St. Marys River Fishing

With little development and few river crossings, the St. Marys River offers wilderness experience to those who travel its waters.
Best Fishing Bets
Redbreast Sunfish, Bluegill and Catfish
St. Marys River Fishing Tips
Redbreast Sunfish and Bluegill - Chances of catching a 6-inch or larger redbreast sunfish are excellent. The river also supports a healthy bluegill population, and fish weighing 3/4-pound or greater should be fairly common this year.

Technique - For redbreast sunfish: Crickets and worms are a given; small lures, such as beetle-spins work well when the water warms. For bluegill: Crickets and worms around cover in the creeks and oxbows of the lower river are the best bets.

Target - Try launching a canoe or small jon boat at St. George Landing and floating downstream approximately 30 miles to Traders Hill for excellent redbreast fishing. For bluegill: Target the lower half of St. Marys, from Traders Hill Recreational Area downstream.
Catfish - fishing should remain good this year. The river supports healthy populations of yellow and brown bullheads, channel catfish and white catfish.

Technique - Use worms, chicken livers, cut bait or your own secret bait fished on the bottom.

Target - Fish the deeper holes, which are usually located on outside bends in the river.
Other Fish Species - Though bass are not as plentiful as in other rivers, anglers can land a wall-hanger.

Technique - Try casting spinnerbaits and pitching jigs or worms around heavy cover in current breaks or backwater areas.

Target the Kings Ferry area of the lower river.
St. Marys River Map
Additional & Contact Info
USGS gauge at MacClenny, FL reads between 3-8 feet. View USGS river gauge information
Wildlife Resources Division, Waycross Fisheries office - Phone: 912-285-6094