| The Homosassa River located in Florida is now | | | | for fun and fishing. Shallow water is the norm in |
| and has been since the late 1880's a place of | | | | the Nature Coast region where outfitters can |
| tourism and recreation. The spring head was once | | | | take you to see the saltwater marsh and |
| a "roadside attraction" and the site of many a | | | | estuaries and the abundant wildlife. |
| Hollywood style movie. The river drew movie | | | | Birds are everywhere you look. Many of the |
| actors, baseball players and sportsmen with its | | | | offshore islands (and a few inshore) are literally |
| beauty, fish and game. Taking a pontoon boat | | | | covered with nesting birds some of which live in |
| tour or airboat ride is an enjoyable way to learn | | | | Homosassa year round and others migrate to the |
| about this area's history. | | | | area for the abundant food available to them. |
| Most of the history is centered around the | | | | Osprey, Bald Eagles, Anhingas, Rosetta spoonbill, |
| communities of farmers and fishermen located on | | | | pelicans, American white pelicans, Frigate bird, |
| the islands near the Gulf of Mexico. But there's so | | | | herons and egrets and more. And don't be |
| much more!! The railroad called the "mullet train", | | | | surprised to see dolphins, alligators and manatees |
| civil war experiences, and Native American tales | | | | while plying the Homosassa River. |
| abound. | | | | Scalloping season opens each year from July 1 |
| The 72 degree headwaters of the Homosassa | | | | until September 10. Historically, scallops were |
| River becomes home to upwards to 80 | | | | collected in large amounts and brought ashore for |
| manatees each year in the winter. Citrus County | | | | processing and transport on the mullet train to |
| is the only state in Florida where you can legally | | | | the large towns. Collecting scallops, shrimp, |
| swim with these docile and protected creatures. | | | | oysters, stone crabs and blue crabs keep the local |
| The native peoples hunted and fished the springs | | | | population employed and very busy. Now scallops |
| area but also it was their source of fresh water | | | | cannot be commercially harvested so people head |
| for drinking, cooking and bathing. | | | | to the Gulf of Mexico in boats to claim their share |
| The translation of Homosassa has been many and | | | | of these succulent creatures. The experience is |
| varied but the favorite is "Home of many fish". | | | | similar to hunting |
| There are largemouth bass in the freshwater and | | | | Easter eggs underwater using a mask, snorkel |
| many types of saltwater fish from the spring | | | | and fins to help you see, breathe and get around. |
| head into the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing is a favorite | | | | The plant and animal life to be seen under the |
| past time and sport in Homosassa where trophy | | | | water is awesome. |
| sized tarpon are not uncommon. Red drum | | | | A surprise for many visitors to Homosassa is the |
| (Redfish), spotted sea trout, black tipped shark, | | | | artists and crafters nestled in the community. |
| cobia, mackerel, bluefish and grouper are just a | | | | Although, the art and crafts of net making & |
| sampling of the types of fish you may find on the | | | | mending, building crab and fish traps and forging a |
| end of your line. | | | | live on the islands may be mostly lost, those folks |
| Airboats have been part of Homosassa's history | | | | who wish to pursue knowledge can find it on and |
| for over sixty years and were originally used for | | | | around the Historic Homosassa River. |
| duck hunting. Most airboat tours these days are | | | | |