Chipola River
Calhoun County
Effective June 2019, harvest and possession of Shoal Bass in the Chipola River and tributaries of the Chipola River is prohibited. Anglers may fish for Shoal Bass, but all caught Shoal Bass must be immediately released. The Shoal Bass population in the Chipola River and its tributaries have been negatively affected due to the impacts of Hurricane Michael. Recent sampling efforts have produced significantly lower catches of Shoal Bass. Anglers may still possess Largemouth Bass.
This river is home to the unique shoal bass. The Chipola River is accessible in Marianna off CR 280 (Magnolia Rd), Peacock Bridge Rd (located north of Sink Creek), SR 274 west of Altha on Hamilton Spring Rd, and SR 20 at Clarksville. This very scenic, spring-fed coldwater river stretches about 95 miles starting just north of Marianna and running south through the Dead Lake and into the Apalachicola River. The Chipola River has fast water shoals and provides excellent sunfish (redbreast, redear and bluegill) fishing in the spring depending on the water level. Boat operators should be cautious of these shallow limestone shoals while running your boat in this river during low water.
Local information on these rivers and their fishes may be obtained from the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, Northwest Regional Office (850-265-3676). Information regarding canoe, kayak, and tube float trips on the Chipola River can be obtained from Chipola River Outfitters (850-762-2800 or 850-381-6062) or Bear Paw Adventures (850-482-4948). Bear Paw Adventures is closed during the winter but will reopen March 1st.
Anglers should always be mindful of the rocky limestone shoals and snags in the river. During low river levels travel upstream through shallow, swift shoals may be impossible so anglers should plan accordingly. View daily river levels and flow.
Local information on these rivers and their fishes may be obtained from the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, Northwest Regional Office (850-265-3676).
Shoal bass are currently catch and release only in the Chipola River and all its tributaries. FWC issued an executive order on June 5, 2019, suspending the harvest and possession of Shoal Bass from the Chipola River and its tributaries effective immediately until the order is repealed. Anglers are still permitted to catch and immediately release Shoal Bass. Shoal bass can be distinguished from Largemouth bass by the vertical stripes. Furthermore, the jaw in Largemouth Bass extends past the eye. See the Shoal Bass Species Profile for a description of the shoal bass.
Daily river levels and flow can be found at www.usgs.gov.
Anglers should be mindful of the rocky shoals and snags in this river. Bream fishing should be good throughout the spring as fish begin to spawn. Try fishing shallow backwater areas for Bluegill and Redear and around snags and stumps in the river for spotted and redbreast sunfish. Recommended baits for bream are beetle-spins, worms, and crickets. A few Crappie (Speckled Perch) can be caught in deep holes around snags during the spring with crappie minnows in the early morning or late afternoon.
Largemouth Bass and Shoal Bass fishing will pick up as bass spawn March through April. Try fishing shallow areas in the river with spinner baits, artificial lizards, dark worms, and artificial crayfish. Look for Shoal Bass above Highway 20 in shoal areas as well as pools just above and below the shoals using crankbaits that mimic crayfish. Shoal Bass in the Chipola River are mostly found between Spring Creek and Johnny Boy Landing.
Popular Species
Fish graphics by Duane Raver, Jr.
More species information is available for:
Largemouth bass, Shoal bass, Spotted bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Redbreast sunfish, Sunshine bass, Striped bass, Black crappie, Channel catfish
TrophyCatch Tracker
TrophyCatch is FWC's citizen-science program that rewards anglers for documenting and releasing trophy bass 8 pounds or larger.
Be the first to submit a trophy bass from the Chipola River!