Suwannee Lake
Suwannee County
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.
Local contacts: Greens Marine, Lake City 386-755-5390; Rooster's Outfitters 386-292-9726
Suwannee Lake continues to offer excellent opportunities for bass anglers. The lake supports a dense population of medium-sized bass, which are currently well distributed across the lake. Early morning and late evening hours are the most effective times as the cooler air lingers.
Anglers should target dense shoreline vegetation, snags, and submerged structures. Traditional bass lures such as plastic worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and topwater plugs are all performing well. For more aggressive approaches, white spinnerbaits retrieved near standing timber in mid-depth zones are drawing solid strikes. Live shiners fished in shady pockets among the cypress trees have also been especially effective.
Panfish activity is still high, with bedding action continuing in the shallows. Target these fish using worms, crickets, or shrimp, especially near lily pads and other vegetation beds. This is a great time for families or newer anglers to enjoy steady action on light tackle.
Catfish remain active and can be caught near the bottom, especially around standing timber and deeper drop-offs.
Popular Species
Fish graphics by Duane Raver, Jr.
More species information is available for:
Florida/Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Black crappie, Brown bulhead, Channel catfish
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 Suwannee Lake FMA:
Lunker Club (8 – 9.9 pounds): 2
Trophy Club (10 – 12.9 pounds): 1