Watertype : Freshwater

The Alafia River is 25 miles long, with a watershed of 335 square miles in Hillsborough County flowing into Tampa Bay. The watershed contains ten named lakes and ponds, and 29 named rivers, streams and canals. During the rainy season, excess water is pumped to the new C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir, which opened in 2005. Part of the river exists within the confines of the Alafia River State Park. Enjoying Florida’s outdoors is the natural thing to do, so why not spend some time at Alafia River State Park. The clear nights are perfect to enjoy the winter skies while camping in Alafia River’s family campground. Campers will find clean restroom facilities with solar heated showers and two large picnic pavilions, along with electric and water at each of the 30 campsites.

The park also offers many challenging off-road mountain bicycle trails, horseback riding trails, or if you prefer, hike to one of the many lakes to enjoy a day of fishing, relaxation or bird-watching. Equestrians and hikers can explore 20 miles of trails that travel through mixed hardwood forests, pine flatwoods, and rolling hills. Bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts will delight in the abundance of wildlife along the trails. Scattered lakes and the south prong of the Alafia River provide opportunities for canoeing and fishing. Picnic pavilions, a playground, horseshoe pit, and volleyball court are available. For overnight stays, the park has a full-facility campground and equestrian friendly campsites.

Located 10 miles southeast of Tampa on County Road 39. Alafia River State Park offers numerous lakes for fishing. Bass, bluegill and catfish are among the fish that you may catch. Catch and Release is recommended for Large Mouth Bass. A fishing license is required for all freshwater fishing for people 16 and older. Please go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission web site and get your fishing license on-line.

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Watertype : Saltwater

Boating and fishing on and around Marco Island is some of the best in the world. Multiple species of fish pass right by the island on regular migatory routes. The boating is beautiful and calm in the Gulf of Mexico. May through July is generally considered “Tarpon Time, an angler’s MUST, as these silver giants pass through the rivers, bays and estuaries.Fish the aqua waters of the Gulf or go to backwater and bays, or the scenic mangrove islands.

Try your hand at redfish, snook, grouper, trout, tarpon, permit, snappers or sharks. Whether your an avid fisherman or a novice all waits you here. The islands and bays surrounding Marco were often named for the pioneers living on them such as: Cannon Island, Kice Island and Charity Island, named for Charity Newell Addison. Addison Bay was named for her husband Albert Addison. Johnson Island, Johnson Bay, MacIlvane Island (destroyed when the Isles of Capri developed) and MacIlvane Bay were named for Victor McIlvane and his wife Barbara Frances Collier.

Horr’s Island was named for John Foley Horr, a U. S. Marshall and pineapple planter on what is now called ‘Key Marco.’ Curry Island was named for one-armed John Curry who lived there. Big Marco, Little Marco, Key Island now Keywaydin and Tarpon Bay and Unknown Bay are self explanatory while Sugar Bay and Blue Hill Bay make me wonder. Providing entrance to these bays from the Marco River are the passes. The lights and buoys marking the entrances to the passes are: Hurricane Pass, Capri Pass, Big Marco Pass (1889), Caxambas Pass, Coon Key Pass and Goodland Pass.

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