Suwannee Lake

Suwannee Lake has a large population of medium-sized bass so anglers looking to catch a lot of bass should have great success here. Lake specific regulations allowing for the harvest of 15 bass under 16 inches per person provides a special opportunity here. Suwannee Lake has been selected as a site for intensive trophy bass management and as such, innovative techniques conducive to producing trophy bass are occurring here. See the Florida Trophy Bass Project website for more details. Bass are well distributed throughout the lake. With the warm temperatures, fishing either early or late in the day will be most productive. Traditional seasonal bass lures should work all summer. In both the north and south end of the lake, bass anglers should focus their efforts near the shore working areas near dense vegetation, around and under snags, or other submersed structures with Texas-rigged baits. The bass move a lot here and where they are one day may not be where they are the next. In the north end, target bass in shady spots within the cypress trees with shiners. White spinner baits cast close to standing timber in mid-depth areas is also a productive method. Later in the season, use shallow-running crankbaits with squared-off lips, as the wobble action produced by this style lip allows for better deflection off submerged stumps. Panfish bedding is in full swing, so target panfish in the shallows with worms, crickets, or shrimp. Catfish can be targeted on the bottom within standing timber. Use chicken livers in homemade “spawn sacs” (tied shut nylon stocking bags), which hold bait better and remain on the hook longer.