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).
There is current water level information available.
Note – Anglers and Hunters: The north and south marshes are established as Alligator Lake Small Game Hunting Area (ducks only). The north marsh area is restricted on Mondays and Thursdays until noon. The south marsh area is restricted on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursday until noon.
Local contacts: Greens Marine and Sporting Goods, Lake City 386-755-5390; Rooster's Outfitters 386-234-0851
Water level is dropping but remains above the boards at the two water control structures at the time of this writing. Please leave the boards in place as they keep water in the marsh when the lake level drops. Summer storms should help keep water in the lake, and excellent fishing is expected over the next year. Remember, the canoe launch at Alligator Park is an option to fish in the marsh. Panfish bedding time is now and peaks around the full moon dates. One preferred spawning location is located directly out from the fishing pier in the southern basin. Crickets, mealworms, or wigglers are all excellent choices for enticing strikes. Black crappie anglers should troll minnows or small jigs offshore. Stinky baits and earthworms are good baits for catfish. Bass anglers should use soft plastics pitched into nearshore cover like vegetation and snags, and live golden shiners. Using snagless frogs near woody debris or overhanging brush is a proven method this time of year. With the warm weather, fishing early or late with spinner baits and top water plugs tends to be productive. Try fishing deeper water along the edge of the dyke, on both the lake and marsh side. In the south basin, look for deeper water like in the bend near the cypress head on the northern edge, or in the small cove behind the football stadium. With 133 submissions in FWCs TrophyCatch Program to date, this waterbody is an underrated place for potentially catching the fish of a lifetime.
Popular Species
Fish graphics by Duane Raver, Jr.
More species information is available for:
TrophyCatch Tracker
TrophyCatch is FWC's citizen-science program that rewards anglers for documenting and releasing trophy bass 8 pounds or larger. The following TrophyCatch bass have been submitted from Alligator Lake:
Lunker Club (8 – 9.9 pounds): 111
Trophy Club (10 - 12.9 pounds): 21
Hall of Fame Club (13+ pounds): 1