The discussion below is copied from the Net's "Ask Your Neighbor" page, and the AGLCA mailing list.
Russell Pass and Russell Bay are found off the Indian Key Channel, on the way to Everglades City. Panther Key is also in the Ten Thousand Island region, but discovered closer to Coon Key Pass and Marco Island.

Has anyone recently taken the inside route from Coon Key Pass to Goodland to Marco Island to Naples? We are currently in Marathon, are 52 ft. and draw 4 feet. Is it doable or just too shallow? Any help would be appreciated. Also has anyone anchored near Indian Key? Shark River won't work with our dog. (We'd still love any update on dog friendly anchorages too).
Bill, Jane and Daisy

I went this route twice in October 2007, and again in April or May 2008 in our Meridian 459, which draws 4 ft. We stayed the night on the 2008 trip at the dock at Old Marco Lodge, in return for having a meal there, and really enjoyed ourselves. Well worth a look. The water gets a bit skinny, but thats Florida!
Regards Peter

From personal experience, Russell Pass is a good, pristine anchorage. Some fairly strong current at times. Also, Russell Bay should be good. Watch the depths, but we had no problem with 4'4". We did not try to land a dog, but at low tide, there were muddy banks. In a pinch, you can anchor near the northeast end of Indian Key, where there is a sand beach for the dinghy trip. For that matter, is decent weather, you can dinghy from Russell Pass the the Key
Another spot that appears to be an excellent anchorage in all but westerly wind is Panther Key, but I can't vouch for depth. The west side of Gomez Point looks deep according to the charts. ActiveCaptain.com reviews indicate 7-12 feet, and there is a sand beach for Daisy.
And once you tiptoe around Coon Key (either side is equally shallow the channel to Naples should be fine. Navigating to Goodland at half-tide or higher would be my suggestion.
Hope this is helpful!
Bill

We have done this a number of times (continued to Naples only twice and several years ago) in a 3' draft cat. We have massaged the bottom at low tide once, and there are some other shallow spots. If you have a good tide, you should be able to do from mid tide up w/o problem but just go slow in the shallow spots on your chart. Do NOT try it at low tide.
Ralph Small

I used to do it with 3' draft – I don't think I would try it with 4' draft. You could go from Marathon to Goodland, or Marathon to the Marco River, but trying to make it through the "back way" between Goodland and Marco would be risky with 4' draft. The Cape Romano Shoals area just south of Marco Island is very dangerous – do not go through this area. Also, between Marco and Naples, I would not use the inside route, with 4' draft.
Good luck
Ray Boller