FEATURE Fish Florida Alliance DESTINATION: CEDAR KEY, FL

Great Fishing Awaits In Ceday Key, Florida


Where Time Stands Still

Cedar Key is a quiet island community nestled among many tiny keys on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Located 50 miles southwest of Gainesville, our island sits three miles out into the Gulf of Mexico. Highway 24 is the only road coming into town. It crosses over the salt marshes and channels on four small, low bridges. The population is approximately 800 full time residents.

There are no high rises or huge apartment complexes. We are a community of quaint cottages, single-family homes, working waterfront and aquaculture structures. The view as you cross the Number Four Bridge is spellbinding.

The small-town feeling is absolute – transportation is by car, but the road is shared with bicycles and golf-carts. Drivers and pedestrians wave to locals and visitors alike greeting each other with a warm welcome to our island. The nearest major airports are Tampa and Orlando, there’s a regional airport in nearby Gainesville, and we have an airstrip on the island where many small plane enthusiasts land.

Cedar Key is a haven for artists, writers and “adventure” tourists, who find the unspoiled environment their inspiration. Thousands of visitors come annually to enjoy the “Old Florida Celebration of the Arts” in April, 4th of July, the October Seafood Festival, Pirate Festival, and The Stargazing Party in February. Our island provides a place for excellent fishing, bird watching, nature trails, kayaking and coastal guided tours. Federally protected sanctuaries, the Cedar Keys form a chain of barrier islands ideally suited to a vast range of migratory and shore birds, including the elusive white pelican, roseate spoonbill and bald eagle. The variety of natural habitats, from salt marshes to Native American shell mounds, makes this truly a nature lover’s paradise.

Cedar Key is known for its fresh seafood, straight from the Gulf of Mexico. As the number one producer of farm-raised clams in the USA, Cedar Key’s “sweets” are prized in restaurants around the country! And most recently, several aquaculture companies have added oysters to their farms. Locally sourced seafood choices include shrimp, snapper, mullet, grouper and a wide variety of fish. Of course, you may wish to catch your own with a local fishing charter and several restaurants will be happy to cook your catch for you!

Long admired for its natural beauty and abundant supply of seafood, Cedar Key is a tranquil village, rich with the almost forgotten history of old Florida, where time stands still and allows you to enjoy the unique qualities of our coastal environment.

For more information, check out our website at VisitNatureCoast.com



CEDAR KEY FLORIDA LINKS

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Fishing is the draw and the fishing is fantastic! Pack a bag and grab your gear because it’s time to cast a line in Florida.

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Local Forecasts & Reports

At Fish Florida Alliance, we provide you with the best local times to go fishing. Its our primary goal to make your next fishing adventure more rewarding by sharing local information!

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NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA FRESHWATER LINKS

Seasonal Forecasts

Florida's freshwater fisheries comprise more than 7,500 lakes, ponds and reservoirs, and approximately 12,000 miles of fishable rivers, streams and canals—with no closed seasons. The recreational fishery resources alone in these waters provide entertainment for more than 1.2 million anglers annually.

For general information on what lakes are available in an area by ZIP code or city, check out TakeMeFishing.org's fishing site finder.

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Wildlife Management Areas

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) oversees more than 6 million acres of land established as wildlife management areas or wildlife and environmental areas. These lands, managed for both conservation and recreation, are more rugged than parks and have fewer developed amenities. You can find out more about the stewardship of these lands and the wide range of recreation they offer through our alphabetical listing or our map.

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Fish Management Areas

A Fish Management Area (FMA) is a pond, lake or other body of water established for the management of freshwater fish as a partnership effort with a local cooperator. The FWC's Division of Freshwater Fisheries manages about 80 water bodies throughout the state that are designated as Fish Management Areas. In many cases, these lakes are stocked with channel catfish, largemouth bass or sunshine bass. Automatic fish feeders and fish attractors concentrate sportfish for bank anglers.

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State Parks

The first four-time winner of the Gold Medal honoring the nation's best state park system, the Florida Park Service is one of the largest in the country with 175 state parks, trails and historic sites spanning nearly 800,000 acres and 100 miles of sandy white beach.

View Statewide Map - Click Fishing under activities and zoom in

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Fish Species

Florida's freshwater fisheries comprise 3 million acres of lakes, ponds and reservoirs, and approximately 12,000 miles of fishable rivers, streams and canals-with no closed seasons. Learn more about what you might catch!

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NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA SALTWATER FISHING LINKS

Seasonal Forecasts

In Florida, there are a wide range of places to fish and we could not possibly list them all. Fish move and behave differently based on various factors such as weather, temperature, tide, moon phase, salinity, time of year and more. In addition to using the resources on this page, we encourage anglers to contact people with local expertise in areas they want to fish (such as bait and tackle shops, marinas, charter fishing businesses, fishing clubs and online fishing groups). View the regional guides for seasons.

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Fishing Piers

There’s no better place to fish than Florida. Every year, millions of people head to sea in search of huge hookups and delicious seafood. But what if you don’t like boats? Simple: Fish from one of the many fishing piers in Florida. Almost every town has one, and most cities have a handful to choose from.

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Fish Species

Florida's saltwater fisheries include more that 136 species! Learn more about what you might catch!

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