Palm Beach fishing calendar
What’s biting each month, and the best months to book.
Plan your Palm Beach fishing trip with our month-by-month calendar for peacock bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill & shellcracker. 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 Palm Beach?
The best fishing in Palm Beach is Mar–Jul, when peacock bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill & shellcracker are at their peak. There is something to catch all year: winter is best for largemouth bass and crappie; spring is best for peacock bass, largemouth bass and crappie; summer is best for peacock bass and bluegill & shellcracker; fall is best for peacock bass.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): best for largemouth bass and crappie.
- Spring (Mar–May): best for peacock bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill & shellcracker.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): best for peacock bass and bluegill & shellcracker; also largemouth bass.
- Fall (Sep–Nov): best for peacock bass; also largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill & shellcracker.
Palm Beach 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass (canals & lakes) | ||||||||||||
| Peacock bass | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair |
| Largemouth bass | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak |
| Lake Okeechobee | ||||||||||||
| Crappie (speckled perch) | Peak | Peak | Peak | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | |||||
| Bluegill & shellcracker | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair |
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 Palm Beach
Swipe to see every month →
January
Peak Largemouth bass and Crappie (speckled perch)
February
Peak Largemouth bass and Crappie (speckled perch)
March
Peak Largemouth bass and Crappie (speckled perch)
Good Peacock bass and Bluegill & shellcracker
April
Peak Peacock bass and Bluegill & shellcracker
Good Largemouth bass
May
Peak Peacock bass and Bluegill & shellcracker
Good Largemouth bass
June
Peak Peacock bass and Bluegill & shellcracker
Good Largemouth bass
July
Peak Peacock bass and Bluegill & shellcracker
Good Largemouth bass
August
Peak Peacock bass
Good Largemouth bass and Bluegill & shellcracker
September
Peak Peacock bass
Good Largemouth bass and Bluegill & shellcracker
October
Good Peacock bass and Largemouth bass
November
Good Peacock bass, Largemouth bass and Crappie (speckled perch)
December
Peak Largemouth bass and Crappie (speckled perch)
Best months for each fish in Palm Beach
- Peacock bass: best Apr–Sep; good Mar–Nov.
- Largemouth bass: best Dec–Mar; good all year.
- Crappie (speckled perch): best Dec–Mar; good Nov–Mar.
- Bluegill & shellcracker: best Apr–Jul; good Mar–Sep.
Reviews from Palm Beach trips
5.0485 reviews
Captain Bobby was very knowledgeable and Very helpful would highly recommend
Devinn Bua · March 2026 · Google
Went out with my two sons and we had a blast! My youngest (13) said it was my best day ever! Strongly recommend.
Ken Monahan · March 2026 · Google
My brother and I had a great 6 hour trip with Capt. Bobby Kimble. Got into some good fish on a slow day. He worked hard, was very helpful, and a certainly someone you could easily spend 6 hours with on a boat! His 21’ Nitro is comfortable and well-equipped. We fished with shiners on Okachobee, but…
John Lin · March 2026 · Google
Captain Bobby Kimble did a great job giving the conditions of the windy weather and fish kill. Still put us on some bucket list fish. Knowledgeable of the area and attentive. We had a great time. Definitely would recommend and go out with him again.
Lori Suggs · February 2026 · Google
We used Captain John Larsen for 2 half day fishing trips. One was in Belle Glade and the other was in the canals connected to Lake Ida. John was terrific and worked hard to get us on fish. The weather wasn’t great but he was flexible and provided good suggestions and options to get the best chances…
Andrew Niemann · February 2026 · Google
Fishing with Capt. Bobby Kimble is always a great experience. He know just where to find the fish. Very knowledgable and polite. Highly recommended.
Marvin Shuman · January 2026 · Google
For Dawson
Cannot say enough good things about our adventure on lake Ida with Dawson!! He put us on some nice fish in the morning and when the bite slowed, he kept the good time rolling by taking us iguana hunting!!! What an incredible man and an adventure he took us on. Highly highly recommend
Mason Grabowski · January 2026
Great at times!
Fishing can be off the hook at times, generally determined by the water levels. Always lots of wildlife and endless amounts of alligators!
Billy Weston · January 2026
Another great fishing experience with Capitan Bobby Kimble. I have been fishing with him for years and he always does his best to assure your trip will be the best possible. I highly recommend him if you enjoy fishing.
George Sparacio · January 2026 · Google
My husband and I Caught some amazing fish and I caught a personal best bass.
Stacie Friedman · December 2025 · Google
Cpt Bobby Kimble is a Great Lake Ida peacock bass guide. Two trips. Two great experiences.
Tony · December 2025 · Google
Most Awesome Person
Captain Bill is 100% down to earth, so easy to talk to and learn from. I booked a charter this past August wanting to take my daughter and her boyfriend out for a Peacock bass day. Both of them are avid largemouth fishermen in Michigan. I wanted this experience for my daughter but as Capt. Bill and…
Cheyenne Abnet · November 2025
Palm Beach fishing calendar FAQ
When is the best time to fish in Palm Beach?
The best fishing in Palm Beach is Mar–Jul, when peacock bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill & shellcracker are at their peak. There is something to catch all year: winter is best for largemouth bass and crappie; spring is best for peacock bass, largemouth bass and crappie; summer is best for peacock bass and bluegill & shellcracker; fall is best for peacock bass.
What fish are biting in Palm Beach in winter?
From December to February, largemouth bass and crappie are at their best. Pick calm days between cold fronts.
What fish are biting in Palm Beach in summer?
From June to August, peacock bass and bluegill & shellcracker are at their best, and largemouth bass is good. Book an early start to beat the heat and afternoon storms.
What is the best month for peacock bass in Palm Beach?
Peacock bass fishing in Palm Beach is best Apr–Sep, and good Mar–Nov.
When is the best time for crappie in Palm Beach?
Crappie (speckled perch) fishing in Palm Beach is best Dec–Mar, and good Nov–Mar.
Do fishing seasons and limits apply in Palm Beach?
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 Palm Beach?
Pick your trip and date on the Palm Beach 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.