Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area

Located nine miles south of Punta Gorda and one mile east of I-75 on Tuckers Grade Road, this area features Webb Lake, a beautiful 395-acre lake located in a natural wilderness setting. Using ultralight and fly fishing tackle, bass anglers can experience outstanding success. Redear sunfish fishing is excellent during spring and bluegill are caught throughout the year. Webb Lake is not good for black crappie. A catch-and-release only regulation is in effect for largemouth bass, and special regulations on outboard motor use are posted at the lake. Fishing areas are abundant and three boat ramps allow access throughout the lake. Several small ponds are available for bank fishing.

Peace River

This scenic river flows for over 100 miles through Polk, Hardee, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties. Popular with canoeists, the Peace River offers excellent fishing for bass, bream, and catfish. Snook weighing over 30 pounds migrate from Charlotte Harbor and are caught year-round as far north as Fort Meade. Bass, snook, and catfish prefer deep holes near snags where current is strong. Tarpon are also caught in the lower Peace River. Boat ramps are located near Fort Ogden that allow access to the lower river.

Shell Creek

This creek was impounded to create Shell Creek Reservoir, a 660-acre lake accessible through Prairie Creek. From a dirt ramp off CR 764, travel three miles downstream where Prairie Creek empties into the lake. Bass, bream, crappie and catfish are caught in the lake, and both Prairie and Shell creeks offer excellent fishing.

South Gulf Coast Canals

This canal network located near Englewood was constructed for development during the 1960s. The area is still mostly undeveloped and bank fishing areas are abundant. Boats are launched at dirt ramps at several sites throughout the system. Bass, bream, and catfish are caught along with several marine species (snook, redfish, jacks, and tarpon) that enter from the Myakka River.

Move back to Southern Region Fishing Area

Return to Top