AlabamaFishing Atlas

The Yellow River and Shoal River: Sand, Sandbars and Backwater Bass

Sixty-one Florida miles through Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties to Blackwater Bay, joined near Crestview by the 33-mile Shoal River.

Written by Atlas Editorial · Last updated

The Yellow River is 92 miles long, with 61 miles in Florida's Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties, and empties into Blackwater Bay. The Shoal River, 33 miles and all in Florida, joins it near Crestview.

Yellow River and Shoal River — drain to Blackwater Bay, an arm of Pensacola Bay

Before you go

It is illegal to keep, possess or even target alligator gar in Panhandle rivers. A 56-mile stretch from State Road 2 to State Road 87 is the Yellow River Paddling Trail. The state names two fish camps near the river mouth south of Milton, Brown's and Lindsey's.

Segment 1

Yellow River and Shoal River

A sandy-bottomed river with white beaches and large sandbars. Landings the state names: Guest Lake Landing south of Holt, Milligan below Highway 90, Crestview at Highways 85 and 90, Blackman on Highway 2, and the Highway 87 crossing southeast of Milton.

Species on this reach

Largemouth bass

In fall they leave the main channel for shallow banks, creeks and backwater basins. White or chartreuse bladed jigs, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits to cover water, or a Texas-rigged 4-inch lizard or curly-tailed worm on cypress knees and downed trees, from Guess Lake downstream to the mouths near Blackwater Bay.

Bluegill and redear sunfish

A 1/32 ounce beetle spin, underspin or skirted tube around vegetation, stumps and downed trees; once you find them, a live cricket or worm under a cork. Poppers and woolly buggers on a fly rod when it is slow.

Flathead catfish

Live bait on a 6/0 to 10/0 kahle or circle hook, on the bottom in deep holes, outside bends, current breaks and logjams.

Access points

  • Bill Duggan Jr. Park — Crestview, Okaloosa County. 2-lane ramp. GPS 30.69732, -86.57116.
  • Eglin AFB - Carr Landing (RESTRICTED ACCESS - PERMIT REQUIRED) — Eglin Afb, Okaloosa County. Hand launch. Launch fee. GPS 30.67343, -86.69797.
  • Eglin AFB - Gin Hole Landing (RESTRICTED ACCESS - PERMIT REQUIRED) — Eglin Afb, Okaloosa County. 1-lane ramp. Launch fee. GPS 30.68024, -86.65096.
  • Eglin AFB - Metts Bluff (RESTRICTED ACCESS - PERMIT REQUIRED) — Eglin Afb, Okaloosa County. 1-lane ramp. Launch fee. GPS 30.66880, -86.72851.
  • Guest Lake Park — Holt, Okaloosa County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.66068, -86.76517.
  • Milligan-Yellow River Park — Crestview, Okaloosa County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.74843, -86.62530.
  • Oak Grove Park — Laurel Hill, Okaloosa County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.92533, -86.55890.
  • Ray Lynn Barnes Public Boat Ramp — Crestview, Okaloosa County. 2-lane ramp. GPS 30.75343, -86.50969.
  • Reedy Landing Gravel Boat Ramp (Small Boats) — Baker, Okaloosa County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.87013, -86.59180.
  • Rivers Edge RV Park and Campground — Holt, Okaloosa County. 1-lane ramp. Launch fee. GPS 30.67429, -86.74703.
  • Eglin AFB - Basin Island Landing (RESTRICTED ACCESS - PERMIT REQUIRED) — Eglin Afb, Santa Rosa County. Hand launch. Launch fee. GPS 30.57878, -86.90026.
  • Eglin AFB - Boiling Creek Put-In (RESTRICTED ACCESS - PERMIT REQUIRED) — Eglin Afb, Santa Rosa County. Hand launch. Launch fee. GPS 30.56506, -86.86858.
  • Eglin AFB - Broxson Branch Landing (RESTRICTED ACCESS - PERMIT REQUIRED) — Eglin Afb, Santa Rosa County. Hand launch. Launch fee. GPS 30.60862, -86.83718.
  • Eglin AFB - Weaver River Camp Canoe Launch (RESTRICTED ACCESS - PERMIT REQUIRED) — Eglin Afb, Santa Rosa County. Hand launch. GPS 30.55330, -86.93936.
  • Fisher Old Mill Road Boat Ramp (Small Boats) — Milton, Santa Rosa County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.63043, -86.81194.
  • Parkerville Boat Ramp (Small Boats Only) — Milton, Santa Rosa County. 1-lane ramp. GPS 30.61996, -86.83349.

Seasonal notes

The state's forecast is for fall, when bass move to the backwaters. No dated catch report is published that we can cite.

Regulations

Alligator gar: illegal to possess or target. Bass follow 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, Yellow River — https://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecasts/nw/blackwater-and-yellow-rivers/ (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