The 200-plus square miles of water in Charlotte Harbor is home to all types of marine life. There are nearly 300 species of fish, 100 types of birds, sea turtles, alligators, manatees and of course dolphins.Anglers love the area with plentiful saltwater fish including grouper, snapper, shark, barracuda, kingfish, mackerel and tarpon. The world angling records for Porgy (15 lbs), Gulf Flounder (4 lbs 14oz.) and the Florida state record for Lane Snapper (3.5 lbs) were all achieved off the coast of Punta Gorda.  If you don't have a boat suitable for deep sea fishing, there are numerous charter companies available in Charlotte Harbor.July and August are two of the best months for offshore fishing. In these months you can find mahi-mahi about 20 miles from the coast of Southwest Florida. Tarpon like our hot summers too, Charlotte Harbor with its shallow water, is the place to find some very sizable fish. Of course you can always make a good catch in your own backyard! The canals of Punta Gorda Isles and Burnt Store Isles bring a whole new meaning to the activity of sea fishing.  |
