Whats happening along Alligator Alley?

[0119]

On the way back from Miami the other day all the west bound recreation areas were closed.  All the FWC notices on the boards were gone, sort of like the rec areas were abandoned.  I then saw closer to the west nearer to Golden Gate there was a huge parking lot and a newish boat ramp built on a connecting canal.  When did all this happen?  Does anybody know if the old rec areas will be dozed over or be reopened?

[BassinLou]

12 hours ago, 0119 said:

On the way back from Miami the other day all the west bound recreation areas were closed.  All the FWC notices on the boards were gone, sort of like the rec areas were abandoned.  I then saw closer to the west nearer to Golden Gate there was a huge parking lot and a newish boat ramp built on a connecting canal.  When did all this happen?  Does anybody know if the old rec areas will be dozed over or be reopened?

I don't know how long ago this was, but a couple of months back the ramps were closed along the alley due to high water. However for the last 4 weeks the ramps have been re-opened and reports are starting to trickle in from this area again. The newish ramp you saw was probably Mm 51 ramp, this ramp has been around and completed for over 4 yrs now. 

[0119]

4 years!  Does the canal its on connect to a lot of other canals?  I found the ramp you are talking about on google earth but I don't think its the one I saw. It was closer into Collier County and had a huge parking lot. The ramp was on the west side of the canal, the mm51 ramp looks to be different.

[BassinLou]

1 hour ago, 0119 said:

4 years!  Does the canal its on connect to a lot of other canals?  I found the ramp you are talking about on google earth but I don't think its the one I saw. It was closer into Collier County and had a huge parking lot. The ramp was on the west side of the canal, the mm51 ramp looks to be different.

0119 if its closer to Collier county, then no, this is not the ramp I was talking about. I guess they opened another ramp further WEST. I will keep my eyes open next time I head out to the West Coast. But as far as the other ramps along the alley, they have once again been re-opened. Best of luck to you if you get to go fishing. 

[topwaterrob]

That's the interceptor canal.  Just west of the overpass? 

[GLADES]

Why is it called interceptor canal?

[topwaterrob]

That's the name of it on google etc....

[BassinLou]

On 4/21/2016 at 8:03 PM, topwaterrob said:

That's the interceptor canal.  Just west of the overpass? 

I was correct with my earlier post from a few weeks ago. The ramp on the Interceptor canal is MM51. It borders Big Cypress. The newer ramps on the West side of the canal were completed in  2012-2013. 

[South FLA]

Is it still a desert fishing wise?  Hopefully they all trickle into system as levels drop!

[0119]

Well I can't find what I saw on google earth. It had a parking lot next to it that could have held 3 Fucillo car lots! It was more west than mm 51 as I remember but I only go through there when I'm heading to and from the Port of Miami so its been a couple of years.  The ramp was on the west side of the canal contrary to what google earth shows of the canal you folks are talking about.  

[geo g]

18 hours ago, 0119 said:

Well I can't find what I saw on google earth. It had a parking lot next to it that could have held 3 Fucillo car lots! It was more west than mm 51 as I remember but I only go through there when I'm heading to and from the Port of Miami so its been a couple of years.  The ramp was on the west side of the canal contrary to what google earth shows of the canal you folks are talking about.  

The new beautiful ramps are on the west side of the canal.  There is a large parking lot but it is not visible from the road.  The last time I was there, broken auto glass was all over the place.  Since I was by myself I decided to go to another ramp.  To the south the canal dead ends in about 4 miles.  To the north it goes into Indian property, and you need a reservation license.  To me its not worth driving the extra miles.

I have fished the Alley several times in the last two weeks.  The water is dropping and the bite is a little better.  If it keeps dropping things will really pick up quickly.