Tarpon fishing in Lee County
19 rated shore spots in Lee County hold tarpon — ranked below with today's live forecast score for the species.
Tarpon forecast map for Lee County
Every spot colored by how it fishes for tarpon right now. Scrub the timeline, tap a pin for its forecast, or go full screen.
When to go
In season nowJFMAMJJASOND
🌊 Fish the ebb tide.
Size, bag and season rules in Lee County
Catch and release only
Lee County
Rules set by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Keeping
- Return every fish
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission · checked Sep 30, 2026
A summary of the rules these authorities publish for anglers, checked on the dates shown. It is not legal advice: the authority's own page is the rule, and rules can change.
Check FWC rulesBest tarpon spots in Lee County
1Matlacha BridgeGood · 76ReliableSummer evenings in the channel; heavy tackle, release in the water.2Gasparilla Island State ParkFair · 63Worth a tryThe pass is famous for its late spring and summer run, mostly fished by boat; shore hookups happen but are uncommon. Check FWC tarpon rules.3Blind Pass, Sanibel–CaptivaGood · 72Worth a trySummer fish offshore of the pass; release in the water.4North Shore Park, North Fort MyersFair · 59Worth a tryRoll in the river in summer; hooked on live bait or big soft plastics. Release in the water and check FWC tarpon rules.5Imperial River Boat RampFair · 60Worth a tryJuveniles roll in the river in the warm months; small plugs and soft plastics. Release in the water and check FWC rules.6Bokeelia Fishing PierGood · 75Worth a tryHooked off the end in summer; walk it to the shallows and release it. Check FWC tarpon rules.7Lovers Key State ParkGood · 71Worth a tryRoll off both passes in early summer; a specialist's shot from shore. Check FWC tarpon rules.8Sanibel Causeway IslandsGood · 69Worth a tryPass through San Carlos Bay in early summer; rarely landed from shore, release in the water.9J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife RefugeGood · 65Worth a tryJuveniles roll in the backwaters in summer; light tackle and small plugs. Check FWC tarpon rules and release them in the water.10Sanibel Lighthouse BeachGood · 78Worth a tryEarly summer off the point; hard to land from the beach, release in the water.11Bernice Braden ParkFair · 62Worth a tryPass through the channel in summer; release in the water and check FWC tarpon rules.12Bowditch Point Park, Fort Myers BeachGood · 77Worth a trySummer fish passing the point; release in the water.13Sirenia Vista ParkGood · 76Worth a trySmall tarpon roll in the backwaters in summer; release in the water and check FWC rules.14Horton Park, Cape CoralFair · 61Worth a tryRoll in the river in summer; release in the water and check FWC tarpon rules.15Koreshan State ParkFair · 59Worth a tryJuveniles can roll in the river in the warm months, best early in the day; small lures on light leaders. Check FWC tarpon rules.16Rosen Park, Cape CoralFair · 62Worth a trySmall tarpon roll in the canal at dawn in summer; release in the water and check FWC rules.17Tarpon Street PierFair · 60Worth a tryThey roll in the river in the warm months, but landing one from a high pier deck is a long shot; heavy leader, quick release. Check FWC tarpon rules.18Bowman's Beach ParkGood · 76Shows occasionallySeen rolling offshore in early summer and occasionally hooked from the beach; release in the water and check FWC rules.19Punta Rassa Boat RampGood · 69Shows occasionallyPass along the causeway in summer; release in the water and check FWC tarpon rules.
Tactics for tarpon
Top baits, best first
- Threadfin Herring
- Finger Mullet
- Blue Crab
- Live Pinfish
Rigs that work, best first
- Tarpon Circle-Hook Rig
- Freeline Live Bait
- Slip Float Rig
