Florida fishing calendar: what's biting each month
Twelve months of freshwater and coastal fishing in Florida — seasonal bites, spawning runs and what's biting each month.
Month-by-month fishing in Florida
January
Northeast Florida's American shad return from the ocean to spawn, typically from late December through early April, according to FWC. On the St. Johns River, try small bright spoons or flies where access and current allow a controlled presentation. Black crappie provide a lake alternative in the cooler months, with minnows or small jigs worked at several depths until a school is located.
Key targets: American Shad · Black Crappie · Florida Bass
February
Florida's black crappie, often called specks or speckled perch, are a cooler-month target rather than an ice-fishing species here. FWC recommends minnows, grass shrimp and jigs at Lake Lochloosa, beginning offshore and moving toward vegetation as spring approaches. Drift or slowly work a jig at changing depths, while checking the chosen lake's access and special rules before settling on a bank or launch.
Key targets: Black Crappie · Florida Bass · Bluegill
March
In central Florida's Winter Haven Chain, FWC describes bass spawning from as early as January through April depending on water temperature. Work soft plastics near cattails, bulrush or Kissimmee grass, or cast a spinnerbait along an accessible vegetation edge. This is a regional window rather than one statewide spawning date; crappie moving into shoreline cover provide another option as the water warms.
Key targets: Florida Bass · Black Crappie · Redear Sunfish
April
Spring warming expands panfish choices around central and southern lake vegetation. FWC describes bluegill and redear fishing at Lake Istokpoga improving in late spring and remaining useful through summer, with crickets or grass shrimp under a float for bluegill and worms near bottom for shellcrackers. Work several patches of bulrush, pads or cattails rather than assuming every shoreline holds bedding fish.
Key targets: Bluegill · Redear Sunfish · Florida Bass
May
As coastal water warms, tarpon become a larger part of the trip-planning picture, with FWC describing spawning from May through September and summer distribution around Florida's coast. Present a suitable fly, lure or natural bait with tackle matched to the fish and location. South Florida and the Keys provide coastal options, but tarpon handling rules and locally variable snook seasons require a current check.
Key targets: Tarpon · Common Snook · Red Drum
June
Bluegill spawn through summer in Florida, congregating over shallow sandy nesting areas, FWC explains. Fish a worm or cricket beneath a float with a small hook, or cast a small beetle spin along nearby cover. Plan the day's exit as carefully as the first cast: the National Weather Service identifies June as part of the developing thunderstorm season in west-central and southwest Florida.
Key targets: Bluegill · Redear Sunfish · Florida Bass
July
FWC recommends summer channel catfish in deeper water at Fish Orlando urban ponds such as Barnett Park Frog Pond and Bear Creek. Fish a bottom bait early or late near the signed feeding areas or aerator diffusers, while respecting site access hours. Bass anglers on the larger Orlando lakes can investigate deeper vegetation edges instead of remaining on exposed shallow banks throughout the heat.
Key targets: Channel Catfish · Florida Bass · Bluegill
August
In west-central and southwest Florida, NWS places the peak rainy-season period from July into early September, with frequent lightning still a hazard. Choose a short fishing window with a clear route to shelter and check the forecast before launching. For bass around Orlando, FWC suggests deeper vegetation edges and finesse presentations during warm conditions, with topwater opportunities early or late when weather allows.
Key targets: Florida Bass · Channel Catfish · Bluegill
September
FWC places red drum spawning broadly from August through December around passes, inlets and lagoon estuaries. That seasonal biology helps explain autumn coastal interest, but does not replace regional fishing rules. Try a live shrimp under a popping cork or a soft-bodied jig in suitable inshore habitat, and check local redfish and seatrout regulations before planning to retain any fish.
Key targets: Red Drum · Spotted Seatrout · Common Snook
October
Autumn flounder movement requires a rules check before a coastal trip: FWC's October 2025 notice explained that its seasonal harvest closure protects pre-spawning aggregations. Confirm the current year's opening and gear rules instead of treating the run as permission to keep fish. Red drum remain an alternative to investigate in appropriate inshore habitat with a shrimp rig or jig, subject to their regional rules.
Key targets: Southern Flounder · Red Drum · Spotted Seatrout
November
FWC's fall 2026 Lake Okeechobee forecast expects black crappie fishing to improve in November and December as fish prepare to spawn. Search vegetation edges with suspended minnows or jigs, changing depth and moving until fish are located. Florida bass also use the lake's vegetation, while current water levels and navigation hazards should guide launch choice rather than relying on an earlier season's route.
Key targets: Black Crappie · Florida Bass · Bluegill
December
FWC describes December through April as the Everglades' relatively dry period, when lower water can push fish from marshes toward deeper pools and bordering canals. Work a soft plastic or minnow imitation along accessible cover for bass, or small baits for sunfish. Actual rainfall and water-control operations affect the concentration, so use current conditions rather than assuming every canal fishes the same way.
Key targets: Florida Bass · Bluegill · Redear Sunfish · Chain Pickerel
Year at a glance
| Month | Season / Pattern | Key species |
|---|---|---|
| January | Shad and specks | American Shad, Black Crappie, Florida Bass |
| February | Coolwater crappie focus | Black Crappie, Florida Bass, Bluegill |
| March | Bass around vegetation | Florida Bass, Black Crappie, Redear Sunfish |
| April | Panfish warming up | Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Florida Bass |
| May | Coastal tarpon options | Tarpon, Common Snook, Red Drum |
| June | Bluegill beds and weather | Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Florida Bass |
| July | Catfish early or late | Channel Catfish, Florida Bass, Bluegill |
| August | Heat and storm planning | Florida Bass, Channel Catfish, Bluegill |
| September | Redfish autumn habitat | Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, Common Snook |
| October | Movement and closures | Southern Flounder, Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout |
| November | Specks regain attention | Black Crappie, Florida Bass, Bluegill |
| December | Everglades dry season | Florida Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Chain Pickerel |
Sources
- FWC: American Shad
- FWC: Crappie Fishing
- FWC: Black Bass Fishing
- FWC: Crappie and Associated Panfish Destinations
- FWC: Tarpon Profile
- FWC: Bluegill
- NWS Tampa Bay: Florida Thunderstorm Season
- FWC: Fish Orlando
- NWS Melbourne: Lightning Rules
- FWC: Red Drum Profile
- FWC: October 2025 Flounder Closure Notice
- FWC: Lake Okeechobee Fall 2026 Forecast
- FWC: Freshwater Fisheries Habitat
Sources: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission · State fisheries calendar records. Checked: Nov 3, 2026. Official links open the agency page. How we use data