River depth chart
Today's read
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
17 km of the Halifax River navigation corridor, with channel depths from USACE hydrographic survey. The river tops out around 27 ft. The depth chart comes from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
On the chart, Halifax River draws 3,750 acres inside 23.5 miles of shoreline. With a shoreline index of 2.7, this water is all arms and coves — edge habitat well beyond its acreage. 82% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. Figure 11.1 mi of water from one end to the other, 1 mi at the beam. For a second option, Lake Ashby lies 17 mi southwest.
Spring puts largemouth bass in skinny water — 2 to 10 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 8 to 20 ft; cold water stacks them in 8 to 27 ft. Main-channel hole (mile 0.6) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 12 ft, rated prime for fall largemouth bass. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Spinnerbait, Chatterbait |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Channel current seam (mile 2.2) (13 ft) | Texas-rigged 10" worm, Deep-diving crankbait |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-channel hole (mile 0.6) (12 ft) | Squarebill crankbait (shad), Spinnerbait |
| Winter | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday | Main-channel hole (mile 0.6) (12 ft) | Blade bait, Jigging spoon |
In spring, crappie run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 10 to 25 ft before dropping to 8 to 27 ft for winter. Fall crappie concentrate at Main-channel hole (mile 0.6), a prime-rated creek channel around 12 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) most summer days.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | open water | 1/16 oz jig + tube, Curly-tail grub |
| Summer | 10 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-channel hole (mile 0.6) (12 ft) | Jig trolled/spider-rigged, Small crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 8 to 20 ft | dawn | Main-channel hole (mile 0.6) (12 ft) | Jig + minnow combo, Small swimbait (1.5-2") |
| Winter | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday | Main-channel hole (mile 0.6) (12 ft) | Tungsten jig + soft plastic, Tiny jigging spoon |
Start shallow in spring: bluegill sit in 1 to 6 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 4 to 15 ft; cold water stacks them in 10 to 25 ft. Top water on the chart: Slackwater eddy (mile 3.9), an eddy pocket in the 15 ft range, prime in winter. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. Throw a small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 6 ft | midday & dusk | open water | 1/32 oz jig + micro plastic, Tiny popper (evenings) |
| Summer | 4 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Small sponge spider (fly), Micro tube jig |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday | Channel current seam (mile 2.2) (13 ft) | Micro jig + waxworm, Small spoon tipped |
| Winter | 10 to 25 ft | midday | Slackwater eddy (mile 3.9) (15 ft) | Tiny spoon |
Spring puts channel catfish in skinny water — 3 to 12 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 8 to 25 ft; cold water stacks them in 8 to 27 ft. Main-channel hole (mile 0.6) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 12 ft, rated prime for summer channel catfish. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | Main-channel hole (mile 0.6) (12 ft) | |
| Summer | 8 to 25 ft | night & dusk | Main-channel hole (mile 0.6) (12 ft) | |
| Fall | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dusk | Main-channel hole (mile 0.6) (12 ft) | |
| Winter | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | midday | Main-channel hole (mile 0.6) (12 ft) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: longnose gar in 2 to 10 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 1 to 12 ft before dropping to 10 to 25 ft for winter. The spot to know is Main-channel hole (mile 0.6), a creek channel in about 12 ft of water that rates prime for longnose gar in fall. Plan around midday and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a rope lure or a small white spinner gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday | open water | Rope lure (hookless nylon), Inline spinner (slow) |
| Summer | 1 to 12 ft | midday & dusk | open water | Rope lure, Small white spinner |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday | Main-channel hole (mile 0.6) (12 ft) | Rope lure, Small jerkbait (pause-heavy) |
| Winter | 10 to 25 ft | midday | Slackwater eddy (mile 3.9) (15 ft) |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Main-channel hole (mile 7.3) at roughly 17 ft.
Access data: Florida FWC — Boat Ramp Inventory. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Florida waters are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — and special regulations can apply to Halifax River specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Florida fishing regulations →
Halifax River is about 27 ft (8 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, longnose gar on Halifax River. This isn't a survey of the water — none is published for it — but an informed estimate from the species common to the region, narrowed by this water's depth, size and each species' range.
Main-channel hole (mile 0.6) is the top-rated area: a creek channel in about 12 ft of water that rates prime for crappie in fall. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For largemouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Halifax River is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Check the official Florida regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Lake Ashby 17 mi · North Lake Talmadge 19 mi · Indian River 20 mi, FL/MI · Lake Dias 21 mi · Trout Lake 24 mi · Lake Gleason 25 mi · Lake Woodruff 27 mi · St. Johns River 28 mi · Lake Monroe 28 mi · Lake Dexter 30 mi · North Indian River Lagoon 31 mi · Lake Jesup 32 mi
See how Halifax River stacks up: best largemouth bass lakes in Florida · best crappie lakes in Florida · best bluegill lakes in Florida · best channel catfish lakes in Florida
Browse all Florida fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.