About Matlacha

Matlacha (pronounced Mat-la-shay) is a quaint historic fishing village and artist community. Just 30 minutes from Fort Myers, Matlacha Florida is actually a small island in its own right that connects Pine Island Florida to Cape Coral Florida via bridges and causeways. The area teems with natural wildlife – watch the ospreys fly by, pelicans dive and dolphins swim from almost any location.

Matlacha is an angler’s paradise. You are almost guaranteed a varied catch whether fishing from the bridge, your back yard or a boat. Impressive catches of snook, redfish, sheepshead and mangrove snapper are recorded year-round. Many types of charters and boat rentals for fishing trips can be arranged.

Matlacha has a Community Park at the center of that offers a playground, arts building, pier and boat ramp. Parking for cars is free. Pier fishing is also free.

Matlacha History: In the early 1920’s Harry Stringfellow, a resident of Pineland on Pine Island and Chairman of the Board of Lee County Commissioners, gained approval for the development of a road to Pine Island. The shell fill that was dredged from the oyster beds of Matlacha Pass was used to build the entire road and create the land mass that is now Matlacha. A wooden swing bridge was set in place over the pass and in 1927 Commissioner Stringfellow led dignitaries across the completed route.

Soldiers stationed in Fort Myers during World War I discovered the great fishing off the bridge and it soon became known as the “Fishingest Bridge in the World”. Driven by the depression, squatters began building shacks on the excess fill. A fishing industry with shrimpers, a cannery and bait and tackle shops grew giving Matlacha Florida it’s quaint fishing village character.

During the 1950’s and 60’s canals were dug, thereby increasing residential waterfront availability. The old wooden swing span was replaced with a concrete draw bridge in 1969. A brand new bridge has been built since then.

If you are thinking about purchasing Matlacha real estate, a home, a lot or a business location – just give us a call.