Ocklawaha River

The Ocklawaha River presents an excellent opportunity to catch Panfish and Catfish in the fall. When fishing here, anglers can catch Redbreast Sunfish, which only reside in rivers and creeks. Anglers also can catch Spotted Sunfish, locally known as “Stumpknockers”, in abundance. The best way to fish in the river is to find structures, which can come in the form of fallen trees, vegetation, deep holes, or tree roots. A good method is to fish a worm or a cricket on the bottom using a small hook and enough split shot to hold the bait still. Keep the line tight and watch for the pole to twitch to determine when you have a bite. The entire river is typically good for this type of fishing. The numerous species of Catfishes are still productive during the fall months. Chicken livers, live worms, or even cut bait work well for Channel, White, or Bullhead Catfish. The bigger the bait, the bigger the Catfish you will usually catch. Target deep holes, outside bends, or deeper creek mouths that have some type of additional cover (i.e., logs, aquatic plants, docks, etc.). Be patient if at first you don’t catch fish. Catfish hunt primarily using their sense of smell, so it may take them a little longer to locate your bait. The old barge canal is always a good bet to target Black Crappie and Bream. Fish near fallen trees or the edge of Lily pads with minnows.