This charming town is steeped in history and has a unique culture all its own. Here’s a look at the history of Steinhatchee, from its earliest days as a Timucua village to its present-day status as a popular tourist destination.
The first inhabitants of the Steinhatchee area were the Timucua Indians. Timucua were a peaceful people who lived in small villages along the coast.
In the early 1600s, the Timucua came into contact with Spanish explorers. These explorers brought with them new technologies, such as iron tools and horses. The Timucua were fascinated by these new arrivals and welcomed them into their villages.
The Spanish soon realized that the Timucua were an excellent source of labor for their colonies in Florida. As a result, many Timucua were forcibly relocated to work on plantations or in mines. This forced labor took a heavy toll on the Timucua people, and by the mid-1700s their numbers had dwindled to just a few hundred.
In 1821, Florida became a territory of the United States. American settlers began moving into Florida, and Steinhatchee was officially founded in 1837. These new settlers brought with them new industries, such as fishing and logging.
Fishing quickly became the dominant industry in Steinhatchee. In fact, it wasn’t unusual for fishermen to bring in over 1,000 pounds of fish per day! The abundance of fish attracted other businesses to Steinhatchee, such as canneries and seafood processing plants.
Logging was also booming in Steinhatchee during this time. Many of the trees in the area were logged for their valuable lumber, which was used to build houses and ships. The logging industry began to decline in the early 1900s, however, as most of the trees in the area had been harvested.
Today, Steinhatchee is a popular tourist destination for people from all over Florida and beyond. Visitors come to enjoy the town’s laid-back atmosphere and unspoiled natural beauty. They also come for fishing; Steinhatchee is still one of the best places in Florida to catch trout and redfish!
If you’re looking for a slice of old Florida history, be sure to add Steinhatchee to your list of places to visit.
Founded in 1856, Steinhatchee was originally a trading post for the Seminole and Miccosukee Indians. In the early 1900s, commercial fishing began to take off in the area, and by the mid-20th century, Steinhatchee had earned the nickname “Seafood Capital of the Sunshine State.”
Today, Steinhatchee is known for its fresh seafood, beautiful sunsets, and laid-back atmosphere. If you’re looking for a place to get away from it all and relax, Steinhatchee is the perfect spot!
In addition to commercial fishing, recreational fishing is also popular in Steinhatchee. The waters around Steinhatchee are home to a variety of fish species including redfish, trout, flounder, grouper, snapper, and mackerel. Every year, thousands of people come to Steinhatchee to enjoy some of the best fishing in Florida!
For those of you who don’t know, scalloping is a type of fishing that involves harvesting scallops – a type of shellfish with edible meat. Scallops are typically found in shallow, coastal waters. In the Steinhatchee area, scalloping typically takes place in July and August.
Scalloping is a popular activity in Steinhatchee for both locals and tourists alike. Every year, thousands of people come to Steinhatchee to enjoy the scalloping season. If you’re thinking about coming to Steinhatchee for a scalloping trip, here’s a brief history of scalloping in the area so you can learn a little bit about what you’re getting yourself into!
Scalloping in Steinhatchee can be traced back to the early 1900s. At that time, most people in the area made their living off the land and sea. Men would go out fishing while women would stay home and preserve the catch. Scallops were not as popular then as they are now, but they were still eaten on occasion.
The first recorded instance of scalloping being done commercially in the Steinhatchee area was in 1929. At that time, there was a company called Gulf Shellfish Company that operated in the area. They paid local fishermen $0.60 per gallon for scallops. This may not sound like much by today’s standards, but it was a decent wage at the time.
The 1970s brought about some changes to the way scallops were harvested in Steinhatchee. In 1975, the state of Florida passed a law that required all commercial fishermen to have a license. This law put an end to Gulf Shellfish Company’s operation because they were unable to get a license.
As a result of this law, many local fishermen began harvesting scallops for themselves instead of selling them to a company. This marked the beginning of the modern era of scalloping in Steinhatchee. These days, most people who harvest scallops do so for recreational purposes rather than commercial ones.
Scalloping is a popular activity in Steinhatchee because it is both fun and lucrative. If you’re thinking about going on a scalloping trip, I hope this article has given you a better understanding of the history behind this activity so that you can appreciate it even more!
Here are some of the best seasonal fish to target when you’re in town.
Redfish – Redfish are a popular target for both recreational and commercial fishermen in Steinhatchee. They can be found in both inshore and offshore waters and are relatively easy to catch. Redfish are most commonly caught using live bait, but they will also bite on lures and artificial bait. The best time to target redfish is during the fall and winter months.
Speckled Trout – Speckled trout are another popular target for fishermen in Steinhatchee. Like redfish, they can be found in both inshore and offshore waters and will bite on a variety of baits. The best time to target speckled trout is during the spring and summer months.
Flounder – Flounder is a type of flatfish that is popular among both recreational and commercial fishermen. They can be found in inshore waters and are most commonly caught using live bait or lures. The best time to target flounder is during the fall months.
Steinhatchee, Florida is a boater and fisherman’s paradise. With its crystal clear waters and lush vegetation, Steinhatchee is the perfect place to drop anchor and relax. Here are some of the best spots to fish and boat in Steinhatchee.
The Jetties – The jetties are a great spot for fishing because they provide shelter for fish from the current. You can catch a variety of fish here, including redfish, trout, and flounder.
St. Marks River – The St. Marks River is known for its large number of tarpon. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to snag a shark!
Shell Point – Shell Point is a great spot for crabbing. You can also find a variety of fish here, including pompano, whiting, and mackerel.
Apalachicola Bay – Apalachicola Bay is one of the best spots for oyster fishing. You can also find flounder, redfish, trout, and sheepshead here.
Redfish Point Park – Redfish Point Park is located on the Gulf of Mexico and is a great spot for fishing year-round. The park has a pier that extends out into the water, making it easy to cast your line and reel in a big one. Redfish Point Park is also a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking, so it’s perfect for a day of family fun.
Cedar Key – Cedar Key is known for its abundance of clams. You can also find crab, oysters, and scallops here.
Crystal River – Crystal River is a great place to snorkel or scuba dive because of the abundance of marine life. You can see manatees, dolphins, stingrays, and sea turtles here.
Anclote Key – Anclote Key is an undeveloped island that is only accessible by boat. It’s a great spot for fishing because it’s not as crowded as other spots in Steinhatchee. You can catch redfish, snapper, grouper, and more here.
Trout River – The Trout River is located just outside of Steinhatchee and is a great spot for catching trout. The river is stocked with trout every few weeks, so you’re sure to have success if you wet your line here.
Keaton Beach Marina – This marina has a pier that goes out into the Gulf of Mexico, making it a great place to fish for saltwater fish. You can also rent boats from the marina if you want to go further out into the gulf to fish. Some of the fish that can be caught here include redfish, trout, flounder, and mackerel.
Steinhatchee is the perfect place to enjoy a day out on the water. With its beautiful beaches, abundant seafood, and laid-back atmosphere, Steinhatchee has everything you need for the perfect boating adventure.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your swimsuit and sunscreen and head on down to Steinhatchee—it’s sure to be a day you’ll never forget!
