Fort Myers fishing calendar
What’s biting each month, and the best months to book.
Plan your Fort Myers fishing trip with our month-by-month calendar for snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, tarpon, sheepshead and Spanish mackerel. Peak means the best fishing of the year, Good means steady fishing and Fair means possible but slower.
When is the best time to fish in Fort Myers?
The best fishing in Fort Myers is Apr–May and Oct–Nov, when snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, tarpon and Spanish mackerel are at their peak. There is something to catch all year: winter is best for spotted seatrout, sheepshead and largemouth bass; spring is best for snook, spotted seatrout and tarpon; summer is best for snook, redfish and tarpon; fall is best for snook, redfish and spotted seatrout.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): best for spotted seatrout, sheepshead and largemouth bass; also redfish and grouper.
- Spring (Mar–May): best for snook, spotted seatrout, tarpon and sheepshead; also redfish, grouper and mangrove snapper.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): best for snook, redfish, tarpon and mangrove snapper; also spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel and grouper.
- Fall (Sep–Nov): best for snook, redfish, spotted seatrout and Spanish mackerel; also sheepshead, cobia and largemouth bass.
Fort Myers fishing calendar by month
How good the fishing is for each fish, month by month. Tap a fish for our full guide.
- Peak best fishing of the year
- Good steady fishing
- Fair possible, but slower
- – slow, out of season or closed
| Fish | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inshore | ||||||||||||
| Snook | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Spotted seatrout | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak |
| Tarpon | Fair | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | ||||||
| Sheepshead | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | ||||
| Spanish mackerel | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Good | Fair | ||
| Offshore | ||||||||||||
| Grouper | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Mangrove snapper | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair |
| King mackerel (kingfish) | Good | Peak | Peak | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Peak | Peak | Fair | ||
| Cobia | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Fair | |
| Bass (freshwater) | ||||||||||||
| Largemouth bass | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Peak |
Seasons, size limits and bag limits change every year: see FWC saltwater rules and FWC freshwater rules. Snook and some other fish are catch-and-release in closed months.
What’s biting each month in Fort Myers
Swipe to see every month →
January
Peak Spotted seatrout, Sheepshead and Largemouth bass
Good Redfish and Grouper
February
Peak Spotted seatrout, Sheepshead and Largemouth bass
Good Redfish and Grouper
March
Peak Spotted seatrout, Sheepshead and Largemouth bass
Good Snook, Redfish, Spanish mackerel, Grouper, King mackerel (kingfish) and Cobia
April
Peak Snook, Spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, King mackerel (kingfish) and Cobia
Good Redfish, Sheepshead, Grouper, Mangrove snapper and Largemouth bass
May
Peak Snook, Tarpon, Spanish mackerel, King mackerel (kingfish) and Cobia
Good Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Grouper, Mangrove snapper and Largemouth bass
June
Peak Snook, Tarpon and Mangrove snapper
Good Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, Grouper and Cobia
July
Peak Snook, Tarpon and Mangrove snapper
Good Redfish, Spanish mackerel and Grouper
August
Peak Snook, Redfish and Mangrove snapper
Good Tarpon, Spanish mackerel and Grouper
September
Peak Snook, Redfish and Mangrove snapper
Good Spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, Grouper and Largemouth bass
October
Peak Snook, Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, Grouper and King mackerel (kingfish)
Good Mangrove snapper, Cobia and Largemouth bass
November
Peak Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Grouper and King mackerel (kingfish)
Good Snook, Sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, Cobia and Largemouth bass
December
Peak Spotted seatrout, Sheepshead and Largemouth bass
Good Redfish and Grouper
Best months for each fish in Fort Myers
- Snook: best Apr–Oct; good Mar–Nov.
- Redfish: best Aug–Nov; good all year.
- Spotted seatrout: best Oct–Apr; good Sep–Jun.
- Tarpon: best May–Jul; good May–Aug.
- Sheepshead: best Dec–Mar; good Nov–Apr.
- Spanish mackerel: best Apr–May and Oct; good Mar–Nov.
- Grouper: best Oct–Nov; good all year.
- Mangrove snapper: best Jun–Sep; good Apr–Oct.
- King mackerel (kingfish): best Apr–May and Oct–Nov; good Mar–May and Oct–Nov.
- Cobia: best Apr–May; good Mar–Jun and Oct–Nov.
- Largemouth bass: best Dec–Mar; good Sep–May.
Reviews from Fort Myers trips
5.02 reviews
Fishing
Had a great day fishing with my dad over the last couple of days. Bass online & iOutdoors took us out bass fishing and saltwater fishing. The first day catching Peacock bass down near the everglades. Lost count how many fish. We then went in the bay inshore fishing for redfish and snook and caught…
John M · February 2021
Fun Place to Fish
One of the many place you can catch big bass, Snook and tarpon on the same trip if your lucky. River provides a great experience to do that!
Chris Shepard · January 2020
Fort Myers fishing calendar FAQ
When is the best time to fish in Fort Myers?
The best fishing in Fort Myers is Apr–May and Oct–Nov, when snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, tarpon and Spanish mackerel are at their peak. There is something to catch all year: winter is best for spotted seatrout, sheepshead and largemouth bass; spring is best for snook, spotted seatrout and tarpon; summer is best for snook, redfish and tarpon; fall is best for snook, redfish and spotted seatrout.
What fish are biting in Fort Myers in winter?
From December to February, spotted seatrout, sheepshead and largemouth bass are at their best, and redfish and grouper are good. Pick calm days between cold fronts.
What fish are biting in Fort Myers in summer?
From June to August, snook, redfish, tarpon and mangrove snapper are at their best, and spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, grouper and cobia are good. Book an early start to beat the heat and afternoon storms.
What is the best month for snook in Fort Myers?
Snook fishing in Fort Myers is best Apr–Oct, and good Mar–Nov.
When is the best time for grouper in Fort Myers?
Grouper fishing in Fort Myers is best Oct–Nov, and good all year.
Do fishing seasons and limits apply in Fort Myers?
Yes. Some fish have closed seasons, size limits and bag limits that change from year to year. Months marked “–” on this calendar are slow, out of season or usually closed. Your captain follows the current rules; check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for this year’s dates.
How do I book a fishing trip in Fort Myers?
Pick your trip and date on the Fort Myers fishing charters page and book online with a local captain. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before your trip, and a full refund or free reschedule if the captain cancels for weather. Questions? Call or text (407) 392-4593.