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Port guide / Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida / Florida
Punta Gorda fishing guide
Punta Gorda sits where the Peace River empties into the head of Charlotte Harbor, so most of its fishing is brackish upper-harbor water: the US 41 and I-75 bridges, the Punta Gorda Isles canals, Alligator Creek and the mangrove keys and bars along the east shore. Compared with Boca Grande at the harbor mouth, this is a river-mouth and backcountry fishery where juvenile tarpon live in the Peace and Myakka rivers and redfish school on the east-side bars in fall. The Gulf passes and nearshore reefs are a long run down the harbor.
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 Punta Gorda. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Punta Gorda, FL (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Fort Myers, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Punta Gorda. 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: Fishin' Frank's place-by-place fishing report (opens in a new tab) Coastal Angler Fort Myers Fishing Reports (opens in a new tab) Captain Experiences Englewood guide reports (Punta Gorda captains) (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 Punta Gorda. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak |
| Snook | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Spotted seatrout | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak |
| Black drum | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Slow |
| Sheepshead | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| Mangrove snapper | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Slow | Slow |
Redfish
Peak: March, April, May, October, November, December
Fall schools work the east-side keys, Pirate Harbor, Alligator Creek and the Burnt Store bar; big reds push the bars on the east side of the harbor.
Snook
Peak: March, April, October, November
In fall they move up the rivers and into the canals, bridges and mangroves of the upper harbor; low light is best.
Tarpon
Peak: April, May, June
Juveniles live in the brackish water and canals of the Peace and Myakka rivers, and adults stay in the harbor until the first chilly mornings.
Spotted seatrout
Peak: January, February, December
Grass flats in the mid and upper harbor, with fish dropping into deeper water when it turns cold.
Black drum
Around the I-75 bridge pilings and in the Punta Gorda Isles canals, often visible but hard to catch.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: November
Some of the fall run swings into the harbor around bait schools, outside the bars and on Alligator Creek Reef.
Sheepshead
Peak: January, February, March
Around oyster bars, seawalls and pilings, moving to reefs and markers to spawn in late winter and early spring.
Mangrove snapper
Small ones around Ponce de Leon Park and the canals, with more on the north end of Alligator Creek Reef.
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), fall
Remaining open days: 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. Earlier fall days ran Sept. 23 to Oct. 4 and Oct. 9 to 25.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf state waters
Recreational season was open Sept. 1 through Sept. 30 and closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1. FWC says this matches the season NOAA set for adjacent federal waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, Gulf state waters
Recreational season was open 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 (includes the Peace and Myakka rivers)
Harvest is closed Dec. 1 through the end of February and May 1 through Sept. 30, so harvest 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)
Red drum, Charlotte Harbor region
Open year-round. Bag, slot and vessel limits are set by region, check FWC.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Spotted seatrout, Charlotte Harbor region
Open year-round under the new regional rules FWC adopted in 2026.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Tarpon
Catch and release only statewide. Fish over 40 inches must stay in the water unless you hold a tarpon tag for a record attempt.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Bridge
US 41 bridges and Live Oak Point
Snook and a few redfish around Live Oak Point, with tarpon rolling near the bridges.
- Bridge
I-75 bridges (boat only)
Black drum and snook on the pilings, small tarpon around, and redfish at the north and south ends.
- Channel
Punta Gorda Isles canals
Lots of little snook, jacks, black drum and rolling baby tarpon in the canal system.
- Flats
Alligator Creek, Poachers Cut and the Skating Rink
Snook at the creek mouth and redfish scattered from the Skating Rink west along the shoreline.
- Flats
East side keys and Pirate Harbor
Redfish around the islands and creek mouths, with trout and juvenile tarpon in Pirate Harbor.
- Flats
Burnt Store bar and Two Pines
Good numbers of redfish along the bar and mangrove shorelines, often mixed with mullet schools.
- Reef
Alligator Creek Reef
Artificial reef off Punta Gorda with Spanish mackerel, mangrove snapper and small goliath grouper.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laishley Park Municipal Marina ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | 120 Laishley Ct., Punta Gorda, FL 33950 |
| Ponce de Leon Park (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | 3400 Ponce de Leon Pkwy., Punta Gorda, FL |
| Ponce de Leon Park main fishing pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | 3400 Ponce de Leon Pkwy., Punta Gorda, FL |
| Harbour Heights Park (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 27420 Voyageur Dr., Punta Gorda, FL |
| Darst Park (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | 537 Darst Ave., Punta Gorda, FL |
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
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Downtown Bait & Tackle
Bait: live shrimp, frozen mullet, squid
Laishley Park Municipal Marina, 120 Laishley Ct., Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Ramp-side at the Laishley marina boat ramp with Penn, Star and Shimano rods, reels, tackle, ice and snacks; also runs fishing charters and rentals.
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Fishin' Frank's Bait & Tackle
Bait: live shrimp, live crabs, live fish, worms, minnows, nightcrawlers, shiners, frozen shrimp, frozen mullet, frozen sardines, frozen crabs, frozen ballyhoo, sand fleas, clams
4200 Tamiami Trail, Unit P, Port Charlotte, FL 33952
Across the Peace River on US 41; opens 6 a.m. daily and posts a weekly place-by-place Charlotte Harbor fishing report.
- Bait and tackle
TNT Bait & Tackle
14369 Pambar Ave., Port Charlotte, FL 33953
Locally owned shop across from the El Jobean Fishing Pier on the Myakka River.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Reel Rich Fishing Charters (Capt. Rich Damianos) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Hunter Brown Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Fly Fishing FL (Capt. Roger Gendron) (opens in a new tab) | Fly |
| Downtown Bait & Tackle charters (opens in a new tab) | Ask when you book |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
World's Richest Tarpon Tournament (Boca Grande) (opens in a new tab)
usually mid to late May
2027: May 20 and 21Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament (Boca Grande) (opens in a new tab)
usually early May, at the start of tarpon season
2026: May 8
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Punta Gorda, asked and answered
Where can I launch a boat in Punta Gorda?
The free ramps are at Laishley Park Municipal Marina on Laishley Court, which partially reopened in September 2026, Ponce de Leon Park on Ponce de Leon Parkway, which also has a fishing pier, and Darst Park on Darst Avenue. Harbour Heights Park on Voyageur Drive is a paid Charlotte County ramp.
Can I keep a snook in Punta Gorda or up the Peace River?
Yes in March, April, October and November. Punta Gorda and the Peace and Myakka rivers are in FWC's Charlotte Harbor snook region, which is closed Dec. 1 through February and May 1 through Sept. 30, and you need a snook permit with your license.
Where are the juvenile tarpon around Punta Gorda?
Juvenile tarpon live in the brackish water and dark canals of the Peace and Myakka rivers, and baby tarpon roll in the Punta Gorda Isles canals. The big migratory fish peak April through June.
Where can I buy live bait in Punta Gorda?
Downtown Bait & Tackle sits at the Laishley marina ramp and lists live shrimp daily, but its reopening after the hurricanes was not confirmed, so call first. Fishin' Frank's on Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte carries live shrimp, crabs, fish and shiners and opens at 6 a.m.
When is redfish season best around Punta Gorda?
October through December and March through May are the peak months. In fall, reds school around the east-side keys, Pirate Harbor, Alligator Creek and the Burnt Store bar.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Punta Gorda
Sources for this guide (23), last checked 2026-10-27
- bocagrandechamber.com/ladies-day-tarpon-tournament/ (opens in a new tab)
- bocagrandechamber.com/worlds-richest-tarpon-tournament/ (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/charlotte_harbor/pages/boat_ramps.html (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/charlotte_harbor/pages/sport_fish.html (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/red-drum/ (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/fishing/saltwater/recreational/tarpon/ (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)
- fishinfranks.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- fishinfranks.com/fishin_report.htm (opens in a new tab)
- floridasportsman.com/editorial/southwest-tackle-stores/397299 (opens in a new tab)
- fox4now.com/punta-gorda/punta-gordas-ponce-de-leon-park-to-reopen-on-friday (opens in a new tab)
- gulfshorebusiness.com/charlotte/laishley-park-marina-reopens-with-limited-slip-availabilit (opens in a new tab)
- pureflorida.com/blog/post/lets-go-fishing-top-species-to-catch-in-charlotte-harbor/ (opens in a new tab)
- pureflorida.com/listings/downtown-bait-and-tackle/1077/ (opens in a new tab)
- pureflorida.com/listings/fly-fishing-fl/4367/ (opens in a new tab)
- pureflorida.com/listings/hunter-brown-charters-llc/2419/ (opens in a new tab)
- pureflorida.com/listings/reel-rich-fishing-charters/2420/ (opens in a new tab)
- pureflorida.com/things-to-do/fishing/fishing-forecast/fishing-forecast-october/ (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Punta Gorda
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.