Withlacoochee River

Water levels in the river can fluctuate with seasonal conditions.  Anglers can stay up to date on river levels by visiting Southwest Florida Water Management District’s web page at www.swfwmd.state.fl.us.

The Withlacoochee River was second in the state for the number of approved submissions in the FWC TrophyCatch Program this year. As the quarter progresses, the river's lower portion (Dunnellon to SR 200) should be productive for bass. The Rainbow River is a spring fed system that can provide thermal refuge when the Withlacoochee River is hot and cold. While the weather is hot, try fishing the confluence of these rivers. Focus on areas with dense vegetation. Flip plastics over pads or live shiners along the edges of pads and emergent grasses. The panfish should be productive here as well. Anglers should have opportunities to find bluegill, redear, redbreast, and spotted sunfish in the river's lower portion. Find soft, sandy bottoms and fish with worms or crickets on the bottom to target redbreast and bluegill. Fish around hard bottom and hard structures to target redear and spotted sunfish. Find slow-flowing, muddy bottom areas of the river to try and find warmouth; fish with worms, shrimp, or crickets near vegetation and submerged stumps. Catfish are plentiful throughout the river. Fish stinky baits such as shrimp, liver, gizzard, or cut mullet around stumps and other hard structures. Fishing upstream and letting the scent waft down to the fish should draw them out of hiding. Use larger #2 or #4 hooks when targeting catfish.