Everglades National Park says one third of its area is saltwater, “the rest is a freshwater wetland,” and that both offer recreational fishing (National Park Service, retrieved October 2026). This post covers the park-wide rules on that page. It is not specific to Everglades City, and the page says little about launching from town.
A Florida saltwater license is required to fish saltwater or possess saltwater species, and a Florida freshwater license is required for freshwater. Children under 16 do not require a license. The NPS says exceptions may apply and fees vary, and that visitors must follow FWC license rules.
Live or dead fish, amphibians and non-preserved fish eggs are prohibited as freshwater bait, and digging for bait inside the park is not permitted. Saltwater bait listed includes shrimp, minnows, pilchards, pinfish, mullet, mojarras and ballyhoo. Cast nets and dip nets may not be wider than 3 feet. Taking lobster and queen conch is prohibited. Recreational crabbers are limited to 5 traps, and unattended gear is prohibited.
Licensed anglers may possess 20 fish per person and no more than 10 of any one species, and many bag limits are lower. The page warns not to eat bass caught north of the Main Park Road, and to eat bass south of it no more than once a week.
The page says: “Fishing from the shore is very limited.” It does not name shore spots. For the nearest town access, see our Everglades City and Chokoloskee ramp guide, and for freshwater species see the peacock bass post. The license guide covers license rules.