Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs, Florida is a small-ish town located between Naples and Fort Myers on the Gulf Coast.
Like most towns on the water in Florida, development has pushed forward at a feverish pace for the last several decades. Where there used to be a 15-20 minute drive between Naples on the south and Fort Myers on the north, it is now all essentially one large strip mall.
That being said, there is a hidden gem of a fishing destination tucked into the hustle and bustle of the SWFL rat race if you know where to look.
The Imperial River
The Imperial River runs straight through the heart of Bonita Springs.
The river is generally a dark, tannin-stained, tea color. It is so dark that, even though much of the river isn’t more than 4 feet deep, you can’t see the bottom.
Boating access to the river is limited to a single boat ramp located on the southeast side of the river’s intersection with US41, a main north/south thoroughfare.
The river is lined with residential housing for the majority of its length.
When you get to the end of the Imperial River, you can either head north through Fishtrap Bay into Estero Bay or head south towards Wiggins Pass. Both trips have miles of mangroves, oyster bars, and grass flats to be explored and fished.
The waters in this part of Southwest Florida are shallow and a bay or flats boat is the best option for fishing. The Atlas Boatworks 23F bay boat is a great choice as it only drafts 10″.
Imperial River Boat Ramp
The Imperial River Boat Ramp is the only boating access along the length of the Imperial River. Located in Bonita Springs, the boat ramp offers two lanes and adequate parking. The ramp tends to be underutilized due to the 20-ish minute trip out to the bay. The whole river is “No wake” and so it is a slow trek out.
There are other ramps that serve Estero Bay on the north and Wiggins Pass on the south, but they are a 15-20 minute drive from the Imperial River Boat Ramp, so in most cases it is a toss-up as far as time spent getting to the bay.
Fishing Gear
Bonita Springs offers myriad opportunities to get fishing gear and advice. Local shops like 239 Flies, Sportsman’s Wholesale, and Master Bait and Tackle provide hubs for the fishing community. They also provide tackle and bait for the fly fisherman and live-baiter, respectively.
These 3 shops are located within 10 minutes of the boat ramp and are generally friendly to new-comers to the area. There is also a Bass Pro Shops about 20 minutes north, if that’s more your style.
Conclusion
Here at Atlas Boatworks, we love Bonita Springs, Florida. It is a fishy little town with enough support to kick off big fishing adventures. The water is full of great fish like snook, tarpon, redfish, and trout. Combine the miles of mangroves, flats, and shallow passes with a capable bay boat and you’ll have enough water to fish for a lifetime.