Deer Point Lake
Bay County
A 5,000-acre impoundment located 7 miles north of Panama City off US 231 and SR 77 at Southport. Deer Point Lake is fed by natural freshwater streams and supplies more than 760 million gallons of fresh water daily to Panama City and the surrounding areas. The lake can be accessed by taking US 231 north from Panama City (6 miles) to C2321 west (1.5 miles); turn right on C2311 (3.5 miles); the ramp (Highpoint) is on the left. There are also boat ramps located on C2321on either side of the dam. A fishing pier is located near the boat ramp on the west side of the dam. This lake is best known for its shellcracker (Redear Sunfish) fishing during the spring (April through June) using earthworms as live bait. Fly fishing for shellcracker during the spring can also be productive when fishing early morning, late afternoon, and evening. Bream (Bluegill) fishing is also good in the spring using crickets and earthworms. Largemouth Bass fishing is best in the spring to early summer and again in the fall using plastic worms and crankbaits. Broken-back minnow lures are also effective for bass when fished near the shoreline.
Fish Camps:
Tharp's Camp (off Resota Beach Road, 850-265-2330); 4405 Huckleberry Lane, Panama City, FL 32409.
8.28-pound largemouth bass tagged and released into Deer Point Lake November 2018.
Bass fishing should pick up during October and November as water temperatures cool. Try fishing in early morning or late afternoon along the weed lines of the old creek channels in Bear, Econfina, Cedar Creek and Bayou George. Additionally, anglers have success fishing near the docks in the main lake or by the four fish attractors (sunken brush piles installed in the fall of 2022), which are marked with white and orange buoys. Target bass around vegetation at dawn or dusk using topwater baits like buzzbaits, topwater frogs, dark colored artificial worms, or live shiners. Black Crappie fishing picks up this time of year as well. Targeting this species near the Hwy 2301 bridge in Bear Creek with 1/16 oz to 1/8 oz feather, curly-tailed jig, or live minnow offers a good opportunity for Crappie anglers. Bluegill and Redear Sunfish (shellcracker) can be found along the weed lines of the old river channels and near structures. Fishing for these panfish with worms or crickets works well.
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 Deer Point Lake:
Lunker Club (8 – 9.9 pounds): 5
Trophy Club (10 - 12.9 pounds): 2