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Ansin Garcia - Miami Lakes

Indian River County

Garcia River

The Lake Garcia Reservoir is a 3,149-acre section of the Blue Cypress Water Management Area (BCWMA) along the east coast of central Florida in north Indian River County. Water depths range from 1.5 to 6 feet on this impoundment, fluctuating seasonally. Boaters unfamiliar with the BCWMA are advised to operate their crafts cautiously, due to the number of navigational hazards found throughout the area. Facilities include a double lane concrete boat ramp, air boat launch site, paved parking lot, picnic pavilion and restroom. This impoundment is noted for good numbers of smaller largemouth bass, but does produce its share of trophy bass each year. Largemouth, bluegill and black crappie are the sportfish most often targeted by anglers. For more information on daily fishing forecasts and lake conditions for Garcia Lake, call Stick Marsh Bait and Tackle Shop at (772) 571-9855.

Temperatures are rising to start the quarter and bass will be moving off of spawning flats and into deeper water. There is abundant hydrilla and eel grass in the lake and bass anglers should start by working edges of vegetated flats adjacent to deeper water. Good places to start include the canals on the north and east sides of the reservoir as well as the submerged borrow pit in the west side of the lake. Many of the locals who fish the lake this time of the year like using top-water baits early and late in the day. Plastic worms, senkos, and swim baits are also effective. As of March, the east perimeter canal was open, as well as the southern channel out of the boat ramp. The route out to the lake along the south perimeter may require traversing shallow flats; use caution.

Black crappie anglers may find fair numbers of fish concentrated in the submerged borrow pit on the west side of the impoundment. Anglers may also be able to locate these fish in the deeper water of the perimeter canals and the outlet canal (C-65) at the northwest corner. Drift live minnows or work small jigs using ultra-light rod/reel or jig pole. Bluegill and redear sunfish should begin spawning along the edges of the pit, levees, C-65 and the shallows associated with submerged drainage ditches. Minnows, grass shrimp, and worms work best when targeting these two species, light tackle outfits will also work using a small jig, small spinner bait or a fly rod popping bug for targeting the bluegill. A new exclusion zone has been created along the west shore of the reservoir as a planting project takes place this quarter. Please be aware of buoys marking the area.

Popular Species

Popular Sport Fish Species

Fish graphics by Duane Raver, Jr.

More species information is available for:

Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfishBlack crappie

FWC Trophy Catch Logo

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 Ansin Garcia - Miami Lakes:

Lunker Club (8 – 9.9 pounds): 44

Trophy Club (10 - 12.9 pounds): 4