I researched the Little Manatee River and found the article by James Steele referenced below.
The Little Manatee River flows 40-miles from east Fort Lonesome, Fl, into Tampa Bay. It is listed as "Outstanding Florida Water." The Little Manatee River includes a 10-mile designated paddling trail near Ruskin. The Designated Paddle Trail runs from the US 301 bridge nine miles downstream through the Little Manatee River State Park to Wildcat Park Boat Ramp.
Our paddle time would be limited to four hours. We would paddle two miles downstream and then back to our launch area.
We put our kayaks in at the State Park's new boat ramp, some of which are still under construction. The launch ramp is excellent for experienced paddlers, including handicap paddlers.
A word of caution here. This ramp, straight forward to launch, immediately drops you into deep water, so novice paddlers should put in at the Pavilion launch beach area. I suggest stopping at the entrance Ranger Station for put-in and paddling suggestions.
From the launch, we went river left, meandering downstream for two miles. We then turned back and returned upstream to our launch area.
The Little Manatee River is tannic and usually shallow with a sandy bottom. Rainfall runoff from a watershed of over 140 sq miles determines its clarity, depth, and flow. There is a rich diversity of Flora along this river, which is part of the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve. Spanish Moss, including many-colored flowers, was seen throughout our paddle. Songbirds and beautiful egrets were seen.
There are turtles galore. And, as the Warning sign specifies at the put-in, there is an abundance of alligators. We saw four gators, ranging in size from a few feet and one over ten feet. Read the warning CAUTION sign
and stay away from riverside and swimming gators.
On the day of our paddle, Mike and I stopped at the Ranger Station, and received maps and advice from the most helpful rangers. We were told we might expect to see a manatee.
Alligators, turtles, manatees, exotic flora - wow - make an exciting trip.
Located off U.S. 301 five miles south of Sun City Center on Lightfoot Road, and seven miles north of Parrish, FL.
The Little Manatee River is designated an Outstanding Florida Waterway. The river is referred to as a blackwater stream because of its dark, tea-like color caused by the organic debris in the water.
References
- Little Manatee River by By James Steel
- https://www.floridapaddlenotes.com/little-manatee-river/
- https://www.paddleflorida.net/little-manatee-paddle.htm
- I Never Have to Say, “I wish I had paddled Florida’s Suwannee River”
- Paddle Manatee River Guide
- PDF 3rd Edition: Paddle Manatee
- www/facebook.com/manatee.natural.resources
- Manatee Paddle - Robinson Preserve
- Manatee River- Picnic Island, Ellenton, Fl
Manatee Paddle - Emerson Point and Fort Hamer
- https://www.outdoorsteve.com
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