AlabamaFishing Atlas

The Chipola River: Florida's Shoal Bass Water

A spring-fed, coldwater river that runs about 95 miles from above Marianna through Dead Lake to the Apalachicola. Shoal bass here are catch and release only.

Written by Atlas Editorial · Last updated

The Chipola River is a spring-fed river running about 95 miles from just north of Marianna, Florida, through Dead Lake to the Apalachicola. The state calls it Florida's best river for shoal bass, which must all be released.

Lakes and tailwaters on the Chipola River
Map of Alabama showing Dead LakeAutauga CountyBaldwin CountyBarbour CountyBibb CountyBlount CountyBullock CountyButler CountyCalhoun CountyChambers CountyCherokee CountyChilton CountyChoctaw CountyClarke CountyClay CountyCleburne CountyCoffee CountyColbert CountyConecuh CountyCoosa CountyCovington CountyCrenshaw CountyCullman CountyDale CountyDallas CountyDeKalb CountyElmore CountyEscambia CountyEtowah CountyFayette CountyFranklin CountyGeneva CountyGreene CountyHale CountyHenry CountyHouston CountyJackson CountyJefferson CountyLamar CountyLauderdale CountyLawrence CountyLee CountyLimestone CountyLowndes CountyMacon CountyMadison CountyMarengo CountyMarion CountyMarshall CountyMobile CountyMonroe CountyMontgomery CountyMorgan CountyPerry CountyPickens CountyPike CountyRandolph CountyRussell CountyShelby CountySt. Clair CountySumter CountyTalladega CountyTallapoosa CountyTuscaloosa CountyWalker CountyWashington CountyWilcox CountyWinston CountyDead LakeDead Lake
County lines: U.S. Census Bureau cartographic boundaries (2023). Lake positions: Atlas lake records.

Chipola River — tributary of the Apalachicola, flowing through Dead Lake

Before you go

Hurricane Michael hurt the shoal bass population, and since June 2019 it has been illegal to keep or possess a shoal bass from the Chipola or its tributaries. For float trips the state lists Chipola River Outfitters, 850-762-2800, and Bear Paw Adventures, 850-482-4948, which closes for the winter and reopens March 1. Check river level and flow before you go; in low water, running upstream through the shallow limestone shoals may be impossible.

Segment 1

Marianna to the Apalachicola River

A scenic, spring-fed coldwater river with fast-water limestone shoals. The state lists access in Marianna off County Road 280 (Magnolia Road), at Peacock Bridge Road north of Sink Creek, at State Road 274 west of Altha on Hamilton Spring Road, and at State Road 20 at Clarksville. Boat operators should be careful of the shallow shoals, snags and log jams, most of all in low water.

Species on this reach

Shoal bass

Catch and release only. Anglers fish in, above and below the shoals between Magnolia Bridge and Johnny Boy Landing with small crankbaits and other lures that imitate crayfish. Tell them from largemouth by the vertical stripes and a jaw that does not reach past the eye.

Largemouth bass

Take the same baits and are more concentrated below Highway 20 or in deeper sandy pools around snags. They may be kept.

Redbreast sunfish, bluegill and spotted sunfish

Excellent in spring, depending on water level. A 1/16 ounce beetle spin, worms or small crayfish lures; fly anglers do well early and late with a popper-dropper in slow current.

Access points

  • Chipola Estates Landing (Lamb Eddy) — Altha, Calhoun County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.50601, -85.15741.
  • Johnny Boy Landing — Altha, Calhoun County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.55267, -85.17029.
  • Look and Tremble Falls - Downstream Canoe Launch — Altha, Calhoun County. Hand launch. GPS 30.52409, -85.16141.
  • Look and Tremble Falls - Highway 274 Bridge Wayside Park — Altha, Calhoun County. Hand launch. GPS 30.53401, -85.16559.
  • Scott's Ferry Landing - General Store, Campground and Boat Ramp — Blountstown, Calhoun County. 2-lane ramp. Launch fee. GPS 30.28764, -85.14442.
  • State Road 20 Chipola River Public Boat Ramp — Clarksville, Calhoun County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.43171, -85.17173.
  • Douglas Landing — Wewahitchka, Gulf County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.01173, -85.13261.
  • Land's Landing Park Public Boat Ramp — Wewahitchka, Gulf County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.08840, -85.17901.
  • Lister's Landing — Wewahitchka, Gulf County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.00858, -85.12515.
  • Bellamy Bridge Canoe Access — Marianna, Jackson County. Hand launch. GPS 30.87111, -85.25663.
  • Chipola River Greenway - Hinson Conservation and Recreation Area Canoe Access Site — Marianna, Jackson County. Hand launch. GPS 30.75563, -85.21367.
  • Chipola River Greenway - Overlook Canoe Launch — Marianna, Jackson County. Hand launch. GPS 30.77304, -85.21717.
  • Christoff Ferry Landing Boat Ramp — Marianna, Jackson County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.84989, -85.25958.
  • Florida Caverns State Park Boat Ramp (Small Boats Only) — Marianna, Jackson County. 1-lane ramp. Launch fee. GPS 30.81650, -85.23398.
  • Magnolia Bridge Boat Ramp — Marianna, Jackson County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.71747, -85.20070.
  • Peacock Bridge Public Boat Ramp — Marianna, Jackson County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.62737, -85.16488.
  • Yancey Bridge Public Boat Ramp — Marianna, Jackson County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.79295, -85.22266.

Seasonal notes

Sunfish fishing is excellent in the spring when the water level allows, the state says. Fly anglers should fish early morning or late afternoon for bass and bream. No dated catch report is published that we can cite.

Regulations

Shoal bass: no harvest or possession on the Chipola River or its tributaries; every shoal bass must be released immediately. Largemouth bass may still be kept under Florida's statewide rule of 5 a day.

Always verify current statewide and lake-specific rules at /regulations/ before fishing.

Fishing regulations, generation schedules, and water conditions change. Alabama Fishing Atlas provides informational content only. Verify all regulations with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources before fishing, keeping any fish, or launching watercraft. We are not liable for decisions made based on information published here. Full disclaimer →

Data sources

  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Chipola River — https://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/nw/chipola-river/ (description, access, limits and forecast; checked 2026-11-12)
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Boat Ramp Inventory — https://gis.myfwc.com (ramp names, positions, lanes; retrieved 2026-11-12)

Data last reviewed: 2026-11-12