An American tradition etched into my mind that of a young girl, boy or both hand to hand walking along side their dog, a can of worms, armed with a cane pole brings to life a symbol of our youth learning the importance of independence while connecting with nature. Most of us as kids started out angling much the same way. Often from the banks of a nearby creek or pond and our first catch could have been a Bream if angling in Florida. With over 10,000 miles of freshwater rivers, creeks and streams, Florida is the agglomeration of freshwater angling. As horrible as of an abomination of tainted oil slick coastlines could be in the future of the Gulf of Mexico and northward up the Atlantic seaboard, Florida’s pristine secrete still lies in its almost untouched to under fished freshwater ecosystems. Florida too has around 8,000 named lakes and ponds with scores of manmade canals jetting from the coastlines to the most inner depths of the state. Most of the salt to brackish coastline canals are assaulted with berms, dams and other retentions in keeping the freshwater fresh and the salt out; an oil barrier too. Where I live, North Port, Florida is but one of many an inland waterside town who boasts of easy access to the Gulf of Mexico. By way of canals into upper Charlotte Harbor and out through the Peace/Myakka river delta, Boca Grand, Stump Pass or the Venice Inlet far to the south, North Port is a favorite area where local saltwater guides live. Incorporated June 15, 1959, North Port is the second largest municipality, in land size in the State of Florida, forth largest in the US and the largest in Sarasota County offering a total land area of 103 square miles. The North Port area contains the City of North Port, the community of Warm Mineral Springs and other developments, like Myakka River State Park, from the eastern banks of the Myakka River to the northwest corner of Charlotte County. Some of your best fishing, in the state, is in the areas within its boundaries. Myakka River State Park is one of Florida's oldest and largest state parks. The "Florida Wild and Scenic Myakka River" flows through 45 square miles of wetlands, prairies and woodlands. Myakka is popular for hiking, fishing, camping, and wildlife observation, with no oil here, just fish!
Thirty-nine different varieties of local fish are in the surrounding waterways of Northport, including favorites such as Spotted Gar, Tarpon, Yellow Cat, Brown Bullhead, Channel Catfish, Snook, Shellcracker, Largemouth Bass, Speckled Perch, and Striped Mullet. Then there are the transplants or fish that use to be pets in somebody’s aquariums. Oscars in bass proportions are an equal fighting fish and quite tasty too. Cichlids, Carp, walking Catfish, freshwater Stingrays, Bowfin and Tilapia top off the list of non-native fish swimming in the canals of North Port with their game warden, the American Alligator, who eats a lot.
When fishing inland, on the rivers, canals or lakes you need a freshwater, saltwater or combination fishing license. Florida offers anglers year round fishing, abundant locations and a huge diversity of fishes, both freshwater and saltwater. However, anglers must have the appropriate fishing license in to legally fish. Florida freshwater fishing licenses are available in many locations through out the state. Anglers can buy them at tackle shops, sports retailers, on the internet but the most inexpensive location to purchase a Florida Freshwater Fishing License is at the local tax collectors office. Florida law requires anglers from 16 through 65 to purchase and carry a fishing license if they are freshwater fishing throughout the state, whether they are residents of Florida or not. Anglers under 16 years of age and over 65 years of age, or anglers who are fishing with a cane pole in the county where they are legal residents are not required to buy a Florida Fishing License. There are situations on Florida waters where the angler may need both a Freshwater Fishing License and a Saltwater Fishing License. In addition, not everyone aboard a boat needs to have a fishing license. Those individuals not fishing but are with other anglers do not need to have a license but non-anglers can not help with any aspect of fishing, such as even netting a fish.
The beaches may be the place to be but the most overlooked and scenic areas of Florida are but the most tranquil to visit. Offering a unique experience to old Florida charm and some of the best fishing anywhere. Whither it is fly fishing on the Wild and Scenic Myakka, canoeing the rivers to streams, bass fishing on the lakes or just a can of worms, your dog and a cane pole, there is no oil here, just fish.
“FISH ON!”
