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
Current Forecast:
A recently conducted Largemouth bass population survey (March of 2012) indicated that it is an excellent year for fishing Lake Santa Fe. Several large bass (over 6 pounds) were found under docks in deeper water, primarily along the Northwestern shoreline of Little Lake Santa Fe, as well as around the Cypress trees in the Southwestern shoreline of the big lake. Large bass were also found under the two fish attractors in the big lake in deeper water. Large crappie were found close to the shoreline in Melrose Bay along the maidencane grass, and large bluegill and redear sunfish were found among the cypress stands.
The boat ramp at Little Lake Santa Fe is complete with a new floating dock, and plenty of water to get a large bass boat onto the lake. The boat ramp at Santa Fe Lake Park also has plenty of water, but may prove difficult for larger boats.
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