Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway

Cross Florida Greenway – Gainesville bass anglers find the 50-mile trip to  Florida’s Rodman Reservior easy, especially now that the bad cold spells have passed and the bass are beginning their annual pre-spawn rituals.  With the water temperatures now in the upper ’50s and lower ’60s, the fish are moving from deep protected channels and onto the many hundreds of acres of 3 to 6-foot flats to prepare their nesting beds.  These ‘bedding’ fish are easily caught by accomplished as well as amateur anglers.

Rodman Pool is the dammed-up section of the Oklawaha River that eventually leads into the St. John’s River through the now-defunct Cross Florida Barge Canal.  Two working locks allow boat passage into the St. John’s near Welaka, north of Palatka, but their primary use is to prevent backflow into the spring-fed Oklawaha.   The best boat ramp is at the western mouth of the canal, is part of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.  There’s a $3 daily launch and day use fee.  Overnight camping is allowed.  For details, phone (386) 326-2846.

More Information:

State Dept of Greenways and Trails, Fishing at Rodman Reservoir, Fishing

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