Dead Lake
Calhoun and Gulf counties
This strangely beautiful 6,700-acre lake with dark tannic waters is located on the Chipola River near the town of Wewahitchka. West Arm Creek of the lake is accessible from Dead Lake State Park and Recreation Area, located off SR-71 just north of Wewahitchka. Follow Gary Rowell Road east into the park; turn right when the road splits past the pond; the boat ramp will be on the south side of the road. There is also a boat ramp located in Calhoun County which allows access to the north western portion of Dead Lake through Cypress Creek. Follow the signs on SR-71 near the intersection of SR-71 and SR-73. There are no facilities at this boat ramp. There are fish camps located around the lake. Care should be taken when operating a motorboat in this lake because it is filled with cypress snags and stumps. This lake enjoys an excellent reputation for its Bluegill (bream) and Redear Sunfish (shellcracker) fishing in the spring.
Contacts:
Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, Northwest Regional Office: 850-265-3676.
Dead Lake Recreation Area (campgrounds and two smaller fishing ponds); Gary Rowell Rd off Hwy 71, Wewahitchka, FL 32465; contact Mr. W.E.: 850-258-3466.
Dead Lake Sportsman Lodge; east of Wewahitchka at site of old Dead Lake Dam (2001 Lake Grove Rd., Wewahitchka, FL 32465): 850-639-5051.
Magnolia Lodge; 345 S. Bass Dr., Wewahitchka, FL 32465; contact Laura Bush: 850-639-6760.
Off the Map Expeditions (guided kayak or pontoon tours, no boat rentals); contact Mr. Godwin: 850-819-3053.
Navigating the many stumps and snags can be difficult for new anglers in Dead Lakes, so using a GPS or limiting fishing to West Arm Creek is recommended. Bream anglers should fish a wiggler on an ultra-light rod with a number 10 gold hook or a beetlespin around stumps, snags, along weed lines, and in deep holes. Florida and Spotted Bass fishing will pick up in the fall as bass move out of the deep holes and feed in shallow waters. Fishing around dusk and dawn in 2 to 3 ft of water with worms, lizards, or live shiners is recommended. Spotted Bass can often be caught near log jams around the Chipola cut-off and along weed lines or stumps adjacent to deep or flowing water. They are most easily distinguished from Florida Bass by the presence of a tooth patch on the tongue. Other fish species in this lake that anglers may be interested in include Flathead Catfish (please keep this nonnative species), Channel Catfish, and suckers (please remember that sucker nets are not allowed in Dead Lakes). Flathead Catfish can be caught in deep flowing areas and behind large snags using sunfish, but keep in mind live sunfish can only be used for bait if collected and fished using hook and line.
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.
Be the first to submit a trophy bass from Dead Lake!