Matlacha Pass Fishing
Lee County, FWC Charlotte Harbor region.
Pick for redfishPiscifun Alloy S inshore spinning reelCheck price at PiscifunPhoto of Seaport Bocilla Island: TropicalImage8, CC BY 2.0
An angler's guide to Matlacha Pass
Matlacha Pass, part of the Charlotte Harbor system, lies in Lee County. The named water spans about 30 square miles. Matlacha Pass sits in the FWC Charlotte Harbor region for inshore limits.
Matlacha Pass has 10 public fishing piers within 14 miles and 12 saltwater boat ramps within 10. FWC has logged 53 artificial reef deployments within 20 miles, mostly concrete, at depths of 10 to 45 feet.
Fishing access, Matlacha Pass
FWC Fishing Pier Finder, Boat Ramp Inventory and Artificial Reef layer, checked October 2026.
Shore fishing around Matlacha Pass
Shore piers by Matlacha Pass
- Pineland Monument ParkPine Island Sound, 4 miles
- Seaport Bocilla IslandCharlotte Harbor, 4 miles
- Matlacha ParkMatlacha Pass, 5 miles
- Lake Kennedy Community ParkCadman Canal, 8 miles
- Gasparilla Public PierGasparilla Sound, 11 miles
- Rotary Park, Glover Bight TrailCaloosahatchee River, 12 miles
- Four Mile Cove Ecological PreserveCaloosahatchee River, 13 miles
- Boca Grande Fishing Pier ParkGasparilla Sound, 13 miles
- North Shore ParkCaloosahatchee River, 14 miles
- Yacht Club Community Park Fishing PierCaloosahatchee River, 14 miles
Beach access with fishing near Matlacha Pass
- Cayo Costa Island Parkno listed parking, 9 miles
- Gasparilla Island State Park – Lighthouse Beachparking, restrooms, 10 miles
- Gasparilla Island State Park – Dunes Beachparking, restrooms, 10 miles
- Gasparilla Island State Park – Sea Wall Beachparking, restrooms, 10 miles
- Gasparilla Island State Park – Sea Grape Beachparking, restrooms, 10 miles
- Gasparilla Island State Park – Sand Spur Beachparking, restrooms, 11 miles
Boat ramps on Matlacha Pass
- Lavender's Landing / Bokeelia Public Boat Ramp2 lane ramp, fee, 22 trailer spaces, flush toilet, 3 miles
- Stringfellow Road Right-of-Way Jug Creek Kayak Accesspaddle launch, free, 3 miles
- Pineland Monument Park Paddlecraft Launchpaddle launch, free, 4 miles
- Safe Harbor Pineland Marina, Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch and Ships Store1 lane ramp, fee, 30 trailer spaces, flush toilet, 4 miles
- Bocilla Island Seaport and Fishing Pier1 lane ramp, fee, 24 trailer spaces, 4 miles
- City of Cape Coral – Sirenia Vista Park Kayak Launchpaddle launch, free, flush toilet, 4 miles
- D & D Matlacha Bait, Tackle and Ramp1 lane ramp, fee, 36 trailer spaces, portable toilet, 4 miles
- Matlacha Park Paddlecraft Launchpaddle launch, free, flush toilet, 5 miles
- City of Cape Coral – Burnt Store Public Boat Ramp2 lane ramp, fee, 19 trailer spaces, flush toilet, 5 miles
- Matlacha Park Boat Ramp2 lane ramp, fee, 28 trailer spaces, flush toilet, 5 miles
- Pine Island Commercial Marina (Weekends and Holidays Only)1 lane ramp, fee, 30 trailer spaces, flush toilet, 7 miles
- Tropical Point Park Kayak Launchpaddle launch, free, portable toilet, 10 miles
Reef sites by Matlacha Pass
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Material | Deployed | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bokeelia Reef (B) | 10 | concrete | 1984 | 4 miles |
| Cape Haze (B) | 18 | module | 1995 | 6 miles |
| Cape Haze Reef (Bay) | 18 | concrete | 1995 | 6 miles |
| Cape Haze Reef (B) | 18 | concrete | 2002 | 6 miles |
| Danger Reef | 12 | vessel | 1988 | 7 miles |
| Charlotte Harbor Reef (Bay) | 12 | concrete | 1983 | 11 miles |
| Charlotte Harbor Site (Bay) | 12 | concrete | 1987 | 11 miles |
| Charlotte Harbour #1 (Bay) | 12 | concrete | 1991 | 11 miles |
FWC artificial reef deployments within 20 miles of Matlacha Pass; site coordinates are in the FWC reef layer. Florida reefs by county.
Inlets and jetties near Matlacha Pass
- Captiva Passinlet, 9 miles
- Boca Grandeinlet, 10 miles
- Unnamed (Lee county)inlet, 10 miles
- Redfish Passinlet, 11 miles
- Gasparilla Passinlet, 14 miles
FWC FWRI inlets and passes layer and OpenStreetMap jetties.
For the redfish herePiscifun NautiX saltwater spinning reel14% OFFSale $94.99 Inshore limits on Matlacha Pass
Charlotte Harbor region rules, plus statewide limits.
| Species | Bag | Size | Season | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red drum | 1 a day | 18-27 in. TL | Open year-round | Charlotte Harbor Region |
| Snook | 1 a day | 28-33 in. TL | Closed December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – September 30 | Charlotte Harbor Region |
| Spotted seatrout | 3 a day | 15-19 in. TL | Open year-round | Charlotte Harbor Region |
| Flounder | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | Closed annually Oct. 15 through Nov. 30 | Statewide |
| Sheepshead | 8 a day | 12 in minimum | Open year-round | Statewide |
| Black drum | 5 a day | 14-24 in. with one fish over 24 in. | Open year-round | Statewide |
| Florida pompano | 6 a day | 11 in minimum | Open year-round | Statewide |
| Spanish mackerel | 15 a day | 12 in minimum | Open year-round | Statewide |
| Gray snapper | 5 a day | 10 in minimum | Open year-round | Gulf and Atlantic state waters |
| Cobia | 1 a day | 36 in minimum | Open year round | Statewide |
| Tarpon | catch and release | none | Catch-and-release year-round | Statewide |
FWC saltwater regulations as posted October 2026. Federal water rules differ. Full Florida limits.
Local help on Matlacha Pass
Guides in Lee County
- A Fishin Missioninshore, North Fort Myers, (239) 565-2486
- A Jack or Better Charter Serviceinshore, Bonita Springs, (239) 495-9921
- Acme Charter Companyinshore, Fort Myers, (239) 895-8925
- Adrenalin Fishinginshore, north fort myers, (239) 209-1091
- Affordable Guide Serviceinshore, Cape Coral, (239) 209-6741
- All 4 Chuck Fishing Chartersinshore, Cape Coral, (239) 940-4901
- Always Fun Fishing Captain Jim Wheelerinshore, Bonita Springs, (239) 398-3620
- Andrews Fishinginshore, Sanibel, (239) 410-7194
Bait shops and marinas near Matlacha Pass
- Great for Baitbait and tackle, bokeelia, 3 miles
- Pineland Marinamarina, Lee, 4 miles
- Bocilla Marina Useppa Shoremarina, Bokeelia, 4 miles
- Seven Seas Bait and Tacklebait and tackle, Matlacha, 4 miles
- Pine Bay Marinamarina, Matlacha, 4 miles
- G3Sportsbait and tackle, Cape Coral, 4 miles
In the area of Matlacha Pass
Bayside towns, Matlacha Pass
- Bokeelia3 miles
- Matlacha4 miles
- Cape Coral7 miles
- St. James City10 miles
Next bays over from Matlacha Pass
- Charlotte Harbor7 miles north
- Pine Island Sound7 miles southwest
- Gasparilla Sound12 miles northwest
- San Carlos Bay16 miles southeast
Counties on Matlacha Pass
Piscifun reels and a scale grip
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Before you fish Matlacha Pass
Which part of Florida is Matlacha Pass in?
Lee County, which FWC puts in its Charlotte Harbor region.
Can I keep a redfish from Matlacha Pass?
1 a day, 18-27 in. TL.
Where can I fish a pier on Matlacha Pass?
Yes, 10 piers within 14 miles; Pineland Monument Park is nearest.
Where can I launch a boat on Matlacha Pass?
Try Lavender's Landing / Bokeelia Public Boat Ramp, one of 12 open saltwater ramps nearby.
Can I fish reefs near Matlacha Pass?
53 FWC deployments within 20 miles.
Which license do I need for Matlacha Pass?
Yes, at 16 and older unless exempt or on a licensed pier; residents pay $17 a year.
When is snook closed on Matlacha Pass?
Snook in the Charlotte Harbor region close December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – September 30; the slot is 28-33 in. TL.
Are there fishing guides on Matlacha Pass?
122 guides list a home port in Lee County.
Where are the inlets near Matlacha Pass?
Closest: Captiva Pass, Boca Grande and Unnamed (Lee county).
Plan a day on Matlacha Pass
Piers and ramps each have their own page with fees and hours.