14 public waters in the Southwest region — 4 lakes/reservoirs and 10 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on an Florida licence.
See every public fishing venue in Florida on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
Lettuce Lake (52 acres) sits in DeSoto and Broward Counties, Florida, managed by Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (public boat ramp). A Florida largemouth-bass lake — the Florida-strain bass here grows fast and big, and every one of these lakes has produced double-digit fish. Slab Black Crappie ('specks') in winter, plus bull Bluegill and shellcracker (redear) on the spring beds.
DeSoto County, Florida — Handcock Lake is a 31-acre lake, managed by Other or Unknown State Land: A Florida largemouth-bass lake — the Florida-strain bass here grows fast and big, and every one of these lakes has produced double-digit fish. Slab Black Crappie ('specks') in winter, plus bull Bluegill and shellcracker (redear) on the spring beds.
In DeSoto County, Florida, Lake Suzy is a 21-acre lake, managed by Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In DeSoto County, Florida, English Lake is a 17-acre lake, managed by Other or Unknown State Land. A Florida largemouth-bass lake — the Florida-strain bass here grows fast and big, and every one of these lakes has produced double-digit fish. Slab Black Crappie ('specks') in winter, plus bull Bluegill and shellcracker (redear) on the spring beds.
The Peace River — flows 106 miles from the Green Swamp to Charlotte Harbor. Largemouth, Sunshine Bass and Catfish up top; the lower tidal river below Arcadia adds Snook, Redfish and Tarpon. A classic canoe-trail river, also famous for fossil and Shark-tooth hunting.
DeSoto and Hardee Counties, Florida — Horse Creek is a 49 km stream: A warmwater Florida river — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Wade or paddle; access at bridges, county parks and WMA landings.
DeSoto and Charlotte Counties, Florida — Prairie Creek is a 25 km stream: A warmwater Florida river — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Wade or paddle; access at bridges, county parks and WMA landings.
Joshua Creek (26 km) flows through DeSoto County, Florida. A warmwater Florida river — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Wade or paddle; access at bridges, county parks and WMA landings.
Oak Creek (23 km) flows through Hardee and DeSoto Counties, Florida. A warmwater Florida river — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Wade or paddle; access at bridges, county parks and WMA landings.
Buzzard Roost Branch runs 16 km through DeSoto and Hardee Counties, Florida: A warmwater Florida river — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Wade or paddle; access at bridges, county parks and WMA landings.
Cow Slough (12 km) flows through DeSoto County, Florida. A warmwater Florida river — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Wade or paddle; access at bridges, county parks and WMA landings.
In DeSoto County, Florida, Tiger Bay Slough is a 10 km river or creek. A warmwater Florida river — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Wade or paddle; access at bridges, county parks and WMA landings.
DeSoto and Hardee Counties, Florida — Brandy Branch is a 10 km stream: A warmwater Florida river — Largemouth Bass, redbreast and Bluegill Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Bowfin and Gar. Wade or paddle; access at bridges, county parks and WMA landings.
Tippen Bay Canal runs 11 km through DeSoto and Charlotte Counties, Florida: An Everglades / water-conservation-area canal (L-67A, Tamiami, Miami, the 'Alley' canals) — Largemouth Bass along the edges, non-stop Oscar and Mayan Cichlid, Bowfin and Gar, with Snook where the canal meets tide.
Across its mapped waters, DeSoto County holds 21 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Bowfin, Florida Gar, Chain Pickerel, Redbreast Sunfish and Black Crappie.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the Florida map Join PiscaMapsOne Florida freshwater fishing licence covers every public water in the state — resident annual about $17, non-resident annual about $47, with non-resident 3-day (~$17) and 7-day (~$30) options. There is no trout stamp, and Florida residents 65+ fish free. Some FWC Fish Management Areas set their own rules and a small day-use permit. Buy at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.