore of Bonita Springs?
The offshore wrecks and hard bottom hold permit, cobia, snapper, goliath grouper and big bull and tiger sharks. Permit peak in May and September, cobia peak in fall and midwinter, and Spanish mackerel work the nearshore reefs in fall and winter.
When is sheepshead season in Bonita Springs?
Sheepshead pile onto docks, seawalls and nearshore reefs in winter, and the bite usually peaks in February.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Bonita Springs
Sources for this guide (16), last checked 2026-10-27
- coastalanglermag.com/heating-up-5/ (opens in a new tab)
- coastalanglermag.com/prime-fishing-month/ (opens in a new tab)
- coastalanglermag.com/quite-the-mix/ (opens in a new tab)
- masterbaitandtackle.com/pages/about-us (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gag-grouper-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gray-triggerfish-0226/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/greater-amberjack-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/recreational-red-snapper-0926/ (opens in a new tab)
- santivachronicle.com/news/island-fishing-report-prime-time-for-redfish-in-october/ (opens in a new tab)
- floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/lovers-key-state-park (opens in a new tab)
- leefl.gov/parking (opens in a new tab)
- visitfortmyers.com/listing/get-hooked-charter-fishing/52562 (opens in a new tab)
- visitfortmyers.com/visit/editorial/fort-myers-fishing-competitions-and-tournaments (opens in a new tab)
- visitfortmyers.com/visit/editorial/go-fish-fort-myers (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Bonita Springs
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.