Steinhatchee River Fishing
15 public launches across 3 counties.
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Mjrmtg, CC BY 4.0
Getting on the Steinhatchee River
The FWC ramp inventory lists 15 public launches on the Steinhatchee River, 10 of them on fresh water and 5 on tidal or salt water. Launches sit in Dixie County, Lafayette County and Taylor County.
The Steinhatchee River launch map
Dixie County
- Steinhatchee Conservation Area River Mile 15.9 Primitive Access (upstream bridge ruins)1 lane ramp, free, 2 trailer spaces
- Steinhatchee Conservation Area River Mile 15.9 Canoe Access (downstream bridge ruins)paddle launch, free, 2 trailer spaces
- Steinhatchee Conservation Area River Mile 15.4 Canoe Accesspaddle launch, free, 4 trailer spaces
- Steinhatchee Rise Tract Canoe Launch 3paddle launch, free
- Steinhatchee Rise Tract Canoe Launch 1paddle launch, free
- Steinhatchee Falls Boat and Canoe Launch (Small Boats Only)1 lane ramp, free, 4 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Jena Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, 8 trailer spaces
- Mack Valentine Road Public Boat Ramp (Not Recommended)1 lane ramp, free, 3 trailer spaces
Lafayette County
- Steinhatchee Conservation Area South Canal Road Canoe Accesspaddle launch, free
Taylor County
- Steinhatchee River Paddlecraft Access – Mile 13.7paddle launch
- Steinhatchee Rise Tract Canoe Launch 2paddle launch, free
- Steinhatchee Falls Tract Upstream Canoe Launchpaddle launch, free, 3 trailer spaces
- Steinhatchee 1st Avenue NE Primitive Boat Launch (Ladd's Landing)1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Steinhatchee Public Boat Ramp3 lane ramp, fee, 50 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Fort Steinhatchee Park Kayak Launch Dockpaddle launch
FWC Florida Boat Ramp Inventory, grouped by the water body name FWC gives each ramp. Checked October 2026.
Keeping fish from the Steinhatchee River
Nothing beyond statewide limits applies on the Steinhatchee River.
Tidal Steinhatchee River, FWC Big Bend region
| Species | Bag | Size | Season | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red drum | 1 a day | 18-27 in. TL | Open year-round | Big Bend Region |
| Snook | 1 a day | 28-33 in. TL | Closed December 1 – end of February, and May 1 – August 31 | Big Bend Region |
| Spotted seatrout | 5 a day | 15-19 in. TL | Open year-round | Big Bend Region |
| Flounder | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | Closed annually Oct. 15 through Nov. 30 | Statewide |
| Sheepshead | 8 a day | 12 in minimum | Open year-round | Statewide |
FWC regulations checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Towns and shops on the Steinhatchee River
Communities on the Steinhatchee River
- Steinhatchee
Where to buy bait on the Steinhatchee River
- Steinhatchee Bait & Tackle Shack and Boat Repairbait and tackle, Steinhatchee, 5 miles
- River Inn & Marinamarina, Steinhatchee, 6 miles
- Sea Hag Marinamarina, Steinhatchee, 6 miles
- Florida Saltwater Flats Fishing Chartersbait and tackle, Steinhatchee, 6 miles
- Rising Sun Baitbait and tackle, Perry, 15 miles
Rivers next to the Steinhatchee River
- Suwannee River70 launches
- Turkey Creek8 launches
- Santa Fe River17 launches
- Econfina River9 launches
Reels and a lip grip from Piscifun
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Fish worth targeting at Steinhatchee River
Photo: Steve Hillebrand, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: jose_colorado-dapa, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
_(15908415790).jpg){kind=link}
Photo: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC, Public domain
Questions about the Steinhatchee River
How much public access does the Steinhatchee River have?
15 launches in the FWC inventory: 10 fresh and 5 salt or brackish.
Where does the Steinhatchee River flow?
Launches are in Dixie County, Lafayette County and Taylor County.
What can I catch in the Steinhatchee River?
The Steinhatchee River has no FWC species page.
Is there a flow gauge on the Steinhatchee River?
No active USGS discharge gauge is matched to the Steinhatchee River.
Is the Steinhatchee River regulated differently?
Statewide rules apply on the Steinhatchee River.
Are there canoe launches on the Steinhatchee River?
There are 9 carry-in launches on the Steinhatchee River.
What license do I need on the Steinhatchee River?
Use a freshwater license on the upper Steinhatchee River and saltwater near the coast.
Do Steinhatchee River ramps charge a fee?
11 of the 15 launches are free.
Where do I buy bait near the Steinhatchee River?
Closest shops: Steinhatchee Bait & Tackle Shack and Boat Repair, River Inn & Marina and Sea Hag Marina.
Get on the Steinhatchee River
Each named launch has its own page with lanes, parking and fees.