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Fishing in Manatee County, Florida
Seat: Bradenton. FWC Southwest region.
- 34launches
- 1lakes
- 13piers
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Manatee County, Florida
An angler's guide to Manatee County
The county seat of Manatee County is Bradenton, and FWC manages its fresh water from the Southwest regional office. The Census Bureau puts Manatee County at 743 square miles of land and 221 of water. The FWC inventory counts 34 open public launches in Manatee County, 7 fresh and 27 salt.
Manatee County has 1 lake with an FWC fishing page, the largest being Lake Manatee. Coastal Manatee County adds 13 fishing piers, 12 beach accesses with fishing and 106 reef deployments.
34public launches
1FWC lakes
13fishing piers
106reef deployments
Map
Public access in Manatee County
FWC boat ramp inventory, pier finder and lake sites, checked October 2026.
Lakes
Fishing lakes in Manatee County
- Lake Manatee1,400 acres, 2 ramps, 4 TrophyCatch bass
Launches
All Manatee County launches
Lakes and rivers in Manatee County (7)
- Bunker Hill Park Kayak DockBunker Hill Park Pond, paddle launch, free, flush toilet
- Jiggs Landing Boat RampEvers Reservoir / Braden River / Ward Lake, 1 lane ramp, free, 5 trailer spaces
- Jiggs Landing Kayak DockEvers Reservoir / Braden River / Ward Lake, paddle launch
- Lake Manatee Public Boat Ramp (20 HP Motor Restriction)Lake Manatee, 1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Lake Manatee State Park (20 HP Motor Restriction)Lake Manatee, 2 lane ramp, fee, 17 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Ray's Canoe Hideaway on the Manatee River (Small Boats/Canoes/Kayaks)Manatee River, 1 lane ramp, fee, 12 trailer spaces
- Rye Preserve Kayak AccessManatee River, paddle launch
Coastal launches in Manatee County (27)
- Braden River Public Boat RampBraden River – Manatee River, 2 lane ramp, free, 14 trailer spaces
- Coquina Beach Boat Ramp NorthSarasota Bay, 2 lane ramp, free, 20 trailer spaces
- Coquina Beach Boat Ramp SouthSarasota Bay, 4 lane ramp, free, 24 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Emerson Point Preserve – Canoe/Kayak DockManatee River, paddle launch
- Emerson Point Preserve Non-Motorized Launch BeachManatee River, paddle launch, free, portable toilet
- Fort Hamer Public Boat RampManatee River, 1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Herb Dolan Bayfront Park – Kayak LaunchTampa Bay, paddle launch
- Highland Shores Public Boat RampManatee River, 1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces
- Holmes Beach Memorial ParkAnna Maria Sound, 1 lane ramp, free, 9 trailer spaces
- Kingfish Public Boat RampAnna Maria Sound, 3 lane ramp, free, 62 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Linley Street Boat Launch (No Trailer Parking)Sarasota Bay, 1 lane ramp, free
- Palma Sola Bay – Winston Tract Kayak Launch SitePalma Sola Bay, paddle launch, free, flush toilet
- Palma Sola Bay Public Boat RampPalma Sola Bay, 1 lane ramp, free, 22 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Palma Sola Causeway – Perico Bayou Kayak AccessPerico Bayou, paddle launch
- Riverside Park Public Boat Ramp – Palmetto (LIMITED PARKING)Manatee River, 3 lane ramp, free, 18 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Robinson Preserve Kayak Launch (17th Avenue Entrance)Robinson Preserve, paddle launch, free
- Robinson Preserve Kayak Launch (9th Avenue Entrance)Robinson Preserve, paddle launch, free, flush toilet
- Sunny Shores Park – Kayak AccessPalma Sola Bay, paddle launch
- Terra Ceia Bay at Highway 19 – ""Crab Trap"" Paddlecraft AccessTerra Ceia Bay, paddle launch, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Terra Ceia Bay at Highway 19 Northbound – Paddlecraft AccessTerra Ceia Bay, paddle launch, free, 10 trailer spaces
- Terra Ceia Bay at Highway 19 Southbound – Paddlecraft AccessTerra Ceia Bay, paddle launch
- Terra Ceia Preserve State Park – Bishop Harbor Primitive RampTampa Bay – Bishop Harbor, 1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces
- Terra Ceia Preserve State Park – Frog Creek Kayak AccessTerra Ceia Bay, paddle launch, free
- Terra Ceia Preserve State Park – Williams Bayou Kayak AccessWilliams Bayou, paddle launch, free
- Tom Bennett Park Kayak LaunchManatee River, paddle launch, free, flush toilet
- Warner's Bayou Kayak LaunchManatee River, paddle launch, free, 8 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Warner's Bayou Public Boat RampManatee River, 3 lane ramp, free, 24 trailer spaces, flush toilet
FWC Florida Boat Ramp Inventory, open and temporarily closed launches only.
Coast
Inshore and offshore in Manatee County
Piers in Manatee County
- Anna Maria City PierTampa Bay
- Bradenton Beach City PierSarasotra Bay
- Heron's LandingSarasota Bay
- Joan M. Durante Community ParkSarasota Bay
- Leffis Key PreserveSarasota Bay
- Linley Street Boat RampSarasota Bay
- Longboat Key Historic Marker – Town DocksSarasota Bay
- Palma Sola Causeway ParkPalma Sola Bay
- Riverside Park/Green Bridge Fishing PierManatee River
- Rod and Reel PierTampa Bay
- Rose ParkPalma Sola Bay
- Rossi ParkManatee River
- Skyway Pier State Park – South PierTampa Bay
Inshore water in Manatee County
- Tampa BayTampa Bay system
- Palma Sola BaySarasota Bay system
- Sarasota BaySarasota Bay system
Passes in Manatee County
- Passage Key Inletinlet
- Longboat Passinlet
Artificial reefs off Manatee County
The FWC reef layer shows 106 sites for Manatee County, from 10 to 42 feet deep.
Manatee County inshore limits, FWC Tampa Bay region
| Species | Bag | Size | Season | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red drum | 1 a day | 18-27 in. TL | Open year-round | Tampa Bay Region |
| Snook | 1 a day | 28-33 in. TL | Closed December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31 | Tampa Bay Region |
| Spotted seatrout | 3 a day | 15-19 in. TL | Open year-round | Tampa Bay 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 |
FWC pier finder, artificial reef layer and saltwater regulations, checked October 2026.
Rivers
Manatee County rivers and live flow
- Manatee River10 launches in Manatee County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Gamble Creek Near Parrish Fl | 4 cfs, 4.56 ft gage height | Nov 11 12:15 am |
| Manatee River At Sr 64 Near Myakka Head, Fl | 53 cfs, 4.89 ft gage height | Nov 10 11:15 pm |
| Myakka River At Myakka City Fl | 155 cfs, 7.37 ft gage height | Nov 11 12:00 am |
| Gamble Creek At County Road 675 Near Parrish Fl | 5 cfs, 9.38 ft gage height | Nov 11 12:00 am |
| Myakka River Near Myakka City Fl | 109 cfs, 9.30 ft gage height | Nov 11 12:15 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 12:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Stocking and records
Stocking and record fish in Manatee County
Hatchery releases in Manatee County
| Water | Fish | Species |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Manatee FMA | 29,160 | 2022 YC Striped Bass Hybrids |
FWC Completed Stockings reports 2021-22 to 2023-24 and FWC freshwater state records.
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Tackle and charters in Manatee County
Marinas and shops, Manatee County
- Annie's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle, Cortez
- Bit Moe Bait & Tackle Cobait and tackle, Ellenton
- Discount Tackle Outletbait and tackle, Bradenton
- Dolphin Electreel Incbait and tackle, Bradenton
- Island Discount Tacklebait and tackle, Holmes Beach
- Manatee Fish Campbait and tackle, Myakka City
- Pine Avenue Bait & Tackbait and tackle, Anna Maria
- Premier Tackle | Fishing + Tackle Suppliesbait and tackle, Bradenton
- Reel Tacklebait and tackle, Bradenton
- TPS Process Equipment USAbait and tackle, Sarasota
- Tropic Islesbait and tackle, Palmetto
- Westway Shell Servicebait and tackle, Bradenton
- fishermensheadquarters.combait and tackle, bradenton
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Bradentonsporting goods store, Bradenton
- Anjee Marinamarina, Bradenton
- Blenker Boatworks Marinamarina, Bradenton
- Bradenton Beach Marinamarina, Bradenton Beach
- Bradenton Yacht Clubmarina, Palmetto
- Cannons Marinamarina, Longboat Key
- Cortez Cove Marinamarina, Cortez
- Cut's Edge Harbor Marina Incmarina, Palmetto
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Bradentonsporting goods store, Bradenton
- Keyes Marinamarina, Holmes Beach
- Loggerhead Cortez Village Marina – Cortez, FLmarina, Cortez
- Marina @ Bayshore Gardensmarina, Bradenton
- Marina Walk, 379 Aruba Cirmarina, Bradenton
- Marina's Dust & Shinemarina, Parrish
- Marsh Harbor Marinamarina, Palmetto
- N E Taylor Boat Worksmarina, Cortez
- Palm View Marinamarina, Palmetto
Charter captains in Manatee County
- Action Fishing Adventuresinshore, Anna Maria, (727) 243-8918
- All Action Anglersinshore, Holmes Beach, (941) 677-0101
- AmVetChartersinshore, Anna Maria, (941) 268-0810
- Anna Maria Inshore Fishing LLCinshore, Bradenton, (941) 345-7182
- Aqua Delights Chartersinshore, Holmes Beach, (941) 720-2303
- Awestruck Fishing Chartersinshore, Bradenton, (941) 243-8520
- Badfish Charters Tampainshore, Palmetto, (863) 640-7036
- Best Happy Hooker One Chartersinshore, Bradenton, (941) 792-7124
- Capt Dan Cambern Hammerhead Chartersinshore, Anna Maria, (941) 625-6226
- Capt Rick Gross Charter Boat Fishy Business IIinshore, Anna Maria, (941) 794-3308
- Capt Scott Greer Charter Boat Stray Dog Off Shore Fishinginshore, Cortez, (941) 794-5615
- Capt Scotty Roe Fishing Chartersinshore, Anna Maria, (941) 380-9180
- Capt Todd Romineinshore, Bradenton, (941) 747-3866
- Captain Aaron Lowman Fishing Chartersinshore, Holmes Beach, (941) 465-8932
- Captain JL Davis Fishinginshore, Palmetto, (941) 729-4005
- Captain Kim's Boat Ridesinshore, Cortez, (941) 920-3307
- Captain Kuhn Chartersinshore, Bradenton, (941) 348-7541
- Captain Mike's Chartersinshore, Holmes Beach, (941) 778-1404
- Captain Nate's Fishing Guide & Charter Servicesinshore, Bradenton, (941) 932-5609
- Captain Ryan Taylor Fishing Chartersinshore, Bradenton, (941) 812-7435
Nearby
Next to Manatee County
Towns in Manatee County
- Bradentonpop. 55,698
- Cortezpop. 4,121
- Holmes Beachpop. 3,010
- Anna Mariapop. 968
- Bradenton Beachpop. 908
Bordering counties to Manatee County
- Sarasota County17 miles south
- Hillsborough County29 miles north
- Hardee County35 miles east
- Pinellas County39 miles northwest
Gallery
Places pictured near Manatee County
Photo: Paul R. Burley, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: OS2 JOHN BOUVIA, Public domain
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Photo: senya82, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Carol (vanhookc), CC BY 2.0
Answers
Fishing in Manatee County: common questions
Are there boat ramps in Manatee County?
34 open public launches in the FWC inventory, 7 fresh and 27 salt.
What is the main fishing lake in Manatee County?
Lake Manatee, 1,400 acres.
Does Manatee County have a coast?
Yes: 13 piers, 27 salt launches and 106 reef deployments.
Which FWC region covers Manatee County?
The Southwest region for fresh water, and the Tampa Bay region for redfish, snook and trout.
Where do I get live bait in Manatee County?
39 places sell bait or tackle, including Academy Sports + Outdoors Bradenton, DICK'S Sporting Goods Bradenton and West Marine Bradenton.
Are there charters in Manatee County?
54 guides list a home port in Manatee County.
Where does FWC stock in Manatee County?
FWC stocked 1 site in recent years.
Where is the Manatee County seat?
Bradenton.
Do I need a license to fish in Manatee County?
Anglers 16 and up need a freshwater or saltwater license, matched to the water.
Go fishing in Manatee County
Each launch, pier and lake has its own page with the details.