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Bay County

Deer Point

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.

Deer Point Lake tagged bass

8.28-pound largemouth bass tagged and released into Deer Point Lake November 2018.

Largemouth Bass will begin to spawn in March and April depending on water temperature. In these months, target shallow weedy areas and along the stumps of Cedar Creek, Bayou George, and Econfina Creek with artificial dark colored lizards and worms as well as live shiners. Redear Sunfish (shellcracker) usually begin spawning in April and prefer sandy bottoms in 2 to 4 feet of water as well as cypress edges. Fishing with wigglers can be effective for this species. Crappie will have moved to the deeper holes in Bayou George, Cedar and Bear Creek after their spring spawn. Fish these holes at various depths with crappie minnows. Bullhead Catfish and Channel Catfish can also be caught in the deep waters by the dam and in the deep holes of Bear Creek. The best catfish baits include chicken livers, worms, and processed baits.

Popular Species

Popular Sport Fish Species

Fish graphics by Duane Raver, Jr.

More species information is available for:

Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfishBlack crappie

FWC Trophy Catch Logo

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