Freshwater Florida Canal Fish Species

The peacock was introduced into florida waters in the 1980 s by fwc to help control the evasive african spotted tilapia in southeast canals.

Freshwater florida canal fish species. This freshwater fish is a non native species originating from central and south america that can be found in the canal systems of southeastern florida. Florida is the fishing capital of the world. The flagfish included in this gallery is one of three freshwater species native only to florida. The butterfly peacock bass is a tropical freshwater fish from the amazon river and can be found in southeast florida canals and rivers under shady cover.

What type of fish you can expect depends on whether the canal is freshwater or saltwater. All we know for sure is that they started showing up in canals around pompano beach in the year 2000 and have since become the most invasive freshwater fish in florida. The recreational fishery resources alone in these waters provide entertainment for more than 1 2 million anglers. Closer to the ocean you will find a mixed bag of freshwater and saltwater species.

Renting a house on a canal in cape coral is a great option. Florida s freshwater fisheries comprise 3 million acres of lakes ponds and reservoirs and approximately 12 000 miles of fishable rivers streams and canals with no closed seasons. You can use this map to check and plan accordingly. The highway 41 canals are packed with sunfish largemouth bass and some peacock bass.

Florida museum fish collection this searchable gallery includes 220 entries of florida freshwater fishes each with a live image key characteristics for field identification and habitat description. Florida the fishing capital of the world has always been a destination for big game sport fishing. There are hundreds of freshwater fish species found in florida. Oscars bowfin jaguar guapote tiger bass bullseye snakeheads clown knifefish mayan cichlids and midas cichlids.

The full saltwater canals will hold snook tarpon redfish mangrove snapper and many other popular species. The toothy jaguar guapote may be thought of as bycatch by anglers who are on the hunt for peacock bass or largemouth bass but they eagerly strike flies or small artificial lures. That s probably how they arrived in the us though. We provide fishing reports and tips for inshore and offshore anglers.

A typical canal outfit is a spinning. Some of the other exotic species that reside in south florida canals are. Bullseye snakehead and northern snakehead. Some of the saltwater species you can find in the canals are snook sheepshead black drum snappers and spotted seatrout.

Florida s freshwater fish identification from florida s official fishing forum site.