Hunting and Fishing Around River Bend: What to Know Before You Go

If you're heading to the Choctawhatchee River, you picked a good spot.

Florida's third largest river runs right through this part of the Panhandle, and the fishing here is as good as it gets. Largemouth bass, bream, shellcracker, catfish, sunshine bass — the river holds them all. Spring and fall are the best times to be out there, but a good fisherman finds a reason to go year-round. One thing worth knowing: the Choctaw Bass — a species found almost nowhere else in the world except a handful of Panhandle rivers — lives right here in the Choctawhatchee. Catch and release on that one.

For hunting, there are over 30,000 acres of public land managed by the Northwest Florida Water Management District just across the road. Deer, turkey, hogs, and wood ducks — it's all out there. Check MyFWC.com for current seasons and regulations before you go. You'll need a valid Florida hunting or fishing license and the appropriate WMA permit for public land.

Before you head out, swing by River Bend. We carry bait and tackle, ice, drinks, and the kind of last-minute things you always seem to forget on the way to the river. We'd rather you stop here than turn around halfway down the road.

See you on the way out.