Black Creek Canal
Water is sitting at 83°F under mostly sunny skies with steady pressure, which is about as good as peacock get this time of year. Nine hours of rain in the last day means the upper canal may be stained, so check clarity before committing. If you find clean water on the boulders and cement blocks, work fast, erratic retrieves once the sun is up over the seawalls.
Today’s conditions
By species today
7-day outlookRegion-wide
Pressure holds steady through the weekend and water stays near 82°F, so peacock should keep biting. Wednesday's rain is the main concern for clarity, and a dry front later this week may bring falling pressure and lighter winds that help largemouth more than peacock.
About this water
Fishing Black Creek Canal (C-1) — Cutler Bay
Black Creek Canal, or C-1, is south Miami-Dade's best-known peacock bass canal. The state stocked it with butterfly peacocks in 1984 to give local anglers a fishery close to home, and it's still regularly named among the most accessible public peacock waters in the county.
Where it is
The canal runs south-east through Cutler Bay to a salinity control structure near SW 87th Avenue, then on to Biscayne Bay at Black Point. Above that structure it's fresh water, and that's where the peacocks and largemouth are.
Access and parking
The South Florida Water Management District has public parking on the west side of SW 97th Avenue, just north of the canal. Anglers also fish from the bank along SW 87th Avenue and where US-1 crosses the canal. Some of the canal backs onto private property, so stay on public land.
Species
- Peacock bass — the main target.
- Largemouth bass — present throughout.
- Mayan cichlid — a common, hard-fighting bycatch.
Techniques
Look for drop-offs and hard structure along the bank: boulders, large cement blocks, culverts and bridge pilings. Work small jerkbaits, inline spinners or a walking topwater fast past them for peacock, and slow down with soft plastics for largemouth. Live shiners are the most reliable bait.
Best times
Peacocks want warm water and sun: mid-morning through afternoon. March to May is the classic peak, though the canal fishes for much of the year. Cold fronts in winter shut the peacocks down for several days.
Rules
A Florida freshwater fishing licence is required for anglers 16 and over. Peacock bass are limited to 2 per day, only one over 17 inches; confirm current limits with FWC.
Nearby tackle
Bait and tackle shops are a short drive away along US-1 in Cutler Bay and Homestead.