Convict Spring

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Why do they call it Convict Spring? In the early 1900's the spring was used by the Lafayette county jail system.  The prisoners worked on road projects (chain gangs) and when it was too far to go back to the jail, they stayed at remote camps through out the county.  Convict Spring was one of these remote camps.  Treasure hunters have found some artifacts from the prison camp days on our property over the years.

Convict Spring Cave

Convict Spring is fed from an underground cave system that is fed from the florida aquifer.  The Convict Spring cave has very narrow passages and is only accessible using a side mount dive method.  Only very skilled and experienced divers are able to gain access to the cave system. 

In 2001 Dell Moats, John Moseley, Michael Poucher, and Bill Rennaker were able to successfully survey the Convict Spring Cave.  The extraordinary video footage is testament to the beautiful yet dangerous conditions inside the cave and can be viewed in the lodge.  The cave has been mapped to about ¼ of mile.

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The best swimming!

Convict Spring has beautiful clear water that makes for great swimming. The spring water flows at a constant 70.5 degrees all year long.

The lodge April 2009 flood

Up to date Convict Spring report!

August 16, 2010

Convict Spring is crystal clear and great for swimming.  It is nice and cool in this hot weather.  Grandma Susie and Grandpa Frank        went down the Ichetucknee River in tubes.  Very Much fun. It is only 30 minuets away.  All of the springs in the area clear but some have a little bit of algae but nothing that stops you from swimming.  The river is dropping and the rocks are getting closer to the surface.  You can still get a small fishing boat on the river so you have to be careful with the motor.  The river is perfect for canoeing and kayaking.  Our guests have been having pretty good luck seeing the fish but not every seems to be able to get them on the hook.  Crickets seem to be the best bait right now and the locals are getting the bass with white plastic worms.   We are launching canoes, kayaks and small boats from our ramp.  We have seen the sturgeon jumping on our part of the river.  They are an amazing fish to watch, hard to catch on camera though.    

 

The lower part of the resort flooded April 2009 with around 6 feet of water inside all of the lower buildings.  Our peek water height was 45 feet.  We flood at 29 feet.     

Excellent Fishing!

Many fishermen will tell you the Suwannee River is great for fishing. 

Whether you are boating or fishing off the banks of the river you will enjoy great fishing opportunities. 

A Florida Fresh Water Fishing License is required to fish and they are available in the town of Mayo or online.  You can use our computer to access the goverment site and get your fishing or hunting license.

Our spring is for swimming only. Fishing is allowed at the spring cut and on the banks of the river.