Florida counties
Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 $129.99
Fishing in Pasco County, Florida
Seat: Dade City. FWC Southwest region.
- 26launches
- 1lakes
- 2piers
Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Withlacoochee River (West Central Florida): Trougnouf, CC BY 4.0
Pasco County, Florida
Where to fish in Pasco County
Pasco County, with its seat at Dade City, is in the FWC Southwest freshwater region. Census figures give Pasco County 747 square miles of land and 268 of water. FWC ramp records show 26 open public launches in Pasco County: 8 on fresh water and 18 on salt or brackish water.
Pasco County has 1 lake with an FWC fishing page, the largest being Middle Lake. On the Pasco County coast FWC lists 2 fishing piers, 0 beach accesses with fishing and 37 artificial reef deployments. The heaviest freshwater state record from Pasco County is a 20.13 pound largemouth bass caught in 1923.
26public launches
1FWC lakes
2fishing piers
37reef deployments
For the largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 Map
Fishing spots across Pasco County
FWC boat ramp inventory, pier finder and lake sites, checked October 2026.
Lakes
Pasco County lakes
- Middle Lake200 acres, 1 ramp
Launches
Pasco County ramp list
Freshwater launches, Pasco County (8)
- Crews Lake Wilderness ParkCrews Lake (Pasco County), 1 lane ramp, free, 10 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve West Tract Small Boat Launch (aka. Lanier Bridge)Withlacoochee River (West Central Florida), 1 lane ramp, free, 12 trailer spaces
- Lake Jovita Park and PierLake Jovita / Clear Lake, paddle launch, free
- Lake Pasadena RV Park & Fish CampLake Pasadena, 3 lane ramp, fee, portable toilet
- Moon Lake Park (Small Boats)Moon Lake, 1 lane ramp, free, 10 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- R.H. Pless ParkMiddle Lake, 1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces
- Withlacoochee River Park Canoe Launch (Pasco County)Withlacoochee River (West Central Florida), paddle launch, fee, 3 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Withlacoochee State Forest – Lacoochee Small Boat Launch (Not Recommended)Withlacoochee River (West Central Florida), 1 lane ramp, free, 4 trailer spaces
Saltwater launches, Pasco County (18)
- Anclote Gulf Park – Canoe LaunchGulf Of America, paddle launch, fee, flush toilet
- Anclote River ParkAnclote River – St Joseph Bay, 6 lane ramp, fee, 120 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Brashner Park – Kayak LaunchBoggy Bay, paddle launch, free, portable toilet
- Eagle Point Park – Kayak LaunchTrouble Creek – Gulf of America, paddle launch, fee, 8 trailer spaces, composting toilet
- Frances Avenue Park – Kayak Launch DockPithlachascotee River (Cotee River), paddle launch, free, flush toilet
- Grand Boulevard Park Paddlecraft Launch DockPithlachascotee River, paddle launch, free
- James E. Gray Preserve – Kayak Launch DockPithlachascotee River (Cotee River), paddle launch, free, flush toilet
- Jasmine Park Paddlecraft Launch DockPithlachascotee River, paddle launch, free
- Nick's Park Public Boat RampMiller's Bayou, 1 lane ramp, free, 21 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Oelsner Park – Kayak BeachMillers Bayou, paddle launch, free, flush toilet
- Port Richey Waterfront Park – Kayak Launch DockPithlachascotee River (Cotee River), paddle launch, free, flush toilet
- R. J. Strickland Memorial ParkGulf of America – Hudson Canal System, 1 lane ramp, fee, 46 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Robert K. Rees Park – Beachside Paddlecraft AccessGulf Of America, paddle launch, free, flush toilet
- Robert K. Rees Park – Gulf and Lagoon Roadside Paddlecraft AccessGulf Of America, paddle launch, free
- Sea Ranch Marina (No Parking for Boat Trailers on Premises.)Gulf of America – Hudson Canal System, 1 lane ramp, fee
- Sims Park Boat RampPithlachascotee River, 2 lane ramp, free, 9 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Sims Park Kayak Launch DockPithlachascotee River (Cotee River), paddle launch, free, flush toilet
- Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park Kayak LaunchSalt Springs Run, paddle launch, fee, 6 trailer spaces, flush toilet
FWC Florida Boat Ramp Inventory, open and temporarily closed launches only.
Coast
Salt water in Pasco County
Where to fish a pier in Pasco County
- Anclote Gulf ParkGulf of Mexico
- James E. Grey PreservePithlachascotee River
Inlets and jetties in Pasco County
- Hudson Creekinlet
- Double Hammock Creekinlet
- Pithlachascotee Riverinlet
- Boggy Bay Entranceinlet
- Salt Springs Runinlet
- Oyster Creekinlet
- Anclote Riverinlet
FWC reefs off Pasco County
Reef builders have sunk 37 deployments off Pasco County, from 25 to 40 feet deep.
Pasco County inshore limits, FWC Big Bend region
| Species | Bag | Size | Season | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red drum | 1 a day | 18-27 in. TL | Open year-round | Big Bend Region |
| Snook | 1 a day | 28-33 in. TL | Closed December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31 | Big Bend Region |
| Spotted seatrout | 5 a day | 15-19 in. TL | Open year-round | Big Bend 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
River access and gauges in Pasco County
- Withlacoochee River (West Central Florida)3 launches in Pasco County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Anclote River At Little Rd Near Elfers, Fl | 35 cfs, 9.07 ft gage height | Nov 10 11:30 pm |
| Anclote River Near Odessa Fl | 16 cfs, 2.19 ft gage height | Nov 11 12:00 am |
| Withlacoochee River Near Cumpressco, Fl | 186 cfs, 8.65 ft gage height | Nov 10 11:45 pm |
| Hillsborough R Bl Crystal Spr Near Zephyrhills Fl | 119 cfs, 50.92 ft gage height | Nov 11 12:15 am |
| Hillsborough R Ab Crystal Spr Near Zephyrhills Fl | 68 cfs, 53.37 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
What FWC stocks in Pasco County
Pasco County stocking
| Water | Fish | Species |
|---|---|---|
| Moon Lake | 121,088 | Bluegill Fingerlings, Redear Sunfish Fingerlings |
| Middle Lake FMA | 20,000 | Atlantic Striped Bass Fingerlings |
| Withlacoochee River @ Lacoochee | 19,390 | 2022 YC Channel Catfish Fry and Phase I Fingerlings |
State records from Pasco County
| Species | Pounds | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 20.13 | 1923 |
| Brown Bullhead | 7.02 | 2014 |
FWC Completed Stockings reports 2021-22 to 2023-24 and FWC freshwater state records.
Local help
Who to call in Pasco County
Pasco County bait and tackle
- Anclote Bait & Tacklebait and tackle, Holiday
- Armed Anglersbait and tackle, Holiday
- Big Bob's Handmade Tackle-Jigsbait and tackle, New Port Richey
- Big Dawg Baitsbait and tackle, Spring Hill
- Charlie's St Joe Marketbait and tackle, Dade City
- Coopers Wholesale Shrimp Cobait and tackle, Hudson
- Daddy D's Tackle Supplybait and tackle, Hudson
- First Cast Inc, 3717 Grand Blvdbait and tackle, New Port Richey
- First Mate Bait & Tacklebait and tackle, Hudson
- Hunishco Sportsbait and tackle, Port Richey
- J & J Bait & Tacklebait and tackle, Holiday
- J & J Provisions Incbait and tackle, Port Richey
- Keepalive Incbait and tackle, New Port Richey
- Live to Fishbait and tackle, Hudson
- One Stop Bait Shop Of New Port Richeybait and tackle, New Port Richey
- Rusty Bucket Baithousebait and tackle, New Port Richey
- Tarpon Fishing Outfittersbait and tackle, Holiday
- The Bait Depotbait and tackle, Port Richey
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Lutzsporting goods store, Lutz
- American Marinamarina, Port Richey
- Anclote Village Marinamarina, Holiday
- Anclote Village Marinamarina,
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Wesley Chapelsporting goods store, Wesley Chapel
- Go2 Outfitters Incsporting goods store, Lutz
- Hudson Beach Marinamarina, Hudson
- Skeleton Key Marinamarina, Hudson
- Tarpon Springs Marina Acqmarina, Holiday
Pasco County guides and charters
- Action Fishing Adventuresinshore, Holiday, (727) 937-8361
- Barefoot Bandit Charters Inc.inshore, hudson, (727) 514-4642
- Captain Dustin Fishing Chartersinshore, New Port Richey, (727) 487-3045
- Captain Lenny's Guide Serviceinshore, New Port Richey, (727) 505-2414
- Captain Mark Dillingham – Inshore Adventuresinshore, Holiday, (727) 389-2212
- Catchin Somfininshore, Odessa, (352) 569-7287
- Fish Tampa Flats Inshore Chartersinshore, holiday, (727) 410-3822
- Jimmy's Fishing Chartersinshore, Hudson, (813) 803-2085
- Reel Skinny Fishing Chartersinshore, Hudson, (727) 992-3918
- Tampa Bay Flats Fishinginshore, Holiday, (727) 808-1846
- Twisted Tails Chartersinshore, new port richey, (727) 226-0475
- Unleashed Chartersinshore, Port Richey, (727) 364-6571
- Miss Virginia Deep Sea Fishingoffshore, Port Richey, (727) 937-8257
Nearby
Beyond Pasco County
Where to stay in Pasco County
- Wesley Chapelpop. 64,866
- Hudsonpop. 12,944
Neighbors of Pasco County
- Hernando County17 miles north
- Hillsborough County30 miles south
- Pinellas County33 miles southwest
- Citrus County38 miles north
Know your fish
Species to look for at Pasco County
Photo: Steve Hillebrand, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Matthew Hoelscher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Mick Johnson, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Attackgirl (talk) (Uploads), Public domain
Answers
Questions about fishing in Pasco County
How much public access is in Pasco County?
There are 26 open launches (8 fresh, 18 salt).
Which Pasco County lake should I fish first?
Middle Lake, 200 acres.
Can I fish salt water in Pasco County?
It does, with 2 piers, 18 salt launches and 37 reef deployments.
What FWC region is Pasco County in?
The Southwest region for fresh water, and the Big Bend region for redfish, snook and trout.
Where can I buy bait in Pasco County?
27 listings, such as Academy Sports + Outdoors Lutz, DICK'S Sporting Goods Wesley Chapel and American Marina.
Where do I find a guide in Pasco County?
13 guides give Pasco County as home.
What fish are stocked in Pasco County?
Yes, at 3 sites in the years on file.
Which city is the seat of Pasco County?
Dade City is the county seat.
What license covers Pasco County?
Yes, unless exempt; freshwater and saltwater licenses are sold separately.