Steinhatchee Mullet Run

About Steinhatchee River

Steinhatchee is best known for summer scallops, but the river and its marsh hold mullet well into fall. Fish stage in the lower river and move out over the flats when the water cools and a front passes.

The river gauge here is tidal, so the score watches salinity: a sudden freshening after rain is one of the flush triggers.

Why fish here during the run

• Classic Big Bend river-mouth staging.
• Huge grass flats hold bait and the trout and redfish that follow it.
• Low fishing pressure in the fall.

Angler tips

• Fish the river mouth and the first flats outside it on a falling tide.
• Look for mullet jumping at the river mouth in the evening before a front.
• Mind the shallow bars at low tide.

Access & conditions notes

• Public ramps and marinas line the river in town.
• Wind and pressure come from the Keaton Beach station; water temperature from Cedar Key.
• Salinity is read from the USGS gauge at Steinhatchee.

Map pin: 29.6720°N, 83.3900°W · Steinhatchee River entrance at Deadman Bay; wind via Keaton Beach, water temp via Cedar Key