Homosassa, Florida is a small fishing community in Citrus County. The population was 2,578 in the 2010 census. Old Homosassa is the historic area of Homosassa on both sides of the Homosassa River. There are several resorts, waterfront restaurants, fishing charters, scalloping charters, and two State Parks: the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins in Old Homosassa. There is a boat ramp to access Homosassa River at the end of West Yulee Drive, a boat parking area, and a Veterans Memorial in the Old Homosassa area. Florida Senator David W. Yulee lived in Homosassa until the Civil War.
Browse Homosassa Articles:
What’s Happening at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park?
Homosassa’s Main Spring has been attracting visitors to marvel at its clarity and biodiversity for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. This amazing piece of Karst geography demonstrates one of the Nature Coast’s finest assets. “The fishbowl spring is about 35 feet deep, with three vents feeding it. Each vent… Read More
Homosassa’s Riverfront Revival – part 2
New vibes are infiltrating the waterfront on both sides of Homosassa’s bountiful River. Foodies rejoice! Plan an overnight stay to indulge in fresh seafood, live music, and beachfront parties along Halls River Road and South Boulevard. This is the second part of our story about the positive change we are… Read More
Homosassa’s Riverfront Revival – Part 1
With a world-renown fishing reputation, Old Homosassa has been a favorite vacation spot since the 1800s. Resorts and RV parks spring up over the years, but Homosassa has always remained true to its roots with the strong sense of a community that has grown up along river. New vibes are… Read More
Cleaning the Homosassa River
I last wrote about the Homosassa River Restoration Project (HRRP) here on Naturecoaster.com back in October 2017. The all-volunteer non-profit group was created in November 2016 with the mission to restore and preserve the Homosassa River. Almost 3½ years later, the first two million in funding… Read More
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
After a hunting season without getting a buck, I got a little down on myself. Going through each hunt in my mind, enjoying the memories of all the game I did see without pulling the trigger made me feel that each and every day I got to hunt was worth every minute… Read More
What’s Happening at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park?
Homosassa’s Main Spring has been attracting visitors to marvel at its clarity and biodiversity for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. This amazing piece of Karst geography demonstrates one of the Nature Coast’s finest assets. “The fishbowl spring is about 35 feet deep, with three vents feeding it. Each vent… Read More
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
Fishing for trout in shallow water is very good right now. I look for a depression in the surrounding flat that is around two feet deep with sponge and coral bottom. Using a D.O.A. 5.5 glow jerk bait with an Owner 3/0 bait style hook through the nose will catch fish. Read More
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
River fishing continues to be productive due to the chilly Gulf temperatures. This week in Homosassa Bay it was 56 degrees so you definitely do not want to go swimming! In the rivers, there are black drum, sheepshead, redfish, mangrove snapper, and trout. If you need to find space and open… Read More
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
There are a few ways to get your fishing fix in right now. For the cheap route, stick with fishing in the rivers because you burn less fuel and artificial lures will catch snook, trout, redfish, ladyfish, jack crevalles, and mangrove snapper. I like to start around mid-river on cold… Read More
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
Cold weather means different methods of catching fish when water is warmer. During weather that keeps the water temperatures below 63 degrees, fish will become lethargic and the key to catching them is to find areas that are just a few degrees higher than surrounding areas. An easy place to fish warm… Read More
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
I think Florida is having a real winter this year. In past Christmas’ we would be swimming in the pool, wearing shorts and t-shirts. Don’t think that will be the case this year. There is a great sheepshead bite going on now in our rivers and nearshore rocks. The Homosassa… Read More
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
Fishing before a cold front can be game on as far as winter fishing goes. The gag grouper bite has been one of the best in recent memories. Even on wind-blown out days, anglers are catching them and not having to run far offshore to catch them. The best… Read More
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
I will say that so far this has been one of the coldest Decembers in recent memory. Fishing in the rivers for mangrove snapper, sheepshead, redfish, and trout has been good and warm. Live shrimp is the best bait, but throwing soft plastics along rocky points on the north… Read More
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
Not looking forward to the first real cold front of the season, but looking ahead after the temperatures moderate to some good December fishing. The nearshore gag grouper bite will be good till the end of the season on the last day of this month. A strong front helps… Read More
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
We’re on the last leg of snook season. It will close at the end of the month at midnight. Snook are in transition and they may be on the outside keys all the way up the river to the springs. If we have a significant cold front, then focus on… Read More
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
Dodging a bullet with a November hurricane hitting the Big Bend. Being an inshore guide, I can only imagine our next week’s weather – maybe an earthquake, volcano, mudslide, or zombie attack? Your guess is as good as mine, but one thing that is steady is the fishing. Trout… Read More
Nestled in heavy forest between US 19 and the Gulf of Mexico is a magical area of Citrus County: Old Homosassa.
Watered by several spring fed rivers, Citrus County residents enjoy the area’s great natural beauty, small town charm and myriad of outdoor activities.
Homosassa is the home of the Yulee Sugar Mill State Park, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park, Monkey Island, and Old Homosassa. A delightful fishing village, Homosassa has been considered a sports lover’s paradise sine the early 1900s.
It was a destination for wealthy and prominent Americans such as Grover Cleveland, Thomas Edison, John Jacob Astor and Winslow Homer.
General resorts, B & Bs and RV parks make Old Homosassa a fun and easy weekend getaway for NatureCoasters™.
Not only are the land and sea beautiful and bountiful, but the people are also friendly and accomodating. There is great food, from pressed Cubans to fresh locally caught seafood, all-you-can-eat crab and Cajun delights at reasonable prices.
Several talented artists reside here, creating and selling their wares in quaint “cracker” homes converted to gift shops, studios and resort lobbies.
Potters, glass artists, copper sculptors, painters, and carvers seem to be drawn to this natural area with its abundance of native flora and fauna.
From the last part of June to the last partof September each year, you can go “scalloping” with a charter and hunt for these tasty morsels with a snorkel mask and a bag for your bounty.
The healthy seagrass beds of this area provide a home to Bay Scallops, a simple, delectable, aquatic bivalve. (See our feature article on Scalloping here!)
Fishing is plentiful on the Homosassa River, as are manatee sightings, kayaks, pontoons, and airboat rides.
Several big fishing tournaments are held in Homosassa throughout the year!
There is often live music on the weekends at several Old Homsassa locations, including MacRae’s Shed, the Florida Cracker Monkey Bar, and Crump’s Landing.
Oh, and did I forget to mention the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park?
For a small admission ($13) you will be treated to a boat ride down the river (canceled during COVID-19 precautions – check with the Park for current information), see manatees and a vortex of thousands of native Florida fish, bobcats, panthers, alligators, snakes, river otters and birds, birds, birds – including American Bald Eagles.
The whole community seems to volunteer at the Wildlfie Park, which adds to the warm feeling I get every time I visit. You will too.
Homosassa’s community is a joy to visit, so plan to take a little trip off the beaten path of US 19 and enjoy this thriving enclave today.
