Withlacoochee Bay Trail Fishing

The Withlacoochee Bay Trail is the easiest way onto the Gulf end of the old Cross Florida Barge Canal from the shore: a free, paved trail that follows the tidal canal west from Felburn Park toward the Gulf, dotted with platforms for fishing.

• Several multi-use platforms beside the canal along the first stretch of the trail
• Redfish, trout, sheepshead and black drum in a deep, dredged channel
• Free entry, with parking, potable water and pavilions at the Felburn Park trailhead
• Freshwater Phil's Lake at Felburn Park for bass and bluegill as a change of pace

The trailhead is Felburn Park, 10201 North Suncoast Boulevard (US 19) near Crystal River and Inglis, just east of US 19 on the south side of the barge canal. Felburn Park is owned by the nonprofit Felburn Foundation and managed by Florida State Parks as part of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.

• Getting there: turn off US 19 on the south side of the barge canal
• Parking and entry: paved parking at Felburn Park, no fee; a park road west of US 19 follows the trail, with several parking areas along the way
• Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset, every day
• The platforms are along the stretch where the trail runs beside the canal, its first 2.5 miles
• The trail runs 5 miles to an overlook near where the canal meets the Gulf

The canal is brackish and tidal, and its dredged channel is deeper than the surrounding flats, so it holds fish year round.

• Spring (Mar-May): redfish and spotted seatrout along the edges, sheepshead finishing their run
• Summer (Jun-Aug): mangrove snapper around any rock or rubble, crevalle jack and ladyfish chasing bait, catfish on the bottom
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the best redfish and trout of the year as the water cools, black drum moving in
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum along the banks; snook and trout seek the deeper, steadier canal water on cold snaps

Bottom fishing and jigs both work, since the channel is deeper than the water along the edges.

• A 7-foot medium spinning rod with 15-20 lb braid and a 20-30 lb fluorocarbon leader
• Live or fresh shrimp on a 1/4 oz jighead bounced down the slope of the bank for redfish, trout and snapper
• A fish-finder rig with cut mullet or blue crab on the bottom for redfish and black drum
• Fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader dropped along any hard bank or rubble for sheepshead
• A popping cork with shrimp for trout when fish are up on the shallower edges
• Carry a long-handled net for lifting fish up the bank or onto a platform

The canal is open to the Gulf, so it rises and falls with two high and two low tides most days, usually one bigger than the other, with a range of a few feet at the Gulf end.

• Moving water, on either tide, gets fish feeding along the banks
• Use the Withlacoochee River entrance tide times as a guide; the water responds a little later up the canal
• Cold fronts push fish into the deeper canal water, a classic winter pattern on this coast
• Clear, calm mornings favor sight-casting to fish on the edges
• Strong west winds can muddy the water near the Gulf end

The paved trail is 12 feet wide, but it is open to the sun and shared with cyclists and walkers.

• Afternoon thunderstorms build fast in summer; shelter along the trail is limited, so head back at the first thunder
• Keep rods and tackle off the paved trail and watch for cyclists
• The bank at the water's edge can be steep and slippery; fish from the platforms where you can
• Bring plenty of water, sun protection and insect repellent
• Manatees may use the canal; never cast at them
• The paved trail and parking make it one of the more accessible canal spots

The Felburn Park trailhead has the facilities; the trail itself is simple.

• Paved parking with no fee at Felburn Park, plus parking areas along the park road
• Potable water and restrooms at the Felburn Park trailhead
• Picnic pavilions at the trailhead; along the trail, the pavilions are the only shade
• Multi-use platforms beside the canal
• No bait shop or food on site, so bring bait, ice and drinks
• No lighting; the Greenway is open 8 a.m. to sunset

• Walk or ride a little way west; the platforms spread anglers out and give room to cast
• Fish the edge of the drop into the channel, where fish feed
• In winter, fish the warmest afternoons after a cold front for sheepshead and black drum
• Bring a bike to reach platforms farther along the trail with a light rod and a small bag
• Phil's Lake at Felburn Park is freshwater; bank fishing for bass and bluegill is possible in places
• A newer paved trail also runs about 1.25 miles east of Felburn Park between Phil's Lake and the canal

The Withlacoochee Bay Trail and Felburn Park are managed by Florida State Parks as part of the Cross Florida Greenway; posted rules apply.

• Open 8 a.m. to sunset; no entry fee
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required for the canal unless you are exempt; Phil's Lake is freshwater and needs a freshwater license
• Shore-based shark fishing needs the free FWC shore-based shark fishing permit
• Snook and redfish have FWC rules and seasons for this region
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything