Fishing Haines Creek and the Dead River
Where to Fish in Haines Creek
Haines Creek is a six mile long natural waterway connecting Lake Eustis with Lake Griffin. There is a manned lock about
midway
through the creek. The lock is normally operated from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM. The lock operator takes off for lunch around noon and
returns within the hour. Parts of Haines Creek on the Eustis side of the lock have been channelized, but the oxbows of the original creek
remain. The main creek averages about 6-8 feet deep and contains prime bass habitat. Grass, holes, drop offs, a spillway and numerous
canals offer a wide variety of bass fishing opportunities. The entire creek is a major bedding bass area in the spawning season.
Major bass bedding activity starts around the first full moon in January and some years can continue well into May. Bass fishing in the
Haines Creek
is good year round as numerous resident fish make the creek their
full time home. There is an entrance to a flooded former vegetable farm on the Griffin side of the Haines Creek lock. In times of high water, fishing the newly
created marsh can be worthwhile.
The entire length of Haines Creek holds good bass. In wet years,
the Water Authority occasionally drains water from the
upper lakes by opening the spillway on Haines Creek. This creates current in the creek which makes fishing at the spillway on the Griffin side excellent. The establishment of an idle zone from the first bend on the Eustis side all the way to the lock,
makes for undisturbed fishing on weekends and holidays.
The water quality in Haines Creek is
normally good, especially in the residential canals which can be clear. A major bedding area
is located in the mobile home park of Mid Florida Lakes. The marina in this development is a large round basin with deep water and rocks
along the shoreline. Many tournaments have been won in the basin sight fishing the numerous beds found along the seawall. Another
small lake in the rear of the development is full of dredge holes, pads and grass.
The "S" bend on the Eustis side of Haines Creek is overgrown with bulrushes and holds quality bass year round.
Large cypress trees can be found along the creek which always hold a few bass in their roots. The most productive way to locate bass in
the creek is to get in close to the bank and parallel cast a Rattle Trap or Spinner bait along the sides of the creek. Occasionally, the
bass can be found holding close to the bottom of the creek by fan casting a Carolina rigged worm. Never pass up a downed tree or large
stump in the creek, especially in the winter months. Harris Chain bass go to wood in cold water and tend to congregate in these areas.
If the water is high, flipping the Kissimmee grass bed and tree
stumps in the creek is productive.
The Harris Chain's Dead River Bass Fishing
The name "Dead River" does not have anything to do with anything being dead. A dead river is the old Florida name for a waterway connecting two large lakes, usually filled with pads and other cover. It's dead because there is
no sustained current flowing through it.
Where to Fish in the Dead River
The Harris Chain's Dead River is approximately 3/4 mile long and connects Big Lake Harris and Lake Eustis. The River has two waterfront restaurants and numerous canals leading off the main waterway. A large concrete
bridge carries traffic on highway 441 over the river. The River averages about 6-8 feet deep and is totally navigable for the
average bass boat. The entire length of the river is an idle only no-wake zone. Where to fish in the Dead River
The best time to fish the dead river is in the spring or in any time of high winds. High wind causes currents to form in the river which turns on
the bass. The entire river holds bass and the no-wake zone makes for pleasant fishing. Shoreline cover is made up of grass, reeds,
cypress trees and cat tails. Spinner baiting and rattle trapping are consistent producers. The pilings under the 441 bridge can be
excellent fishing. The area under the bridge is littered with rocks and debris left over from the bridge construction.
The pads in the center of the dead river hold large bass in the spawning season. Many a tournament has been won by flipping these pads. This is slow
fishing to be sure, but very worthwhile. Another way to fish these pads is to get in close and cast a spinnerbait as close as possible
paralleling pads. Holes in the center of these pads are also worth fishing. A few old sunken boats are buried in these pads that hold
nice fish.
There are at least 5 canals leading off the dead river and they all hold bass year round. The most productive canal
is the Imperial Terrace West canal. This canal is deeper than most and runs a good way back into the manufactured home development. Top
water action can be good, but most anglers choose to fish the canal with Carolina or Texas rigged plastics. Summer night fishing in this
canal is excellent.
The entrance to Lake Harris at the Dead River is an excellent area to fish. A large dredge hole and numerous
high spots and drop-offs in this area make for good fishing. One of the largest tournament bass ever weighed on the Harris Chain came
from this spot (13 pounds plus). Carolina rigged worms are the usual rig of choice. The Dead River can also be a great place to pull a deep diving crankbait. Dredging bottom with one of these
baits is a good way to catch a quality bass.
If you have any questions or comments about the Dead River bass fishing, please
contact me.
