About Joe Bay, FL

Joe Bay can be found adjacent to Snag Bay and is nestled in the southern part of Miami-Dade County. It is one of the primary sources of freshwater flowing into Florida Bay. Aside from that, it is also a part of the Everglades National Park, a 1.5 million-acre wetlands preserve located in the Southern part of Florida.

The bay is a significant body of water. In fact, it houses the American crocodile, and the bay has been closed for 40 years to prevent this animal from going extinct. Specifically, Joe Bay was closed to the public in 1980 as a part of the “Crocodile Sanctuary” and was only reopened in 2016 after the park’s 2015 Final General Management Plan. 

Now, Joe Bay is again open to the public as a non-motorized boat and catch-and-release fishing area. It is a perfect fishing area for anglers who are looking to catch a snook tarpon and other fish species.

All About Fishing in Joe Bay, FL

The waters of Joe Bay are mostly freshwater. There is an abundance of fish species here, and it is a perfect spot for fishing bowfin, garfish, bluegill, crappie, green sunfish, and warmouth.

Bowfin feeds on the other aquatic invertebrates that are also thriving in the bay. These include mollusks, frogs, crayfish, and other aquatic insects. Baitcasting is highly recommended for catching bowfin in Joe Bay. Similarly, garfish are also predators that feed on live animals such as sprats, eels, Atlantic herring, and free-swimming crustaceans. Meanwhile, bluefish like to feed on snails, insects, and zooplankton.

Crappies, on the other hand, have a diverse diet. They can feed on small fish, crustaceans, insects, and zooplankton. Green sunfish, which is another fish species that can be found in the bay, are foraging predators. They usually eat jellyfish, fish larvae, squids, and crustaceans. Lastly, warmouth likes to eat zooplankton and insects. 

Boat fishing is allowed in Joe Bay. However, only non-motored boats such as kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards can be used here. Technical polling skiffs can be an option but the motor has to be removed first before entering the bay.

Aside from that, it is also important to take note that Joe Bay is a catch-and-release fishing area. This means that you are required to release the fish immediately after catching it. All fish caught must remain unharmed. 

As of the moment, there are no other activities in Joe Bay. This is being done to make sure that the American crocodiles will remain safe while keeping the bay open to the public.

Fishing Seasonality

You can fish in Joe Bay all year round. But, if you are specifically aiming to catch bowfin, you should keep in mind that its spawning season in Florida usually occurs between April and June. Besides that, you should also note that this fish species is considered a game fish by many anglers because they always like to put up an intense fight.

If you are looking for garfish, it is helpful to know that they only spawn once a year-- this takes place between February to April. Bluegill, on the other hand, has its peak season during May and June, when the water temperature starts to rise to about 80 degrees.

Fishing Seasonality

You can fish in Joe Bay all year round. But, if you are specifically aiming to catch bowfin, you should keep in mind that its spawning season in Florida usually occurs between April and June. Besides that, you should also note that this fish species is considered a game fish by many anglers because they always like to put up an intense fight.

If you are looking for garfish, it is helpful to know that they only spawn once a year-- this takes place between February to April. Bluegill, on the other hand, has its peak season during May and June, when the water temperature starts to rise to about 80 degrees.

All About Fishing in Joe Bay, FL

The waters of Joe Bay are mostly freshwater. There is an abundance of fish species here, and it is a perfect spot for fishing bowfin, garfish, bluegill, crappie, green sunfish, and warmouth.

Bowfin feeds on the other aquatic invertebrates that are also thriving in the bay. These include mollusks, frogs, crayfish, and other aquatic insects. Baitcasting is highly recommended for catching bowfin in Joe Bay. Similarly, garfish are also predators that feed on live animals such as sprats, eels, Atlantic herring, and free-swimming crustaceans. Meanwhile, bluefish like to feed on snails, insects, and zooplankton.

Crappies, on the other hand, have a diverse diet. They can feed on small fish, crustaceans, insects, and zooplankton. Green sunfish, which is another fish species that can be found in the bay, are foraging predators. They usually eat jellyfish, fish larvae, squids, and crustaceans. Lastly, warmouth likes to eat zooplankton and insects. 

Boat fishing is allowed in Joe Bay. However, only non-motored boats such as kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards can be used here. Technical polling skiffs can be an option but the motor has to be removed first before entering the bay.

Aside from that, it is also important to take note that Joe Bay is a catch-and-release fishing area. This means that you are required to release the fish immediately after catching it. All fish caught must remain unharmed. 

As of the moment, there are no other activities in Joe Bay. This is being done to make sure that the American crocodiles will remain safe while keeping the bay open to the public.