Golden Gate Canal fishing charters
Guided peacock bass and largemouth bass trips on the Golden Gate Canal, on the east side of Naples.
The Golden Gate Canal has more than 7 miles of boat-accessible canals and 16-acre Lake Sapphire on the eastern outskirts of Naples. Peacock bass and largemouth bass are the targets. Book 4- or 6-hour trips online with live dates.
Book your Golden Gate Canal fishing trip
Every calendar below shows live availability. Choose your number of guests, a date and a time, then book.
4-hour bass charter
6-hour bass charter
Meeting spot: 3300 Santa Barbara Blvd, Naples, FL 34116 (Golden Gate Community Park boat ramp). Your guide confirms the spot and start time with you before the trip, based on conditions. Each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the guide cancels for weather. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
How do you book a Golden Gate Canal fishing charter?
iOutdoors books 4- and 6-hour guided peacock bass and largemouth bass trips on the Golden Gate Canal, on the east side of Naples, with live dates online. The guide provides the boat, fuel, rods, reels and lures, and each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt.
What's included and what's not
- Professional local fishing guide
- Boat and fuel
- Rods, reels and tackle
- Artificial lures
- Life jackets
- Florida freshwater fishing license (required for most anglers 16 and older)
- Live wild shiners (optional; ask your guide about the cost)
- Guide tip (10–20% is customary)
- Food and drinks
- Transportation to the boat ramp
What to bring
Golden Gate Canal
The Golden Gate Canal is in Collier County on the eastern outskirts of Naples. It has more than 7 miles of boat-accessible canals, 65 to over 125 feet wide and about 8 feet deep, plus 16-acre Lake Sapphire, 10 to 12 feet deep. Fallen trees, canal bends, bridges and culverts hold fish.
Every trip on this page fishes the Golden Gate Canal for peacock bass and largemouth bass, launching from the boat ramp in Golden Gate Community Park (3300 Santa Barbara Blvd). FWC notes anglers here sometimes land a largemouth, a peacock and a snook on the same day. Your guide confirms the spot and start time with you before the trip.
Fish you can catch on the Golden Gate Canal
Know your fish →
Size limits, bag limits and seasons change: see the FWC freshwater fishing regulations.
Reviews from Naples bass trips
4.860 reviews
Pleasant trip for all
4hour Largemouth bass trip around Lake Trafford, Mark knows his clint and where the fish are. we caught lots of bass, some big bass. Good value for money; highly recommend.
Dominic H · August 2026 · TripAdvisor
Fantastic family experienced...
My husband, 9-year-old son, and I spent a very enjoyable four hours fishing on Lake Trafford. Captain Rick was so friendly and helpful; we caught a lot of fish. I would highly recommend giving this a go!
Diamond B · July 2026 · TripAdvisor
Guide DJ Timms took our family out for a fishing trip on Golden Gate. My 11 year old son wanted to catch a peacock bass! Also along on the trip was my 5 year old son and my MIL. We had the best time! Although it was hot and the water temps were very warm and the bite was slow we still caught 10…
Tracey Ryan · September 2025 · Google
Naples Florida, Best Captain in the area
Huge shoot out to Capt. Mark Rogers for making us feel special, his trip was the highlight of our Vacation, we went shelling on a remote beach, fishing at a near by reef, saw dolphins and manatees, the kids and wife had a blast, highly recommend him, pleasant, knowledgeable and his boat was so…
Captain Mark Rogers · June 2024
Captain Mark Rose Naples Florida
My family went out with Mark Rose in Naples Florida to try to catch some Peacock bass. It’s been on the bucket list for awhile now. We flat got on’em and Captain Mark was awesome. My wife and son had an absolute blast. We will book again when back in Florida. If you are in the Naples area or Lake…
Cody Betsworth · February 2024
Peacock Bass Fishing w/ Capt Mark Rose
Had another fabulous day fishing with Capt Mark. January 2024. We had that "other day", you know, that day you catch 30 fish and then for the next few weeks you tell everyone "you should have been there that other day". We caught several 4 lb peacock bass in the Golden Gate…
Tom Bach · January 2024
Great time!
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Fishing with Rick
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Golden Gate Canal fishing: what you can catch
Golden Gate Canal fishing in Naples means peacock bass and largemouth bass, with snook along vegetated shorelines and under bridges. FWC rates the bluegill and redear sunfish fishing excellent for area canals. Peacock bass bite best from March through May; largemouth bass are best in winter.
What's biting by season
Winter Dec–Feb
- Best largemouth bass fishing as the water cools
- Peacock bass slow down in cold snaps
Spring Mar–May
- Peacock bass prime time (March–May)
- Bluegill and shellcracker on beds
Summer Jun–Aug
- Go early: morning and evening bites
- Peacock bass feed in daylight close to shore
Fall Sep–Nov
- Peacock bass still active while the water is warm
- Largemouth bass feed up as it cools
- Every angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. Buy it online before the trip.
- Black bass: 5 per person per day, and only 1 may be 16" or longer. Some waters have special bass rules; your guide will tell you before the trip.
- Crappie: 25 per person per day, 10" minimum.
Source: FWC. Limits change; your guide has the current rules.
Golden Gate Canal fishing guide
The Golden Gate Canal runs through the community of Golden Gate on the eastern outskirts of Naples. Trips fish it for peacock bass and largemouth bass.
Where you’ll fish
The Golden Gate Canal has more than 7 miles of boat-accessible canals, 65 to 125+ feet wide and about 8 feet deep, plus 16-acre Lake Sapphire. Trips launch from the boat ramp in Golden Gate Community Park, 3300 Santa Barbara Blvd, Naples, FL 34116; your guide confirms the spot and start time before the trip.
How the trips work
Trips run from a bass boat. Your guide provides rods, reels and artificial lures, and can set you up with live golden shiners, which are optional and cost extra. Most bass and peacock bass are photographed and released.
Best time to go
FWC says peacock bass fishing is usually best from March through May, with fish caught all year, and largemouth bass fishing is best in winter when the water cools. In summer, go early in the morning.
Tips for planning your trip
Buy a Florida freshwater fishing license online before the trip. Morning trips usually fish best, especially in summer.
Questions about Golden Gate Canal trips
How much does a Golden Gate Canal fishing charter cost?
Trips start at $399 for 4 hours and $500 for 6 hours. The live calendar shows the price for each date.
What fish can I catch on the Golden Gate Canal?
Peacock bass and largemouth bass. FWC calls the largemouth population excellent and says there is a fair number of butterfly peacock bass; anglers also catch snook, bluegill and redear sunfish here.
What is included?
Your guide, the bass boat and fuel, rods, reels and tackle, artificial lures and life jackets. The Florida freshwater license, live shiners and the guide’s tip are not included.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. Each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. You can buy one online before the trip.
How many people can come?
Up to 4 people on the bass boat. Choose your number of guests in the calendar.
Which trip length should I book?
A 4-hour trip is a good first trip and fits families. Book 6 hours for more time on the water and a better shot at a big fish.
Where do we meet?
Trips meet at 3300 Santa Barbara Blvd, Naples, FL 34116. Your guide confirms the spot and start time with you before the trip, based on conditions.
What should I bring?
Your fishing license, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, a light rain jacket, water and snacks, and a phone or camera in a dry bag.
What if the weather is bad?
If the guide cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a free reschedule. You can also cancel for free up to 72 hours before your trip.
When is the best time to fish the Golden Gate Canal?
Peacock bass bite best from March through May and are caught all year; largemouth bass fishing is best in winter when the water cools. In summer, go early in the morning.
Nearby lakes and canals
More guided bass trips around Naples and the Everglades.
