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For more books on fresh and saltwater fishing, visit www.larsenoutdoors.com |
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Peacock Bass Association |
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Information Central (c) Larry Larsen ANGLER'S GUIDE TO TAMIAMI CANAL (C-4) MIAMI-DADE COUNTY Courtesy Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission DESCRIPTION--Tamiami Canal (C-4) is located in Miami-Dade County. It drains eastward from Water Conservation Area III past Miami International Airport to a non-navigable salinity control structure that prevents saltwater intrusion from the Atlantic Ocean. Tamiami Canal provides excellent freshwater fishing in more than 27 miles of boat accessible canals and small lakes. The canal ranges from 40 to over 100 feet in width, averages about eight feet deep, and some lakes are more than 50 feet deep.
The lakes near Miami International Airport are often noisy and congested on weekends, but this area can be avoided by traveling west. From the boat ramp, it is 3.0 miles to the entrance of the Coral Gables Canal, 4.8 miles to the lateral canal connecting to McDonald Lake, and 7.6 miles to the intersection with Snapper Creek(immediately east of the Turnpike Extension). The non-navigable flood control structure on Tamiami Canal near Krome Avenue is approximately 13 miles from the boat ramp. The combination of Tamiami and Snapper Creek canal systems provide urban anglers more than 43 miles of exciting fishing opportunities. For help with flights, or hotels in the area, click here BOAT RAMP DIRECTIONS--The only public boat ramp is located in Antonio Maceo Park. This park is open from dawn to dusk, and is operated by the City of Miami Parks and Recreation Department. The two-lane ramp is paved and in excellent condition. The park has picnic tables, grills, a playground, and a paved parking area, but there are no restrooms. Note: Manatees are quite common, so be careful boating and watch for posted regulations. To reach the boat ramp, take the Turnpike Extension or I-95 to Hwy 836 (Dolphin Expressway). Take Hwy 836 east from the Turnpike or west from I-95 to Red Road (NW 57th Avenue). Go south on Red Road about 0.5 miles to NW 7th Street, east (left) 0.6 miles to NW 51st Avenue, and Antonio Maceo Park is on the left side just before NW 51st Avenue. ramp. Note: Anglers, particularly those from outside the metropolitan Miami - West Palm Beach area, should be aware that vandalism occurs at some boat ramps. Therefore, care should be taken to secure your vehicle and keep valuables out of sight or take them with you when you leave the ramp. GENERAL FISHING INFORMATION--Tamiami Canal offers some of the most exciting and varied canal fishing in all of southeast Florida. Several anglers have reported canal 'trifecta' or 'grand slam' catches of butterfly peacock and largemouth bass topped-off with a snook or even a tarpon. The butterfly peacock is a world renown gamefish that was successfully introduced in the mid-1980s by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to eat undesirable exotic fishes, and to provide more sportfishing for anglers in the metropolitan Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area. Fallen trees, canal intersections, sharp bends, and dead ends are generally productive areas for catching most species of fish. Sportfishes also congregate in the shade of bridges, culverts, and other structures. Shoreline vegetation, rip-rap, and even some residential seawalls (particularly in lateral canals) also provide good fishing opportunities. If there is a strong current in the main canal, spend more time fishing lateral canals, small lakes, and other areas that offer refuge from the current (e.g., cut-outs, bridge pilings, and the downstream side of spillways). Tamiami Canal supports excellent populations of butterfly peacock and largemouth bass that average about 14 inches (1.5 pounds), and nearly 50% of the harvestable butterfly peacock and 40% of the largemouth bass are larger than this. The biggest butterfly peacock (10 pounds) ever confirmed in Florida came from this canal. The bag limit for butterfly peacock is two fish per day, only one of which can be greater than 17 inches. Fishing for butterfly peacock is usually best from March through May, but they are caught consistently throughout the year. Butterfly peacock feed only during daylight and normally close to shore, although schooling peacocks will sometimes feed aggressively in open water Butterfly peacock are more likely to be caught using live fish for bait than are largemouth bass, which make them an excellent fish for younger anglers, as well as those just learning to bass fish. Live fish such as small golden shiners purchased at local tackle shops, are the best overall bait for both butterfly peacock and largemouth bass. For those who enjoy fishing with artificial lures, just about any fast moving minnow imitating plug or fly can be used to entice a peacock. Tamiami and other area canals receive a great deal of fishing pressure so we encourage anglers to release most, if not all of the butterfly peacock they catch. |
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All rights reserved © 2001-2015 Larry Larsen. No part of this website may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the association. Factual information, names, addresses and telephone numbers are subject to change and often do. We have tried to bring you the most updated information available. The Peacock Bass Association is not liable for problems associated with the reliability of information provided on our website or printed materials. Peacock Bass Association (PBA) |
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