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. |
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| 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 |
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Georgia Lakes
