Spanning 400-square miles, the Tampa Bay estuary and its watershed stretch from the spring-fed headwaters of the Hillsborough River to the salty waters off Anna Maria Island. Florida’s largest open-water estuary harbors a rich and diverse assemblage of plants and animals including prized sport fish like snook and tarpon. In spite of its size, the bay is an average of only 11 feet deep.
The bay and the sparkling beaches of the surrounding barrier islands attract nearly 5 million visitors a year. Sport fishing, boating, kayaking and wildlife watching are increasingly popular activities among both visitors and residents. Today, some 40,000 pairs of wading and shore birds of 25 species nest annually on protected islands in the bay; one-sixth of the Gulf Coast population of Florida manatees spend the winter near power plants bordering the bay; and more than 200 species of fish spend some part of their lives within the Tampa Bay estuary. The richness of this environment makes Tampa Bay a highly sought after destination spot for fly fishing, both inshore and offshore. *
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FISH RESPONSIBLY
In many cases, a license is required for saltwater fishing. Contact the Florida Marine Patrol for license requirements, as well as for information on size and bag limits and seasonal closures.
YOU CAN HELP: Commit yourself to ethical fishing; the future of your sport depends on it!
Help fish stocks increase through catch and release.
Limit your take and vary your target.
Observe regulations and report violations.
Only keep fish for food or trophy.
Share what you know to help the sport grow.*
*Information provided by the Tampa Bay Estuary.
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Spanning 400-square miles, the Tampa Bay estuary and its watershed stretch from the spring-fed headwaters of the Hillsborough River to the salty waters off Anna Maria Island. Florida’s largest open-water estuary harbors a rich and diverse assemblage of plants and animals including prized sport fish like snook and tarpon. In spite of its size, the bay is an average of only 11 feet deep.
