CONTACT US:
Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission
Fish and Wildlife
Research Institute
100 Eighth Avenue SE
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
727-896-8626
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Charlotte County
UF/IFAS Extension
Florida Sea Grant
25550 Harbor View Rd #3
Port Charlotte, Florida 33980
941-764-4340
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Funding for this project was obtained through grants from the West Coast Inland Navigation District and Charlotte County.
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Additional funding for this project was obtained through the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Fund.
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In addition to being considered the fishing capital of the world, Florida can also boast that it is the boating capital of the United States. During the years 2008 and 2009, almost 900,000 pleasure boats were registered in Florida. During this same time, over 60,000 of those were registered in Charlotte and Lee counties.
Boaters in Charlotte Harbor take advantage of the opportunities for spending time on harbor waters. Many boaters flock to barrier islands to spend time playing on the beach and soaking up the sun. Others spend time stalking fish on the grass flats or participate in sailing regattas. Paddlers travel around the harbor observing local wildlife.
This section of the Web site provides boaters information about safe boating, local marinas, public access boat ramps, and managed and marked paddling trails.
Boating safety education requirements
Boat operators who were born on or after January 1, 1988 must have a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card in order to operate a motorboat with ten horsepower or more. The requirement to take an approved boating safety course and to obtain an FWC-issued identification card will not change, but the age threshold for the educational requirements will now be based on whether or not you were born on or after January 1, 1988. For more information about boating safety education requirements, visit FWC Boating Safety and Education.
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Seagrass Scarring
More than 80 percent of all recreationally and commercially important fish species are dependent upon seagrass at some point in their lives. Seagrass improves water quality, traps sediment, provides shelter for many juvenile fish species, and provides a food source for other marine life. Avoid damaging seagrass by knowing your boat’s operating depth and navigating in marked channels. Anchor only in bare sandy bottoms. If you run aground in shallow water, stop and pole your boat into deeper water.
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Destruction of seagrass in Aquatic Preserves is a violation of Florida Law and carries a penalty of up to $1,000.
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For more information about boating and boating safety, please visit the following Web sites:
FWC, Boating and Waterways section
U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
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If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about this Web site, please e-mail us at Boating_Guides@MyFWC.com.
Would you like to receive notices of changes to this Web site and the Boating and Angling Guide to Charlotte Harbor? If so, please e-mail us and include SUBSCRIBE-CHARLOTTE in the subject line.
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