Naples and Marco Island provide access to one of the most extraordinary backcountry fishing environments in North America — the 10,000 Islands of Collier County. This remote maze of mangrove islands, tidal creeks, and shallow bays stretching from Marco Island to Everglades City holds exceptional populations of snook, redfish, and tarpon in a setting that feels entirely wild and disconnected from the developed Gulf Coast just a short drive north.
Top Species
Backcountry: Snook (excellent year-round in mangrove creeks and around island points), redfish on the grass flats and oyster bars, tarpon (summer), black drum, sheepshead, and flounder.
Nearshore/Offshore: Gag grouper on nearshore ledges (20–50 feet), pompano and cobia on the nearshore Gulf flats, red snapper offshore, king mackerel, and mahi in summer.
Top Fishing Spots
- 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Refuge: Extends south from Marco Island toward Everglades City. Dozens of creek systems, island points, and shallow grass flats accessible by shallow-draft boat or kayak. Minimal pressure compared to east coast fisheries.
- Fakahatchee Strand / Faka Union Bay: The southern edge of the 10,000 Islands — remote snook and redfish fishing in a pristine environment.
- Naples Bay / Gordon Pass: The Naples inlet produces snook, redfish, and flounder. Gordon Pass jetties fish well for snook on outgoing tides.
- The Gulf Flats (west of Marco Island): Shallow grass and sand flats extending west from Marco Island — excellent permit and pompano in the spring months.
Seasonal Calendar
Winter: Snook in the deeper creek systems. Sheepshead on hard structure. Grouper nearshore.
Spring: Permit on Gulf flats. Cobia at nearshore structure. Snook preparing to move to spawning locations.
Summer: Tarpon in the 10,000 Islands creeks and on the Gulf beaches. Snook spawning offshore then returning to backcountry. Dawn topwater fishing spectacular.
Fall: Best backcountry season — redfish schooling, snook feeding aggressively, seatrout active on Gulf flats.