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Port guide / Florida Panhandle / Florida
Niceville fishing guide
Niceville is a bay town on the north shore of Choctawhatchee Bay, built around Boggy Bayou and Rocky Bayou, with no Gulf beach of its own. That is the big difference from the Destin guide: here you fish the bayous and open bay for reds, trout, flounder, black drum and sheepshead, and Gulf trips mean a run across the bay and out East Pass. Rocky Bayou is a state aquatic preserve with a boat ramp inside Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park.
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 Niceville. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Valparaiso, FL (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Pensacola, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Western Choctawhatchee Bay (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Niceville. 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: Great Days Outdoors Northwest Florida Fishing Report (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 Niceville. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Speckled trout | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Flounder | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Slow |
| Sheepshead | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Good | Peak | Good |
| Black drum | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Jack crevalle | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Red snapper | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
Redfish
Peak: April, May, June, September, October
Boggy Bayou and the open bay hold reds, best in spring and again in September and October.
Speckled trout
Peak: April, May, June, September, October
Trout are a Boggy Bayou and Choctawhatchee Bay staple, and Panhandle trout harvest is closed in February.
Flounder
Peak: May, June, November
Boggy Bayou gives up flounder, best in May, June and November, but harvest is closed Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
Sheepshead
Peak: March, April, May, September, November
Choctawhatchee Bay is known for sheepshead, best March through May, September and November.
Black drum
Peak: April, May, June
Black drum are in the bay all year and best from April through June.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: May, June, July, August
Spanish are one of the most targeted fish on Niceville trips from May through August.
Jack crevalle
Peak: June, July, August
Jacks peak from June through August.
Red snapper
Peak: May, June, July, August
The top species on Niceville charters, caught after the run out East Pass to the Gulf reefs during the open season.
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, private recreational, Gulf state and federal waters off Florida
Open May 22 to July 31 daily; Sept. 1 to Oct. 4 daily; Oct. 9 to 22 daily; then Oct. 23 to 25, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, Nov. 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22, Nov. 26 to 29 (Thanksgiving weekend), Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20, Dec. 25 to 27 (Christmas weekend), and Jan. 1 to 4, 2027. Also applies to charter boats without a federal permit fishing Gulf state waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, federal for-hire (charter boats with a federal reef fish permit)
Opened 12:01 a.m. June 1, 2026, and closed 12:01 a.m. Oct. 26, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf state waters
Open Sept. 1 to 30, 2026; harvest closed Oct. 1 for the rest of the year.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, federal waters
Open 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1, 2026, to 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red, black and scamp grouper, Gulf
Open year-round in state waters; in federal waters closed Feb. 1 to March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, Gulf state waters
Open Sept. 1 through Oct. 13, 2026; closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, federal waters
Open Sept. 1, 2026, to 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14, 2026, then closed until the next season starts Sept. 1, 2027.
NOAA Fisheries, 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)
Flounder, state and federal waters off Florida
Closed every year Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
FWC, annual, applies to 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Spotted seatrout, Panhandle Region
Closed in February; open March 1 through Jan. 31.
FWC, annual, applies to 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Bay
Boggy Bayou
The bayou at Niceville and Valparaiso is the local spot for redfish, speckled trout and flounder.
- Bay
Rocky Bayou
A 367 acre aquatic preserve off Choctawhatchee Bay inside Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, popular for boating and saltwater fishing.
- Bay
Choctawhatchee Bay
The open bay off Niceville holds redfish, speckled trout and sheepshead.
- Pass
East Pass
The way out to the Gulf for Niceville boats, and a spot for redfish, snapper and cobia.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swift Bayou Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 213 Edrehi Avenue, Niceville, FL |
| Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park boat ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 4281 State Road 20, Niceville, FL 32578 |
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.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Broke Tip Charter (Capt. Kent, via Captain Experiences) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| High Flying Saltwater Charters (Capt. Wes, via Captain Experiences) (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Destin Fishing Rodeo (opens in a new tab)
all of October, across the bay in Destin
2026: Oct. 1 to 31Take a Kid Fishing Day at the Okaloosa Island Pier (opens in a new tab)
every September; kids under 18 fish free
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Niceville, asked and answered
What can I catch around Niceville?
Boggy Bayou and Choctawhatchee Bay hold redfish, speckled trout, flounder, sheepshead and black drum, with Spanish mackerel and jacks in summer. Red snapper means a run out East Pass to the Gulf.
Where can I launch a boat in Niceville?
Okaloosa County runs the Swift Bayou Boat Ramp at 213 Edrehi Avenue, and Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park on State Road 20 has a boat ramp for a $5 per vehicle park fee.
When is the best time to fish Niceville for redfish and trout?
April through June and again in September and October are the peak months for both, and they can be caught all year. Panhandle trout harvest is closed in February.
Is flounder season open in the fall?
November is a peak flounder month, but Florida closes flounder harvest every year Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Niceville
Sources for this guide (15), last checked 2026-10-27
- captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/niceville (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/niceville/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/flounder/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/groupers/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snappers/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/ (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)
- myokaloosa.gov/fpm/parks/list (opens in a new tab)
- theislandpier.com/events.php (opens in a new tab)
- destinfwb.com/event/78th-annual-destin-fishing-rodeo/50881/ (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gag-recreational-season-federal- (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gulf-america-red-snapper-recreat (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/recreational-fishing-season-length-announcement-greater-amberj (opens in a new tab)
- floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fred-gannon-rocky-bayou-state-park (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Niceville
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.