DESCRIPTION--Black Creek Canal (C-1) is located in Cutler Ridge (southeastern Miami-Dade County), and it has two main branches (C-1N and C-1W). The main canal flows southeasterly from three flood control structures (S-148, S-149, and S-122) to the salinity control structure at SW 87th Avenue. The S-122 structure at Franjo Road separates Black Creek from the Cutler Drain Canal (C-100B).
The 9.3 miles of navigable Black Creek canals were constructed in the mid-1900s as part of a large flood control project. These canals were box-cut into the coral rock substrate and have near vertical walls. The main canal ranges from 40 to over 150 feet wide, and averages about 12 feet deep. The lateral canals are from 35 to 55 feet wide and 6 to 12 feet deep. Water clarity in parts of Black Creek (particularly C-1N) often exceeds 12 feet which allows anglers to see fish on the bottom.
From the boat ramp it is 1.3 miles east to the S-21 salinity structure, 1.8 miles north to the junction of C-1W Canal, and 3.8 miles north to the flood control structure at Franjo Road. Much of the shoreline is residentially developed, although the lower portion south of Old Cutler Road is primarily agricultural with overhanging vegetation on one shoreline. Although it runs past 'Mt. Trash-More' (a large county landfill), Black Creek has a high quality fishery and offers anglers an overall interesting and pleasant angling experience.
DIRECTIONS TO BOAT RAMP--Exit the Turnpike Extension at SW 211th Street (Cutler Ridge), go south (straight) to SW 216th Street (Hainlin Mill Road), turn east (left) to Old Cutler Road, go south (right) then east (left) on SW 224th Street, and south (right) at stop sign on SW 97th Avenue. Cross the canal and immediately turn right on gravel entrance to boat ramp.
This isolated location doesn't have any bathrooms or other facilities, but the one-lane ramp is paved and in good condition. NOTE: Vandalism is known to occur at this ramp and special care should be taken to secure your valuables and vehicle.
GENERAL FISHING INFORMATION--Black Creek was the first canal the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stocked with butterfly peacock (August 1984). They were introduced to eat the abundant and undesirable exotic fishes, and to provide more sportfishing opportunities for anglers in the metropolitan Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area. Even though Black Creek receives a large amount of fishing pressure, many butterfly peacock continue to be caught here.
Fallen trees, canal intersections, sharp bends, and dead ends are generally productive areas for catching most species of fish. Sportfishes also congregate in the shade of bridges, culverts, and other structures. Shoreline vegetation, rip-rap areas, and even some residential seawalls (particularly in lateral canals) also provide good fishing opportunities. If there is a strong current in the main canal, spend more time fishing lateral canals and other areas that offer refuge from the current (e.g., cut-outs, bridge pilings, and the downstream side of spillways).
Black Creek Canal has a lot of harvestable butterfly peacock and largemouth bass (about 30%) that are greater than 14 inches. Trophy peacock (those greater than five pounds) have been caught from this and other area canals, and we expect the current 9.08 pound state record to ultimately exceed 10-11 pounds. Overall, butterfly peacock average 13 inches and 1.3 pounds, and largemouth bass average 13.4 inches and 1.2 pounds. The bag limit for butterfly peacock is two fish per day, only one of which can be greater than 17 inches; up to five largemouth bass can be kept, but only one of these can be greater than 14 inches.
Fishing for butterfly peacock is usually best from March through May, but they are caught consistently throughout the year. This fish feeds only during daylight and normally close to shore, although schooling peacocks sometimes feed aggressively in open water. Butterfly peacock are more likely to be caught using live fish such as small golden shiners for bait than are largemouth bass, which make them an excellent fish for younger anglers, as well as those just learning to bass fish. It is illegal to use goldfish or any other non-native fish for bait except those legally caught from and used immediately in the same canal.
The number and quality of panfish over six inches in Black Creek is about average for area canals. Live worms and crickets are the choice baits for many panfish species, although fresh bread or bread dough works well, is readily available, and it costs less. Shoreline anglers have plenty of access at the boat ramp, along SW 87th Avenue, and where Dixie Hwy crosses the C-1N.
For those who enjoy fishing with artificial lures, just about any fast moving minnow imitating plug or fly can be used to entice a peacock. Note: Plastic worms work well for largemouth bass, but they rarely catch butterfly peacock.
Black Creek Canal anglers may also encounter snook moving inland from Biscayne Bay. This large predator is found throughout the canal, but they tend to concentrate under bridges. The presence of snook in Black Creek gives anglers a unique opportunity to pursue a canal 'trifecta' or 'grand slam' (butterfly peacock, largemouth bass, and snook).
Black Creek anglers might also catch oscar from South America, midas cichlid from Central American, or spotted tilapia from Africa. These exotic fishes were illegally released, and pose a threat to native species. Oscars are a bream-shaped fish with a red or orange circle at the base of the tail, and they have a thick coat of protective mucus on their bodies. Spotted tilapia are also bream-shaped, golden in color with black spots or bars, and some adults have red on their bodies. Midas cichlids vary greatly in color from a bluegill-like pattern to a solid orange or red, and everything in between! These exotic fishes are good to eat, and you can keep all you can catch.
Black Creek and other area canals receive a great deal of fishing pressure so we encourage anglers to release most, if not all of the butterfly peacock, largemouth bass, and snook they catch. If anglers don't release a majority of the sportfish they catch, these high quality fisheries will deteriorate rapidly.
Anglers, particularly those from outside the metropolitan Miami - West Palm Beach area, should be aware that vandalism occurs at some boat ramps. Therefore, care should be taken to secure your vehicle and keep valuables out of sight or take them with you when you leave the ramp.
