Homosassa · Fishing calendar

Homosassa fishing calendar

What’s biting each month, and the best months to book.

Best months: Apr–May and Oct–Nov9 fish ratedUpdated November 2026
★ 5.0 · 520 Google reviews ★ 5.0 · 6,549 guest reviews
Local captainsFree cancellation up to 72 hours

Plan your Homosassa fishing trip with our month-by-month calendar for redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon, sheepshead and grouper. Peak means the best fishing of the year, Good means steady fishing and Fair means possible but slower.

Palms and trees along the Homosassa River
Quick answer

When is the best time to fish in Homosassa?

The best fishing in Homosassa is Apr–May and Oct–Nov, when redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon and grouper are at their peak. There is something to catch all year: winter is best for spotted seatrout and sheepshead; spring is best for spotted seatrout, snook and tarpon; summer is best for redfish, snook and tarpon; fall is best for redfish, spotted seatrout and snook.

  • Winter (Dec–Feb): best for spotted seatrout and sheepshead; also redfish and grouper.
  • Spring (Mar–May): best for spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon and sheepshead; also redfish, grouper and mangrove snapper.
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): best for redfish, snook, tarpon and mangrove snapper; also spotted seatrout, grouper and cobia.
  • Fall (Sep–Nov): best for redfish, spotted seatrout, snook and grouper; also sheepshead and cobia.

iOutdoors fishing calendar, updated November 2026. Ratings show typical seasons; weather, water temperature and fishing rules change the bite from year to year.

Homosassa 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
Homosassa fishing calendar: how good the fishing is for each fish, month by month
FishJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Inshore
RedfishGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodPeakPeakPeakPeakGood
Spotted seatroutPeakPeakPeakPeakGoodGoodFairFairGoodPeakPeakPeak
SnookFairFairGoodPeakPeakPeakPeakPeakPeakPeakGoodFair
TarponFairPeakPeakPeakGoodFair
SheepsheadPeakPeakPeakGoodFairFairGoodPeak
Offshore
GrouperGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodPeakPeakGood
Mangrove snapperFairFairFairGoodGoodPeakPeakPeakPeakGoodFairFair
King mackerel (kingfish)GoodPeakPeakFairFairFairFairPeakPeakFair
CobiaFairGoodPeakPeakGoodFairFairFairGoodGoodFair

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 Homosassa

Swipe to see every month →

January

Peak Spotted seatrout and Sheepshead

Good Redfish and Grouper

February

Peak Spotted seatrout and Sheepshead

Good Redfish and Grouper

March

Peak Spotted seatrout and Sheepshead

Good Redfish, Snook, Grouper, King mackerel (kingfish) and Cobia

April

Peak Spotted seatrout, Snook, King mackerel (kingfish) and Cobia

Good Redfish, Sheepshead, Grouper and Mangrove snapper

May

Peak Snook, Tarpon, King mackerel (kingfish) and Cobia

Good Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Grouper and Mangrove snapper

June

Peak Snook, Tarpon and Mangrove snapper

Good Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Grouper and Cobia

July

Peak Snook, Tarpon and Mangrove snapper

Good Redfish and Grouper

August

Peak Redfish, Snook and Mangrove snapper

Good Tarpon and Grouper

September

Peak Redfish, Snook and Mangrove snapper

Good Spotted seatrout and Grouper

October

Peak Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Snook, Grouper and King mackerel (kingfish)

Good Mangrove snapper and Cobia

November

Peak Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Grouper and King mackerel (kingfish)

Good Snook, Sheepshead and Cobia

December

Peak Spotted seatrout and Sheepshead

Good Redfish and Grouper

Best months for each fish in Homosassa

  • Redfish: best Aug–Nov; good all year.
  • Spotted seatrout: best Oct–Apr; good Sep–Jun.
  • Snook: best Apr–Oct; good Mar–Nov.
  • Tarpon: best May–Jul; good May–Aug.
  • Sheepshead: best Dec–Mar; good Nov–Apr.
  • 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.

Book a Homosassa fishing trip

Reviews from nearby Crystal River trips

4.812 reviewsfrom iOutdoors trips near Homosassa. Homosassa reviews will show here as they come in

★★★★★

Bass galore

I am new to bass fishing, we live just down the street from the lake. My daughter and I go out in a small john boat 2-3 times a week for an hour or so. A slow day is 1 fish each. Often we land 3 or 4 good sized bass at sunset. Lots of fun.

tyler w ross · April 2025

★★★★★

Liv on the lake

If if all your cash is brand and card, you don’t know how to fish this lake is loaded with bass

Jeff adtean · February 2025

★★★★★

Liv on the lake

For all your cash, you don’t know how to fish this lake is loaded with bass.

Jeff adtean · February 2025

★★★★★

Watermelon Seed - Bass

Caught 8 bass today all along the river south of KO hole slow retrieving a watermelon seed worm. Tons of bass in this river!!!

Hunter Dane · October 2022

★★

Lake Rousseau

This Lake may have had good fish in the past but it sucks now in my opinion. We fished nearly every day during a 2 week vacation on the lake. Although experienced Bass fishermen, we managed to catch a total of 9 fish for 4 of us and none were over 3 1/2 lbs. We fished weeds, structure, channels and…

Mark Warren · February 2021

★★★★★

Withlacoochee River Fun

Nice county park along the river. We have been twice so far in the last couple years. Once to hike and once to Kayak fishing. We liked it enough that we have one of their cabins rented for the next time.

Will H · August 2020

★★★★★

Enjoyed the adventure

I opted to fish Rodman Reservoir during the drawdown. Captain Chris was very accomodating and a pleasure to spend 6 hours with. His boat and equipment are set up for fishing this type of lake. The weather was ideal for fishing; mostly cloudy, the west wind, warming temperatures. The water…

MIEKE D · March 2020

★★★★★

Enjoyed the adventure

I opted to fish Rodman Reservoir during the drawdown. Captain Chris was very accomodating and a pleasure to spend 6 hours with. His boat and equipment are setup for fishing this type of lake. The weather was ideal for fishing; mostly cloudy, west wind, warming temperatures. The water temperature…

MIEKE D · March 2020

★★★★★

Enjoyed the adventure

I opted to fish Rodman Reservoir during the drawdown. Captain Chris was very accomodating and a pleasure to spend 6 hours with. His boat and equipment are setup for fishing this type of lake. The weather was ideal for fishing; mostly cloudy, west wind, warming temperatures. The water temperature…

MIEKE D · March 2020 · TripAdvisor

★★★★★

Fun lake to Visit and Fish

Every year I come down and fish this lake, over the years have had some great success.

Johnny B · February 2020

★★★★★

Great trip

Fished with Captain Chris for largemouth bass. He is a really good dude and knew right where to put us on the fish. I would recommend him to anyone looking to get ahold of some big fish!

Russell Tolen · January 2020

★★★★★

Bass Fishing

Our trip was Great. We had a very good time and landed some very nice fish. Captain Chris Davy was an awesome guide and Capt. Ken Walker was a life saver. These guys are awesome.

byekeys · February 2019

Homosassa fishing calendar FAQ

When is the best time to fish in Homosassa?

The best fishing in Homosassa is Apr–May and Oct–Nov, when redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon and grouper are at their peak. There is something to catch all year: winter is best for spotted seatrout and sheepshead; spring is best for spotted seatrout, snook and tarpon; summer is best for redfish, snook and tarpon; fall is best for redfish, spotted seatrout and snook.

What fish are biting in Homosassa in winter?

From December to February, spotted seatrout and sheepshead are at their best, and redfish and grouper are good. Pick calm days between cold fronts.

What fish are biting in Homosassa in summer?

From June to August, redfish, snook, tarpon and mangrove snapper are at their best, and spotted seatrout, grouper and cobia are good. Book an early start to beat the heat and afternoon storms.

What is the best month for redfish in Homosassa?

Redfish fishing in Homosassa is best Aug–Nov, and good all year.

When is the best time for grouper in Homosassa?

Grouper fishing in Homosassa is best Oct–Nov, and good all year.

Do fishing seasons and limits apply in Homosassa?

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 Homosassa?

Pick your trip and date on the Homosassa 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.

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