From Miami, 7 waters from our guide are no more than 75 minutes away by road — 4 bays and estuaries, 2 lakes and 1 other water. 4 of them are salt or brackish water, 3 fresh. Across these waters, 51 fish species are on record.

Closest to Miami: Biscayne Bay, 3 minutes away

Biscayne Bay (estuary) is the shortest drive from Miami: 3 min (1.1 mi).

Also within a short drive:

71 boat ramps and 19 piers within reach

Around Miami you will find 71 boat ramps, 19 fishing piers and 2 shore-fishing spots on the waters in this guide. The boat ramp closest to the city center is Spring Garden Park Kayak Launch on Biscayne Bay, about 0.9 mi in a straight line. Without a boat, start at Rickenbacker Causeway Fishing Piers (East Pier) on Biscayne Bay, the nearest pier — about 2.1 mi from the center.

51 fish species around Miami

Tarpon turns up in more of these waters than any other fish: 3 of 7. It is followed by Florida Pompano (3), Sheepshead (3), Largemouth Bass (3) and Brown Bullhead (3).

The nearest water for each of the leading species:

  • Tarpon, Florida Pompano and Sheepshead: Biscayne Bay, 3 min (1.1 mi)
  • Largemouth Bass and Brown Bullhead: The Everglades, 32 min (19.6 mi)

3 waters at the top of the Miami list

Our ranking for Miami weighs the drive, the depth map, the fish on record and the ramps; it puts these 3 first:

  • Biscayne Bay (estuary): 138,195 acres, 26 fish species on record, max depth 57.1 ft (surveyed) and 101 ramps.
  • The Everglades (open water): 700,274 acres, 21 fish species on record, max depth 16 ft (surveyed) and 27 ramps.
  • Lake Worth (lagoon): 7,328 acres, 4 fish species on record, max depth 57.2 ft (surveyed) and 49 ramps.

Lake Worth goes down to 57.2 ft

The deepest water in this guide is Lake Worth: 57.2 ft at its deepest point (surveyed). Other deep spots are Biscayne Bay (57.1 ft), Lake Osborne (25 ft) and Blackwater Sound (17 ft). Maximum depths are known for all 7 waters.

Camping within reach of Miami

You can camp next to the water: 5 campgrounds are within reach of Miami. The closest are Boca Chita Campground (17.4 mi, by Biscayne Bay), Elliot Key Campground (22.2 mi, by Biscayne Bay) and King's Kamp RV Park and Marina (45.8 mi, by Blackwater Sound).

One stocked water near Miami

The stocking record nearby belongs to Lake Osborne (69,988 fish).