Hello !!!  I have a question about the boat ramp at Harold A Campbell Day Use Area located on the L-5 Canal in the Everglades.  Can I launch a 21ft Ranger Bass Boat on a tandem trailer without any issues and how safe is the parking there?  Its off the beaten path and will be my 1st time going there to fish. Thanks in advance!!!

 

Yes, it's plenty wide and plenty deep with good docking. That's about the only area out there that is paved for boats and trailer parking. I've fished out there a lot and never ran into any issues. It's WAY out of the way for anyone to go snooping around. In fact, I've never encountered much if any foul play out in the everglades as a whole, just the FWC running my tag number at night to get my phone number and call me. Harold Campbell nice little quite and relaxing area to spend a day. Those canals go for miles! Moving water is the ticket. 

How is the bank fishing on those canals? One cool day in February, my wife and I decided to go from Fort Pierce to Goodman for a day trip and an early supper. We took the scenic route through Belle Glade and down, and I stopped off of 27 in this area to stretch our legs, and we did a couple of miles on foot. I didn't see much activity, but it was around noon, windy, and "cool". Bass fishing in St Lucie County canals is futile, but this looks like a nice place that doesn't take much of a drive to get to. 

At  Campbell I will tell you there is a j bump stop at the bottom of the ramp, if water levels are low make sure your motor is trimmed up or you could slam into it.  From the dock you can see it sticking up.  
 

Also watch the ramp they get real slippery especially in low conditions.  We had someone break a leg slipping on the ramp.

 

good luck and let us know how you do.  Look for current from m any flood gates.  The fish will position around current.

On 4/15/2025 at 10:58 PM, geo g said:

At  Campbell I will tell you there is a j bump stop at the bottom of the ramp, if water levels are low make sure your motor is trimmed up or you could slam into it.  From the dock you can see it sticking up.  
 

Also watch the ramp they get real slippery especially in low conditions.  We had someone break a leg slipping on the ramp.

 

good luck and let us know how you do.  Look for current from m any flood gates.  The fish will position around current.

Thanks for the info, but I'm going to be bank fishing along the canals. I was just wondering if it would be worth the drive over from Fort Pierce for that. 

Planning on doing some bank fishing here this weekend. New to freshwater so not sure how many bites I'll be getting, but this area seems really nice. 

Let me know how it goes. I had planned to go this past Monday, but couldn't get away in time. 

There’s crossovers every 1/4 mile or so along the levy. Stop and fish those. Buddy of mine got a 10 pounder out there by Rotenberger. Best to have a 4x4 or at least a locker. Can get dicey in certain areas. Those levy roads go on for miles out there, so be aware of that. And don’t depend on a strong cell signal for navigation, just a good memory!