ST. JOHNS RIVER GUIDE

St. Johns River Guide

History, public access, fish and paddling resources, and live water data along the St. Johns River.

Open a live St. Johns River gauge Compare St. Johns River gauges

River story

History, landscapes and river context

Fishing

Species, water and places to explore

Live data

Current USGS gauges along the river

LIVE ST. JOHNS RIVER DATA

St. Johns River levels, gauges and monitoring stations

Check the live river overview or open an individual USGS gauge for current streamflow, gauge height, trends and historical context.

Open live gauge →ST. JOHNS RIVER AT ASTOR, FL · USGS 02236125 Current St. Johns River levels & streamflow →River overview with live USGS conditions and trends Florida river levels →Browse monitoring stations across Florida

ST. JOHNS RIVER AT ASTOR, FLUSGS 02236125 · View live gauge →ST. JOHNS RIVER AT JACKSONVILLE, FLUSGS 02246500 · View live gauge →ST. JOHNS RIVER NEAR DE LAND, FLUSGS 02236000 · View live gauge →ST. JOHNS RIVER NEAR SANFORD, FLUSGS 02234500 · View live gauge →

EXPLORE THE RIVER

Follow the St. Johns River

Trace the reviewed St. Johns River mainstem geometry and use linked agency resources to plan for a specific reach.

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River path derived from U.S. Geological Survey NLDI hydrography.

St. Johns River at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve / Fort Caroline National Memorial. Photo: Ebyabe.

THE ST. JOHNS STORY

Florida’s north-flowing river of marshes, lakes and tidal reaches

The St. Johns begins as a broad marsh in east-central Florida and moves slowly north through linked lakes before widening into a tidal lower river at Jacksonville. Its unusually low gradient ties together headwater wetlands, freshwater fisheries, springs, cypress floodplains and an estuary where salt and fresh water meet.

For thousands of years

Timucua and earlier river communities

Archaeological sites and shell middens record long Indigenous use of the St. Johns; Timucua communities lived along the lower river when Europeans arrived.

16th century

European forts on the lower river

French and Spanish colonial powers established competing settlements near the St. Johns mouth, landscapes now interpreted by the Timucuan preserve.

19th century

Steamboats connect inland Florida

Steamboat traffic carried passengers and freight between Jacksonville, river towns and lake communities before rail and road networks expanded.

20th century

Drainage alters the upper basin

Canals and agricultural drainage changed headwater marshes and water movement across the Upper St. Johns River basin.

Modern restoration

Upper-basin marshes reconnected

The St. Johns River Water Management District and federal partners have restored large wetland areas and water-storage functions in the upper basin.

Research context: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, National Park Service, St. Johns River Water Management District

FISHING

Fishing the river

The river-and-lake system is known for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish, while the lower tidal river also contains brackish-water species. Florida’s agency divides forecasts between upper and lower reaches, reflecting real differences in habitat and salinity.

Fish you may encounter

Largemouth bass

Bluegill

Black crappie

Striped bass

Where the river changes

FISHING AREA

Upper St. Johns River and lakes ↗

State fishery information for the upper system.

Before you fish

Rules, seasons, closures and consumption advice vary by jurisdiction and can change; consult the linked fish and wildlife agency before a trip.
A gauge reading describes conditions at that monitoring location; it does not establish fishing quality or safety elsewhere on the river.

PARKS & ACCESS

Places to reach the river

St. Johns River Water Management District lands ↗

District recreation guidance and property information.

Upper St. Johns River Marsh WMA ↗

Official recreation and management information.

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve ↗

Official visitor information near the lower river and estuary.

UNDERSTAND THE CONDITIONS

Learn how river levels affect fishing and paddling

How river flow affects fishing →How river levels affect kayaking →How to read a USGS river gauge →What CFS means →