About Black Creek, FL

Black Creek is a tributary of the St. Johns River, located in Clay County, and is formed by the conjunction of North Fork Black Creek and South Fork Black Creek. The creek starts in Middleburg, and flows 14 miles through Doctors Inlet, and ends in Fleming Island. Black Creek is named after its watercolor.

Black Creek is joined by Peter's Creek and flows into the St. Johns River, 4.8 kilometers north of Green Cove Springs. It is also just 13 minutes away from Ronnie Van Zant Memorial Park, a public memorial park that offers a playground for children, a fishing pond, pavilions, a baseball field, basketball courts, and tennis courts. Anglers looking for side trips like hiking can visit the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area established by the St. Johns River Water Management District.

All About Fishing in Black Creek, FL

It is common knowledge that alligators are a very common sight in Florida. A recent study by the University of North Florida found that about 93 alligators are found in 9 tributaries of the St. Johns River and that includes Black Creek. Black Creek’s watercolor is black, mainly due to the presence of tannin that comes from decaying leaves that fall right into the water and vegetation. Despite having black-colored water, the river is considered to be one of the cleanest rivers in Florida. The areas in the stretch of St. Johns where Black Creek is located offer great fishing for largemouth bass and redear sunfish. Black Creek is also home to black crappie and bluegill. Fish such as channel catfish, red drum, blue catfish, spotted seatrout, striped bass, and black bullhead are found in the waters of Black Creek. Black Creek crayfish are also present in the river as most of them live in a tannic-stained waterbody.

Notable fishing spots in Black Creek are the shallow parts of the waters as well as along the bridges and boat ramps. Anglers use spinning, baitcasting, and drift fishing techniques to go after the fish they wanted to catch. They can also go boating, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding while others prefer to swim. Anglers can go for live bait to lure the fish which includes worms, leeches, minnows, and many more. Anglers wishing to fish in Black Creek must consider the Florida Fishing rules and regulations and other local fishing policies.

Fishing Seasonality

Largemouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, and blue catfish are available year-round. Bass are best caught during their spawning season which runs from mid-March through late May. Blue and channel catfish usually spawn when the water temperature is between 70 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Red drum are best caught during September, as it is the peak season for them. Spotted sea trout spawn near the shore from March to November and can also be fished all year. Bluegill spawn during the spring and early summer seasons,  making it a good time to catch them. Black crappie are best caught an hour before sunset during warmer months while their spawning occurs in late spring and early summer. Black bullhead usually breeds from May to July and are best caught during the first warm days of February until October.

Fishing Seasonality

Largemouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, and blue catfish are available year-round. Bass are best caught during their spawning season which runs from mid-March through late May. Blue and channel catfish usually spawn when the water temperature is between 70 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Red drum are best caught during September, as it is the peak season for them. Spotted sea trout spawn near the shore from March to November and can also be fished all year. Bluegill spawn during the spring and early summer seasons,  making it a good time to catch them. Black crappie are best caught an hour before sunset during warmer months while their spawning occurs in late spring and early summer. Black bullhead usually breeds from May to July and are best caught during the first warm days of February until October.

All About Fishing in Black Creek, FL

It is common knowledge that alligators are a very common sight in Florida. A recent study by the University of North Florida found that about 93 alligators are found in 9 tributaries of the St. Johns River and that includes Black Creek. Black Creek’s watercolor is black, mainly due to the presence of tannin that comes from decaying leaves that fall right into the water and vegetation. Despite having black-colored water, the river is considered to be one of the cleanest rivers in Florida. The areas in the stretch of St. Johns where Black Creek is located offer great fishing for largemouth bass and redear sunfish. Black Creek is also home to black crappie and bluegill. Fish such as channel catfish, red drum, blue catfish, spotted seatrout, striped bass, and black bullhead are found in the waters of Black Creek. Black Creek crayfish are also present in the river as most of them live in a tannic-stained waterbody.

Notable fishing spots in Black Creek are the shallow parts of the waters as well as along the bridges and boat ramps. Anglers use spinning, baitcasting, and drift fishing techniques to go after the fish they wanted to catch. They can also go boating, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding while others prefer to swim. Anglers can go for live bait to lure the fish which includes worms, leeches, minnows, and many more. Anglers wishing to fish in Black Creek must consider the Florida Fishing rules and regulations and other local fishing policies.