4 FL Fishing Spots Among America’s Best; Before You Fish, Know Laws

FLORIDA — You don’t have to look too far ahead on the calendar for days to hang out the “gone fishing” sign — and fortunately for anglers, Florida has few places to cast their lines on an inventory of 100 best places to fish in America.

The ranking from fishing equipment outfitter ABU Garcia includes rivers, lakes, reservoirs and obscure backyard fishing holes.

In Florida, the top-ranked fishing spot is Lake Tohopekaliga, No. 19 on the list.

The lake has a reliable stock of largemouth bass, with catfish, bluegill and black crappie the most popular among anglers. The best season to fish is February through March, as well as during the summertime.

Also on the list:

• The St. Johns River, which ranked 23, has a reliable stock of largemouth bass, with striped bass, crappie, bluegill and perch the most popular among anglers. The best season to fish is fall through early spring.
• The Lake Okeechobee, which ranked 36, has a reliable stock of largemouth bass, with crappie, bluegill and catfish the most popular among anglers. The best season to fish is April through June.
• The Lake Seminole, which ranked 57, has a reliable stock of largemouth bass, with striped bass, crappie and crappie the most popular among anglers. The best season to fish is year round depending on species targeted.

Before you plan an excursion, make sure you know the fishing laws in Florida — or anywhere else you plan to fish.

In Florida, a license is required for residents and non-residents to fish in freshwater and saltwater, per state law.

To get a fishing license, the following fees are applicable:

• A resident must pay an annual freshwater fishing license fee of $17 or
• A five-year fishing license fee of $79.
• A resident youth (ages 8–15) must pay an annual freshwater fishing license fee of $17.
• A resident must pay an annual saltwater fishing license fee of $17 or
• A five-year saltwater fishing license fee of $79.
• A resident may fish saltwater from the shoreline free of charge.
• A non-resident must pay an annual freshwater fishing license fee of $47 or
• Three-day fishing license fee of $17
• Seven-day fishing license fee of $30.
• A non-resident must pay an annual saltwater fishing license fee of $47 or
• Three-day fishing license fee of $17
• Seven-day fishing license fee of $30.

ABU Garcia said it brought together a panel of professional anglers, industry experts and everyday fishing enthusiasts to whittle to 100 the list of nominated fishing spots.

The top 10 places to fish in America are:

1. St. Lawrence River: New York
2. Lake St. Clair: Michigan
3. Lake Erie: Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Michigan
4. Red River: North Dakota and Minnesota
5. Santee Cooper: South Carolina
6. Lake Guntersville: Alabama
7. Sam Rayburn Reservoir: Texas
8. Clear Lake: California
9. Lake Fork: Texas
10. Lake Chickamauga: Tennessee