Rodman Reservoir
Putnam County
A premier largemouth bass fishery located in north Northeast Florida, covers 9,500 acres and is about 15 miles long. It is located south of Palatka off of Hwy 19. The reservoir was created in 1968 when an earthen dam was built across the Ocklawaha River. A four-gate spillway (Kirkpatrick Dam) controls the water levels of the reservoir. The reservoir from its headwaters at Eureka Dam to Paynes Landing consists of flooded woodlands. The transition section from Paynes Landing to Orange Springs consists of flooded standing timber and areas of floating vegetation. The pool section from Orange Springs to Kirkpatrick Dam, including the river channel and the Cross Florida Barge Canal, consists of floating and submersed vegetation, dead standing timber and submersed and partially submersed trees and stumps. The Barge Canal and river channel have water depths up to 30 feet deep. Drawdowns are conducted every three to four years on the reservoir for aquatic plant control and fish and wildlife habitat enhancement.
Local contact:
Gary's Tackle Box 352-372-1791.
Visit the Florida Boat Ramp Finder for ramp locations.
Note: Look out for floating logs and exercise caution when navigating.
Rodman Reservoir is known for producing quality bass bites and this is the time of year is no exception. With water temperatures this warm, the bass will be lurking out in deep water along the river channel and/or Barge Canal in the Kenwood to Kirkpatrick Dam area. The trick is to find where the fish are on a given day but be careful boating because there are stumps everywhere around Rodman. Deep diving crank baits and Carolina-rigged soft plastics (worms, lizards, and crawfish) are preferred in the deeper water. Anglers may also try drifting or trolling live shiners in the stump fields on both sides of the barge canal in the pool area. In the Orange Springs area, live shiners floated under overhanging vegetation in the river channel should produce some good catches.
Texas-rigged worms, spinner baits and lipless crank baits should also generate some action throughout the reservoir. Black crappie can be caught along the river channel and/or Barge Canal on live minnows with floats and plastic tailed jigs. While anglers have their preferred colors, chartreuse, yellow, and white seem to get the most consistent action. Bluegill, shellcracker, and redbreast sunfish fishing is best this time of year in the riverine section of the reservoir. Beetle-spins and grass shrimp work well around stumps and pads. Finally, look for stocky Warmouth between Orange Springs and Cypress Bayou using worms and grass shrimp to get the best results.
Visit the Florida Boat Ramp Finder for ramp locations.
Popular Species
Fish graphics by Duane Raver, Jr.
More species information is available for:
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 Rodman Reservoir:
Lunker Club (8 – 9.9 pounds): 986
Trophy Club (10 - 12.9 pounds): 205
Hall of Fame Club (13+ pounds): 7