Getting in the Shallows - A Day on the Chassahowitzka River

Getting in the Shallows - A day on the Chassahowitzka River

From its headwaters to the Gulf, this awe-inspiring Florida gem is sure to take your breath away. B.O.W. recently acquired a small skiff, which we haven’t had the opportunity to take out on the water, until this month. So, having been to the Chassahowitzka before on a larger boat; we thought what better place to explore a little deeper in the new skiff than the Chaz. And, boy o boy were we glad we did. There are many creeks, canals, and cuts available for any explorer in a smaller vessel.

There are a couple of places to launch your vessel(s) on the Chaz. The Chassahowitzka River Boat Launch may be the easiest. They charge 10 bucks, if you have a trailer and 5 bucks if you don’t have one. On this day though, we headed into the river from the Gulf, by way of the channel, in Chassahowitzka Bay. We have launched B.O.W.’s 26 foot Panga from the boat launch, but make sure to watch the tides, if you choose to launch bigger boats there. Also, know that there are many opportunities to run up on “Mr.

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Rock” in the Chaz. Simply put, be aware and pay attention! This is good advice on any vessel and any waterway, but as I’ve been told the Chaz is notorious for taking its shots at beautiful boats. Our day on the Chaz in the new little skiff was amazing and without issue. We watched tons of birds in flight, on the water, and on land, including a few Bald Eagles. We witnessed Dolphin running schools of fish up on the rocky shoals creating a buffet for themselves. We were testing out the trolling motor in one of

the small canals off of the river, when a Momma Manatee got in front of us, almost guiding us away from a small hole, on bottom and to our port, where we saw her baby hanging out. The water is so clear, on the Chaz, unless you have your eyes closed, you will see tons of God’s awesome creations and creatures, as well. If, you are anywhere near the Nature Coast of Florida and love water and wildlife, make sure to take the time to check out the Chassahowitzka River.

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A brief history of the Chassahowitzka area, from myfwc.com: Thousands of years before Europeans arrived; Native Americans hunted, fished, and gathered wild plants along Florida’s Gulf coast. Evidence of several Native American campsites has been found within Chassahowitzka on the same high and dry ground used as camps by 20th century hunters. The swamp was likely as inhospitable for Native Americans as it is for modern Floridians. Within Chassahowitzka is Indian Bend, a Weeden Island (A.D. 300 - A.D. 1300) burial mound excavated at the turn of the century by C.B. Moore. Indian Bend yielded primary and secondary burials as well as checkstamped pottery. Although no encampments or other sites have been found, the Seminole Indians were known to have been in the area during the Second Seminole War (1835-42). They gave the region the name Chassahowitzka, meaning “pumpkin hanging place.” The pumpkin referred to was a small climbing variety that is now rare and perhaps even extinct. In 1985 land for Chassahowitzka was purchased from the Lykes Brothers and the Turner Corporation as part of Florida’s Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program. In 1988, another 150 acres was added to compensate for the loss of red-cockaded woodpecker habitat in Marion County. The Seville and Annutteliga Hammock tracts east of Highway 19 were purchased in 1998 and provide an upland buffer for coastal lands as well as a geographic link to the Withlacoochee State Forest. In 2000, the FWC approved purchase of an additional 720 acres.

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