Tampa anglers can reach 27 of the waters in our guide in 75 minutes or less by car — 17 lakes, 9 bays and estuaries and 1 river or creek. 9 of them are salt or brackish water, 17 fresh. Together they hold records of 49 fish species.

Tampa Bay is 1 minutes from Tampa

Tampa Bay (estuary) is the shortest drive from Tampa: 1 min (0.5 mi).

Also within a short drive:

Largemouth Bass and 49 more species on record

The most widespread fish is Largemouth Bass, recorded in 18 of the 27 waters. It is followed by Brown Bullhead (17), Black Crappie (16), Sunshine Bass (16) and Channel Catfish (15).

The nearest water for each of the leading species:

  • Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie and Sunshine Bass: Lake Thonotosassa, 23 min (16.8 mi)
  • Brown Bullhead and Channel Catfish: Keystone Lake, about 15.2 mi

Launching near Tampa: 184 ramps

Public access near Tampa adds up to 184 boat ramps, 70 fishing piers and 2 shore-fishing spots. Nearest to the center for launching: Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park Paddlecraft Launch Dock on Tampa Bay, roughly 0.5 mi as the crow flies. For fishing without a boat, the closest pier is Rivercrest Park on Tampa Bay, about 3.1 mi from the center.

Where to start: Tampa Bay

Ranked by drive time, depth data, species records and access, the first 3 for Tampa are:

  • Tampa Bay (estuary): 207,427 acres, 17 fish species on record, max depth 93.2 ft (surveyed) and 189 ramps.
  • Old Tampa Bay (estuary): 53,947 acres, 17 fish species on record, max depth 93.2 ft (surveyed) and 37 ramps.
  • Boca Ciega Bay (estuary): 8,751 acres, 22 fish species on record, max depth 38 ft (surveyed) and 37 ramps.

Tampa Bay goes down to 93.2 ft

The deepest water in this guide is Tampa Bay: 93.2 ft at its deepest point (surveyed). Other deep spots are Old Tampa Bay (93.2 ft), Boca Ciega Bay (38 ft) and Withlacoochee River (27 ft). Maximum depths are known for 25 of the 27 waters.

3 stocked waters near Tampa

Stocking records name 3 of these waters — the most fish at Withlacoochee River (559,407 fish), Lake Annie (2,000 fish) and Lake Parker (500 fish).

Camping within reach of Tampa

You can camp next to the water: 8 campgrounds are within reach of Tampa. The closest are Beard (14.5 mi, by Keystone Lake), Meninak (14.5 mi, by Keystone Lake) and Seton (14.6 mi, by Keystone Lake).