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Planning a Trip to NW Florida?  Think Stripers!

USSFN:  12/03/03 - Lake Seminole has been known for years as the premier source for huge striped bass.  However, Florida anglers are now benefiting from a stocking program initiated back in 1987.

Back in the 1970's, officials in NW Florida noticed that the striper populations in the Blackwater, Yellow, and Escambia rivers were almost extinct.  Due largely to stocking programs that started in 1987, expanded in 1990, and maintained yearly thereafter, the species has made a remarkable comeback.

Yellow River - Nestled in the pine hills of the northwestern Panhandle, the river arises in southern Alabama and flows 92 miles to empty into the Gulf of Mexico, via Pensacola Bay. Approximately 61 miles of this highly scenic stream lie within Florida. Reached over U.S. Hwy. 90 at Mulligan; SR 2 at Oak Grove, Okaloosa County; and SR 87 in Santa Rosa County. Access to the Yellow River may be gained from two commercial fish camps (Brown's and Lindsey's) near the end of Highway 89, south of East Milton, or from a public landing at the south end of the Highway 87 bridge across the Yellow River. 

Striped bass are available as the weather cools down. Fish and Wildlife Commission fishery biologists report populations of striped bass in the area are better now than in the past two years. Biologists have recently been collecting striped bass in the 2- to 7-pound range. A good place to fish for stripers in the fall and early winter is the delta area, upstream from Blackwater bay. Dawn and dusk are typically the prime times for striper fishing. In the lower, tidal section of the river, you should fish around points of land extending into the river. Anglers should try lures that resemble shad or mullet, such as Bangolures and Yo-Zuri lures. Live shrimp or twister-tail jigs are also appropriate baits in this area.

Blackwater River - Blackwater River is located in extreme northwestern Florida and is part of the Pensacola Bay drainage. Relatively small, the Blackwater arises in southern Alabama and has a drainage area of about 1100 square miles. Much of the river system lies within scenic Blackwater River State Forest and is relatively unspoiled. Access to the Blackwater River may be gained from Carpenters Park (public boat ramps) just east of Highway 191, just north of downtown Milton, or from the boat ramp in Bagdad (just east of Highway 191 in downtown Bagdad). There are excellent sites for camping and picnicking along the river. Several stretches are too shallow for motorized boats and canoes may have to be used in the dry season. The lower section of the river provides the best fishing. Sport fish in the river include shadow bass, spotted bass, largemouth bass, longear sunfish, spotted sunfish (stumpknocker), bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker), chain pickerel, warmouth and striped bass.

Striped bass are also available, but are less active in the hot summer months. Dawn and dusk typically are the prime times for striper fishing. In the lower, tidal section of the river, you should fish around points of land extending into the river. Live shrimp or twister-tail type jigs are appropriate baits in this area. Most stripers in the lower river areas will be in the 18-to 20-inch sizes. Up-river, fishermen should try to fish where cool-water creeks enter the main channel, where larger fish (20 inches or longer) may hang-out. Lures resembling shad or mullet work well in the upper river, as do bangolure and yo-zuri type plugs.  - Jim 

Source:  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission www.floridaconservation.org