Kissimmee River is a River located in Okeechobee County, FL. Starting in Lake Wales, FL the Kissimmee River flows 84 miles through Lorida, FL before ending in Okeechobee, FL. The Kissimmee River rises to an elevation of 7 feet. Find maps, fishing guides, weather and recreation information at Guidesly.

About Kissimmee River, FL

Kissimmee River is a watercourse that forms a boundary between the counties of Osceola and Polk, the Highlands and Okeechobee, and between Okeechobee and Glades, before flowing into Lake Okeechobee. The river forms the northern part of the Everglades wetland area. It first appears in Osceola County, flowing from the East Lake Tohopekaliga, through the Lake Tohopekaliga itself, the Lake Hatchineha, Lake Cypress, and Lake Kissimmee. Originally at 134 miles in length, It once meandered for about 103 miles through central Florida. The river also forms the headwaters of the Kissimmee River-Lake Okeechobee-Everglades ecosystem. 

The 30,000-acre public use area of the river provides plenty of opportunities for deer, hog, and turkey hunting. Horse riding and camping are also available, but only in the permitted portions of the area. Bicycles are now allowed here without a permit. However, people visiting the public use area must still ensure that they have the appropriate permits, licenses, and stamps to access the services here. It is open to public access all year round.

Rampant hurricane-floods on its 3-mile floodplain have caused the river’s wetland habitats to reduce over time. The Kissimmee River restoration is pegged as one of the largest true ecosystem restoration projects all over the world. Through these restoration efforts, wildlife has already returned to some parts of the river. Plants have begun to re-establish themselves in the river, which created ideal conditions for aquatic life to bloom. This resulted in a surge in fish, bird, and alligator populations in the area.  

All About Fishing in Kissimmee River, FL

Ever since the completed restoration of the Kissimmee River, the area now offers excellent opportunities for catching fish species such as speckled perch, redear sunfish, and bluegill. The river is also now populated with a variety of panfish species, catfish, and black crappie. The river produces a good number of trophy bass species, including the famous Florida bass and largemouth bass. Aside from that, you may also have a chance to see the alligators, manatees, bald eagles, and other wildlife around the river.

Popular fishing techniques used here include baitcasting, surfcasting, spinning, and fly-fishing. The river can be quite challenging to navigate, but having a professional guide with you will guarantee you to identify the best spots to fish here. You may try approaching the first look of the river, which is usually loaded with active bass especially when it opens and the water rushes through. You may also check the backwater areas of the river between the West shoreline and the dirt mounds, which are good holding and spawning sites for bass, bluegill, and speckled perch species. Drop-offs and hydrilla beds are also potential great spots for catching bass. The banks are also known to hold quality fish species.

Fishing Seasonality

The bass species in Kissimmee River can be actively caught all year round, but their peak spawning time usually starts in February through April. You may fish here from February through March when you want to catch some speckled perch, as these months are their peak spawning time in the river. You may spot them in areas where the current flows, especially near the old riverbed. On the other hand, fly-fishing for bluegill would be excellent from April through August. The general spawning season for the species here usually starts in late November through May.

Fishing Seasonality

The bass species in Kissimmee River can be actively caught all year round, but their peak spawning time usually starts in February through April. You may fish here from February through March when you want to catch some speckled perch, as these months are their peak spawning time in the river. You may spot them in areas where the current flows, especially near the old riverbed. On the other hand, fly-fishing for bluegill would be excellent from April through August. The general spawning season for the species here usually starts in late November through May.

All About Fishing in Kissimmee River, FL

Ever since the completed restoration of the Kissimmee River, the area now offers excellent opportunities for catching fish species such as speckled perch, redear sunfish, and bluegill. The river is also now populated with a variety of panfish species, catfish, and black crappie. The river produces a good number of trophy bass species, including the famous Florida bass and largemouth bass. Aside from that, you may also have a chance to see the alligators, manatees, bald eagles, and other wildlife around the river.

Popular fishing techniques used here include baitcasting, surfcasting, spinning, and fly-fishing. The river can be quite challenging to navigate, but having a professional guide with you will guarantee you to identify the best spots to fish here. You may try approaching the first look of the river, which is usually loaded with active bass especially when it opens and the water rushes through. You may also check the backwater areas of the river between the West shoreline and the dirt mounds, which are good holding and spawning sites for bass, bluegill, and speckled perch species. Drop-offs and hydrilla beds are also potential great spots for catching bass. The banks are also known to hold quality fish species.