Florida fish camps are a special kind of restaurant. They sit on rivers, creeks, and lakes, and they serve the food Floridians grew up on, like fried catfish, gator tail, frog legs, and hush puppies.
Many of these spots feel like a step back in time, with screened porches, docks, and paper baskets instead of fancy plates. Gator tail is getting harder to find on menus, so knowing where to get it matters if you crave a true taste of old Florida.
This list covers six fish camps from Jacksonville to Valrico where the catfish comes in big portions and the gator is always on hand. Some sit right on the St. Johns River, one overlooks a quiet lake, and one even has airboat rides next door…