Lake Talquin
Gadsden and Leon counties
Located just west of Tallahassee, this 8,800 acre reservoir is nationally known for its high quality black crappie (speckled perch) fishery. The best black crappie fishing occurs in winter months (January through April) during the prespawn and spawning period. There is very little vegetation, but lots of tree stumps and logs. At certain times of year largemouth bass, bluegill, redear, white bass, and striped bass fishing are excellent. Lake Talquin, for a Florida lake, is deep with an average depth of 15 feet and a maximum depth of 40 feet. There are 7 public boat ramps and 5 public fishing piers on the Leon County side of the lake (Hwy 20). On the Gadsden County side, there are 3 public boat ramps and 2 public fishing piers. Six fish camps surround the lake.
All crappie that are less than 10 inches in total length must be released immediately. Largemouth bass regulations fall under statewide regulations. Statewide bag and length limits for black bass are: 5 Black bass (including largemouth, Suwannee, spotted, Choctaw, and shoal bass, individually or in total), only one of which may be 16 inches or longer in total length. There is no statewide minimum length limit for largemouth bass.
Contacts:
Ingram’s Marina; 354 Lois Lane, Quincy, Florida 32351: 850-627-2241.
Lake Talquin Lodge; 231 Gainey Road, Quincy, FL 32351: 850-627-3822.
Whippoorwill Sportsman Lodge; 3129 Cooks Landing Rd, Quincy, FL 32351: 850-875-2605.
Lake Talquin is known for trophy crappie across the nation. Although difficult to catch during summer months, anglers have luck trolling in deep channels (~20 ft). Remember that crappie less than 10 inches must be released. Lake Talquin also gives anglers their best option for catching a trophy Largemouth Bass for the area. Again, fishing deeper channels with deep-diving crankbaits or dark-colored Carolina-rigged worms work best. Fishing for bream along shorelines can produce some successful days during summer months. Pitching crickets along docks, points, and shoreline structure for Bluegill or worms on the bottom for Redear Sunfish (shellcracker) are your best bet. For those who wish to try fly fishing, there are hatching flies in early summer. Anglers should seek areas where bream are surfacing to feed.
Popular Species
Fish graphics by Duane Raver, Jr.
More species information is available for:
Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Striped bass, Black crappie
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 Lake Talquin:
Lunker Club (8 – 9.9 pounds): 69
Trophy Club (10 - 12.9 pounds): 25