Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers

Water levels can be monitored on the Suwannee River Water Management District’s web page.

Water levels are high again this year. This opens up new habitat for spawning and foraging. Fishing, therefore, is expected to be productive in both rivers. Seasonal storms typically raise levels this time of year. Water levels can be monitored on the Suwannee River Water Management District’s web page. Target all sunfish in areas where cypress knees are most abundant and around overhanging tree branches. Redbreast sunfish prefer creek mouths and lily pad bed areas if water is deep enough and bottom not overly silty. Small artificial baits like beetle spins or crankbaits are ideal for casting as you float downstream. Fresh bait works too and might be a better choice for an angler with less experience working a lure. Catfish fishing will be in full swing this quarter. Many anglers set bush hooks overnight and work their sets come morning. Hook and line anglers will anchor upstream of bends and allow baited hooks to sink and simulate morsels being carried by the currents. Sometimes it is easier to tie the bow of the boat to a sturdy limb than setting an anchor. Deep rocky areas in the middle river are good summer catfish holes. During summer rains, catfish move to the river’s edge at night for forage.

Traditionally, this is the time of year to catch bigger fish. Largemouth and Suwannee bass will occupy heavy submerged structure when available. Suwannee bass tend to be more abundant in the Santa Fe River than the Suwannee. If spatterdock pads dominate the section of river you’re fishing, casting frogs for bass allows for easy coverage of this leafy habitat. Bass become active on tide changes in the lower Suwannee River salt marsh creeks. Try clear, pink, white or crayfish colored plastic worms. Mullet are common and can be seen/heard jumping regularly, especially near spring runs. Wrap filamentous algae around your hook, toss homemade chum balls (oatmeal consistency) in the area of your float, and wait for a hard fighting mullet to drag your bobber down. Look for surface ripples to target areas where they’re actively feeding. Additionally, this is the time of year that sturgeon are jumping, so slow down to reduce the risk of colliding with one of these massive fish.