Withlacoochee River

Interested anglers should visit the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) recorded water level and rainfall webpage for up-to-date information on river levels.

Panfish and largemouth bass can be found throughout the river. Search shallow backwater areas, and areas of slack current for signs of bedding. Largemouth bass can be caught using frogs or rattletraps. Carolina-rigged worms fished along the bottom near structures should work well. Anglers can take a trip up the Rainbow River for some sight-fishing fun. Be sure to follow all posted navigation markers. This spring-fed river has good habitat and can produce good size and numbers of fish. The river will be home to numerous species of panfish. Worms and crickets make great bait for all species. Small spinning lures can produce strikes from larger redbreast or redear sunfish. Spotted sunfish can be caught using small beetlespins; try tipping with pieces of shrimp or clam meat! Catfish are said to be big in the river. Anglers should fish upstream of their desired target; use smelly baits, such as chicken liver or shrimp, fished on the bottom, and let the smell waft down to the fish. In murky waters, the strong smell of fresh chicken liver is sure to entice a catfish to bite.