About Bird Rookery Swamp, FL

Bird Rookery Swamp is located just south of Corkscrew Swamp off Shady Hollow Blvd in Collier County. It has a total surface area of 5.0 miles and has an elevation of 16 feet. 

The swamp was found by the Calusa tribe, traveling using their giant canoes. The tribe used what they found in the swamp for their daily living needs. Now, the swamp is under the care of CREW Land and Water Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the land and water. Aside from fishing, the swamp offers 12 miles of hiking and biking trails, including an 1800 feet boardwalk with wheelchair accessibility. Bird Rookery Swamp is adjacent to the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The swamp is also home to different birds, alligators, otters, Florida panthers, bobcats, white-tailed deer, and more.

Anglers who wish to fish in the area are urged not to bring any dogs or kids as alligators spend most of their time along the trails.

All About Fishing in Bird Rookery Swamp, FL

Florida is known as the Fishing Capital of the World, given its responsible management of its resources. While alligators are predominantly found in the state, it can never hide how abundant fishing in Florida waters is. The most popular species caught in Bird Rookery Swamp are largemouth bass, Mayan cichlid, and oscar. Bluegill, blue tilapia, bowfin, Nile tilapia, and mangrove red snapper are also found in the swamp. Largemouth bass feed on fish, crayfish, and frogs while Mayan cichlid consumes small fish, grass shrimp, snails, and insects. Oscar and blue tilapia are omnivorous. Oscars consume small insects, crustaceans, and decaying plants, whilst blue tilapia primarily feast on zooplankton and zoobenthos. Insects are the favorite food of bluegill and bowfin. Fish is also a part of the diet of bowfin. The exciting thing about Nile tilapia is they are herbivores but have omnivorous tendencies and consume phytoplankton and algae. Mangrove red snapper are carnivorous fish that target fish and other crustaceans.

Baitcasting, drift fishing and surfcasting are the fishing techniques used while hunting fish in swamps. Be sure to identify the fish you are hoping to catch and match the best bait to use as prey. 

When engaged in such activities, Florida residents and visiting anglers are required to avail Florida hunting, freshwater fishing, or saltwater fishing license. 

Fishing Seasonality

Largemouth bass are available year-round but are best caught during their spawning season, which runs from mid-March through late May. Mayan cichlid are best captured during the late spring and early summer months of May, June, and July. Their spawning season peaks during May and June. Oscar are best caught during their spawning season, which occurs in warmer months. Spring or fall are the best seasons for tilapia fishing.  Blue tilapia’s spawning season starts when the water temperature surpasses 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Nile tilapia’s spawning season occurs throughout the year during the tropic and warm seasons. Bluegill spawn during the spring and early summer seasons,  making it an excellent time to catch them.  Anglers usually go after bowfin during spring. Spring is also the spawning season of bluegill. Mangrove red snapper can be seen all year and spawns during the summer months, between May and September.

Anglers are urged to check the weather forecasts and tides before fishing.

Fishing Seasonality

Largemouth bass are available year-round but are best caught during their spawning season, which runs from mid-March through late May. Mayan cichlid are best captured during the late spring and early summer months of May, June, and July. Their spawning season peaks during May and June. Oscar are best caught during their spawning season, which occurs in warmer months. Spring or fall are the best seasons for tilapia fishing.  Blue tilapia’s spawning season starts when the water temperature surpasses 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Nile tilapia’s spawning season occurs throughout the year during the tropic and warm seasons. Bluegill spawn during the spring and early summer seasons,  making it an excellent time to catch them.  Anglers usually go after bowfin during spring. Spring is also the spawning season of bluegill. Mangrove red snapper can be seen all year and spawns during the summer months, between May and September.

Anglers are urged to check the weather forecasts and tides before fishing.

All About Fishing in Bird Rookery Swamp, FL

Florida is known as the Fishing Capital of the World, given its responsible management of its resources. While alligators are predominantly found in the state, it can never hide how abundant fishing in Florida waters is. The most popular species caught in Bird Rookery Swamp are largemouth bass, Mayan cichlid, and oscar. Bluegill, blue tilapia, bowfin, Nile tilapia, and mangrove red snapper are also found in the swamp. Largemouth bass feed on fish, crayfish, and frogs while Mayan cichlid consumes small fish, grass shrimp, snails, and insects. Oscar and blue tilapia are omnivorous. Oscars consume small insects, crustaceans, and decaying plants, whilst blue tilapia primarily feast on zooplankton and zoobenthos. Insects are the favorite food of bluegill and bowfin. Fish is also a part of the diet of bowfin. The exciting thing about Nile tilapia is they are herbivores but have omnivorous tendencies and consume phytoplankton and algae. Mangrove red snapper are carnivorous fish that target fish and other crustaceans.

Baitcasting, drift fishing and surfcasting are the fishing techniques used while hunting fish in swamps. Be sure to identify the fish you are hoping to catch and match the best bait to use as prey. 

When engaged in such activities, Florida residents and visiting anglers are required to avail Florida hunting, freshwater fishing, or saltwater fishing license.