Kenansville Lake
Indian River County
Kenansville Lake is a shallow 2,500- acre impoundment with an average water depth of 3 feet. This area was cattle pasture prior to flooding in 1993. Boaters, especially those unfamiliar with this water body, should navigate with caution as there are rows of submerged fence posts throughout the lake. Interior levees are also located at the north, center and south areas of the lake. A single lane concrete boat ramp is the only facility on the site. The town of Kenansville is the closest place to obtain gas, food and bait. Although most anglers fish this area by boat, bank fishing is available along the access canal and north end of the lake for those willing to walk or ride a bicycle to those areas. The most popular fish species include: black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish.
Anglers are reminded that all largemouth bass caught must be released immediately under the special no-harvest regulation.
Thick vegetation combined with lower spring water levels can make navigation a challenge in Kenansville, but summer rains should bring water levels back up as we move through the quarter. Abundant vegetation provides great fish habitat for panfish and bass. Anglers should target vegetation edges and deeper water of perimeter canals and internal levees, punching into the plants with a heavy weight can be a great way to find the big ones. The bluegill and redear sunfish bite on this lake should be good this quarter, anglers will want to move around until they find where these panfish are concentrating. Bluegill beds may be found along many of the submerged berms. Many panfish anglers use artificial lures, live minnows, crickets, and grass shrimp. Crappie anglers may want to begin by drifting live minnows slowly under a small float in the deeper waters along the north and east side of the lake but may have luck targeting them in holes and along the deep edges of hydrilla.
Remember that Kenansville Lake is catch-and-release only for largemouth bass.
Popular Species
Fish graphics by Duane Raver, Jr.
More species information is available for:
Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Black crappie
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 Kenansville Lake:
Lunker Club (8 – 9.9 pounds): 194
Trophy Club (10 - 12.9 pounds): 27
Hall of Fame Club (13+ pounds): 2