AlabamaFishing Atlas

The Ochlockonee River: Redbreast Water West of Tallahassee

Shallow, narrow and scenic, with snags and deep holes. Known for redbreast sunfish in low water, catfish in high water, and stripers below Lake Talquin.

Written by Atlas Editorial · Last updated

The Ochlockonee River runs west of Tallahassee, Florida, through Lake Talquin to the Gulf. The state says it is noted for redbreast sunfish in low water, catfish in high water, and black crappie.

Lakes and tailwaters on the Ochlockonee River
Map of Alabama showing Lake TalquinAutauga 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 CountyLake TalquinLake Talquin
County lines: U.S. Census Bureau cartographic boundaries (2023). Lake positions: Atlas lake records.

Ochlockonee River — dammed to form Lake Talquin

Before you go

The state counts about nine public boat ramps and many primitive campsites on the Florida part of the river, and calls it a good river to canoe and fish. For local word it lists Ed and Bernice's Fish Camp, 850-379-8146. Lake Talquin, the reservoir on this river, has its own page in the Atlas.

Segment 1

Florida reach: above and below Lake Talquin

Shallow, narrow and scenic over most of its run to the Gulf coast, with abundant snags and deep-water holes. The best fishing generally comes in spring and summer when the water is low.

Species on this reach

Redbreast sunfish and bluegill

Along blowdowns and other cover, on light tackle with crickets or wigglers. Easiest in low water.

Channel and flathead catfish

Deep-water areas in early fall and during high water. Night crawlers or chicken liver for channel cats, live bream for flatheads.

Striped bass

Pick up in the Lake Talquin tailrace as the water cools. Topwater plugs, jerkbaits, crankbaits and live shad.

Black crappie

The state notes the river for its crappie fishing.

Access points

  • Cow Creek Boat Ramp (Ochlockonee River) — Sopchoppy, Franklin County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 29.98592, -84.48825.
  • McIntyre Road Boat Ramp — Sopchoppy, Franklin County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 29.98158, -84.52604.
  • Tate's Hell State Forest - Womack Creek Recreation Site Boat Launch — Carrabelle, Franklin County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.00254, -84.53943.
  • Fairbanks Ferry Road Boat Ramp (Small Boats) — Havana, Gadsden County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.66878, -84.30577.
  • Iron (Steel) Bridge Landing Public Boat Ramp — Havana, Gadsden County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.58603, -84.35958.
  • Ochlockonee River at Highway 90 — Quincy, Gadsden County. 2-lane ramp. GPS 30.47357, -84.40784.
  • Ochlockonee Landing At Tower Rd — Tallahassee, Leon County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.52864, -84.38936.
  • Apalachicola National Forest - Lower Revell Landing — Hosford, Liberty County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.12852, -84.67143.
  • Ed & Bernice's Fish Camp — Hosford, Liberty County. 1-lane ramp. Launch fee. GPS 30.38426, -84.65481.
  • Tate's Hell State Forest - Log Cabin Camp Site # 4 Canoe Access — Hosford, Liberty County. Hand launch. GPS 30.02732, -84.58761.
  • Tate's Hell State Forest - Log Cabin Camp Site #1 Primitive Boat Launch — Hosford, Liberty County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.03278, -84.59557.
  • Apalachicola National Forest - Mack Landing — Sopchoppy, Wakulla County. 1-lane ramp. Launch fee. GPS 30.09440, -84.64553.
  • Jack Langston's Fish Camp — Sopchoppy, Wakulla County. 1-lane ramp. Launch fee. GPS 30.21454, -84.68165.
  • Myron B. Hodge Sopchoppy City Park — Sopchoppy, Wakulla County. 1-lane ramp. Launch fee. GPS 30.05091, -84.49934.
  • Ochlockonee River State Park - Accessible Boat Ramp and Kayak Launch — Sopchoppy, Wakulla County. 2-lane ramp. Launch fee. GPS 29.99930, -84.48063.
  • Ochlockonee River State Park - Accessible Kayak Launch — Sopchoppy, Wakulla County. Hand launch. Launch fee. GPS 29.99922, -84.48086.
  • Ochlockonee River State Park - Day Use Area Paddle Craft Beach — Sopchoppy, Wakulla County. Hand launch. Launch fee. GPS 30.00451, -84.47162.
  • Ochlockonee River State Park - Group Campsite (Reservations Required) Paddle Craft Beach — Sopchoppy, Wakulla County. Hand launch. Launch fee. GPS 30.00843, -84.47465.
  • Savage Landing — Ebro, Washington County. 1-lane ramp. Launch fee. GPS 30.43644, -85.90121.

Seasonal notes

Spring and summer, in low water, are generally best. Early fall is for catfish in the deep holes, and stripers start in the Talquin tailrace as temperatures drop. No dated catch report is published that we can cite.

Regulations

Striped bass in the lower Ochlockonee River, including the Lake Talquin tailrace: 3 per person per day, only 1 of which may be longer than 24 inches.

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, Ochlockonee River — https://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/nw/ochlockonee-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