Suwannee River Fishing
70 public launches, 8 counties.
Pick for florida bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 2.5
Suwannee River fishing and access
70 public launches line the Suwannee River, with 65 on fresh water and 5 on brackish water. Launches sit in Columbia County, Dixie County, Gilchrist County, Hamilton County, Lafayette County, Levy County, Madison County and Suwannee County.
FWC lists Florida bass, Suwannee bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish for the Suwannee River. TrophyCatch lists 21 documented bass from the Suwannee River and connected water. Readings from 5 live gauges on the Suwannee River are below.
For the florida bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 From the FWC pages for the Suwannee River
Where FWC says to fish the Suwannee River
“The Suwannee drains from the Okeefenokee Swamp through limestone shoals stretches to become a large flood plain river in the lower reaches.”
“The Santa Fe is the major tributary, heavily influenced by springs and unlike the Suwannee, has vast areas of submerged vegetation in the middle and upper reaches.”
“The upper Suwannee has only tree roots and rocky shelves for fish structure.”
“The lower Suwannee has a band of waterlilies and eventually in the tidal portion, numerous wooded and marsh-lined feeder creeks.”
“Both Suwannee and largemouth bass occur.”
Quoted from FWC site pages: FWC page 1. Checked October 2026.
The Suwannee River outlook
“Crawfish are an important food source for Suwannee bass, making crawfish-colored soft plastics, jigs, and crankbaits good choices.”
“Suwannee bass are particularly associated with flowing water and limestone or woody structure, while both species can be found around fallen trees, cypress structure, and other cover with deeper water nearby.”
“The Suwannee supports a substantial catfish fishery, including blue catfish capable of reaching very large sizes, so anglers targeting larger fish should concentrate on deeper water and heavy structure.”
“Water levels are currently low but rising across much of the Suwannee and Santa Fe River systems, which has resulted in clearer water, particularly on the Santa Fe.”
Quoted from the FWC forecast: FWC page 1. Checked October 2026.
Public access on the Suwannee River
Dixie County
- Gornto (Guaranto) Springs Park and Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Turner Point Landing Park and Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Purvis Landing Park and Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Joe H. Anderson, Sr. Park and Boat Ramp2 lane ramp, free, 12 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- John O. Green Park and Hinton Landing Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Old Pine Landing Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 1 trailer spaces
- New Pine Landing1 lane ramp, free, 4 trailer spaces
- Yellow Jacket Landing Boat Ramp2 lane ramp, free, 4 trailer spaces
- Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge – Weeks Landing Canoe Accesspaddle launch, free
- Munden Creek Primitive Ramp1 lane ramp, free
- Demory Creek Public Boat Ramp (aka. Anderson Landing)1 lane ramp, free, 14 trailer spaces
- Starling's Suwannee Marina Inc.1 lane ramp, fee, 10 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Gateway Marina Of Suwannee1 lane ramp, fee, 10 trailer spaces
- Suwannee Boat Ramp (No Parking)1 lane ramp, free, 1 trailer spaces
Gilchrist County
- Suwannee River at 90th Street Primitive Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 3 trailer spaces
- Calloway Boat Landing1 lane ramp, free, 2 trailer spaces
- Rock Bluff Public Boat Ramp (Dixie County)1 lane ramp, free, 12 trailer spaces
- Rock Bluff Ferry Landing Park (Gilchrist County)1 lane ramp, free, 10 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Log Landing Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Wannee Landing Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces
- Uler Landing Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Hart Springs County Park1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Otter Springs Park and Campground Canoe Launchpaddle launch, fee, flush toilet
- Sapp Landing Public Boat Ramp (aka. Shingle Landing)1 lane ramp, free, 18 trailer spaces
Hamilton County
- Roline Tract Boat Launch (Small Boats)1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Turner Bridge Tract Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 10 trailer spaces
- Cypress Creek South Tract (Highway 6 Bridge) Canoe Accesspaddle launch, free
- Cone Bridge Road Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Hutch Gibson Park Public Boat Ramp (aka. Noble's Ferry)2 lane ramp, free, 15 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Suwannee River at SW 77th Street1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Woods Ferry Tract Canoe Launchpaddle launch, free, flush toilet
- Big Shoals State Park Canoe Launchpaddle launch, fee
- Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center – Canoe/Kayak Launchpaddle launch, fee, flush toilet
- White Springs Public Boat Ramp and Park1 lane ramp, free, 2 trailer spaces
Lafayette County
- Dowling Park Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 10 trailer spaces
- Sims Landing (North Lafayette County)1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces
- Ezell Landing Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces
- Allen Mill Pond (Lafayette Blue Springs State Park) Canoe Launchpaddle launch, fee, temporarily closed
- Lafayette Blue Springs State Park Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, fee, 9 trailer spaces, flush toilet
- Tansy Road – Trestle Beach (No Parking – Not Usable)1 lane ramp, free, temporarily closed
- Hal Adams Bridge Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 12 trailer spaces
- Hardenbergh Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Ft. McComb (Macomb) County Park1 lane ramp, free, 10 trailer spaces
- Troy Springs Conservation Area – Walker Tract – Canoe Launchpaddle launch, free
- Troy Springs Conservation Area – Ruth Springs Tract – Loop Road Canoe Accesspaddle launch, free
- Troy Spring State Park – Canoe Launchpaddle launch, fee, flush toilet
- Troy Springs Conservation Area – Ruth Springs Tract – East Canoe Accesspaddle launch, free
- Patrician Oaks Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 4 trailer spaces
- Dorthy Land Hatchbend Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Sims Landing – Meares Road (South Lafayette County)1 lane ramp, free, 2 trailer spaces
- Hurst Landing Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 4 trailer spaces
Levy County
- Fanning Springs State Park Canoe/Kayak Launchpaddle launch, fee, flush toilet
- Andrews Wildlife Management Area Canoe Launchpaddle launch, fee, flush toilet
- Clay Landing Public Boat Ramp2 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces
- Manatee Springs State Park – Canoe Launchpaddle launch, fee, flush toilet
- Manatee Springs State Park – Usher Landing (Small Boats Only)1 lane ramp, fee, 4 trailer spaces
- Camp Azalea Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 1 trailer spaces
- Fowler's Bluff Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 20 trailer spaces, portable toilet
Madison County
- Twin Rivers State Forest – North Mill Creek Undeveloped Canoe Accesspaddle launch
- Boundary Bend Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 2 trailer spaces
Suwannee County
- Deese – Howard Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Spirit Of The Suwannee Music Park – Suwannee Canoe Outpostpaddle launch, fee, 8 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Suwannee Springs Tract Canoe Launchpaddle launch, free
- Suwannee River State Park Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, fee, 20 trailer spaces, flush toilet, temporarily closed
- Blue Sink Tract Canoe Accesspaddle launch, free, 3 trailer spaces
- Christian Tract Canoe Launchpaddle launch, free
- Charles Springs Park and Public Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 8 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Telford Spring Boat Ramp1 lane ramp, free, 2 trailer spaces
- Royal Springs Park (aka. Hugh Byron Hollingsworth, Sr. Park)1 lane ramp, free, 6 trailer spaces, portable toilet
- Ivey Memorial Park and Boat Ramp2 lane ramp, free, 20 trailer spaces
FWC Florida Boat Ramp Inventory, grouped by the water body name FWC gives each ramp. Checked October 2026.
Gauge readings on the Suwannee River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Suwannee River At Branford, Fla. | 3,940 cfs, 5.66 ft gage height | Nov 10 12:00 am |
| Suwannee River Near Bell, Florida | 4,660 cfs, 6.71 ft gage height | Nov 10 12:00 am |
| Suwannee River At Luraville, Fla. | 3,580 cfs, 19.24 ft gage height | Nov 10 12:00 am |
| Suwannee River Near Wilcox, Fla. | 5,650 cfs, 3.34 ft gage height | Nov 9 11:30 pm |
| Suwannee River At Dowling Park, Florida | 2,750 cfs, 23.59 ft gage height | Nov 10 12:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 10, 2026 12:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Bass over 8 pounds, Suwannee River
Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers
TrophyCatch counts from FWC site pages for the Suwannee River.
Regulations, Suwannee River
FWC special rules for Suwannee River, areas north and west of it, and its tributaries:
- Striped bass bag limit 3, each at least 18 inches total length (20 fish combined striped/white/sunshine bag)
Tidal Suwannee 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.
Close to the Suwannee River
Where to stay on the Suwannee River
- Chiefland
- Fanning Springs
Tackle along the Suwannee River
- Southeastern Fieldtipbait and tackle, Bell, 15 miles
- Greens Marine And Sporting Goodssporting goods store, Trenton, 24 miles
- High Springs RV & Boat Storagemarina, High Springs, 24 miles
More rivers near the Suwannee River
- Santa Fe River17 launches
- Steinhatchee River15 launches
- Withlacoochee River (North Florida)9 launches
- Econfina River9 launches
Piscifun reels for this water
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Quick answers for the Suwannee River
How many public launches are on the Suwannee River?
There are 70 launches on record (65 fresh, 5 salt).
What part of Florida is the Suwannee River in?
Launches are in Columbia County, Dixie County, Gilchrist County, Hamilton County, Lafayette County, Levy County, Madison County and Suwannee County.
What species live in the Suwannee River?
FWC names Florida bass, Suwannee bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish and redbreast sunfish.
Where can I check flow on the Suwannee River?
5 USGS gauges report to this page every hour.
Does the Suwannee River have its own limits?
Yes. Striped bass bag limit 3, each at least 18 inches total length (20 fish combined striped/white/sunshine bag)
Can I paddle the Suwannee River?
Yes, 19 launches on the Suwannee River are for paddle craft only.
Freshwater or saltwater license on the Suwannee River?
The fresh reaches of the Suwannee River need a freshwater license and the tidal mouth a saltwater one.
Is it free to launch on the Suwannee River?
55 of 70 list no fee.
Where is tackle near the Suwannee River?
Closest shops: Southeastern Fieldtip, Greens Marine And Sporting Goods and High Springs RV & Boat Storage.
Fish the Suwannee River this week
Every launch above links to its own details.