Things to do in Withlacoochee Gulf Area

Bicycling and Hiking Trails

Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve
The Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve is a  413 acre preserve situated  in Yankeetown on the salt marshes of the Gulf of Mexico. This facility has over 5 miles of walking trails , kayak launch, a 30 foot observation tower and home of the Ellie Schiller Education Center. Programs are held at the Preserve from November to April . This unique park will give you a feel for our native Florida Environment with much plant and animal wildlife. Take an early morning birding walk and discover the many species that exist  on the preserve or get that morning exercise on the trails and enjoy the views.

Join the many volunteers who manage and provide top notch educational events and don’t miss the annual Withlacoochee Rubber Duck Race held on the third Sunday of November at the Inglis /Yankeetown  Lions Club Seafood Festival. View more information at

	More Info at www.floridastateparks.org/trail/Cross-Florida >
	More Info at www.wgpfl.org >

Big Bend Shellfish Trail Map, Brochure And Road Trip Itineraries

More Info at www.visitnaturecoast.com/big-bend.php >

http://www.visitnaturecoast.com/big-bend.php

Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenwaynglis Island Trails
Crossing Central Florida from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River is the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway which occupies much of the land formerly known as the Cross Florida Ship and later Barge Canal projects. A series of historic events transformed this corridor from one of the nation's largest uncompleted public works project to a world class greenway.

More Info On Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway >

Withlacoochee Bay Trail / Felburn Park Trailhead
The Felburn Park Trailhead and Withlacoochee Bay Trail are managed as a unit of the 90,000 acre Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. Felburn Park, formerly a lime rock mine is approximately 140-acres. Remnants of the mining activity include the 40-acre Phil’s Lake that was formed when the lime rock mining hit the freshwater aquifer thus filling the lake. 

More Info On Felburn Park Trailhead >

More Info On Bay Trail >

Withlacoochee Horse Trails
Whether you want a day's ride or a full equestrian camping trip, enjoy riding through some of the most beautiful public lands in central Florida.

More Info at www.thegoethetrail.com >

More Info at www.blackprong.com >

Boating, Sailing and Fishing

Yankeetown Boat Ramp Inventory Usage 2014 >

The Greater Withlacoochee Area offers fresh or saltwater fishing on your own or with one of our Chamber Member Guides. Marinas, bait and tackle shops, fishing licenses, campgrounds, motels, boat ramps and boat rentals are also available through our Chamber members. Launching from the river will give you a wonderful look at the Withlacoochee River, one of Florida's Outstanding Waterways. Tarpon, Red Fish, Trout, Scallops, Cobia, Mackerel, Shark, Grouper and more can be found in and around the mouth of the river and of course, in the Gulf of Mexico. Both the Withlacoochee River and Lake Rousseau offer a variety of freshwater fish- Largermouth Lunker Bass, Brim, Catfish, and Crappie.

TIP: Our tides change twice daily and can raise and lower as much as six feet so a chart would be helpful for your fishing adventure.

Don't Forget to Follow Safe Boating Rules and Please Respect the Environment.

Scalloping

Scalloping is loads fun!  It's fun for the family and easy to do in about 4 to 8 feet of water. Scalloping is a great underwater Easter Egg Hunt with a mask, snorkel and fins.  If you can swim, you can scallop!
You can get to the scalloping area by boat or car from Inglis and Yankeetown.  Believe it or not, some say it is actually easier to get there by boat from the Withlacoochee Channel than it is to drive a car to Crystal River.
You may stay in Inglis or Yankeetown at one of our local motels, B&B, campgrounds, or cabins and  launch your boat at one of our many boat ramps. Enjoy a beautiful ride out the Withlacoochee River Channel and plug in these GPS coordinates to reach the scalloping area: Marker 18 A Withlacoochee Channel 28.59.005 N   -  82.47.543 W  To #39 Area Power Plant (Barge Canal) and 28.56.317 N  -  82.48.108 W takes you across to Crystal River.

Be Sure To Follow the Rules....
If you are between the ages of 16 and 65  you are required to have a current Florida saltwater fishing license to catch scallops.  Non-residents over the age of 16 are required to have a valid Florida Fishing license.  Scallopers under 16 years of age, Florida residents 65 years of age or older with proof of residency and age, or scallopers on a charter boat with a valid recreational saltwater fishing license don't need a fishing license.

Scallop Limits...
The bag limit is 2 gallons of whole scallops (in the shell), or 1 pint of scallop meat per person per day with no more than 10 gallons of whole scallops or 1/2 gallon of scallop meat aboard the vessel at any time. Scallops can only be harvested by hand or with a landing or dip net.

Divers-Down Flag is REQUIRED…
Flag displayed on boat – must be at least 20 inches by 24 inches.  A stiffener is required to keep the flag unfurled.  Must be displayed above the highest point of the boat and taken down when divers are out of the water.
Flag displayed on float attached to snorkeler– must be at least 12 inches by 12 inches.
Divers must make reasonable efforts to stay within 300 feet of a divers-down flag on open waters (all waterways other than rivers, inlets or navigation channels) and within 100 feet of a flag within rivers, inlets, or navigation channels.
Vessel operators must make a reasonable effort to maintain a distance of at least 300 feet from divers-down flags on open waters and at least 100 feet from flags on rivers, inlets or navigation channels. Vessels approaching divers-down flags closer than 300 feet in open water and 100 feet in rivers, inlets and navigation channels must slow to idle speed.

Clean and Cook Scallops Link…

How to clean bay scallops >

Paddling
There are many paddling opportunities on the Withlacoochee River and the coastal estuarine system around the Gulf of Mexico. There are eight trail maps available and for the adventurous ones you have miles and miles of coast line and tidal creeks to discover. Paddle the Withlacoochee River to Bennetts Creek and observe the RoseatteSpoonbills ,Woodstorks, Egrets, Eagles and more.

Those who are interested or avid canoe or kayak fisherman then the Inglis & Yankeetown area has some of the best inshore fishing. For Sea Trout , Redfish, Snook, Flounder, Sheepshead, Cobia and Tarpon . Hook into a twenty four inch Redfish and have the time of your life. Several Paddling events are held on the river so check out our calendar for more information.

Printable Paddling Trails Maps >

www.floridapaddlingtrails.com/yankeetown >

Birding

The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail (GFBWT) is a program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. At its core is a network of 514 sites throughout Florida selected for their excellent bird watching, wildlife viewing or educational opportunities. This 2,000-mile, self-guided highway trail is designed to conserve and enhance Florida's wildlife habitats by promoting birding and wildlife viewing activities, conservation education and economic opportunity. 

More Info at www.floridabirdingtrail.com >

Ecotourism

There is no shortage of wildlife and game in Greater Withlacoochee area for your viewing pleasure. Gators, otters, dolphin, wild boar, manatee and an abundance of Osprey, Spoonbills, Herons, Bald Eagles, Cranes and more can be found in and around the Withlacoochee River and the Gulf of Mexico in Yankeetown and Inglis.

TIP: Boating or paddling the river to the Gulf in the early morning or late afternoon is the best time to view or photograph our natural wonders.

We invite you to take advantage of this pristine natural habitat for photographs or just to enjoy the view.