I have always recommended anchoring on Little Shark River IF the wind does NOT die. Should you be caught here in calm conditions, the winged pests may pick your boat up and take it to the marsh grass, to devour it there. Otherwise, this is a beautiful, well protected anchorage.
In the absence of an unusually low tide, which seems to be what Captain RL and Karen are describing below, the entrance to Little Shark River maintains 6 feet at MLW. Once on the rivers’ interior reaches, depths improve for quite some distance upstream.

Anchored in the Little Shark River on Sunday Dec. 13, 2009. Very buggy but we have a screen enclosed cockpit, stayed in the cockpit all night to view the Geminid Meteor Showers…spectacular show. Several dolphins circled our boat all night. No problem entering the river but when we left the next morning it was a very low tide and at one point we did tap the bottom but didn’t have any problems getting out. Our boat draws 5 1/2 ‘. A great place to view the wildlife and stars, also no cell phone reception which can be good and bad. A welcome change from the Keys.
Capt. RL & Karen
s/v Last Call
45′ Island Trader, Ketch

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Little Shark River