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Three spring-fed rivers within a short run of each other: the Chassahowitzka, the Homosassa and the Crystal River. Here’s what makes each one special.
The Homosassa begins at a first-magnitude spring inside Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, where an underwater observatory lets visitors watch fish and manatees in the spring. The Chassahowitzka refuge’s northern boundary takes in part of the river.
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is the only national wildlife refuge dedicated to protecting the West Indian manatee. Its Three Sisters Springs unit has a boardwalk and trails, and paddle craft are allowed inside Three Sisters Springs from April 1 to November 14.
The quietest of the three: nearly seven miles of mostly undeveloped, protected river from Chassahowitzka Springs to the Gulf, alongside a 31,000-acre wildlife refuge. Captain Al’s home water since 1997.
This stretch of coast shares the same pattern: spring-fed rivers, tidal creeks and oyster bars, then shallow grass flats, rock and islands toward the Gulf. Inshore anglers target redfish, spotted seatrout and snook, with tarpon in the warmer months. All three rivers are in FWC’s Big Bend region for redfish, trout and snook, so the same limits apply. See the harvest rules table.
Scallop season is shared too: the Levy, Citrus and Hernando zone, which ran July 1 – September 24 in 2026. See scalloping details.
In winter, manatees come to the springs of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge to conserve energy away from the cold Gulf. From November 15 through March 31, the refuge’s seven warm-water manatee sanctuaries are in effect. Never enter a posted sanctuary, follow posted speed zones, and follow FWC’s “look, but don’t touch” guidelines. Our manatee viewing rules →
Sources: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Crystal River NWR (opens in a new tab), FWC: Manatee viewing guidelines (opens in a new tab), checked November 10, 2026.
They’re neighbors on Citrus County’s Gulf coast. The Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge’s northern boundary takes in part of the Homosassa River, and Crystal River lies just north of Homosassa.
Yes. From November 15 through March 31, seven warm-water manatee sanctuaries are in effect in Kings Bay at Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Stay out of posted sanctuaries and follow posted speed zones.
Ask him. Call or text Captain Al with what you’d like to do and he’ll tell you what’s practical for your date, the weather and the tides.
Call or text Captain Al with your date, the number of people and the trip you’d like. He’ll confirm availability, rates and where to meet. No payment or deposit is collected online.
Tap “Text Captain Al” and a message is started for you. Just fill in your date and group size.
In Memory ofCaptain Scotty Knight
