Fishing near Tampa, Florida
Hillsborough County, population 384,959.
- 2 milesto nearest lake
- 10launches nearby
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Miosotis Jade, CC BY-SA 4.0
Tampa fishing spots
Tampa sits in Hillsborough County with 384,959 residents in 2020. The nearest lake with an FWC fishing page is Al Lopez Park Lake, 2 miles northwest of town. The closest named launch is Rick’s On The River – Marina – Bar – Grill, under a mile away.
For saltwater, Ballast Point Park is 5 miles off and the coast within 25 miles has 6 fishing piers. FWC lists 139 artificial reef deployments within 25 miles of Tampa.
Nearest lakes to Tampa
- Al Lopez Park Lake2 miles northwest, 10 acres
- Bobby Hicks Park Pond7 miles south, 25 acres
- Gadsden Park Pond7 miles south, 48 acres
- Lake Thonotosassa14 miles northeast, 819 acres
- Dover District Park Lake15 miles east, 14 acres
- Steven J. Wortham Park Lake15 miles southeast, 10 acres
Rivers within reach of Tampa
- Hillsborough River14 miles
- Little Manatee River20 miles
- Manatee River31 miles
Map of spots near Tampa
- Rick's On The River – Marina – Bar – GrillTampa Bay – Hillsborough River, under a mile
- Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park Paddlecraft Launch DockTampa Bay – Hillsborough Bay – Garrison Channel, 2 miles
- Lowry Park Public Boat RampTampa Bay – Hillsborough River, 3 miles
- Davis Island Public Boat RampTampa Bay – Hillsborough Bay, 4 miles
- Cyoress Point Park Paddlecraft LaunchTampa Bay – Old Tampa Bay – Eastern Shore, 4 miles
- Ballast Point Park Public Boat RampTampa Bay – Hillsborough Bay, 5 miles
- Salty Sol Fleishman – Gandy Boulvard Public Boat RampTampa Bay – Old Tampa Bay – Eastern Shore, 6 miles
- Riverhills Park Boat Ramp – City of Temple TerraceHillsborough River, 7 miles
- Harney Park – Tampa Bypass Canal (10 HP maximum)C-135 Tampa Bypass Canal, 8 miles
- Courtney Campbell Causeway Public Boat RampTampa Bay – Old Tampa Bay – Eastern Shore, 8 miles
Straight line distances from the census center of Tampa.
The coast near Tampa
Closest piers to Tampa
- Ballast Point ParkOld Tampa Bay, 5 miles
- MacDill AFB – Military onlyTampa Bay, 8 miles
- Picnic Island Fishing PierTampa Bay, 9 miles
- Williams ParkAlafia River, 9 miles
- Riverview Park, RiverviewAlafia River, 12 miles
- Weedon IslandRiviera Bay/Grande Bayou, 12 miles
Bays within reach of Tampa
- Old Tampa Bay9 miles
- Hillsborough Bay10 miles
- Tampa Bay20 miles
USGS gauges near Tampa
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough River At Rowlett Pk Dr Near Tampa Fl | 796 cfs, 2.50 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:15 pm |
| Henry Street Canal At Benjamin Road Near Tampa Fl | 13 cfs, 8.58 ft gage height | Oct 12 6:00 pm |
| Hillsborough River Near Tampa Fl | 829 cfs, 21.73 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 12, 2026 6:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Shops and guides in Tampa
Bait, ice and fuel near Tampa
- One Stop Bait Shop, 2305 N Willow Avebait and tackle, Tampa, under a mile
- Southeastern Fishing Tackle Liquidatorsbait and tackle, Tampa, 1 mile
- One Stop Bait Shop, 305 N Willow Avebait and tackle, Tampa, 1 mile
- Tampa Bay Outfittersbait and tackle, Tampa, 2 miles
- West Marine Tampasporting goods store, Tampa, 2 miles
- Pointe Marinamarina, Hillsborough, 2 miles
- MAA Harbour Islandmarina, Tampa, 2 miles
- Classic City Marinasmarina, Tampa, 2 miles
Guide services, Tampa
- The Saltwater Hook up – Tampa Fishing Chartersinshore, Tampa, (813) 503-6761
- Phatfish Kayak Chartersinshore, Tampa, (813) 447-4732
- FL all American Chartersinshore, Tampa, (813) 406-9722
- Swift Fish Chartersinshore, Tampa, (813) 714-0889
- Mad Red Fishing Charters of Tampa Bayinshore, Tampa, (813) 997-5968
- Inshore 2 Offshore Fishing Adventuresoffshore, Tampa, (813) 731-3426
- Tampa Bay Fishing Chartersinshore, Tampa, (813) 468-9370
- Slay the Bay Fishing Charters of Tampa Bayinshore, Tampa, (813) 770-7634
- Chasing Tails Chartersinshore, Tampa, (813) 956-5357
- Tampa Fishing Chartersinshore, Tampa, (813) 787-0249
Nearby Florida water from Tampa
Photo: Mwanner, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jared, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY 2.5
What visitors ask about fishing near Tampa
Which lake is nearest Tampa?
Al Lopez Park Lake, 2 miles northwest.
Where can I launch a boat near Tampa?
Try Rick's On The River – Marina – Bar – Grill, under a mile from town.
Which piers are near Tampa?
6 piers nearby, the closest being Ballast Point Park.
Where can I get live bait near Tampa?
One Stop Bait Shop is the closest listed shop.
Who guides out of Tampa?
29 guides are based in Tampa.
Which county is Tampa in?
Hillsborough County, Florida.
Are there reefs off Tampa?
139 FWC reef deployments within 25 miles.
What river can I fish near Tampa?
Try Hillsborough River, 14 miles away.
How do visitors get a license for Tampa?
Yes; a 3-day non-resident freshwater license is $17.