About Lemon Bay, FL

Lemon Bay is a well-known area for fishing, kayaking, birding, wading, and beachcombing activities. It is a 13 mile-long, approximately three-quarters-of-a-mile wide, estuarine system located in southwest Florida. It runs from South Venice, Sarasota County, all the way down to Charlotte County, passing almost completely through Placina. It is bordered by two islands in the west - the Little Gasparilla Island and Manasota Key that separate it from the Gulf of Mexico. On the east is Englewood, a census-designated place shared both by Sarasota and Charlotte County.

This 8,000-acre body of water is one of the five Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves and was designated in 1986. A portion of the Intracoastal Waterway ICW stretches along the entire length of it. Prior to ICW’s creation, the northern part of Lemon Bay was fed by the waters of Alligator Creek. Today, one Gulf pass, Stump Pass, and seven tributaries make up the waters of Lemon Bay. 

All About Fishing in Lemon Bay, FL

The dredging precedent of the construction of the Intracoastal Waterway back in the early 1900s contributed greatly to the rich waters in the area. The resulting spoils lined up along the bay had helped create diverse habitats for marine life in Lemon Bay, such as oyster beds, grass flats, seagrass, and mangroves. 

Lemon Bay is now home to more than 250 species of fin fish. Commonly, catfish, drum, redfish, and snook may be caught here, with the snook, trout, and redfish considered to be the gamefish of the area. Other notable fish species seen in the bay include pompano, ladyfish, flounder, jack, mackerel, snapper, and cobia. 

Most of these fish typically feast on other marine species found in sand holes and sandbars within the bay and may be taken with simply a hook and line. Arm yourself with a light spinning tackle and artificial, live, or cut bait and fish from the comfort of a bayside resort, or from public fishing bridges and piers. But for those looking for a more immersive experience, the area provides options as plentiful as the fish in its water. You may find licensed local fishing guides to gain full access to the ins and outs of the area. Local boat rentals are also available for those wanting to take a charter boat instead. Have your own boat? The Indian Mounds Park provides docks and facilities for boat ramp launching. Some resorts offer the use of boat slips in their private dockages. Kayak fishing is also quite popular in the area, or maybe step up to the challenge of wade fishing. Lastly, since Lemon Bay is just an island away from the Gulf of Mexico, both inshore and offshore fishing are available for anglers of all levels of expertise. 

Fishing Seasonality

Because of the abundance of fish species in Lemon Bay, there will always be a bite on your hook any time of the year, with the peak coming in around summertime (around May to October). If you’re specifically targeting to catch the popular game fish in the bay, it’s best to fish around November. The most sought-after fishes of the bay (redfish, tarpon, snook, and king mackerel), on the other hand, can mostly be caught in the hotter seasons. King mackerel are not as widely available as the three others, though, and significantly are much easier to reel in around April and October. Ladyfish, yellowtail snapper and mangrove are mostly active all year round.

Fishing Seasonality

Because of the abundance of fish species in Lemon Bay, there will always be a bite on your hook any time of the year, with the peak coming in around summertime (around May to October). If you’re specifically targeting to catch the popular game fish in the bay, it’s best to fish around November. The most sought-after fishes of the bay (redfish, tarpon, snook, and king mackerel), on the other hand, can mostly be caught in the hotter seasons. King mackerel are not as widely available as the three others, though, and significantly are much easier to reel in around April and October. Ladyfish, yellowtail snapper and mangrove are mostly active all year round.

All About Fishing in Lemon Bay, FL

The dredging precedent of the construction of the Intracoastal Waterway back in the early 1900s contributed greatly to the rich waters in the area. The resulting spoils lined up along the bay had helped create diverse habitats for marine life in Lemon Bay, such as oyster beds, grass flats, seagrass, and mangroves. 

Lemon Bay is now home to more than 250 species of fin fish. Commonly, catfish, drum, redfish, and snook may be caught here, with the snook, trout, and redfish considered to be the gamefish of the area. Other notable fish species seen in the bay include pompano, ladyfish, flounder, jack, mackerel, snapper, and cobia. 

Most of these fish typically feast on other marine species found in sand holes and sandbars within the bay and may be taken with simply a hook and line. Arm yourself with a light spinning tackle and artificial, live, or cut bait and fish from the comfort of a bayside resort, or from public fishing bridges and piers. But for those looking for a more immersive experience, the area provides options as plentiful as the fish in its water. You may find licensed local fishing guides to gain full access to the ins and outs of the area. Local boat rentals are also available for those wanting to take a charter boat instead. Have your own boat? The Indian Mounds Park provides docks and facilities for boat ramp launching. Some resorts offer the use of boat slips in their private dockages. Kayak fishing is also quite popular in the area, or maybe step up to the challenge of wade fishing. Lastly, since Lemon Bay is just an island away from the Gulf of Mexico, both inshore and offshore fishing are available for anglers of all levels of expertise.