Karick Lake
Okaloosa County
Karick Lake is a 65-acre man-made impoundment constructed in 1965, opened to fishing in 1966, and is designated as a Fish Management Area. The lake has an average depth of 7 feet with a maximum depth of 18 feet, with the deepest areas located near the dam and along the old streambed. A considerable amount of flooded timber remains, providing fish habitat. The lake has been stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker), and channel catfish. Karick Lake is located in northwestern Okaloosa County off County Road 189 approximately 8 miles north of Baker, FL. Concrete boat ramps with courtesy docks are located in both the north and south campgrounds. A handicapped accessible fishing pier is located adjacent to the boat ramp in the north campground. Both campgrounds are accessible from CR 189. Informational kiosks are located adjacent to each boat ramp. The south campground contains primitive campsites (no electrical or water hookups) and picnic areas. The north campground has picnic grounds and campsites are available with both electric and water hookups. Both campgrounds have restroom/bath facilities and are maintained by the Florida Forest Service. Bait, supplies, and other conveniences are available in nearby Baker and Blackmon, FL. Karick Lake is subject to the rules and regulations currently in effect for Fish Management Areas. Please refer to a current copy of Florida Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations. Gasoline boat motors are prohibited from use on Karick Lake; however, use of electric trolling motors is allowed.
For reserving campsites and cabins in Florida State Parks check the Florida State Parks Reservation Center website or call 800-326-3521.
For additional information regarding fishing opportunities at Karick Lake contact the Northwest Regional Office at 850-265-3676.
Anglers should look for shallow water habitats located adjacent to steep drop-offs. Such areas provide Florida Bass and bream a deep-water refuge during cold snaps with easy access to forage during the subsequent, warmer days. Florida Bass can be targeted along these drop-offs with medium diving crank baits or Rat-L-Traps or the shoreline and around brush piles with floater-diver type lures, dark colored plastic worms, or along. Bluegill and Redear Sunfish (shellcracker) will be moving off their beds, so working around drop-offs with red worms, wigglers, or crickets is most effective. If you prefer to use artificial baits, it’s hard to beat a roostertail, beetle spin, or small curly-tailed jig when fishing for bream. Catfish can be pulled from deeper water off the fishing pier or near the dam by fishing on the bottom with beef/chicken livers wrapped in surgical gauze or pantyhose.
Karick Lake Brochure
For more information see the Karick Lake Brochure.
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 Karick Lake:
Lunker Club (8 – 9.9 pounds): 1
Trophy Club (10 – 12.9 pounds): 1