W.P. Franklin N
12 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
Visitors flock to W.P. Franklin Campground for its well-kept facilities and location on the Caloosahatchee River, where campers can fish, boat and take it easy in sunny southwest Florida.
Outdoors
Fishing near Fort Myers
Lakes, rivers and recreation areas near Fort Myers where fishing is allowed, closest first.
21places to fish
12 mito the closest
4within 30 miles
Good to know: Anyone 16 or older generally needs a state fishing license; seasons, limits and special rules vary by water. Florida license information ↗
Closest picks
W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area
12 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
WP Franklin South Recreation Area is a day use area located on the Caloosahatchee River adjacent to the WP Franklin Lock and Dam.
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
20 mi southwest · Fish and Wildlife Service
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, on the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel in the Gulf of America along Florida’s west coast, is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States.
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Within 30 miles (4)
W.P. Franklin N
Visitors flock to W.P. Franklin Campground for its well-kept facilities and location on the Caloosahatchee River, where campers can fish, boat and take it easy in sunny southwest Florida.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Kayaking
W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area
WP Franklin South Recreation Area is a day use area located on the Caloosahatchee River adjacent to the WP Franklin Lock and Dam.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Picnicking
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, on the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel in the Gulf of America along Florida’s west coast, is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Motor Boat
- Nature education
Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge
The Pine Island NWR is located on the southwest coast of Florida, north of Sanibel Island in the Pine Island Sound. It is administered as part of the J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR.
- Boating
- Fishing
30 to 75 miles (7)
Ortona South
Ortona South is a perfect campground for a quiet, sunny escape to South Florida. The campground is set along the Caloosahatchie River.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Fishing
Gator Head Campground
Gator Head Campground is a primitive campground located within the Bear Island Unit of Big Cypress National Preserve.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Fishing
- Off Road Vehicle Trails
- Wildlife viewing
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1996 under provisions of the Arizona-Florida Land Exchange Act of 1988.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Wildlife viewing
Lake Okeechobee
As lake, waterway and surrounding countryside, Okeechobee shows the many faces of Florida. A canopy of moss-draped live oaks hides clusters of sabal palms. A tangle of water plants marks the boundary where wetland meets lakeshore.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Burns Lake Campground
Burns Lake Campground offers lake views from every campsite. Offering direct backcountry access, this campground is the ideal place for hunters and off-road vehicle enthusiasts.
- Camping
- Fishing
Big Cypress National Preserve
The freshwaters of the Big Cypress Swamp, essential to the health of the neighboring Everglades, support the rich marine estuaries along Florida's southwest coast.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Hunting
- Paddling
Monument Lake Campground
Monument Lake Campground is a beautiful place where visitors can enjoy the surrounding preserve while sitting at their picnic table.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
75 miles and farther (10)
De Soto National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting their homelands.
- Fishing
- History
- Paddling
Pinecrest Group Campground
Pinecrest Campground offers four group campsites that provide a nice, quiet and relaxing atmosphere. This is a wonderful location for a group to start their south Florida adventure.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge
Egmont Key NWR was designated as a national wildlife refuge in 1974. Egmont Key is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a national wildlife refuge to protect the island’s diverse natural, cultural, and historical features.
- Beach
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Motor Boat
- Photography
- Ranger programs
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
The Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1951 under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929 with a 50-year license agreement between the State of Florida and the U.S.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
St Lucie South
St. Lucie Campground provides a relaxing camping experience on the St. Lucie Canal, part of the 152 mile Okeechobee Waterway that spans South Florida from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
Everglades National Park
Established in 1947 as the first national park created for its biodiversity, Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest, and marine habitats and the native plants and animals that call it home.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge contains the largest contiguous section of undeveloped beach in Southeastern Florida and is considered one of the most productive sea turtle nesting areas in the Southeastern United…
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is situated in the Indian River Lagoon estuary, which runs 156 miles down Florida’s eastern coastline.
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Motor Boat
- Nature education
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Photography
Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge
The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge stretches across 20.5 miles of beach and shoreline habitat between Melbourne Beach and Wabasso Beach along Florida's east coast in Brevard and Indian River Counties.
- Birding
- Fishing
- Photography
Biscayne National Park
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Paddling
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Fort Myers. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Fort Myers
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More outdoors near Fort Myers
Questions
Where is the closest place for fishing near Fort Myers?
W.P. Franklin N (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 12 miles northeast of Fort Myers as the crow flies. Next are W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area (12 mi) and J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge (20 mi).
Do I need a fishing license near Fort Myers?
Yes, anglers 16 and older generally need a Florida fishing license from the state wildlife agency. Rules, seasons and limits vary by water.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.