| Outdoorsmen come from all across the United | | | | the southern point at Key West, hire a guide for |
| States and around the world to revel in the | | | | a day to help navigate your trip and enjoy your |
| beautiful terrain and enjoy some time in Florida | | | | day offshore. |
| fishing. No matter the level of expertise, hobbyist, | | | | LAKE OKEECHOBEE |
| competitor, or tourist hoping to enjoy a relaxing | | | | Take advantage of some great Florida fishing at |
| time soaking up the sun on a deep-sea fishing | | | | one of the best spots for freshwater fish: Lake |
| boat, Florida has opportunities to satisfy all these | | | | Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee's name means |
| needs and more. Opportunities abound with lakes, | | | | "big water", a translation from two Hitchiti words, |
| rivers, the Gulf and the ocean. Pier fishing, small | | | | and accurately enough, it is the second-largest |
| personal boats, or deep-sea fishing excursions to | | | | lake entirely within United States borders, only |
| many types of both salt and freshwater fish to | | | | smaller than Lake Michigan. Known as the speckled |
| target. Here are just a few of the myriad of | | | | perch capital of the world, the large variety of |
| possibilities to whet your appetite. | | | | fish who call Lake Okeechobee their home include |
| DESTIN | | | | largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bream and |
| Boasting the nickname the Luckiest Fishing Village | | | | bluegill. Competitors from around the country and |
| in the World, Destin is known also for its beauty | | | | the world come in every year when the town |
| including white beaches with a backdrop of | | | | hosts several major bass-fishing contests. Boat |
| emerald-green waters. Aptly named after the | | | | rental options also abound, from airboats to larger |
| New London fishing master Captain Leonard | | | | options and tours are available to acquaint visitors |
| Destin, the village of Destin is located in northwest | | | | to the area. |
| part of the state and is home to one of Florida | | | | PIER FISHING |
| states largest fleets of fishing boats. Hosting over | | | | If tour guides, bass boats, and GPS's sound like |
| four million tourists per year, Destin is no longer | | | | they will complicate your vacation time that should |
| just a tiny Florida fishing village. Many tourists | | | | be spent soaking up the sunshine with good |
| consider Destin almost a pilgrimage destination, | | | | company, a cold drink and good food, check out |
| specifically seeking out its outstanding Florida | | | | any of the more casual pier fishing locations |
| fishing. | | | | throughout Florida. Piers are located in regular |
| THE KEYS | | | | intervals down the beach and so they will |
| Made famous by favorite songs written and | | | | probably be only a short walk from your condo |
| performed by the Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffett | | | | or hotel room. Besides the great destinations |
| among others, this island chain is also well known | | | | already listed, other popular tourist towns all |
| for its spectacular fishing. With clear waters | | | | around the state including Jacksonville and St. |
| bounding with a wide variety of fish and a long | | | | Petersburg have an abundance of piers with |
| fishing season, it is easy to see why the tiny | | | | fishing allowed. While planning your trip check out |
| islands are always attracting fishermen to some | | | | pier fishing guides online or wait until you arrive to |
| of North America's greatest fishing. For great | | | | visit any of the travel information kiosks to find |
| fishing from the northern city of Key Largo to | | | | great pier fishing locations. |