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Everglades
National Park
Welcome
to The Florida Everglades .com- Your premier online guide to the
Everglades National Park Showcasing
hundreds of exciting attractions throughout
the south west Gulf Coast area of Florida
including the neighboring
communities of Naples, Chokoloskee,
and Marco Island. The Everglades
National Park has been designated a World Heritage Site, an International
Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance.
Established in 1947, the Everglades National Park covers 4,000
sq mi in southern
Florida extending from Lake Okeechobee southward to Florida Bay.
Federal Land comprises 1,398,617.13 acres, Non-Federal Land - 461.13 with
the gross total area acres of 1,399,078.26. The Everglades
is a unique ecosystem and is completely dependant upon water flow, making
it one of the largest and most productive estuaries in the world. The
Everglades support more than 350 species of birds and over 1,000 species
of plants.
The
annual average rainfall of more than 60 in. (152 cm) with most falling
in the summer. Big Cypress Swamp, to the northwest, and Lake Okeechobee
are the chief sources of its water.
Everglades National Park is open year round. Highest visitation is from
December through April, and the lowest visitation is May through November.
Walking and canoe trails, boat tours and tram tours are excellent for
viewing wildlife, including alligators and a multitude of tropical and
temperate birds.
EVERGLADES
FISHING CHARTERS & GUIDES
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Endangered Species in Everglades National Park:
An
endangered species is a species of plant or animal that, throughout all
or a significant portion of its range, is in danger of extinction. Everglades
National Park is, or was at one time, home to fifteen endangered species.
American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)
Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Atlantic Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempi)
Atlantic hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Atlantic leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
Cape Sable seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritima mirabilis)
Snail (Everglades) kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus)
Wood stork (Mycteria americana)
West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus)
Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi)
Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli)
Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola)
Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
Schaus swallowtail butterfly (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus)
Garber's Spurge (Chamaesyce garberi)
Everglades
Fishing
Fishing abounds in the Everglades. The
unique combination of year-round warm water, brackish rivers and backcountry
bays, mangroves, oyster bars, estuaries, forage, and moving water, makes
Southwest Florida one of the leading fisheries in the World. The
nearshore bays, shallow flats and mangrove shorelines provides endless
possibilities to hook into a trophy Tarpon, Snook, or Redfish. Everglades
fishing is very diverse, from the shallow back country grass flats, to
the outside islands and canal systems. The Everglades
National Park has a large selection of fish species. With 1.4 million
acres in the Park alone, everglades fishing is very unique. In the same
fishing charter, it is possible to catch bass in the freshwater, snook
in the backcountry, tarpon in the rivers, redfish on the beaches as well
as trout on the flats.
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Fishing Regulations in the Everglades
All commercial fishing is prohibited in Everglades National Park.
Prohibited Recreational Fishing
Gear
Except for dip nets,
cast nets, and landing nets, all other seines and nets are prohibited.
The use and possession of spear guns and spear poles are prohibited.
Fresh Water Fishing
Freshwater License
A Florida freshwater fishing license is required to fish in freshwater
or to possess fresh water species.
Bait- Live
or dead fish (including minnows and shiners) or amphibians, and non-preserved
fish eggs or roe, are prohibited. Digging for bait inside the park is
not permitted.
Areas Closed to Fishing
No fishing is allowed
at the Ernest Coe Visitor Center lakes, Taylor Slough, Royal Palm Visitor
Center area and trails, Chekika Lake and along the Shark Valley Tram Road.
Salt Water Fishing
Saltwater License
A Florida saltwater fishing
license is required to fish in saltwater or to possess saltwater species.
Bait
Bait is not included
in bag limits. Saltwater bait: shrimp, minnows, pilchards, pinfish, mullet,
mojarras (shad), or ballyhoo. Bait may be taken with hook and line, dip
net (not wider than 3 feet / 0.9 m), and cast net.
Manatee Etiquette
Areas frequented by manatees
have been posted. Keep an eye out for manatees. Slow to an idle if observed,
but do not approach or molest.
Lobster and Queen Conch
The taking and possession
of lobster and queen conch is prohibited.
Recreational Crabbing
Stone crabs, during open
state season, and blue crabs may be taken by recreational fishermen using
attended gear (for example: star trap, baited line, landing net, etc.).
Crabbers are limited to five (5) traps. Unattended gear, including traps,
is prohibited.
Shrimp
Shrimp may be taken by
dip net (not wider than 3 feet / 0.9 m) or cast net, personal use only,
not for sale.
COMMON EVERGLADES GAME FISH
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Snook
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Tarpon
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Redfish
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Description:
distinct lateral line; high, divided dorsal fin; sloping forehead;
large mouth, protruding lower jaw; grows much larger than other snooks;
pelvic fin yellow. Where found: from central Florida and South
Texas south, usually INSHORE in coastal and brackish waters, along
mangrove shorelines, seawalls, and bridges; also on reefs and pilings
nearshore.
Size: most catches 5 to 8 pounds. *Florida Record: 44 lbs.,
3 ozs. |
Description:
last ray of dorsal fin extended into long filament; one dorsal fin;
back dark blue to green or greenish black, shading into bright silver
on the sides; may be brownish gold in estuarien waters; huge scales;
mouth large and points upward.
Where found: primarily INSHORE fish, although adult fish spawn
OFFSHORE where the ribbon-like larval stage of the fish can be found.
Size: most angler catchs 40 to 50 pounds. *Florida Record:
243 lbs. |
Description:
chin without barbels; copper bronze body, lighter shade in clear waters;
one to many spots at base of tail (rarely no spots); mouth horizontal
and openng downward; scales large. Where found: juveniles are
an INSHORE fish, migrating out of the estuaries at about 30 inches
(4 years) and joining the spawning population OFFSHORE.
Size: one of 27 inches weighs about 8 pounds. *Florida Record:
51 lbs., 8 ozs. |
Permit
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Sea Trout
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Bonefish
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Description:
color gray, dark or iridescent blue above, shading to silvery sides,
in dark waters showing golden tints around breast; small permit have
teeth on tongue (none on pompano); no scutes; dorsal fin insertion
directly above that of the anal fin; 17 to 21 soft anal rays.
Where found: OFFSHORE on wrecks and debris, INSHORE on grass
flats, sand flats, and in channels; most abundant in south Florida,
with smaller specimens from every coastal county.
Size: common to 25 pounds. *Florida Record: 51 lbs., 8 ozs. |
Description:
dark gray or green above, with sky blue tinges shading to silvery
and white below; numerous distinct round black spots on back, extending
to the dorsal fins and tail; black margin on posterior of tail; no
barbels; no scales on the soft dorsal fin; one or two prominent canine
teeth usually present at tip of upper jaw.
Where found: INSHORE and/or NEARSHORE over grass, sand and
sandy bottoms; move into slow-moving or still, deep waters in cold
weather. Size: common to 4 pounds on west coast, larger on
east coast. *Florida Record: 15 lbs., 6 ozs. |
Description:
silvery color with bluish or greenish back; slender, round body; snout
long, conical, aiming downward and overhanging lower jaw; dark streaks
between scales on upper half of body and faint crossbands extending
down to lateral line; extremities of dorsal and caudal fins shaded
with black. Similar Fish: ladyfish, Elops saurus
Where found: primarily INSHORE fish inhabiting shallows of
the Florida Keys; found in shallows often less than 1 foot deep, usually
over lush grass flats, occasionally over white sand. Size:
3 to 5 pounds. *Florida Record: 15 lbs., 6 ozs. |
Jack
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Black Drum
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Grouper
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Description:
color bluish-green to greenish-gold back and silvery or yellowish
belly; soft dorsal and anal fins almost identical in size; prominent
black spot on operculum (gill cover); black spot at the base of each
pectoral fin; no scales on throat.
Where found: common in both INSHORE waters and the open sea.
Size: usually 3 to 5 pounds. *Florida Record: 51 lbs |
Description:
high arched back; 10 to 14 pairs of chin barbels; gray or black colored
body in adults; young have 4 to 6 vertical bars; has cobblestone-like
teeth capable of crushing oysters; scales large.
Where found: INSHORE fish common to bays and lagoons; bottom
dweller often found around oyster beds; also OFFSHORE.
Size: common to 30 pounds. *Florida Record: 93 lbs. |
Description:
olive or gray body coloration with black blotches and brassy spots;
gently rounded preopercle. Similar Fish: gag M. microlepis; yellowfin
grouper, M. venenosa.
Where found: OFFSHORE species; adults associated with rocky
bottoms, reef, and drop off walls in water over 60 feet deep; young
may occur INSHORE in shallow water.
Size: common to 40 pounds, may attain weights exceeding 100
pounds. |
Everglades
Camping
There are two campgrounds inside the park Flamingo and Long Pine Key.
Long Pine Key Campground
Located
7 miles / 11 km from the main entrance, just off the main road.
108 drive up sites for tents and RVs, including one group site.
Close by: Fishing pond, hiking trails, amphitheater.
Flamingo Campground
Located at the end
of the main park road in Flamingo.
234 drive in sites, including 55 with a view of the water, four group
sites, 64 walk-up sites (20 on the water's edge).
Close by: observation tower at Eco Pond, hiking trails,canoe trails and
fishing.
Camping is offered year-round at Long Pine Key &Flamingo.Reservations
are strongly recommended at Long Pine Key and Flamingo during peak season
from November 23 to April 18. Call the reservation agent at (800) 365-2267
up to five months in advance. Both campgrounds are available on a first-come,
first-served basis the rest of the year. Frontcountry fees during peak
season are $14 for walk-in sites, $14 for RV sites, and $28 for group
sites. Park campgrounds at Long Pine Key &Flamingo have drinking water,
picnic tables, grills, tent and trailer pads, and rest rooms. Flamingo
has cold-water showers and Flamingo Marina offers hot showers for $3.
RVs are welcome, but there are no hook-ups. Campground stays are limited
to 14 days during the peak season. Checkout time is 11 A.M.
Back
Country Camping in the Everglades
Everglades National Park has three kinds of backcountry campsites: Chickees,
Ground Sites, and Beach Sites.
Backcountry permits are: $10 (1-6 people) $20 (7-12 people) and $30
(more than 13 people).
Chickees are located along interior rivers and bays where no dry land
exists. They are elevated 10 foot x 12 foot / 3 m x 3.7 m wooden platforms
with roofs, usually constructed on open water, well away from mangrove
trees. A narrow walkway leads to a self-contained toilet. You'll need
a free-standing tent, since stakes or nails are not allowed.
Ground sites are mounds of earth a few feet higher than the surrounding
mangroves, located along interior bays and rivers.
Beach sites are located on coastal shell beaches. Many beach sites
have no toilets.
PLAN
YOUR EVERGLADES
VACATION!
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Everglades
City Everglades
City is a mile long mangrove island with crab houses, shops, restaurants,
motels, marinas, museums, an airport, canoe & kayak guided adventures,
aerotours, boat tours, airboat rides, canoe/kayak/bicycle rentals and
nice walking paths. It is known
as 'the fishing and stone crab capital of Southwest Florida' and is one
end of the Wilderness Waterway, the Everglades backcountry route linking
Everglades City to Flamingo.
Click here for more information on Everglades
City.
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GULF
OF MEXICO FISHING CHARTERS & GUIDES
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Ten Thousand Islands , Florida
The
Ten Thousand Islands is the coastal area in the Everglades National Park
where mangrove islands and shallow creeks make a wilderness maze.
Some of the islands are landmasses called keys but many are clumps of
mangrove trees rising out of coral reefs, oyster beds, and sandy shoals.
The area lies southeast of Naples and northwest of the Everglades National
Park. The many islands form a transition from the freshwater marsh of
the "river of grass" to the open salt water of the Gulf of Mexico.
Marco Island is the largest of Florida's Ten Thousand Islands, located
on the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida.
Click here to learn more about the
Ten Thousand Islands
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exciting Everglades City ..
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