Hamilton County Phosphate Pits
Additional Nutrien Fishing Sites
A new Nutrien-White Springs WMA agreement has been established between FWC and Nutrien for Bee Haven Bay. This new agreement eliminates the need for a Nutrien issued permit, as the lake is open to public fishing except during hours and times open to duck hunting. All statewide bag and length limits apply.
Nutrien also issues permits that allow public access to Little Altman Bay Lake. Permit request must be made at least one day in advance and can be made up to 30 days in advance. Visit the Nutrien fishing permit website to request a permit.
Hamilton County
NOTE: Lang Lake FMA is currently closed.
NOTE: Eagle lake FMA will be temporarily closed until further notice for habitat improvements. We expect the work to be completed around March of 2024, and the area to be reopened at that time.
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
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.
Directions:
Heading north from White Springs, FL
- Travel 3.2 miles of US 41 N from White Springs
- Turn right on CR 137 and travel 3.4 miles
- Turn left onto SE 78th Place and travel 0.6 miles the lake is on the right. Access to the lake is via a dirt road.
Heading south from Jasper, FL
- Turn right onto US 129/ US 41 S/ 2nd Ave SE and travel 2.4 miles
- Turn left onto US 41 S and travel 8.3 miles
- Turn left onto SE 142nd Blvd and travel 1.7 miles
- Turn left onto SE 78th Place and travel 1.6 miles the lake is on the left. Access to the lake is via a dirt road.
Local contact: Rooster's Outfitters 386-234-0851
Lang Lake
NOTE: Lang Lake FMA is currently closed.
Eagle lake FMA will be temporarily closed until further notice for habitat improvements. We expect the work to be completed around March of 2024, and the area to be reopened at that time.
Bee Haven Bay is a lake and marsh complex that has many lobes and cuts making it a perfect place to explore and find your own favorite spot. Make sure you have some way to navigate back to the ramp when you go. As water temperatures come down, the fishing should improve, fish will be moving and feeding more in the fall months than in summer. Bass, bream, crappie, catfish and even hybrid striped bass can all be caught here. The bass and bream are really impressive here. Fishing along weed edges with grass shrimp, crickets and worms will catch redears and bluegills. Fish shad imitations or soft plastics along weed lines, or cypress trees for bass. Trolling jigs, spoons or minnows can catch crappie and hybrid striped bass. Present these baits shallow early in the morning and deeper as the day progresses. If you find shad busting on the surface cast a metal spoon into the school and feel for a bite on the retrieve. Catfish are also sought after here. Fishing stink bait or cut bait on the bottom with a slip-sinker rig is a good bet. If you don’t get bites after 30 minutes change locations.
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 :
Lunker Club (8 – 9.9 pounds): 8
Trophy Club (10 - 12.9 pounds): 2