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.
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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
History of the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins
Florida’s Nature Coast is rich with history, from the earliest known aboriginal inhabitants who settled near our rivers and springs 14,000 years ago, to the colonization by the Spanish in the 16th century, to the Civil War and beyond into the 20th and 21st centuries. Like the histories of… 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
“Free Birds” Drive-In Movie in the Park
Citrus County Parks and Recreation presents “Free Birds” Drive-In Movie in the Park at the Soccer Field parking lot of the Homosassa Area Recreational Park, 4210 S. Grandmarch Ave., Homosassa on Friday, November 20, 2020. Citrus County Parks and Recreation Presenting “Free Birds” Drive-In Movie in the Park The… 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 Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
With a tropical storm all over us all week not much to tell ya about fishing. Hopefully this weekend its all gone with no cleanup for anyone, besides some soggy lawns. Normally after a storm like this there is some good fishing but it is important for anglers to… 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
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
With a tropical storm all over us all week not much to tell ya about fishing. Hopefully this weekend its all gone with no cleanup for anyone, besides some soggy lawns. Normally after a storm like this there is some good fishing but it is important for anglers to… Read More
Free ABC of Dementia workshop coming to Homosassa Public Library
The Homosassa Public Library, located at 4100 S. Grandmarch Avenue in Homosassa, Florida will host an ABC of Dementia workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on November 18, 2020. Free ABC of Dementia workshop coming to Homosassa Public Library The workshop, conducted by Debbie Selsavage, President of Coping with… Read More
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
With temperatures closer to August than going into November, the inshore and offshore fishing has been fantastic! The bonus to fishing right now is that species that an angler would target at certain times of the year are right here now. On the Big Bend, starting with triple tail, do… Read More
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
The windy conditions on the Big Bend have kept most offshore anglers from heading out for red snapper. The FWC has announced that the Fall season for red snapper is the last three weekends in October; the 17-18, 24-25, and Oct.31-Nov 1 being the last. Hopefully this weekend the wind… Read More
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
After a tough Monday of fishing, I was racking my brain about why. With some idle zone deep thoughts, I had remembered that we had a high-pressure system that helped block hurricane Delta from Florida, and big high tides caused by this week’s new moon. Putting the grey matter to work… Read More
Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report with Captain Toney
A week’s worth of tropical weather may be in the Big Bend forecast, keeping off-shore anglers eyeing the skies. Although when fishing for gag grouper, running out deep may not be necessary with the cooling water temperatures. Shallow water grouper fishing is getting better, with some keepers being caught by… 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.
