Captain Don McKinney: Charter Fishing Guide in the Everglades Everglades National Park

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Charter fishing in the Everglades is an amazing experience.  Some of Florida's best fishing can be had there, and Captain Don McKinney can be your guide!

The Everglades area was declared the Everglades National Park in 1947 by President Truman. The only subtropical area in the United States now offers great charter fishing. Encroaching civilization has gradually reduced the flow of water which provides nourishment for this fragile ecosystem. The “River Grass”, so named by Margaret Douglas in 1947, begins with the winding Kissimmee River and ends in the southwestern portion of the Everglades National Park in the area north and east of Cape Sable. The historic average depth of this “river” is only 3 to 6 inches, but the large surface area is responsible for the characteristic summer showers which provide water for the entire southern portion of Florida. The sun’s heat evaporates the water which mixes with the humid air from the Gulf of Mexico and produces the climate for these showers.

The quality of the Everglades National Park ecosystem has been damaged by changes produced by encroaching civilization. These changes include siphoning the water of Lake Okeechobee toward both the East and West coastal areas of Southern Florida and climate changes are affecting patterns of rainfall. Also dumping of nitrogen rich waste water from agricultural enterprises has diminished water quality, which has been detrimental to the flora of Florida Bay and the fishing quality in Florida Bay as well as fishing in the Everglades. Conservation groups and the Corps of Engineers are working with the Everglades National Park Service to reverse these processes to restore the area to its prehistoric greatness. The area has long been famous for fishing and wildlife. Snook, Tarpon, Redfish and Trout are plentiful and can be caught on almost every charter fishing trip.