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Homosassa River Fishing
The Chipola River--Calhoun
& Jackson Counties - 7,300 acreas
The Chipola River is a
tributary of the
Apalachicola River
in
Florida. The 89-mile long river crosses
Jackson,
Calhoun and
Gulf counties. The river flows into the
Dead Lakes State Recreation Area just
before reaching the Apalachicola. The Dead
Lakes were formed when the Apalachicola
deposited sand bars blocking the mouth of
the Chipola. The Chipola now flows for
several miles south from the Dead Lakes
parallel to the Apalachicola before finally
joining it.
The Upper Chipola River Water Management
Area: This water management area runs some
18 miles along the Chipola River and its
associated tributaries in Jackson County.
The area lies south of the Florida and
Alabama state line and includes the
floodplains of Marshall and Cowart's Creeks.
The Chipola River is formed at the
confluence of these creeks and flows south
to the Florida Caverns State Park,
approximately two-and-a-half miles northeast
of Marianna. Seasonal Hunting, bank and
creek fishing, canoeing, primitive camping
and bird watching are available. A developed
boat ramp and recreational area is located
at Christoff Landing.
Location: Three miles north of Marianna on
SR 167 (Cavern's Road).
Contact: The headquarters of the Northwest
Florida Water Management District, Division
of Land Management and Acquisition (81 Water
Management Drive, Havana, FL 32333; (850)
539-5999) for additional information on
recreation opportunities on the Chipola
River Water Management Area. Also, Visit
their Web site www.
nwfwmd.state.fl.us
The Chipola River begins at the Marianna
Limestone Aquifer known as Blue Springs
Basin located just north of Marianna,
Florida. The Chipola River feeds Merrits
Mill Pond on the east side of Marianna. It
flows through Jackson and Calhoun County's
creating swamps along its way. A variety of
hardwood forests survive along the river's
edge, include: oaks, magnolias, river
birch, and dogwood trees. The Chipola enters
the Dead Lakes, located in Gulf County just
north of Wewahitchka, the flow slows its
course, widens its path as it spreads out
among thousands of tree stumps. The swampy
banks are full of bald cypress, TUPELO,
willow, black gum, and long leaf pine trees.
Wewahitchka, (my home town) is famous for
its TUPELO HONEY, because the river's swampy
banks that stretch through Gulf County are
full of TUPELO TREES, that provide for the
purist TUPELO HONEY. As the river flows out
of the Dead Lakes it connects with the
Chipola Cutoff
This entire ecosystem is alive with an
abundance of wildlife like the white tail
deer, river otter, beaver, alligator, many
species of turtle, birds, fish, and rare
plant life.
The Chipola River
rises in southeast Alabama and flows
southward 80 miles to the Apalachicola
River. In between, it goes underground,
flows through a state park, and becomes part
of Dead Lake. Over 50 miles of it is a canoe
trail that varies from sections of swift,
tree-lined, limestone creek to a broad,
slow-moving stream, with occasional bluffs,
cliffs, and caves. It also offers options of
a hazardous log canal, a rapid, and many
springs and tributaries to explore. The
Chipola becomes navigable just above the FL
162 bridge in northern Jackson County with
the confluence of Cowarts Creek, Marshall
Creek, and Hays Spring Run. It picks up
momentum with the addition of several small
streams as well as Waddell's Mill Creek, and
goes underground at Florida Caverns State
Park. A logging canal can carry the
adventurous 0.5 miles over the natural
bridge to the river rise. Although the
Chipola has an aura of remoteness, it runs
through heavily populated agricultural areas
and except in the extreme lower section, the
river is never far from fields, farms, and
paved roads.
Since the terrain on the
Chipola varies from high bluffs and sandy
hills to lowland swamps, there is a wide
variety of trees and vegetation. Almost
every kind of tree indigenous to north
Florida can be seen. Flowering plants
include wild azalea, honeysuckle, daisies of
various hues, and the spectacular cardinal
flower. Alligators and turtles are the most
commonly seen animals, but deer, raccoons,
opossums, and turkeys can also be found. The
Chipola is noted for good fishing, with
catfish, bream, bass, and even mullet
frequently caught. The bird life is
extremely abundant, and the lower section of
the river is especially suited to bird
watching.
The Chipola River is a
designated Outstanding Florida Water and
State Canoe Trail that flows through Jackson
and Calhoun Counties. The Chipola Trail
begins at the Florida Caverns State Park and
runs for 52 miles south to the Apalachicola
River. This beautiful trail flows through
river swamp and hardwood forests of beech,
magnolia, oak, and dogwood. Beaver,
alligator and turtles are often seen and
pileated woodpeckers can be heard drumming
in the forests. Limestone bluffs and caves
line the river. The canoeing requires a
beginner to intermediate level of skill.
Distance: 8.24 miles
The paddle was downstream from Yancey Bridge
to Magnolia Landing. This is section 2-3 on
the Chipola River Canoe Trail website
sponsored by the state of Florida.
Highlights of the paddle are a cave
accessible from the river, and a spring to
swim in.
BOAT RAMPS: SINGLE RAMP
from Aetha go west on CR 274 for 4.8
miles off dirt road.
John Boy Landing #151
from Aetha west on CR274 for 2.7 miles,
turn right on JOHN BOY ROAD- 1 MILE TO
RAMP. Florida WATER TRAIL 162 to Fl. 7,
Trail 10 miles, 25 miles.
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