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.
Black Crappie fishing is usually best throughout this time of year. Try trolling for Black Crappie (specks) in the main channel of West Arm Creek using crappie minnows and jigs. Bream (Redear Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Bluegill, and Spotted Sunfish a.k.a. ‘stumpknocker’) fishing should remain fair through the winter and early spring and can be found near willow tree islands associated with stumps and cypress knees. Anglers targeting bream should use an ultra-light rod with a number 10 gold hook on the bottom with a wiggler or beetlespins. Largemouth Bass fishing will slow down during the winter but should pick up in early spring. During the winter months try fishing in the old river channels, curves, and cuts in the lake near snags and stumps using artificial worms, spinner baits or live shiners. Spotted Bass may also be found in Dead Lakes; they are very common just below Dead Lake around log jams near the Chipola cut-off (connects the Chipola River with the Apalachicola River).
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.
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