Fly Fishing the Florida Keys & Everglades in March
March Weather Patterns in the Florida Keys & Everglades
March marks the true shift from winter to spring in the Florida Keys and Everglades. While occasional cold fronts still push down from the north, they are weaker, shorter, and less frequent than earlier in the year. Longer warming trends dominate, with stable conditions that last for days at a time. Water temperatures rise steadily into the mid to upper 70s, creating ideal conditions for tarpon, permit, and bonefish. These more prolonged windows of good weather give anglers greater consistency and more opportunities to sight fish across the flats, channels, and backcountry. Even when the winds pick up, protected areas in the Everglades or the leeward sides of the Keys provide fishable water.
Permit Fishing Before the Big Moons
March is the month when the permit fishery truly comes alive. As the spring moons approach, tides become stronger and permit begin staging before their offshore spawning migrations in April and May. On these powerful tides, permit are more aggressive and feed hard across the flats, tailing in shallow water or cruising edges where they can be targeted with well-presented flies. This is prime time for fly anglers who dream of catching one of the most elusive fish in the Keys. Whether poling along oceanside flats in Islamorada or exploring the edges of Florida Bay, March gives some of the best chances all year to connect with permit.
Tarpon Fishing in March: Pre-Spawn Action Heats Up
Tarpon fishing around Islamorada and in Florida Bay reaches some of its highest quality in March. Large groups of tarpon begin to lay up in basins, channels, and shallow bays as they prepare for their gestational cycle. These fish can often be seen rolling, daisy chaining, or suspended just beneath the surface on calm mornings. On warm afternoons, they may slide into the shallows, providing incredible sight fishing opportunities. Some of the best tarpon action of the year happens this month, especially on afternoons during warming trends. For anglers willing to make the longer run into the Everglades, mature tarpon can also be found staging in hidden back bays and channels, often in water that sees very little fishing pressure.
Bonefishing in March
While tarpon and permit dominate the spotlight, March can also bring excellent bonefishing opportunities. As the water continues to warm, bonefish become more active on the flats, tailing and feeding in shallower water than they do during the cooler months. Calm, sunny afternoons are especially good for spotting bonefish across the oceanside flats of Islamorada and the Middle Keys. When the tide is right, anglers may find large schools moving across hard-bottom flats, giving multiple shots in a single session. For those looking to complete part of a Grand Slam, March offers a rare chance at all three species—bonefish, permit, and tarpon—in the same day.
Shifting Away from Redfish & Snook
Although redfish and snook fishing remain solid in the Everglades during March, we often prioritize tarpon and permit during this peak spring window. On cooler days when a front passes through, snook and redfish are still excellent targets, concentrating in creeks, channels, and mangrove edges. But with warming weather and longer stable patterns, the big migratory species take center stage, making this month one of the most exciting of the year for fly anglers.
Why March is Special for Anglers
March is the gateway to peak fly fishing season in the Florida Keys and Everglades. With fewer cold fronts, longer warming trends, and stronger tidal movements, anglers can experience world-class opportunities at tarpon, permit, and bonefish. From powerful pre-spawn tarpon rolling in Florida Bay, to permit tailing before the moons, to bonefish feeding in skinny water, March offers some of the most diverse and rewarding fishing scenarios anywhere in the world. For fly anglers chasing bucket-list species, this month is a must in the Keys.