Find a Fishing Buddy in Bonita Springs
Florida
Bonita Springs sits between Fort Myers and Naples on Estero Bay — a protected aquatic-preserve estuary that holds snook, redfish, and spotted seatrout in the mangroves and on the grass flats. The Imperial River runs through town into the bay, Big Hickory and New Pass connect to the Gulf for tarpon and nearshore fishing, and a short run reaches Gulf grouper, snapper, and mackerel. It is quieter water than Naples or Fort Myers, with the same quality fishing. MyFishingBuds connects Bonita Springs and south Lee County anglers so you can split a backcountry day on Estero Bay, run the passes with a partner, or find a buddy for the nearshore Gulf.
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When to fish Bonita Springs
Year-round fishery. The cool months (November through April) are the inshore peak — redfish school in Estero Bay, snook hold in the river and the passes, and seatrout fish well on the flats. Tarpon push through Big Hickory Pass, New Pass, and along the beaches in late April through July. Nearshore Gulf grouper and snapper fish well spring through fall. Sheepshead stack the docks and bridges in winter, and pompano run the beaches. Summer is hot and stormy; cold fronts concentrate snook in the warmer Imperial River and the back creeks.
→ Today's best fishing times in Bonita Springs (sunrise, sunset & moon)Top species
- 🎣 Snook
- 🎣 Redfish
- 🎣 Spotted Seatrout
- 🎣 Tarpon
- 🎣 Mangrove Snapper
- 🎣 Sheepshead
Where to fish
- 📍 Estero Bay
- 📍 Imperial River
- 📍 Big Hickory Pass
- 📍 New Pass
- 📍 Nearshore Gulf
Local tips for Bonita Springs
Weeks Fish Camp and the area ramps put you onto Estero Bay and toward the passes. Estero Bay is a shallow, mangrove-lined aquatic preserve — slow-speed backcountry that fishes best from a skiff or kayak. The passes (Big Hickory, New Pass) are the tarpon and snook spots on the tides. The Imperial River holds snook and juvenile tarpon and is a good kayak fishery. A partner who knows the bay's oyster bars and creeks shortens the learning curve a lot.
🪪 Florida fishing license
Anglers fishing in Bonita Springs need a valid Florida fishing license. Resident, non-resident, and short-term options are all available — see our complete state-by-state guide for current 2026 prices and direct purchase links.
See Florida license prices →Bonita Springs fishing FAQ
What kind of fishing is in Bonita Springs?▾
Estero Bay backcountry — snook, redfish, and spotted seatrout in the mangroves and on the flats, with tarpon through the passes (Big Hickory, New Pass) in late spring. The Imperial River adds snook and juvenile tarpon, and a short Gulf run reaches grouper, snapper, and mackerel.
When is tarpon season in Bonita Springs?▾
Late April through July, when tarpon move through Big Hickory Pass, New Pass, and along the beaches. May and June are the peak. It is the same Southwest Florida migration that lights up the passes from Naples up to Boca Grande.
Is Estero Bay good for kayak fishing?▾
Yes — Estero Bay is a shallow, protected aquatic preserve, ideal for kayaks and skiffs chasing redfish, snook, and trout along the mangroves and oyster bars. The Imperial River is also a productive paddle for snook and juvenile tarpon.
Do I need a license to fish in Bonita Springs?▾
Yes, a Florida saltwater fishing license for anglers 16 and older (residents $17/year; non-residents from $17 for 3 days). Licensed charters cover you onboard. See our Florida license guide for details.
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