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Calhoun County

Chipola

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. 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. 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.

Anglers should be careful around the rocky limestone shoals and snags in the river. Anglers should note that a float trip and vehicle shuttle may be needed at low flows (the river frequently becomes too low to motor back above shoals once a boat has floated downstream). Daily river levels and flow can be found at www.usgs.gov.

Popular Species

Popular Sport Fish Species

Fish graphics by Duane Raver, Jr.

More species information is available for:

Largemouth bass, Shoal bassSpotted bassBluegill, Redear sunfish, Redbreast sunfishSunshine bassStriped bassBlack crappie, Channel catfish

FWC Trophy Catch Logo

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!