Guide To Fishing At The St Johns River

Over 300 miles of wandering waterway, St Johns River runs north and south, in the northeast corner of the state, between Jacksonville and Palatka, FL. This is a proven bass factory as well as home to big catfish and stripers.

There are hundreds of miles of shoreline and lots of structure including river channels, ledges, humps and shell beds that hold fish. Visitors come from far and wide for sightseeing, picnicking, hiking, boating and fishing. Many fishing enthusiasts consider this to be the "Bass Fishing Capital of the World". Area fishing guides know these waters well and offer guided fishing trips with the boat and all fishing gear provided. The primary fish species in the river include bass, striped bass, catfish, crappie and several species of sunfish. There are boat launch ramps all up and down the river for launching pleasure boats, pontoons, sailboats, water ski boats, speed boats and all types of fishing boats. Canoes and kayaks can be portaged from many areas.

What to fish for...

Fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, white catfish, black crappie, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, spotted sunfish, warmouth and striped bass at The St Johns River in Florida.

Primary fish species residing in The St Johns River

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

The St Johns River Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Boat Florida Rentals
Rentals: Pontoon boats
904 215-5363

Clapboard Creek Fish Camp Marine
Rentals: Fishing boats and pontoon boats
904 751-0094

Jax Boat Rentals
Rentals: Pontoon boats
904 800-7320

McGhee's Boat Rental
Rentals: Fishing boats and pontoon boats
636 290-6113

River City Boat Rentals
Rentals: Pontoon boats
904 679-1921

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Arlington Road Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, east side, off Arlington Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and limited, paved parking.

Black Creek Marina Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off River Lane, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Fulton Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, south side, off Fulton Road, this is a one-lane, sand ramp with limited, street paved parking.

Browns Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Browns Landing Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Crystal Cove Drive Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Crystal Cove Drive, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and gravel parking.

Elgin Grove Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Magnolia Avenue, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and limited, paved parking.

Goodby's Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off San Jose Blvd, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Governors Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off N Orange Avenue, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Jim King Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, north side, at the south end of the Hecksher Drive Bridge, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Joe Carlucci Sisters Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, north side, off Heritage River Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Lions Club Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, east side, off Richard Denby Gatlin Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Lake Shore Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Lakeshore Drive, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Lonnie Wurn Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, east side, off Ferber Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Mayport Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, south side, off Ocean Street, this is a ten-lane, concrete ramp with docks and lots of paved parking.

Northbank Riverwalk Kayak Launch
Located mid lake, west side, off Alfred Dupont Place, this is a portage area with paved parking.

Palatka Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off River Street, this is a five-lane, concrete ramp with docks and lots of paved parking.

Palmo Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Palmo Fish Camp Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Pico Road Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Pico Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Riverdale Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off County Road 13S, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Mandarin Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Mandarin Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Trout Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, at the west end of the US Highway 13/16 Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Wayne B Stevens Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Ortega Farms Blvd, this is a two-lane and a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Marinas

Boathouse Marina
329 River Street
Palatka, FL 32177
386 328-2944

Marina At Ortega Landing
4234 Lakeside Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32210
904 387-5538

Ortega River Marina
4585 Lakeside Dr.
Jacksonville, FL 32210
904 389-1199

Seafarers Marina
455 Trout River Drive
Jacksonville, Florida 32208
904 765-8152

Click here for a Florida Fishing License.

Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby

St Johns Campground - 386 328-4470

Orange Point - Welaka State Forest Campground - 386 467-2388

Parramore's Campground & Fish Camp Campground - 386 749-2721

St Johns River Camp Ground - 386 749-3995

Astor Landing Campground & Marina - 386 759-2121

DeLand - St. Johns River KOA Campground - 386 736-6601

Highbanks Marina & Camp Resort - 386 668-4491

Rivers Edge RV Park - 386 467-7147

Blair's Jungle Den RV Park - 386 749-2264

The St Johns River FL Map - Fishing & Camping Areas

Lake Video

Contact Information

The St Johns River
DeLand, St Johns River KOA
2999 State Road 44 West
DeLand, FL 32720
386 736-6601

Fishing lakes in each state.