How Florida’s 10,000 Islands Provide a Unique Fishing Experience

Just by itself, the Ten Thousand Islands on the southern tip of Florida is one-of-a-kind place. Despite the fact that Florida has literally thousands of miles of coastline, the Ten Thousand Islands provide a unique blend of both fresh- and saltwater. It consists of a chain of islands and mangrove mini-islands or “keys” located along Florida’s southwest coast between the towns of Goodland and Chokoloskee.

Image courtesy of University of South Florida

Although limited access to this area makes you feel like you’re in the middle of a wilderness, the 10,000 Islands chain is only about a 40 minute drive from Naples and 90 minutes from the metro-Miami area.

The actual number of “islands” in this region of the western Everglades is much less than 10,000 to be sure, but there are enough that you will lose count before too long.

Continue reading to learn more about this area rich in marine life, history and opportunities for snagging a nice tarpon, snook, redfish, or even a bass.


Only accessible by fishing boat or canoe, the 10,000 Islands is part of a complex watershed that drains a large swath of Florida’s southern peninsula

The 10,000 Islands chain is in fact part of what’s famously known as the “River of Grass,” or the Florida Everglades. This complex network of prairies, wetlands, rivers and creeks drains literally thousands of square miles throughout the southern half of the state’s peninsula. Once all of this water reaches the 10,000 Islands and Gulf of Mexico, it provides a basis for mangroves, seagrass beds and other plant life to thrive.

In turn, the freshwater blending with the saltwater, along with abundant plant life, works to support a seemingly endless buffet of shrimp, crabs, pinfish and other “baits” that sportfish feed on. Explaining this entire pattern would require volumes of articles – suffice it to say that it’s really awe-inspiring how it all works.

The 10,000 Islands chain is also remote – it’s easy to leave the dock and feel like your thousands of miles from civilization. Part of the reason for this is simply the area’s geography. Only one island out of hundreds has a road to it and any permanent residents (Chokoloskee). In past centuries, Native Americans and other settlers have lived on the islands, but never permanently.

The northern part of the mangrove island falls within the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge while parts south of Everglades City fall within Everglades National Park. Surrounding areas are also protected wilderness.

The combination of this incredible natural process along with the area’s seclusion and protected status make the 10,000 Islands a premier, and unique, fishing spot in Florida.
Unlike other areas along Florida’s coast, anglers can enjoy fishing secluded backwaters or move offshore all in the same day.

Part of what makes fishing so unique in the 10,000 Islands is the blending of so many freshwater rivers and creeks with the saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico.
We can’t possibly name all of these rivers and creeks, but examples include the Little Wood, Turner, Fakahatchee and Barron rivers on the northern part of islands and the Lopez, Houston, Lostman’s, Broad and Harney rivers on the south end.


As all of these tributaries start emptying out into the 10,000 Islands and Gulf Mexico, they flow into oyster beds, seagrass beds, cutouts and jetties. These waters are also subject to tides each day, so the good spots for fishing are most often determined by what the tides are currently doing.

Further north along these rivers are home to bass and other freshwater species, as well as species like snook and redfish that are pushed onshore by the tides. As you reach the mouth of these rivers and creeks, you begin seeing more inshore species like redfish, trout, grouper, Red drum and snapper in the oyster bars, mangroves and grass flats. Go 3-5 miles offshore and you begin encountering more deep sea fish like amberjack, shark, cobia and others.

That’s what makes fishing the 10,000 Islands so unique – if you start early enough in the day, you can easily go upriver for some freshwater action, down to the flats and oyster bars around the islands for more inshore, then shoot a few miles offshore for a shot at some of the big boys.

If it’s windy and not a good day to get offshore, you can easily stay within the safety of the islands and rivers and still have a good day.

Like we explain earlier, although the 10,000 Islands are a remote wilderness, they are an easy drive from Naples to the north and west, and Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach to the east. If you’re staying at a Marco Island resort for example, you can easily link up with a fishing charter in the 10,000 Islands and be out among the eagles, gators and some of the best wilderness in the state of Florida in no time.

Image courtesy of National Park Service

If you’re looking for a unique fishing experience in one of only a few remote areas on the entire Florida peninsula, we invite you to visit GladesFlyFishing.com or contact Capt. Paul Nocifora by phone at (239) 206-0177 or by email at CaptPaulNocifora@gmail.com today with any questions or to schedule a trip.