The shallow Gulf waters near Steinhatchee combined with a naturally rocky ocean floor created the area's natural reef, which can be found in water from 25 to 65 feet deep. A variety of fish can be found in these waters, including grouper, black seabass, and red and Florida snapper. The natural reefs can be found in water off Taylor County's shoreline.
The Steinhatchee reef, an artificial reef, was last enhanced in 1998 by sinking 112 "reef cubes," 3-foot cubes that created hiding places for fish and a hard surface for algae and barnacles to grow. The 2,067-by-547-foot reef is located nine nautical miles from the last channel marker of the Steinhatchee River and is a popular place to fish.
The Buckeye artificial reef is a one-square-mile reef that was created by sinking 80 tons of scrap steel placed in 1996. The reef is located at a water depth of 47 feet and attracts a variety of sea life. The Buckeye artificial reef is located 17.6 miles from Keaton beach, at a bearing of 235 degrees from the Keaton beach channel marker.
Located at water depths of just 6 to 8 feet, a variety of navigation platforms serve as artificial reefs, attracting a variety of fish and fishermen. The platforms serve both as a point of reference for boaters along Florida's coastline and as known fishing spots.
Covering nearly 100 square miles, the Steinhatchee Fisheries Management Area will be a sort of Easter egg hunt for fishermen. A plan to sink 400 2-by-2-foot "reef patches" has already begun with several of the patches already being sunk. Scientists say the small objects, whose locations will be kept a secret, will act as tiny artificial reefs for fish, thereby bringing more fish to the entire 100-mile area.
