The following is a general description and quarterly forecast (teal-colored updates) for fishing conditions in major public water bodies in this region. For even more up-to-date information, we suggest you call or visit a local bait-and-tackle shop, fishing marina or guide service. We have provided information for some local contacts, who indicated they were willing to be listed herein. If you would like additional descriptions of these and other fishing sites listed by county, you can visit the Great Outdoors Recreation Page listing for Florida's North Central Region. Please note, however, that their site is not routinely updated to reflect current fishing conditions. Clicking the clock/thermometer above will take you to a very detailed weather site, where you can get forecasts, historic weather information, moon phase, tide charts and sunrise/sunset times. A few sites have additional links to local web pages or to topographic maps and brochures. We will continue to expand these links as they become available to us. Receive email when this page changes by clicking the icon below: ALLIGATOR LAKE (Columbia County): Alligator Lake (approximately 800 acres) is located in Columbia County near Lake City. Nearly two-thirds of the total lake surface area is within the city limits. Prior to 1997, only 338 acres were accessible to the public. Subsequently, Columbia County purchased an adjacent 987 acres with money obtained through the Preservation 2000 Communities Trust. This purchase included nearly 450 acres of former lake bottom that were diked and drained for agricultural practices in the 1950's and 1960's. Several sinkholes are located in the north and south basins of the lake which provide direct connection to the aquifer. One of these sinkholes has been responsible for frequently draining the northern lake basin. This results from increased hydraulic pressure upon sinkhole sediments as groundwater levels subside during periods of drought. During these events, the southern areas of the lake retain water, as a shallow connection exists between north and south basins.
Columbia County’s Alligator Lake Park opened in April 2002. The entrance to the
park can be found off of Old Country Club road in Lake City. A small boat launch
on the north marsh central drainage canal and walking access or boatless fishing
will provide unique angling opportunities. Note: Alligator Lake is a Fish
Management Area (license is required to fish in north and south lake basins and
north and south marshes). (Local contact: Greens Marine and Sporting Goods, Lake City 386-755-5390) Water throughout this system remains low and
complicates fishing for even small boats. Be sure to have a push pole with you
and utilize good common sense. No fish kills have occurred as of yet, so
fish are condensed into smaller areas of usable water. This should make
targeting fish easier. HAMILTON COUNTY PHOSPHATE PITS (Eagle and Lang) (Hamilton County): Both of these lakes are Fish Management Areas (license is required to fish). Both are green and fertile and deeper than average north Florida lakes, but typically grow more fish per acre due to abundant forage. Eagle Lake (200 acres) is old and very fertile. Steep sides, a maze of narrow cuts with points and sand bars and cattails in the coves characterize the lake. No concrete boat ramps exist. Largemouth bass fishing is best in spring; bluegill, redear sunfish and brown bullhead catfish are best in the summer; black crappie and stocked sunshine bass are best in fall and winter. Eagle Lake produces the fastest sunshine bass growth in this region. Fish up to 8 pounds have been reported at only 23 months of age. Trolling motors only may be operated on Eagle Lake, although gasoline motors may be attached to the boat. Lang Lake Fish Management Area (86 acres) is a reclaimed pit, meaning all the islands and shoreline have been graded to create gradual slopes with deep water only in the center of cuts. The vegetated shelf thus created is a fertile fish factory with cypress trees, cattails and hydrilla out to about eight feet, dropping like a wall to 20 feet. An 18 inch minimum size provides quality largemouth bass fishing. Large bluegill are caught mostly in late spring through fall. Trolling motors only are allowed although gasoline motors may still be attached to the boat. A minimum size of 10 inches has been established for black crappie. For a general location map click here or for a detailed map showing fish attractors and ramps click here. (Local contact: Powell’s Bait & Tackle, White Springs 386-397-2500)
Eagle Lake: Middle to rear sections
of this lake seem to be most productive for largemouth bass anglers lately. The
banks following the route from the second boat ramp around to inflow points in
approximately 8-10 feet of water hold bass. Schools of small shade abound
throughout the lake, but bass also continue to strike dark colored plastic
worms. Panfish will occupy the long canal and shallows during full moon periods
throughout this quarter. Crickets, mealworms, and wigglers are always lethal
when fished close to the bottom for panfish and bullheads.
ANGLERS NOTE: PCS has moved entrance road to Lang Lake to Rt. 41 north
of Genoa. New brochures are available from the Lake City office. Nearby Black Creek is deep with vegetated shorelines. It is a good water body for black crappie year-round and all riverine panfish (especially redbreast and bluegill sunfish) during spring, summer and fall. Striped bass utilize Black Creek as a cool weather refuge in summer and are present here and around St. Johns River bridge pilings commonly during winter months. (Local contact: Whitey's Fish Camp 904-269-4198) This is a great time of year to fish for
largemouths and bream in the St. Johns River and its tributaries. Bass anglers
will want to fish over eelgrass beds and target the deeper holes that tend to
attract largemouths. This section of the St. Johns River is tidally influenced,
so bass tend to move where cover is optimal for feeding. Look for structure that
allows fish to rest in the current, while feeding on passing items being carried
by the rising or falling tides. Black Creek is another great spot to fish for
bass and bream. The spatterdock edges that line Black Creek provide great cover
and attract fish to the shallower areas. Common artificial baits are great for
pulling in bass, while live bait, such as worms and crickets, is very effective
for bream, especially redbreast sunfish. Beginning in July and continuing into
September, many people enjoy throwing cast nets for shrimp. Try casting nets
around good locations such as river mouths and under bridge pilings; Black
Creek, Julington Creek and Doctors Inlet are some of the most popular areas in
northeast Florida. Orange lake has an extensive aquatic vegetation community, dominated by spatterdock (lily pads) and periodically hydrilla. Shallow marsh areas are inaccessible to anglers due to the dense growth of vegetation. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and largemouth bass are generally caught in the deeper spatterdock, emergent grasses and hydrilla. Marion County and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission allocated funds to establish a fishing pier at Heagy-Burry Park (southwestern part of the lake). The pier is handicap-accessible. A fish attractor is located near the pier, which provides for good fishing. For a map showing local features click here. For updated information please call: Again, region-wide low water
conditions persist, and access into Orange Lake is limited to the boat ramp at
Heagy-Burry Park. Largemouth bass fishing has dominated this year’s fishery
compared to recent history. Some anglers report excellent catch rates (50-75
fish days) of bass throughout the lake. Hydrilla is patchy and conducive to good
fishing. Topwater plugs, shallow-running crankbaits, and 8-inch plastic worms
have been some of the best-producing lures. Most topwater action occurs during
overcast days or evening outings. Grass shrimp would be the bait of choice for
most panfish and are abundant within the vegetated areas of the lake. Use a
long-handled dip net jigged through hydrilla and coontail for grass shrimp and
small topminnows. Early morning and evening fishing will play a greater role as
water temperatures peak during this quarter. Moonlit nights would be another
excellent period to target active sportfish without having to deal with the
summer sun. An impoundment of the Withlacoochee River, as part of the original Cross Florida Barge Canal project, this large lake is full of cypress trees, hyacinth and pennywort islands and sometimes hydrilla. Abundant cover and structure grow plenty of bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish, black crappie and largemouth bass. The deeper river channel is always good to locate and fish underwater bends. The rest of the lake is referred to as the "flats" or the backwaters. (Local contacts: Big Bass Village 352-447-3474, toll free 1-877-463-4742, bigbassvillage.com; Lake Rousseau RV Park/Fishing Resort 352-795-6336, lakerousseaurvpark.com); Dunnellon Bait and Tackle (352) 465-2755) Fair numbers of all sizes of largemouth bass should continue to bite into this quarter. Bluegill and redear sunfish along with some warmouth will actively feed throughout this coming spawning cycle. Coves, vegetation breaks, and sandy bottom areas will host these fish during their spawning activities and dipping crickets or grass shrimp among beds with 4-6 pound test line will ensure a high probability of success. One section of shoreline that continues to prove its self as a panfish haven is the cattail bank along the north side from the barge canal to the dam. ST. MARY'S AND NASSAU RIVERS (Nassau County: This 125-mile river starts in the acid swamps of Okeefenokee and becomes a tidal river below US 17 north of Jacksonville. Upstream is redbreast sunfish and small largemouth bass territory. The salt marsh zone is famous for striped bass (the same is true for nearby Nassau River). (Local contacts: St. Mary's River Fish Camp 904-845-4440)
Both of these coastal rivers give anglers the opportunity to catch a variety of
freshwater species. In the upper reaches of these rivers, black bass, bream, and
catfish can all be taken. The St. Mary’s River is known for its healthy
populations of bluegill and redbreast sunfish. The shallower, vegetated banks
are the most productive sunfish habitats in these rivers. Live baits, such as
worms and crickets, are great choices for sunfish in these waters. Both the
Nassau and the St. Mary’s River have good populations of largemouth bass as
well, most being in the 2-3 pound range. Targeting cypress stands and other
woody structure along river shorelines is a great way to fish for bass. Good
largemouth fishing can be found in the areas around King’s Ferry, Boulogne, and
St. George. In the lower stretches of these rivers anglers can fish for a
variety of saltwater species including drum, sea trout, and flounder. Live bait
is an effective way of taking these species, with mud-minnows, shrimp, and crabs
being popular choices. This two-lake chain near Starke provides good habitat diversity. Rowell Lake (364 acres) is upstream, has a cypress border, is shallow with a mucky bottom and usually cycles from dense to moderate hydrilla growths. Largemouth bass grow large in this fertile lake. Sampson Lake (2042 acres) is connected to Rowell by a canal. This lake has a sand bottom, several 14-foot deep holes and FWC permanent plastic fish attractors. The hard sand bottom makes wade fishing enjoyable and is one of the best places in the northeast region to enjoy flyfishing and wading (also try Ocean Pond in the Osceola National Forest, Baker County if you enjoy this sport). The entire lake is ringed by a marsh of cattails, water lilies and a band of maidencane grass. The marsh is mucky and only the outer edge holds fish except during high water. For a map showing local features click here. (Local contact: The Slab 904-964-9374). FWC recently completed an
angler creel survey on Lake Sampson and Lake Rowell. Anglers have been reporting
excellent catches of bluegill and redear sunfish. Live bait, such as earthworms
and crickets, is a good choice for bream and can be fished around vegetation in
the shallower portions of the lakes. Bass anglers have also been reporting good
catches. Try fishing over the submerged structure in the deeper portions of the
lake bottom. Texas-rigged soft plastics and crankbaits are some of the most
popular choices. At the time of this writing, water levels in these lakes were
still high enough to allow boat anglers to easily access Lake Sampson.
Additionally, water levels were not too high to prevent anglers from passing
under the railroad trestle to access Lake Rowell; however, hydrilla is
topped-out in Lake Rowell and presents problems accessing large portions of the
lake. This 5850-acre lake has a "little" northern area and a "big" southern arm connected by "the pass" where shad school and fishing is usually good for schooling largemouth and stocked sunshine bass. Numerous homes surround the lake, most with docks and ski boats; fishing is always best early and late or at night and on weekdays. In spite of development, the fish habitat is outstanding with many areas of cypress and healthy maidencane grass beds. (Local contact: Chappini’s Bait & Tackle (352) 475-9496).
FWC’s spring sampling found healthy populations of
largemouth bass in Lake Santa Fe. Bass in the 2-4 pound range were common and
several bass in the 6-8 pound range were also sampled. The maidencane edges and
cypress trees that surround the lake are very productive habitats and hold good
numbers of bass. Fishing over submerged structure in the deeper portions of the
lake can also be a productive approach. Fishing dark plastic worms or
spinnerbaits around the vegetated area that surrounds this lake is a good way to
locate largemouths. Lake Santa Fe also supports quality bluegill and other
panfish populations. Dropping worms or crickets into shallow, vegetated areas is
a great way to catch bream. In the summer months, the speckled perch that Lake
Santa Fe is well known for will be hanging out in deeper water. By fishing baits
near the bottom in the deep, open-water areas of Lake Santa Fe, you might get a
speck to bite during our hotter summer months. This 63-acre man-made, state-owned impoundment is filled with cypress trees and largemouth bass. It is a Fish Management Area and a license is required. Two fishing piers, one fully handicapped accessible, and several earthen fishing fingers provide boatless angling opportunities. The lake is shallow around the edge with good vegetative cover and several old sink-holes out in the trees providing deep cover. Perennial tactics, depending on the season, include pitching jigs and spinners up into "no-man's land"--the brush around the edge, shiner fishing in winter and very early spring, cranking shiner imitators between the trees, and fishing topwater lures and dark plastic worms anywhere. Good fishing for bluegill and redear sunfish occurs during spring and summer. For a map showing local features click here. Special harvest regulations are in place on Suwannee Lake. Minimum size limits of 10 inches for crappie and 18 inches for largemouth bass allow more fish to grow to desirable sizes. (Local contact: Greens Marine, Lake City 904-755-5390; Powell's Bait & Tackle, White Springs 386-397-2500)
There is still plenty of water in
this lake, although lower than normal. Overhanging brush and emergent vegetation
around the shoreline is unfortunately out of reach for cover-seeking fish.
However, there is plenty of submerged timber and standing cypress to fill the
void. Hungry panfish, (bluegill and redear sunfish) should be easily enticed
with crickets or earthworms fished close to structure. Low-light times of day
are best for topwater presentation when targeting bass. Texas-rigged plastic
baits allow you to explore underwater structure while reducing hang-ups; try
8-12 inch darker colored worms and a rod with plenty of backbone for good
hooksets. The Suwannee drains from the Okeefenokee Swamp through limestone shoals stretches to become a large flood plain river in the lower reaches. Drastic water level fluctuations characterize the river and keep the fishery dynamic. The Santa Fe is the major tributary, heavily influenced by springs and unlike the Suwannee, has vast areas of submerged vegetation in the middle and upper reaches. These areas harbor abundant freshwater shrimp, waterscuds and aquatic insects, thus producing excellent growth rates for fish, particularly abundant redbreast sunfish and pugnacious spotted sunfish (stumpknockers). The upper Suwannee has only tree roots and rocky shelves for fish structure. The lower Suwannee has a band of waterlilies and eventually in the tidal portion, numerous wooded and marsh-lined feeder creeks. High tide fishing is always slow with best fishing during lower tides. It is also helpful to remember that the outer bends are always deeper, sand bars are on inside curves and lilies on outer bend means the current has left the bank and panfish like to spawn here. Both Suwannee and largemouth bass occur. Large fish are not the rule and remember that all bass in the river, especially Suwannees, prefer to feed on crawfish, so crawfish-colored lures prevail. (*Local upper Suwannee contacts: Suwannee River State Park 386-362-2746, Canoe Outpost 1-800-428-4147, Spirit of Suwannee Park 386-364-1683; *Local middle Suwannee and Santa Fe contacts: Sandy Point Marina 386-935-0615, Gene's Bait & Tackle, Ft. White 904-497-2248) The enacted “NO WAKE” zones from Dowling Park
downstream to the upper estuary have been lifted. Public boat ramps are available 1/4 mile east of
the intersection of U.S. Highway 41 and S.R. 200 (Hernando Pool); ¼ mile east of
City of Inverness on S.R. 470 (Inverness Pool); and on Duval Island Road off
C.R. 48, one mile east of U.S. Highway 41 (Floral City Pool). Speaking of the Hernando Pool, good water and fair numbers of panfish occupy the deeper vegetated waters of the lakes center around Bird Island. In Big Henderson Lake the unnamed point across the lake at 11 o’clock from the new boat ramp is consistently the best location to find game fish species in this pool. The old railroad bridge area on Little Henderson seems to be the most consistent place within the northern section of this pool. WAUBERG LAKE (Alachua County): This fertile 254-acre lake in a state park (electric trolling motors only) is famous for black crappie more than any other species. The fertile green water supports shad and a deep grass line is good to hold fish. Big largemouth bass are caught in spring, and redear sunfish and bluegill during spring and summer. There is a nice campground here for a relaxing fishing vacation. (Local contact: Tackle Box Gainesville 352/372-1791) Bluegill and redear sunfish should bite at the grass edges on crickets and grass shrimp all summer. Seek out physical structure edge areas, such as maidencane/open water or lily pad/grass combinations. Earthworms fished off the bottom are also a good choice for both of these species. Black crappie fishing slows down in summer months; mid-lake would be the best bet for this species. Classic bass fishing tactics should provide for some good action and a memorable photograph. Try slowly-retrieved plastic worms from the maidencane edge into slightly deeper water. WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER (Citrus, Marion, Sumter, Levy, Hernando counties): This 157-mile stream originates in Green Swamp in Hernando County and flows north to the Gulf at Yankeetown. The stream has many limerock areas and associated swamps. Water levels fluctuate except in Lake Rousseau and the area just above the influence of Rainbow River. Water color is dark during the rainy season and clear during low water. Public ramps are located at S.R. 44 in Rutland, C.R. 470 north of Lake Panasofkee, the Outlet River west of Lake Panasofkee on C.R. 470 in Sumter County, C.R. 39 north of SR 200 in Citrus County, U.S. Highway 41 at Dunnellon and SR 40 at Yankeetown.
(Local contacts:
The Art of Fishing (Fly-Fishing Specialist)
Hernando 352-637-3316;
Anglers Resort Dunnellon 352-489-2397.
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