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 is a designated Florida Trophy Bass Project site; anglers are encouraged to visit the Florida Trophy Bass Project website for project updates. Anglers may keep up to 15 bass under 16 inches, while bass 16 inches or more must be released, a regulation unique to Suwannee Lake.
Forage fish populations are abundant throughout the lake, promoting the growth of trophy-sized bass. These dense populations of redear sunfish and bluegill are well distributed across the lake, offering excellent opportunities for bass and panfish anglers. Bass are also widely distributed throughout the lake, with anglers using live shiners on a circle hook and finding success near cypress trees and submerged timber. As temperatures continue to rise, anglers find that fishing during the cooler parts of the day is most effective.
Boaters are advised to exercise caution, as shallow areas, submerged stumps, and drifting logs are prevalent and may pose navigation hazards.
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): 3
Trophy Club (10 – 12.9 pounds): 1