The following is a general description and quarterly forecast (teal-colored updates) for fishing conditions in major public water bodies in this region. For even more up-to-date information, we suggest you call or visit a local bait-and-tackle shop, fishing marina or guide service. We have provided information for some local contacts, who indicated they were willing to be listed herein. If you would like additional descriptions of these and other fishing sites listed by county, you can visit the Great Outdoors Recreation Page listing for Florida's North Central Region. Please note, however, that their site is not routinely updated to reflect current fishing conditions. Clicking the clock/thermometer above will take you to a very detailed weather site, where you can get forecasts, historic weather information, moon phase, tide charts and sunrise/sunset times. A few sites have additional links to local web pages or to topographic maps and brochures. We will continue to expand these links as they become available to us. Receive email when this page changes by clicking the icon below: ALLIGATOR LAKE (Columbia County): Alligator Lake (approximately 800 acres) is located in Columbia County near Lake City. Nearly two-thirds of the total lake surface area is within the city limits. Prior to 1997, only 338 acres were accessible to the public. Subsequently, Columbia County purchased an adjacent 987 acres with money obtained through the Preservation 2000 Communities Trust. This purchase included nearly 450 acres of former lake bottom that were diked and drained for agricultural practices in the 1950's and 1960's. Several sinkholes are located in the north and south basins of the lake which provide direct connection to the aquifer. One of these sinkholes has been responsible for frequently draining the northern lake basin. This results from increased hydraulic pressure upon sinkhole sediments as groundwater levels subside during periods of drought. During these events, the southern areas of the lake retain water, as a shallow connection exists between north and south basins.
Columbia County’s Alligator Lake Park opened in April 2002. The entrance to the
park can be found off of Old Country Club road in Lake City. A small boat launch
on the north marsh central drainage canal and walking access or boatless fishing
will provide unique angling opportunities. Note: Alligator Lake is a Fish
Management Area (license is required to fish in north and south lake basins and
north and south marshes). (Local contact: Greens Marine and Sporting Goods, Lake City 386-755-5390) Hopefully the rains of February and March will fill
Alligator and its associated marsh. The north basin is refilling but it will
take some movement of the fish populations to repopulate this section. Your best
bet is still the central canal within the marsh and the area of water in the
southern basin along the south shore. HAMILTON COUNTY PHOSPHATE PITS (Eagle and Lang) (Hamilton County): Both of these lakes are Fish Management Areas (license is required to fish). Both are green and fertile and deeper than average north Florida lakes, but typically grow more fish per acre due to abundant forage. Eagle Lake (200 acres) is old and very fertile. Steep sides, a maze of narrow cuts with points and sand bars and cattails in the coves characterize the lake. No concrete boat ramps exist. Largemouth bass fishing is best in spring; bluegill, redear sunfish and brown bullhead catfish are best in the summer; black crappie and stocked sunshine bass are best in fall and winter. Eagle Lake produces the fastest sunshine bass growth in this region. Fish up to 8 pounds have been reported at only 23 months of age. Trolling motors only may be operated on Eagle Lake, although gasoline motors may be attached to the boat. Lang Lake Fish Management Area (86 acres) is a reclaimed pit, meaning all the islands and shoreline have been graded to create gradual slopes with deep water only in the center of cuts. The vegetated shelf thus created is a fertile fish factory with cypress trees, cattails and hydrilla out to about eight feet, dropping like a wall to 20 feet. An 18 inch minimum size provides quality largemouth bass fishing. Large bluegill are caught mostly in late spring through fall. Trolling motors only are allowed although gasoline motors may still be attached to the boat. A minimum size of 10 inches has been established for black crappie. For a general location map click here or for a detailed map showing fish attractors and ramps click here. (Local contact: Powell’s Bait & Tackle, White Springs 386-397-2500)
Eagle Lake: Informal angler surveys
tend to show Eagle Lake having more, but smaller sized largemouth bass then
Lang. Additionally, the bite seems to improve as this quarter progresses.
Whereas larger bass are caught in Lang from March through May, the overall
numbers of fish tend to be fewer. Fish submerged points and cuts for bass and
hybrid striped bass with shad imitators. Smaller largemouth bass will bite
closer to the bank, so fishing deeper will help put your bait in front of bigger
fish. Catfish will be caught throughout this quarter on the bottom with liver or
worms. FWC biologists have installed another aeration system in an isolated arm
to improve water circulation.
ANGLERS NOTE: PCS has moved entrance road to Lang Lake to Rt. 41 north
of Genoa. New brochures are available from the Lake City office. Nearby Black Creek is deep with vegetated shorelines. It is a good water body for black crappie year-round and all riverine panfish (especially redbreast and bluegill sunfish) during spring, summer and fall. Striped bass utilize Black Creek as a cool weather refuge in summer and are present here and around St. Johns River bridge pilings commonly during winter months. (Local contact: Whitey's Fish Camp 904-269-4198) As water temperatures rise, bass can be
found in shallow water constructing nests for spawning. Casting soft-plastic
lures, crankbaits or lead-head jigs into spawning habitat is sure to get a bite.
The St. Johns River and Doctor’s Inlet both support areas of submerged grass
where bass love to hang out and forage. Slow-trolling or drift fishing a diving
lure or weighted worm over the bottom can be a great way to fish these habitats.
As the spawning season progresses, bass tend to leave shallow areas and return
to deeper waters; remember to adjust your presentation to account for this
change in largemouth behavior. Black Creek also supports a healthy largemouth
population. Targeting the vegetated areas along the tree-lined banks is a great
place to find them. In the upper stretches of Black Creek, fishing live bait
(such as worms and crickets) in spatterdock pads is a great way to catch bream.
Patient anglers who fish the vegetation might also get a bite from a good-sized
chain pickerel. Orange lake has an extensive aquatic vegetation community, dominated by spatterdock (lily pads) and periodically hydrilla. Shallow marsh areas are inaccessible to anglers due to the dense growth of vegetation. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and largemouth bass are generally caught in the deeper spatterdock, emergent grasses and hydrilla. Marion County and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission allocated funds to establish a fishing pier at Heagy-Burry Park (southwestern part of the lake). The pier is handicap-accessible. A fish attractor is located near the pier, which provides for good fishing. For a map showing local features click here. For updated information please call: The Orange Lake angler survey
kicked off mid-February and will run until early June. Reports so far have not
been very encouraging for black crappie, with most anglers targeting panfish
(redear sunfish and bluegill). Small largemouth bass are beginning to bite on
crappie minnows and traditional bass plugs. At this time female crappie are ripe
with eggs and it is believed that the next full moon will kick off their
spawning behavior. With water levels as they are, launching boats is only
possible at the Heagy-Burry Park boat ramp and Mike’s Fish Camp. McIntosh Cove
and the north end of PG Run seem to have the best habitat and diverse cover, so
begin your hunt for all game species there. The presence of moderate hydrilla
throughout the lake is providing exceptional cover and harboring forage items
for all species of fish. Golden shiners, which make excellent bass bait, are
catchable on small hooks tipped with dough balls in most openings of the
submerged hydrilla. Use a form of chum (animal feed) to hold and attract these
schools of prized baitfish. An impoundment of the Withlacoochee River, as part of the original Cross Florida Barge Canal project, this large lake is full of cypress trees, hyacinth and pennywort islands and sometimes hydrilla. Abundant cover and structure grow plenty of bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish, black crappie and largemouth bass. The deeper river channel is always good to locate and fish underwater bends. The rest of the lake is referred to as the "flats" or the backwaters. (Local contacts: Big Bass Village 352-447-3474, toll free 1-877-463-4742, bigbassvillage.com; Lake Rousseau RV Park/Fishing Resort 352-795-6336, lakerousseaurvpark.com); Dunnellon Bait and Tackle (352) 465-2755) Recent fish population surveys conducted by FWC biologists showed fair to strong numbers of game fish. An abundance of smaller sized largemouth bass (8-12 inches) was observed, and speaking with anglers found that catches of 20-30 bass a day are possible. Most of the bass caught this year will be caught during these three months. Many anglers use the old reliable baits and tactics when it comes to spring fishing, but trying something different that is outside your “comfort zone” can target larger fish. Mastering the technique of skipping tubes or other soft plastics under boathouses or docks will provide you with extra reach for finding bedding bass. Bluegill and other panfish numbers appeared up with fish utilizing cattail edges and near-shore structure. Be aware that Lake Rousseau is scheduled for a 15-week, large scale hydrilla treatment in its western section beginning mid-March. ST. MARY'S AND NASSAU RIVERS (Nassau County: This 125-mile river starts in the acid swamps of Okeefenokee and becomes a tidal river below US 17 north of Jacksonville. Upstream is redbreast sunfish and small largemouth bass territory. The salt marsh zone is famous for striped bass (the same is true for nearby Nassau River). (Local contacts: St. Mary's River Fish Camp 904-845-4440)
If you are looking to hook into striped bass, now is the time. Stripers have
been showing up in greater numbers in the lower, brackish water areas of these
rivers. Striped bass are attracted to structure and will hang out around bridge
pilings and railroad trestles; fishing around the I-95 and SR-17 bridges is a
great place to start. Also, fishing the areas around the mouth of feeder creeks
and trolling lures along steep river banks is a great way to cover a lot of
territory and locate stripers. Fishing for freshwater species is still very
productive in the upper reaches of the Nassau and St. Mary’s Rivers. Water
levels in the upper St. Mary’s have been very high and anglers are reporting an
excellent catfish bite; bluegill and redbreast sunfish are most productive in
the areas up and downstream of the Traders Hill Landing. Black bass can also be
caught by fishing the vegetated areas around the mouth of feeder creeks. This two-lake chain near Starke provides good habitat diversity. Rowell Lake (364 acres) is upstream, has a cypress border, is shallow with a mucky bottom and usually cycles from dense to moderate hydrilla growths. Largemouth bass grow large in this fertile lake. Sampson Lake (2042 acres) is connected to Rowell by a canal. This lake has a sand bottom, several 14-foot deep holes and FWC permanent plastic fish attractors. The hard sand bottom makes wade fishing enjoyable and is one of the best places in the northeast region to enjoy flyfishing and wading (also try Ocean Pond in the Osceola National Forest, Baker County if you enjoy this sport). The entire lake is ringed by a marsh of cattails, water lilies and a band of maidencane grass. The marsh is mucky and only the outer edge holds fish except during high water. For a map showing local features click here. (Local contact: The Slab 904-964-9374). Anglers have been catching
significant numbers of largemouth bass in Lake Sampson; there have been reports
of bass in the seven to eight pound range. Working Rat-L-Traps and similar
crankbaits around submerged brush piles is a great way to catch largemouths. As
water temperatures rise, bass will likely move to shallow waters to spawn;
fishing the sandy-bottom, sparsely-vegetated areas close to shore may be more
productive than focusing on deeper waters. However, as the spawning season wears
on, bass may retreat back to deeper water to forage. Some anglers are having
success targeting speckled perch by fishing live bait under a float. As of late
March, hydrilla in Lake Rowell had not topped out and navigating around the lake
was still possible. As water temperatures increase it is likely that hydrilla
will grow rapidly and limit recreational fishing in Lake Rowell. Water levels in
both lakes are still relatively high, although it is possible for small boats to
pass under the railroad trestle to access Lake Rowell. This 5850-acre lake has a "little" northern area and a "big" southern arm connected by "the pass" where shad school and fishing is usually good for schooling largemouth and stocked sunshine bass. Numerous homes surround the lake, most with docks and ski boats; fishing is always best early and late or at night and on weekdays. In spite of development, the fish habitat is outstanding with many areas of cypress and healthy maidencane grass beds. (Local contact: Chappini’s Bait & Tackle (352) 475-9496).
FWC recently completed spring surveys for largemouth bass
on Santa Fe and Little Santa Fe Lakes. Bass in the two to four pound range were
common and several bass in the six to eight pound range were also sampled. The
maidencane edges and cypress trees that surround the lake are very productive
habitats and are holding good numbers of largemouth bass. Working weedless lures
through the dense vegetation is a sure way to hook up with a nice largemouth.
Lake Santa Fe also supports quality bluegill and other panfish populations.
Black crappie are starting to bite in Santa Fe Lake and anglers have recently
reported excellent catches. Trolling or drift-fishing with live minnows is a
great way to locate schooling crappie in open water. Dropping worms or crickets
into sparsely vegetated areas is sure to boat some bream. This 63-acre man-made, state-owned impoundment is filled with cypress trees and largemouth bass. It is a Fish Management Area and a license is required. Two fishing piers, one fully handicapped accessible, and several earthen fishing fingers provide boatless angling opportunities. The lake is shallow around the edge with good vegetative cover and several old sink-holes out in the trees providing deep cover. Perennial tactics, depending on the season, include pitching jigs and spinners up into "no-man's land"--the brush around the edge, shiner fishing in winter and very early spring, cranking shiner imitators between the trees, and fishing topwater lures and dark plastic worms anywhere. Good fishing for bluegill and redear sunfish occurs during spring and summer. For a map showing local features click here. Special harvest regulations are in place on Suwannee Lake. Minimum size limits of 10 inches for crappie and 18 inches for largemouth bass allow more fish to grow to desirable sizes. (Local contact: Greens Marine, Lake City 904-755-5390; Powell's Bait & Tackle, White Springs 386-397-2500)
Panfish will be exploring the
shallows and should be catchable this quarter on crickets or rise well to
artificial flies cast next to trees. By June, some will have retreated to the
shade of the cypress trees in mid-lake’s deeper waters. Shiner fishing near
stumps around the edge is a successful big-bass strategy. White spinnerbaits
retrieved close to standing timber in mid-depth areas is also a productive
method. Later in the season, use shallow-running crankbaits with squared-off
lips, as the wobble action produced by this style lip allows for better
deflection off submerged stumps. Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker) can
be caught on worms and crickets all spring. For bank anglers this lake has three
fishing piers and two earthen fishing fingers. One pier is completely
handicapped accessible. Golden shiners can be caught with dough balls off these
piers and used for bass bait. The Suwannee drains from the Okeefenokee Swamp through limestone shoals stretches to become a large flood plain river in the lower reaches. Drastic water level fluctuations characterize the river and keep the fishery dynamic. The Santa Fe is the major tributary, heavily influenced by springs and unlike the Suwannee, has vast areas of submerged vegetation in the middle and upper reaches. These areas harbor abundant freshwater shrimp, waterscuds and aquatic insects, thus producing excellent growth rates for fish, particularly abundant redbreast sunfish and pugnacious spotted sunfish (stumpknockers). The upper Suwannee has only tree roots and rocky shelves for fish structure. The lower Suwannee has a band of waterlilies and eventually in the tidal portion, numerous wooded and marsh-lined feeder creeks. High tide fishing is always slow with best fishing during lower tides. It is also helpful to remember that the outer bends are always deeper, sand bars are on inside curves and lilies on outer bend means the current has left the bank and panfish like to spawn here. Both Suwannee and largemouth bass occur. Large fish are not the rule and remember that all bass in the river, especially Suwannees, prefer to feed on crawfish, so crawfish-colored lures prevail. (*Local upper Suwannee contacts: Suwannee River State Park 386-362-2746, Canoe Outpost 1-800-428-4147, Spirit of Suwannee Park 386-364-1683; *Local middle Suwannee and Santa Fe contacts: Sandy Point Marina 386-935-0615, Gene's Bait & Tackle, Ft. White 904-497-2248) The enacted “NO WAKE” zones from Dowling Park
downstream to the upper estuary have been lifted. Public boat ramps are available 1/4 mile east of
the intersection of U.S. Highway 41 and S.R. 200 (Hernando Pool); ¼ mile east of
City of Inverness on S.R. 470 (Inverness Pool); and on Duval Island Road off
C.R. 48, one mile east of U.S. Highway 41 (Floral City Pool). This season fishing should be fair to good throughout the chain. Panfish and largemouth bass will be bedding where solid bottom substrate is found; check in the vicinity of boat ramps and avoid mucky areas. Bluegill and redear sunfish can be caught along most shorelines throughout the chain. Sometimes presenting a different morsel as bait can bring about success; try moist dog food or the old faithful hotdog. The Hernando pool and Little Lake Henderson (within the Inverness Pool) have the best track record for being the most productive areas. Look for these same sections to provide the best largemouth bass and panfish opportunities as the water warms. This chain of lakes can store water with a low dissolved oxygen level in any of its nooks and crannies for long periods, so if things aren’t biting in one cove move to another. WAUBERG LAKE (Alachua County): This fertile 254-acre lake in a state park (electric trolling motors only) is famous for black crappie more than any other species. The fertile green water supports shad and a deep grass line is good to hold fish. Big largemouth bass are caught in spring, and redear sunfish and bluegill during spring and summer. There is a nice campground here for a relaxing fishing vacation. (Local contact: Tackle Box Gainesville 352/372-1791) Spring and early summer fishing in this lake should be excellent. Black crappie fishing usually slows when weather warms, but look for them in mid-lake on the bottom after April. Bluegill can be caught at the edge of grass and in pockets within the grass line, especially where water lilies and maidencane grow together. Grass shrimp fished under a small float are deadly. Pay close attention to the orientation of the float—if it is anything but vertical chances are that a fish is mouthing your bait. This lake supports a healthy population of brown bullheads as well. Fish the bottom in deeper water for these often-overlooked fish. Fish for largemouth bass close to any woody debris or overhanging tree limbs. Texas-rigged plastic worms for largemouth bass with either a pegged weight or none at all will permit anglers to cover a variety of structure with minimal hang-ups. WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER (Citrus, Marion, Sumter, Levy, Hernando counties): This 157-mile stream originates in Green Swamp in Hernando County and flows north to the Gulf at Yankeetown. The stream has many limerock areas and associated swamps. Water levels fluctuate except in Lake Rousseau and the area just above the influence of Rainbow River. Water color is dark during the rainy season and clear during low water. Public ramps are located at S.R. 44 in Rutland, C.R. 470 north of Lake Panasofkee, the Outlet River west of Lake Panasofkee on C.R. 470 in Sumter County, C.R. 39 north of SR 200 in Citrus County, U.S. Highway 41 at Dunnellon and SR 40 at Yankeetown.
(Local contacts:
The Art of Fishing (Fly-Fishing Specialist)
Hernando 352-637-3316;
Anglers Resort Dunnellon 352-489-2397.
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