Golden Gate Canal

Led by locals who love where they’re from and what they do. With intimate group sizes, you’ll never get lost in the crowd.

Every experience is reviewed for quality and uniqueness and is entirely private.

Introduction to Golden Gate Canal System

Don’t confuse the area’s beautiful saltwater beach with a shortage of natural lakes for freshwater fishing. Southwest Florida has hundreds of miles of drainage canals that are home to tons of fish, collectively known as the Golden Gate Canal System. This region has three major canal systems: Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, and Golden Gate. 

It is centrally located between Naples and Marco Island’s pristine beaches, and the Everglades National Park, Big Cypress Preserve, and Collier-Seminole State Park. 

“The canals in the southern Golden Gate area will provide freshwater fishermen a great alternative opportunity,” said President Brian McMahon, Collier County Standing Watch.

This project was completed in the summer of 2009, so if you want to explore southwest Florida fishing. The Golden Gate canal system is where you can stay close, save time, and money.

• Region: Southwest Florida, Naples
• Duration: 4, 6, 8, & 12 hrs
• Cancellation: 12 hrs in advance
• Weather-Related: Full refund
• Instant Online Confirmation
• Includes All State Taxes
• All Fishing Equipment
• Professional Captain
• Boat & Fuel
• Cooler & Ice
• Bottled water
• Photos
• Florida Freshwater Fishing License for those ages 16+
• Live bait, if desired, is also additional and is purchased the morning of the trip. (optional)
• Food or Specialty beverages

Amenities:

• Fishing Chairs
• GPS & Fishfinder
• Life Jackets
• Catch and Release Allowed
• Keep Fish Allowed within Laws

About this Tour:

• Boat Specs: 20+ ft
• Boat Capacity: 4 People
• All Fishing Equipment
• Boat & Fuel
• Photos

Fishing Techniques:

• Light Tackle
• Heavy Tackle
• Livebait
• Fly Fishing
• Artificial Lures

Fishing Equipment:

• Spinning Rods
• Baitcasting Rods
• Left & Right Handed
• Fly Rods (request only)
• Braid & Mono Line

Naples Peacock Bass Fishing Guides

Meet the TEAM of local Naples Bass fishing guides, we know the best spots, baits, and techniques to give you the most incredible fishing experience.

Golden Gate Canal Fishing

It was known for its Black crappie, preferring colder waters, which aren’t as prevalent in this part of the state. Oscars, exotics like the peacock bass, have spread from the Miami area into southwest Florida. They are abundant in the freshwater canals, particularly along the US 41 canal in eastern Collier County. Catfish, mudfish, and several gar species, but not the Alligator gar, are also ordinary freshwater residents.

This part of the state has year-round fishing for peacock bass, largemouth bass, and panfish. The Golden Gate has a variety of species to keep anglers excited and pleased. In addition to the already mentioned species, you can sometimes catch freshwater Snook and tarpon. Most of the larger largemouth bass are seen during the colder months, when the fish are more actively feeding and at peak bedding time. The peacock bass anglers have the best success when the water is warmer. 

The common statewide panfish patterns are the same in the Golden Gate; bluegills and Redear sunfish will almost always bite an earthworm, cricket, or small minnow year-round.

Golden Gate Boat Ramp

The boat ramp is located in the northeast parking lot of Golden Gate Community Park. The ramp’s width is 24 feet and will accommodate motorized boats of average size, such as bass, bay, or flats boats, and will provide access to 8 miles of canals. A second phase of the Golden Gate Community Park water access project is available for kayak launch on the tennis courts’ west side. The kayak launch also has access to the Golden Gate Canal System.

Boat launch fees may or may not apply at these locations. Currently, prices are $5 per launch or $75 for an annual, non-commercial boat launch pass. We hear others pay nothing, so launch at your own risk, and read the local signs at your own risk.

Areas to Avoid

Many locations are on private property; fishing is usually restricted to residents and their guests. If in doubt, assume the lake is private and ask for permission before wetting your line. Still, these restrictions are why we offer professional guided boat service and access in the area.

Surrounding Fishing Options

If you want more South Florida feel, try the Florida Everglades east of Naples on I-75. This area has some of the best bass fishing in the state; it’s not unusual to catch 50 to 100 bass daily. 

Not like we need to make the Everglades any better, but the wildlife is just second to none. Alligators are plentiful and a mecca for bird watchers.

Lake Trafford has some of the best crappie fishing in the region, with the winter months being the best. It’s located in Immokalee, Florida, minutes east of Naples. These are stocked and offer excellent bass, catfish, and panfish fishing. 

There are many other lakes in the region. Still, many are human-made rock pits or water retention areas for the numerous housing and golf course developments, none of which are similar to the Golden Gate canal system.

Certain parts of each body of water are locally famous for good bass and panfish fishing. Each location has a few boat ramps, some bridges to fish from, and plenty of areas where anglers can be active from the banks.

Driving around the region, you will also notice drainage canals along many major roads. Don’t overlook these as possible fishing spots; if there is a safe place to pull off the road, stop and give it a try. You will see people doing this daily, usually catching fish.

Conclusion

We at  bassonline.com encourages anglers to practice catch-and-release when fishing for any bass. Overall, this species is a hearty fish, and nearly 100 percent will survive being caught and released when adequately handled. However, peacock bass do not live as long in live wells as other species. They must be released quickly to maximize their chances of survival.

Now that you know more, why not enjoy a day of fishing adventure on the Golden Gate Canal System? Another great way to take in the sunshine. These exotic species love the warm weather as much as you do!

Land your trophy peacock bass next time visiting Naples, Florida!

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