Florida
Alafia River at Lithia
Current River Rating
Excellent · 93
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Sunday, 8:00 AM–11:00 AM
Why
- Cloud cover is generally suitable for fishing.
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 498 CFS
- Gage Height
- 6.73 ft
- Water Temperature
- 81.7 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 02301500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
79°F
Feels like
90°F
Wind
3 mph SE
Wind gust
9 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.02 in
Last 48 hours
1.33 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 79°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 79°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 12 PM
Clear
Temp 86°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 4 PM
Clear
Temp 88°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 8 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 82°F
Chance 12%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sun 12 AM
Overcast
Temp 79°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 88°F / Low 78°F
Chance 12%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 86°F / Low 77°F
Chance 42%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Mostly clear
High 91°F / Low 79°F
Chance 69%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 95°F / Low 77°F
Chance 75%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
USGS streamgage ALAFIA RIVER AT LITHIA PINECREST RD AT LITHIA, FL (02301500). Coordinates are the USGS monitoring-location point. App-supported continuous parameters currently available: water temperature (00010), streamflow (00060), and gage height (00065). This destination is the freshwater monitored Lithia reach above the tidal lower Alafia / Gibsonton corridor. It does not represent the tidal lower river.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Alafia River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Southwest Florida freshwater bass river at the Lithia USGS gage, above the tidal lower Alafia. Live coverage is water temperature, streamflow, and stage. No Florida CFS scoring bands are assigned.
Target species
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Largemouth Bass is a primary warmwater target on this named Florida gauge reach.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Freshwater Alafia habitat at Lithia, above the tidal lower river.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public Alafia access exists near Lithia. Catalog coordinates are the USGS gage point.
Stocking information
Warmwater species are established. Confirm any current FWC stockings on official schedules.
Official sources
This destination is the freshwater Lithia reach, not the tidal lower Alafia. Verify current FWC freshwater regulations before fishing.
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Hillsborough, Florida
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Hillsborough
Management Category
Warmwater river
Regulation Scope
Alafia River at Lithia freshwater gauge reach above the tidal lower river
Regulation Summary
Florida inland freshwater regulations apply on this Lithia freshwater reach. Confirm current FWC seasons, methods, and limits before fishing.
Target Species
Largemouth Bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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