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Inshore migration calendar

Southwest Florida & Everglades migration calendar.

Gulf CoastFlorida6 species tracked

The Ten Thousand Islands and Everglades are the heart of Florida's backcountry inshore fishery — wilderness mangrove tunnels, oyster bars, and the iconic Florida tarpon run that produces some of the largest fish in the world along the west coast beaches.

Verify with current conditions

Migration timing varies year over year with water temperature, weather, and bait movement. Cross-reference with NOAA marine forecast and a local source before planning a trip.

What's running now — May

6 active species

Auto-updated based on the current month. The planning section that matters for trips this week.

Southwest Florida & Everglades hotspots

Productive locations
  • Marco Island
  • Ten Thousand Islands
  • Chokoloskee Bay
  • Flamingo flats
Active this month
  • SnookPeak
  • TarponPeak
  • Red DrumGood
  • Speckled TroutGood
  • Black DrumGood
  • Jack CrevalleGood

All species — sorted by current month

  • SnookCentropomus undecimalis
    Peak
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Fair Wintering fish in deep canals and creek mouths; very cold-sensitive. Typical water temp: 56–64°FFeb — Fair Same — Gulf season closure typically Dec-Feb. Typical water temp: 58–66°FMar — Good Pre-spawn movement to passes. Typical water temp: 64–72°FApr — Peak Spring spawn — fish at every pass and inlet. Typical water temp: 70–76°FMay — Peak Same — peak pass and bridge fishing. Typical water temp: 74–80°FJun — Fair Gulf summer closure typically May-Aug. Typical water temp: 78–84°FJul — Fair Summer closure continuing on Gulf coast. Typical water temp: 82–86°FAug — Fair Same — closure ends end of August. Typical water temp: 82–86°FSep — Peak Mullet run begins — peak fall snook. Typical water temp: 78–84°FOct — Peak Same. Typical water temp: 74–80°FNov — Good Mullet run continuing. Typical water temp: 68–74°FDec — Fair Cold fronts shutting down bite. Typical water temp: 60–68°F
    Best months: April · May · September · October

    Same — peak pass and bridge fishing.

    Top lures: Live pilchards (whitebait), Live mullet, Topwater plugs
    Full Snook calendar for Southwest Florida & Everglades
  • TarponMegalops atlanticus
    Peak
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Possible Wintering fish in southernmost waters. Typical water temp: 58–66°FFeb — Possible Same. Typical water temp: 60–68°FMar — Fair Earliest northbound fish. Typical water temp: 66–72°FApr — Good Spring run building. Typical water temp: 72–78°FMay — Peak Peak Gulf tarpon migration — Boca Grande, Homosassa, Panhandle beaches. Typical water temp: 78–84°FJun — Peak Same — biggest fish of the year often hooked. Typical water temp: 82–86°FJul — Good Resident summer fish. Typical water temp: 84–88°FAug — Good Same. Typical water temp: 84–88°FSep — Good Fall migration south building. Typical water temp: 80–84°FOct — Fair Fish departing south. Typical water temp: 72–78°FNov — Possible Last stragglers. Typical water temp: 64–70°FDec — Absent Departed. Typical water temp: 58–64°F
    Best months: May · June

    Peak Gulf tarpon migration — Boca Grande, Homosassa, Panhandle beaches.

    Top lures: Live threadfin herring, Live mullet, Crab patterns (palolo hatch)
    Full Tarpon calendar for Southwest Florida & Everglades
  • Red DrumSciaenops ocellatus
    Good
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Good Year-round Gulf resident — winter schools in deep marsh ponds. Typical water temp: 52–62°FFeb — Good Same. Typical water temp: 54–64°FMar — Good Fish spreading back onto flats. Typical water temp: 60–70°FApr — Good Spring fishing strong on flats. Typical water temp: 66–74°FMay — Good Same. Typical water temp: 72–80°FJun — Good Summer flats and marsh pattern. Typical water temp: 80–86°FJul — Good Hot water — fish on cooler edges. Typical water temp: 82–88°FAug — Good Same. Typical water temp: 82–88°FSep — Peak Fall bull red run on Gulf beaches. Typical water temp: 78–84°FOct — Peak Peak fall fishing — bull schools on beaches. Typical water temp: 70–78°FNov — Good Bull schools dispersing. Typical water temp: 62–70°FDec — Good Winter resident pattern. Typical water temp: 56–64°F
    Best months: September · October

    Same.

    Top lures: Live mullet under popping cork, Cut mullet on bottom, Gold spoons
    Full Red Drum calendar for Southwest Florida & Everglades
  • Speckled TroutCynoscion nebulosus
    Good
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Good Year-round resident. Trophy trout in deep ponds and channels in winter. Typical water temp: 50–60°FFeb — Good Same — slow but quality fishing. Typical water temp: 54–62°FMar — Good Spring movement back to flats. Typical water temp: 60–68°FApr — Good Strong spring fishing. Typical water temp: 64–72°FMay — Good Summer pattern beginning. Typical water temp: 72–80°FJun — Good Same. Typical water temp: 78–84°FJul — Good Topwater dawn/dusk. Typical water temp: 82–86°FAug — Good Hot water — early/late. Typical water temp: 82–88°FSep — Good Cool nights reactivate flats. Typical water temp: 78–84°FOct — Good Excellent fall fishing. Typical water temp: 70–78°FNov — Good Same. Typical water temp: 62–70°FDec — Good Wintering pattern. Typical water temp: 54–62°F
    Best months: No peak month identified

    Summer pattern beginning.

    Top lures: Soft plastic paddletails on jigheads, MirrOlure suspending plugs, Live shrimp under popping cork
    Full Speckled Trout calendar for Southwest Florida & Everglades
  • Black DrumPogonias cromis
    Good
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Good Pre-spawn concentrations forming. Typical water temp: 54–62°FFeb — Peak Spring black drum spawn — fish in passes. Typical water temp: 58–66°FMar — Peak Peak Gulf spawn. Typical water temp: 62–70°FApr — Good Spawn winding down. Typical water temp: 68–76°FMay — Good Resident pattern. Typical water temp: 72–80°FJun — Fair Summer fish on structure. Typical water temp: 80–84°FJul — Fair Same. Typical water temp: 82–86°FAug — Fair Same. Typical water temp: 82–86°FSep — Good Fall feeding. Typical water temp: 78–84°FOct — Good Same. Typical water temp: 70–78°FNov — Good Pre-spawn movement. Typical water temp: 62–70°FDec — Good Pre-spawn concentration. Typical water temp: 56–62°F
    Best months: February · March

    Resident pattern.

    Top lures: Whole blue crab on bottom, Live shrimp, Cut clam
    Full Black Drum calendar for Southwest Florida & Everglades
  • Jack CrevalleCaranx hippos
    Good
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Possible Wintering on warm structure. Typical water temp: 56–64°FFeb — Possible Same. Typical water temp: 58–66°FMar — Fair Spring fish arriving. Typical water temp: 64–72°FApr — Good Schools chasing bait. Typical water temp: 70–76°FMay — Good Strong inshore. Typical water temp: 74–80°FJun — Good Summer pattern on flats and beaches. Typical water temp: 80–84°FJul — Good Same. Typical water temp: 82–86°FAug — Good Same. Typical water temp: 82–86°FSep — Good Fall mullet runs trigger blitzes. Typical water temp: 78–84°FOct — Good Same. Typical water temp: 70–78°FNov — Fair Fish moving south. Typical water temp: 62–70°FDec — Possible Wintering pattern. Typical water temp: 56–62°F
    Best months: No peak month identified

    Strong inshore.

    Top lures: Topwater plugs, Big metal spoons, Live mullet
    Full Jack Crevalle calendar for Southwest Florida & Everglades

Month-by-month — top 5 species

Quick reference for trip planning across the year. Each cell shows the typical migration status for that month.

SpeciesJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Red Drum
Speckled Trout
Black Drum
Snook
Tarpon
PeakGoodFairPossibleAbsent

Regional notes — top species

Snook in Southwest Florida & Everglades

Year-round on the Gulf coast but very cold-sensitive — 2010 freeze killed millions of fish. Spring spawn at passes April–May; closed seasons typically Dec–Feb and May–Aug on the Gulf coast (verify with FWC).

Tarpon in Southwest Florida & Everglades

Spring Gulf tarpon migration pushes north from the Keys through the Big Bend May–July. Boca Grande, Homosassa, and the Panhandle beaches are flagship locations. Fall departure south September–October.

Red Drum in Southwest Florida & Everglades

Year-round resident. Highest density of redfish in North America in Louisiana marsh. Fall bull red run on Gulf beaches September–November.

Marine forecast

NOAA Zone GMZ876

Wind, swell, and tide-stage forecasts that drive whether fish are feeding inshore or holding offshore.

State agencies

Bag limits, slot rules, and seasonal closures live with the agencies — verify before keeping fish.

Real-time migration alerts for Southwest Florida & Everglades.

Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data, water temperature readings, and your saved species list together — and alerts you when arrivals reach your home water.

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