Merritts mill pond shellcracker

Merritts mill pond jackson county bass fishing florida. Dec 17, 2015 we got to see some of the paddling and cave diving opportunities on merritts mill pond, but its also a renowned fishing spot. The links style layout situated on over 200 acres is reminiscent of classic scottish. We had some tough little guys with us that can hang with the big boys and were tougher than most of my friends in 6265 water and 4060 air temps.

The nearest weather station for both precipitation and temperature measurements is chipley 3 e which is approximately 19 miles away and has an elevation of feet 55 feet higher than merritts mill pond. Florida caverns rv resort at merritts mill pond, florida. Caught in merritts mill pond by joey floyd on march, 1986 photo. Photo of joey with his four pound, thirteen ounce world record shellcracker caught from merritts mill pond in florida. If you need fishing tackle, or are looking for a fishing guide or fishing charter please visit tackle, guides, charters. The pond currently holds the state record for redear sunfish at 4. Zillow has 0 homes for sale in marianna fl matching merritts mill pond. Florida caverns rv resort florida caverns rv resort. The mill pond is a 202 acre impoundment created in the 19th century by construction of a dam for a grist mill.

The pond has existed in its current length since about 1866 when a dam was built at the present site. Merritts mill pond is renowned for its trophy redear sunfish shellcracker fishing. March 2011, dad, dale, sandy, falen, and myself finding and catching giant shell cracker. Below are weather averages from 1971 to 2000 according to data gathered from the nearest official weather station. Color ranges from dark olive green above to almost white on the belly. What i do remember was the water was crystal clear and the shellcracker were huge.

The subject was cited for possession of undersized shellcracker. Have been wanting to fish this place for a while since it is known for huge shell crackers redear sunfish. Northwest region florida freshwater fishing regulations. Officers little and scott were on vessel patrol on merritts mill pond. Here is where the state record red ear sunfish, aka shellcracker one of the fish served on our recent rivertrek adventure was caught. Went over to merritts mill pond in marianna yesterday for a few hours.

I guess that knocks the old record shellcracker caught just down the road from me at merritts mill pond down to third or fourth place. First time i have been on the lake since the late 50s so didnt remember anythng about it. While merritts mill pond still produces quality redear sunfish, it. In south florida, shellcracker may spawn as early as the last week of february but more likely around the fourth week of march. It doesnt have a lot of shellcrackers, thats why they have such large fish, because. The pond holds the state record for the largest shellcracker, at 4. What is the best trophy redear, and bluegill lake in.

It is important to keep in mind that when the nights start warming into the high 50s and the days warm into the mid 70s, spawning will occur. This waterway is best know for canoeing and kayaking because of the number of stumps that limit motorized boats from speeding across the water. Hook and line mullet fishing in the choctawhatchee bay estuaries. The taking of fish and wildlife with rifles is prohibited. From the worldrecord shellcracker out of merritts mill pond, to the 79 species swimming the depths of lake seminole, jackson county is a nationally known. Mar 20, 2011 merritt mill pond is about 4 miles in length from the dam to the springs. Divers, paddlers and anglers find scenic getaway in jackson county. View 4 photos, read details, and contact the seller. Alabamas state and worldrecord bream, both bluegill and shellcracker. Click for calendar click for beach conditions click for fishing info support our sponsors. Organized groups will enjoy a stay in the walkin group camping area or in a canoe camping group site.

Redear sunfish less than 10 inches in total length must be released immediately. People often ask me about the history of merritts mill pond. Anglers know more about fish behavior then every before, but the records stand. Jul 19, 2016 great weekend camping and diving at merrits mill pond. Beautiful merritt s mill pond in jackson county, florida. Kayaking in marianna, fla, on merritt mill pond northwest. Ray scott, archies guest, talks about the history of merritts mill pond in tallahassee, florida. Merritts mill pond lake minnehaha lake minneola lake miona lake monroe newnans lake ocean pond ocheesee pond. The souths best shellcracker holes night hawk publications. We caught a few crawfish, but not enough for a meal,so we released them back into the pond. It has over 200 pullthrough sites, with full hookups and cable.

Statewide bag and length limits special bag and length limits apply to some lakes, rivers this page and fish management areas. Merritts mill pond the dominant sport fish include largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, and spotted sunfish. Reach five campsites for backpack camping by hiking a side trail off lassiter trail. Fishing jackson county tourist development council. Merritts mill pond is renowned for its trophy redear shellcracker fishing. New world record redear sunfish rubf fishing and hunting. Fed by firstmagnitude jackson blue spring and nearly a dozen smaller springs, merritts mill pond is a waterway unlike any other in florida, its unusual hues trapped between rocky slopes and edged with mossdraped cypress trees. Located in marrianna nw fl, merrits mill pond offers excellent cave diving and snorkeling ventures. Completely remodeled first class facilities, pullin sites facing merritt s mill pond.

When i first moved here i didnt know too much about it other than some of the obvious information. Pat lawrence alabama 4 pounds, 4 ounces, chattahoochee state park, 050562, angler. Floyds fish was the seventh consecutive staterecord shellcracker that was caught in merritts mill pond. Redear sunfish shellcracker typically begin spawning about one month before bluegill.

There are tons of great lakes in this country for bluegill, and redear fishing, but what about for trophy bluegill and redear fishing. Jackson blue springand merritts mill pond are located in jackson county, approximately 4. This waterway is best know for canoeing and kayaking because of the number. Great weekend camping and diving at merrits mill pond. Merritts mill pond ia a springfed impoundment with crystal clear waters near the city limits of marianna. Aug 01, 2011 fishing is a popular activity on the pond and several state record holding fish, including a 4.

Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission division of. This is a unique 202acre springfed impoundment with crystal clear waters near the city limits of marianna. The lake is fed primarily by blue spring, a first magnitude spring, and a number of smaller springs. Our resort has almost 1800 feet on the crystal clear, spring fed, merritt s mill pond.

Kayaking merritt mill pond near marianna, fl northwest. Jackson blue tmdl florida department of environmental. Enjoy the ecotourism activities or just rest and watch nature at its finest. Redear sunfish redear are deepbodied sunfish similar to bluegills and have a relatively small mouth. For some reason, shellcracker prefer a little cooler temperature than bluegill and other bream species. Facilities for the walkin sites include a small washhouse with a shower.

Got a couple of small bass on worms while fishing for shellcrackers and hung a nice one on a swim bait that got off. This is a private campground on merritts mill pond in marianna. The campground has a small store, fishing, a pool, boat ramp and live entertainment on some weekends. The pond is more known for shellcracker fishing than bass fishing. Information on scuba diving merrit s mill pond springs. The current world record, weighing 5 pounds, 7 12 ounces, was caught in south carolina in august 1998. View more property details, sales history and zestimate data on zillow. Merritts mill pond is located in jackson county, approximately 4. Windham of ariton, in dale county, caught a 4pound, 10ounce shellcracker from merritts mill pond, which is only 16 miles from chattahoochee state park but that pond is in northwest florida. I have also heard that the lakes in bienville plantation has some seriuos bream in it. Merritts mill pond marianna pensacola fishing forum.

Fishing far from your boat, on cloudy or rainy days or when there is a ripple on the water may produce the best results when fishing in this clear water. We are conveniently located off us highway 90 and interstate 10 in marianna, florida. Merritts mill pond marianna, florida home facebook. Redear sunfish, bluegill and spotted sunfish crickets, earthworms, wigglers and catalpa worms are generally the best natural baits. The pond currently holds the state record for shellcracker at 4. Merritt mill pond is truly a wildlife lovers dream. Have not heard much mention of merritts mill pond in a while, anyone know what happened there. Merritts mill pond fishing hot spots near marianna fl. Paddle, swim, fish or cave dive at merritts mill pond in marianna. Alabamas record bluegill and shellcracker fishingbama. Trolling small spinner baits is an effective technique for panfish. Merritts mill pond flows into spring creek, which starts just south of the dam on hwy 90. Merritts mill pond a sleeper hit florida sportsman. Oct 01, 2017 ray scott, archies guest, talks about the history of merritts mill pond in tallahassee, florida.

We got to see some of the paddling and cave diving opportunities on merritts mill pond, but its also a renowned fishing spot. Other fishes considered to be nongame fishes have no bag or possession limits, except as noted in individual fish management area regulations. Paddle, swim, fish or cave dive at merritts mill pond in. No person shall take in any one day more than the following bag limits of freshwater game fish.

I cant wait to go fishing there during memorial weekend this year. Fishing is a popular activity on the pond and several state record holding fish, including a 4. This was last spring, they should be starting up again soon. Twin cave spring on merritts millpond panhandle online. I like the 57,000 acre barkley lake, and i also like my home lake of kentucky lake. This weeks adventure begins with a two hour drive from the city of fort walton beach to merritt mill pond near the city of marianna, fl, where a gem of a lake lies just waiting to be explored. The dam contains the water issuing from jackson blue spring and the outflow from the.

Merritts mill pond was historically known for its trophy redear sunfish shellcracker fishing. The dam contains the water issuing from jackson blue spring and the outflow from the dam creates spring creek, another great paddling site. Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission division. They checked a subject who was in possession of seven undersized shellcracker. May 02, 20 a fwc biologist hefts a trophy largemouth bassone of many recently documented by sampling in merritts mill pond. Giant pines and soulful cypress trees line the waterline of the beautiful and historic merritt s mill pond. Covering 270acres today, it was once the upper portion of a freeflowing spring run spring creek prior to 1860. The focal point of the park is merritts mill pond famous for fresh water fishing. Mill pond golf course is a beautiful, 18 hole championship golf course located in medford, ny on long island. Upon entering youll enjoy a large variety of flowering shrubs and plants that create a quiet and relaxing lakeview getaway. The head spring is called blue spring by the locals, jackson blue by cave divers.

Jan 10, 2018 march 2011, dad, dale, sandy, falen, and myself finding and catching giant shell cracker. Joseph floyd georgia 4 pounds, 2 ounces, richmond county pond, 060695, angler. Giant shell cracker and bass at the mill pond youtube. Merritts mill pond is created by a dam at highway 90 just east of marianna. Merritts mill pond topo map in jackson county, florida. While merritt s mill pond still produces quality redear sunfish, it also produces quality largemouth bass. The pond currently holds the state record for redear at 4. Shellcracker fishing tips sheelcracker fishing florida. If so are motors allowed or just trolling motors how about cabins to rent.

Florida caverns rv resort is a quiet and tranquil country like setting along the banks of a crystal clear spring fed river. What is the best trophy redear, and bluegill lake in america. Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission division of law enforcement weekly report patrol, protect, preserve. Merits millpond is one of many natural bodies of waters that make for. The lake is accessible off us 90 in marianna by taking sr 71 north 1. The more i explore florida the more i find to love about it. A fwc biologist hefts a trophy largemouth bassone of many recently documented by sampling in merritts mill pond. Beautiful merritts mill pond in jackson county, florida. While merritts mill pond still produces quality redear sunfish, it also produces quality largemouth bass. Georgia lake seminole and worldrecord shellcrackers caught click to enlarge.