Single-species migration calendar

Tarpon in Central Florida East Coast june fishing.

  • Megalops atlanticus
  • Migratory
  • Good

Resident summer fish in passes and backcountry.

Verify with the agency before fishing

Fishing regulations change every season. This page is a summary maintained by Bield — bag limits, exact dates, and species-specific rules must be verified with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Saltwater) before each trip.

Year-round calendar

Tarpon · 12-month view.

Each month encodes typical migration status. The current month is outlined in gold. Hover a cell for the month-specific note and typical water temperature.

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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Fair Wintering schools in southern FL passes and bridges. Typical water temp: 64–70°FFairFeb — Good Pre-migration — fish staging. Typical water temp: 66–72°FGoodMar — Peak Spring tarpon migration begins — palolo worm hatch on lower keys. Typical water temp: 72–78°FPeakApr — Peak Peak SE FL tarpon — fish moving through. Typical water temp: 76–82°FPeakMay — Peak Same — fish along the beaches. Typical water temp: 78–84°FPeakJun — Good Resident summer fish in passes and backcountry. Typical water temp: 82–86°FGoodJul — Good Same. Typical water temp: 84–88°FGoodAug — Good Same. Typical water temp: 84–88°FGoodSep — Good Fall migration south building. Typical water temp: 80–84°FGoodOct — Good Fish moving south. Typical water temp: 76–82°FGoodNov — Fair Last of fall migration. Typical water temp: 70–76°FFairDec — Fair Wintering schools forming. Typical water temp: 64–70°FFair

Migration pattern

Wintering schools in southern FL passes and bridges December–March; spring migration north begins March (palolo worm hatch on the lower Keys). Resident summer fish in passes and backcountry. Fall departure south September–October.

Best locations

  • Mosquito Lagoon
  • Banana River
  • Sebastian Inlet
  • Indian River Lagoon flats

Top lures

  • Live threadfin herring
  • Live mullet
  • Crab patterns (palolo hatch)
  • Live pinfish
  • Soft plastic eel

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Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data and water-temperature readings to species arrival windows so you're on the water the day they arrive in Central Florida East Coast.

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