Lake Stone

Site Description
Current Forecast

Escambia County

Lake Stone in a 130-acre man-made impoundment constructed in 1967, opened to fishing in 1969 and designated as a Fish Management Area. It has an average depth of 6 feet and a maximum depth of 22 feet. Deepest areas are located near the dam and along the old streambed. A considerable amount of flooded timber remains, providing fish habitat. This lake has been stocked with Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish (shellcracker), Black Crappie, and Channel Catfish. Lake Stone is located in northern Escambia County near Century, FL. Entrance to the lake is located on Lake Stone Rd off SR 4 approximately 1.5 miles west of US 29 in Century. There is one concrete boat ramp with ample parking available on the northwest end of the lake with an additional boat launching site constructed with crushed rock on the northeast side of the lake near the dam. Several earthen fishing fingers have been constructed on the lake to provide fishing opportunities for bank anglers. Bait and fishing supplies are available in nearby Century. Escambia County maintains the Lake Stone Recreation Area located on the northwest end of the lake. This area provides fee-type camping with or without electric/water hookups. Lake Stone 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 Lake Stone; however, use of electric trolling motors is allowed.

For additional information regarding fishing opportunities at Lake Stone contact the Northwest Regional Office at 850-265-3676.

For reserving campsites and cabins in Florida State Parks check the Reserve America website or call 888-622-9190.

*Black Crappie on Lake Stone November 2018.*

Lake Stone’s healthy forage base, including Threadfin Shad and Golden Shiners, supports strong populations of Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie. Largemouth Bass anglers should continue to be successful throughout this quarter. Bass will move from shallower habitat used during spawning activities into waters five feet and deeper as temperatures rise. As water temperatures move into the upper 70’s and higher, anglers fishing during dawn and dusk can often catch fish moving into shallow water to feed. Plastic worms and lizards rigged Carolina- or Texas-style, along with Rat-L-Traps and crankbaits can all be effective. If bass are actively feeding along the surface, these fish should be targeted with noisy topwater baits (e.g., buzzbaits & jerkbaits) during low light conditions, or with soft-plastic baits during the day.

As the water temperature ranges from 68 to 80 degrees, bream should begin to gather on beds throughout the lake. Redear Sunfish (shellcracker) tend to nest in “communities,” meaning there will often be numerous nests built in the same area. Bluegill will often use the same nesting areas previously used by shellcracker and also tend to nest in “communities.” Light tackle with earthworms, crickets, beetle spins, rooster tails, or small jigs can produce nice redear sunfish and bluegill.

Black Crappie fishing should continue to be productive until the water temperature rises into the 70’s and above, where the fish will move out of shallow water and usually congregate around any hard structure in deeper water to escape the summer heat. During this quarter, night fishing can be productive, with many successful anglers hanging a light over the boat to attract baitfish, which in turn will attract crappie. Small feather or curly-tailed crappie jigs and small minnows are usually the most productive baits, however, if crappie jigs or live minnows are not inducing bites, try crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

As always, catfish are normally most active at dawn and in the evening. Catfish are hard-pressed to resist a juicy beef or chicken liver. If the bait continues to fall off of the hook, try wrapping it in surgical gauze or pantyhose and stretch the fabric to release the odor from the bait. If the weeds are a nuisance, then try rigging a small bobber in between the weight and the hook to keep the bait suspended above any vegetation.