Peace River (Fl) Fishing

[Wonderwood]

I am going camping along the Peace River just south of CR761 and CR769 approx ten miles upstream of I-75 the weekend of Mar 21-23. I was wondering if anyone has fished this river or if they have any tips for fishing this type area as I've never fished a tidal river like this one. Will it have primarily salt or freshwater species or a mixure? I thank you for any suggestions. 

[0119]

Your going to be very limited.  North of the 761 bridge there are bass but not below it normally, unless the flow is significant.  Its not. as a matter of fact this winter with typical winter tides its very hard to not get grounded north of the bridge.  The first 100 yards above the bridge especially.  There are 3 fingers sort of like oxbows(you can see them on Google Earth) that are deeper and hold bass.  Shoreline typically. Tons of sunken wood after Charlie.  Use caution north of there and time your ride with high tide and you can get to Horse Creek. Its very tight but can be o.k. bass fishing.  Past that go into Iron Lake, I think its called Hancock Lake on some maps.  Good fishing along the shoreline Cypress.  Lots of heavy boat traffic, mostly from airboats. That along with being right under Alliegent Airlines flight path into Punta Gorda can make for a loud day of fishing.  South of the campground boat traffic is heavier yet. There might...MIGHT be a random snook left up river but you have to watch out for wakes and the water quality is very poor from the slag outflow from Mosaic's dumping pond next to the Peace River Water Supply plant.  Good luck, I was there a month ago and was skunked the first time in years.  Normally gold colored lures have been productive.

[Wonderwood]

Thank you very much for the help. I think my best bet is to fish the three finger-like areas just north of 761 seeing as I'll be strictly in a canoe and its 2.5 miles just to 761. At least the trip back will be easier since i will be going with the current back.

[0119]

I always hit those 3 fingers and have done very well there in the past, just not recently.  Canoe is a good bet but it'll be a bit of a paddle.  Hit the left side just before the bridge and go into the cove where the Peace River Water Plant has their pick up/discharge.  Lots of cover to fish in that cove.  Also the left side after the bridge as you get to the 3 fingers. It has lots of sunken trees and had been a good spot for snook, especially with a topwater.