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Port guide / Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida / Florida

Marco Island fishing guide

Marco Island sits at the top of the Ten Thousand Islands, so where Naples is mostly beaches, Naples Bay and nearshore reefs, Marco anglers are a short run from Caxambas Park or Goodland into mangrove islands, oyster bars, deep pass holes and the northern rivers like the Pumpkin, Wood and East. The passes hold black drum, Spanish mackerel and cobia when the water cools, and big snook, tarpon and goliath grouper move in as it warms, while trout, pompano, snapper and ladyfish are around most of the year. All of Marco falls in FWC's Southwest snook region, and the Goodland and Caxambas side gives you a quicker shot at the backcountry than any Naples ramp.

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

  1. 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 Marco Island. Updates through the day.

  1. Loading the 7 day forecast.

NOAA tides, Marco Island, Caxambas Pass, FL NOAA station Fort Myers, FL NWS 7 day forecast NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from Chokoloskee to Bonita Beach FL out 20 NM

12 ft, the chart

Chart and depths

The official NOAA chart, centered on Marco Island. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.

The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.

NOAA electronic navigational chart: soundings, depth contours, channels, markers and hazards. Zoom in to see more soundings. Not for navigation. Open NOAA ENC Online

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.

  1. Checking the latest reports.

Report sources: Coastal Angler Naples Fishing Forecasts

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.

Run a shop or charter here? Send a report

20 ft, what is biting

What is biting, month by month

When each fish is at its best around Marco Island. This month is marked.

SpeciesJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Snook
Tarpon
Redfish
Spotted seatrout
Black drum
Spanish mackerel
Cobia
Pompano
Mangrove snapper
Goliath grouper

  • Snook

    Peak: May, June, July, August, September

    The biggest snook move into the passes as the water warms, and they also work the flats, river mouths, beaches and bridges once the water is above 60 degrees.

    Source 1 Source 2

  • Tarpon

    Peak: May, June, July, August, September

    Large numbers of big tarpon move into the passes in the warm months and often crash ladyfish schools on the outside flats from spring through fall.

    Source 1

  • Redfish

    Reds cruise the grass flats off the outside barrier islands and the oyster bars in the bays, and the Marco Sportfishing Club made redfish its October fish of the month.

    Source 1 Source 2

  • Spotted seatrout

    Trout are a near year-round catch on the flats off the islands, often on light spinning gear where you will also run into ladyfish.

    Source 1

  • Black drum

    Peak: January, February, March, November, December

    The largest black drum move into the deep pass holes in the cooler months.

    Source 1

  • Spanish mackerel

    Peak: January, February, March, November, December

    Mackerel push into the passes when it cools off and also hold on nearshore structure within sight of land.

    Source 1

  • Cobia

    Peak: January, February, March, November, December

    A cooler-month fish in the passes, and also found on the natural and artificial structure just offshore.

    Source 1

  • Pompano

    Pompano are around almost all year on the flats and sandy edges off the barrier islands.

    Source 1

  • Mangrove snapper

    Snapper are a given almost year-round in the passes and on nearshore structure.

    Source 1

  • Goliath grouper

    Peak: June, July, August

    Goliaths move into the passes and nearshore structure as the water warms and will grab a hooked cobia, permit or snook, but harvest needs an FWC permit.

    Source 1 Source 2

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 dates after Oct. 9 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. For-hire boats without a federal permit are limited to Gulf state waters.

    FWC, 2026 Official page

  • Gag grouper, Gulf state and federal waters (excluding Monroe County state waters)

    Open Sept. 1 to 30, 2026, and closed from Oct. 1 for the rest of the year.

    FWC, 2026 Official page

  • Red, black, scamp, yellowfin and yellowmouth grouper, Gulf

    Open year-round in Gulf state waters; in Gulf federal waters they are closed Feb. 1 to March 31 seaward of the 20-fathom break.

    FWC, current FWC rule Official page

  • Greater amberjack, Gulf state waters

    Open Sept. 1 through Oct. 13, 2026, and closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14, matching adjacent federal waters.

    FWC, 2026 Official page

  • Gray triggerfish, Gulf state and federal waters

    Open March 1 to May 31 and Aug. 1 to Dec. 31.

    FWC, 2026 Official page

  • Snook, Southwest region

    Closed Dec. 1 through the end of February and May 1 through Sept. 30, open the rest of the year. A snook permit is required to keep one.

    FWC, current FWC rule (annual) Official page

  • Goliath grouper

    Harvest prohibited without a permit from the FWC Goliath Harvest Program.

    FWC, current FWC rule Official page

  • Tarpon

    Catch and release only, year-round. Tarpon over 40 inches must stay in the water unless you hold a tarpon tag for a record attempt.

    FWC, current FWC rule Official page

40 ft, where to fish

Where to fish

  • Pass

    Ten Thousand Islands passes

    Tide scours holes over 20 feet deep between the islands, with black drum, mackerel and cobia in the cool months and tarpon, goliaths and the biggest snook in the warm months.

    Source

  • Flats

    Outside barrier island beaches and flats

    Grass flats just off the island beaches hold snook, redfish, trout, pompano and flounder for sight fishing, with tarpon and sharks hunting the edges.

    Source

  • Marsh

    Pumpkin, Little Wood, Wood and East rivers

    The northern rivers dump into big bays ringed by islands, so fish the oyster bars, cuts, mangrove overhangs and rips.

    Source

  • Bay

    Goodland Bay

    The county boating park on Goodland Bay has a fishing pier and fish cleaning station and runs straight into the Ten Thousand Islands and the Gulf.

    Source

  • Reef

    Nearshore structure

    Natural and artificial structure within sight of land holds cobia, snook, goliaths, mackerel, kingfish, snapper and permit for an inside-outside day.

    Source

50 ft, launch and piers

Ramps and piers

Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.

NameTypeFeeWhere
Caxambas ParkRampPaid909 Collier Court, Marco Island, FL 34145
Goodland Boating ParkRampPaid740 Palm Point Drive, Marco Island, FL 34140
Goodland Boating Park fishing pierPierCheck740 Palm Point Drive, Marco Island, FL 34140
Collier Boulevard Boating ParkRampPaid3620 Collier Blvd., Naples, FL 34113
MarGood Harbor Park canoe and kayak launchRampPaid321 Pear Tree Avenue, Goodland, FL 34140
Calusa Island Marina boat rampRampCheck385 Angler Dr, Goodland, FL 34140

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 (3)

Showing all 3 shops

Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.

Charters and guides

CharterFishing
Fins-N-Grins Charter FishingInshore
Rose Marina charter fleetAsk when you book
Backcountry Guide Service (Capt. Ken Chambers, Calusa Island)Inshore
Capt. Aron Blaisdell (Calusa Island)Ask when you book
Sea Gone Fishing (Calusa Island)Ask when you book
Glades Fly Fishing (Capt. Paul Nocifora, Calusa Island)Fly

70 ft, on the calendar

Tournaments and events

Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.

80 ft, asked and answered

Fishing Marco Island, asked and answered

Where can I launch a boat on Marco Island?

Collier County runs Caxambas Park at 909 Collier Court on the island, Goodland Boating Park at 740 Palm Point Drive, and Collier Boulevard Boating Park at 3620 Collier Blvd. in Naples. Launching a motorized boat costs $10 a day at county boat parks, and Calusa Island Marina in Goodland also has a ramp open to the public.

Can I keep a snook around Marco Island?

Marco is in FWC's Southwest snook region, where harvest is closed Dec. 1 through the end of February and May 1 through Sept. 30. Outside those closures you can keep a snook within FWC's slot and bag limit, and you need a snook permit on top of your saltwater license.

What bites around Marco in the winter?

When the water cools, black drum, Spanish mackerel and cobia move into the deep passes of the Ten Thousand Islands. Trout, pompano and snapper are around almost all year on the flats and in the passes.

When do the big snook and tarpon show up?

As things warm up, large numbers of big tarpon and the biggest snook move into the passes, along with goliath grouper. Tarpon also chase ladyfish on the outside flats from spring through fall.

Is red snapper still open this year?

The Gulf private recreational season has weekend and holiday openings left in 2026: 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. Private-vessel anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation.

90 ft, the kit

What we would take to Marco Island

Save $10.00

No. 01 · Headwear

Catfish Hunter

$30.00 $20.00In stock
Fishy Performance hooded fishing shirt in gray camo, front view Save $15.00

No. 02 · Fishing Shirts

Fishy Performance Hooded Fishing Shirt

$40.00 $25.00Large to XXXL in stock
Choose size

No. 03 · Accessories

Hogfish Sticker

$2.50In stock
Black Performance Rope fishing hat with rope detail, front view Sold out

No. 04 · Headwear

Black Performance Rope

$30.00Sold out
View details
Sources for this guide (17), last checked 2026-10-27
  1. msci.wildapricot.org/
  2. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/groupers/
  3. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/
  4. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/tarpon/
  5. myfwc.com/news/all-news/gray-triggerfish-0226/
  6. myfwc.com/news/all-news/greater-amberjack-0826/
  7. myfwc.com/news/all-news/recreational-red-snapper-0926/
  8. safeharbor.com/locations/safe-harbor-calusa-island/
  9. collierparks.com/Parks-and-Beaches/Boat-Parks/Boat-Ramp-Permits
  10. collierparks.com/Parks-and-Beaches/Boat-Parks/Caxambas-Park
  11. collierparks.com/Parks-and-Beaches/Boat-Parks/Collier-Boulevard-Boating-Park
  12. collierparks.com/Parks-and-Beaches/Boat-Parks/Goodland-Boating-Park
  13. finemagazine.com/business/marco-island-bait-tackle/
  14. paradisecoast.com/Articles/Fishing-the-Ten-Thousand-Islands
  15. paradisecoast.com/Articles/Snook-Fishing-in-Southwest-Florida
  16. paradisecoast.com/Business-Directory/Rose-Marina
  17. paradisecoast.com/listing/calusa-island-marina

100 ft, the seabed

Gear up for Marco Island

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.

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