Fishing Florida Info
For the one that didn't get away

One of the most interesting aspects of Florida fishing is the constant question, "What is it?" Rare indeed is the angler who, at some time during a fishing trip, doesn't catch a fish that must be examined closely to determine its species.

Florida waters have more then 1,000 species of marine fish, most of them edible and all of them interesting. Of this, more then 40 are sufficiently important for their harvest to be regulated. Six species have game fish status (redfish, snook tarpon, boenfish, sailfish, and permit over 20 inches in length), meaning that they may not be sold.

Learning to identify fish is a fascinating study in itself and is a metter of importance to the angler; misidentification of fish can lead to fisheries violations.

Included in the following listings are 114 fish commonly cought by anglers in Florida. They are listed using thier common names as listed in the American Fisheries Society publication, "Common and Scientific Names of Fishes."