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 Northeast Region. Please note, however, that their site is not routinely updated to reflect current fishing conditions. Check out the Northeast Region fishing guide (PDF, 1.2 mb) for places to fish, tips, accommodations and more. Receive email when this page changes by clicking the icon below:
The Lake Garcia Reservoir is a 3,149-acre section of the Blue Cypress Water Management Area (BCWMA) along the east coast of central Florida in north Indian River County. Water depths range from 1.5 to 6 feet on this impoundment, fluctuating seasonally. Boaters unfamiliar with the BCWMA are advised to operate their crafts cautiously, due to the number of navigational hazards found throughout the area. Facilities include a double lane concrete boat ramp, air boat launch site, paved parking lot, picnic pavilion and restroom. This impoundment is noted for good numbers of smaller largemouth bass, but does produce its share of trophy bass each year. Largemouth, bluegill and black crappie are the sportfish most often targeted by anglers.
If water levels do not drop drastically bass anglers
should begin their fishing efforts on the flats of the northwestern section of
the reservoir around hydrilla and the area around the submerged borrow pit.
Locals anticipate seasonal success for those using topwater baits like chuggers,
propeller plugs or floating minnows. Keep switching plugs and/or retrieves until
you find the combination that produces fish. Plastic worms, soft jerk baits,
spinnerbaits, crankbaits and buzz baits are also effective when matched to the
conditions. Last year water levels dropped very low during this quarter and
fishing got really hot as fish piled up in the deeper borrow pit and the C-65
Canal that flows out the northwest corner of the reservoir. Navigation was
limited last year to shallow draft boats using the east and north perimeter
canal to reach the deeper water sites. Should the rainy season come early, look
for bass to congregate where water is moving into the reservoir (southwest and
northeast corners) and at the outlet (northwest corner). For more information on daily fishing forecasts and lake
conditions call Middleton’s Stick Marsh Bait and Tackle at (772) 571-9855 and
Palm Bay Fishing Outfitters at (321) 952-4435. LAKE BLUE CYPRESS (Indian River County): Blue Cypress is a 6,555-acre lake located in Indian River County. It is a scenic body of water with a shoreline structure composed of cypress and spatterdock. Several fish attractors have been constructed in open-water areas and are marked with buoys. Lake Blue Cypress has a good population of largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie, and catfish.
For more
information on daily fishing forecasts and lake conditions, call Middleton’s
Fish Camp at: (772) 778-0150. CLERMONT CHAIN (Lake County): This 11-lake chain is located in Lake County’s rolling hills near the town of Clermont. There are two public boat ramps and one is on Lake Minneola (fee charged) north of SR 50 in Clermont. The other is a FWC ramp just north of Lake Louisa on Hull Road. Water levels are normal this year, so access should not be a problem at either ramp. For those preferring to fish from shore, there is a fishing pier on Lake Minneola. Most of the chain has tea-colored water, but Lake Minneola (1,888 acres) is relatively clear. All lakes on the Clermont Chain are Fish Management Areas, so a fishing license is required for most anglers. Bluegill and redear sunfish are
biting on worms, crickets and grass shrimp in four to six feet of water around
emergent grasses and lily pads. Catfish are being caught on cut bait, chicken
liver and commercial baits in deep water areas of lakes Minneola, Minnehaha and
Louisa. Some largemouth bass can be caught trolling crankbaits offshore or by
using plastic worms or topwater lures early and late in the day along grassline
edges. Some black crappie can still be caught on minnows offshore or along deep
grassline edges. Due to warm
water temperatures, the largemouth bass spawn should be finished. Some sporadic
bedding may occur in April but bass fisherman should probably concentrate on
deeper edges near vegetation and structure. This is especially true with the low
water. Live shiners, bullhead minnows and floating worms or jerk baits should be
used around vegetation and crankbaits that imitate shad near docks and pilings.
The black crappie spawn should also have ended for this year but a few may still
be found near or in vegetation on the full moon in April. The bluegill and
shellcracker spawn should be in full swing. Worms, crickets and grass shrimp
will be the best baits. The St. Johns Water Management Area (SJWMA), known to most anglers as the Farm 13/Stick Marsh, is a 6,500-acre impoundment located along the east coast of central Florida in northwest Indian River County. Water depths range from 4 to 8 feet. Boaters unfamiliar with the SJWMA are advised to navigate to fishing locations with extreme caution due to the number of man-made and natural hazards present. Facilities include a double lane concrete boat ramp, air boat launch site, restroom and paved parking lot. Closest towns/cities are Melbourne, Palm Bay, Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmere. No gas, food or bait available on site. Popular sportfish include largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and several catfish species. This water body is noted for its excellent bass fishing due to the special no harvest regulation on largemouth bass. The SJWMA is one of the top 10 trophy bass spots in the state. Bass fishing on this water
management area has undergone a fundamental change since the series of
hurricanes in the summer of 2004. The aquatic vegetation, especially the
hydrilla, was wiped out by the storms and anglers must now use onboard
electronics rather than topped-out hydrilla to orient themselves to the
submerged levees and ditches that attract fish. Additionally, without the
buffering effect of submerged vegetation, wind-driven waves stir up sediments,
causing dirty water conditions that anglers must occasionally deal with during
periods of high wind. In this post-spawning period, there should be
concentrations of bass in the timber at the south end of Farm 13 and the western
half of the Stick Marsh. As spring becomes summer, look for bass to disperse
throughout the reservoir around Ditch 13 and the flats to the south of this
submerged east-west drainage canal. Anglers should also try to locate the
numerous submerged levees and corresponding drainage ditches that run
north-south and east-west in Farm 13. In the Stick Marsh, look for fish in Ditch
7 and the central region of the main pool while fishing submerged woody
structure and canal drop-offs. Don’t neglect the shorelines as potential
hotspots now that offshore vegetation is no longer available as habitat. A map in PDF format is available courtesy of the St. Johns Water Management District , it is referred to by them as the Blue Cypress management area. For more information on daily fishing forecasts and lake conditions call Middleton’s Fish Camp at: (561) 778-0150. LAKE GEORGE (Putnam & Volusia counties): This lake is a 46,000-acre natural impoundment of the St. Johns River with extensive vegetation that provides an excellent habitat for fish. There are jetties located on the south end of the lake where the St. Johns River enters the lake. Most of the lake is less than 10 feet deep but a natural channel provides navigation for boats as large as oil barges. Public access can be obtained from Blue Creek Road to Lake George Road off of Highway 40, (See Central Region Boat Ramps for more detail). Private access to Lake George can be obtained from Pine Island fish camp (386-749-2818), or Georgetown Marina & Lodge (386-467-2002). For additional listings of fish camps or further information, please contact our fisheries office in DeLeon Springs at 386-985-7827. Largemouth bass
fishing will probably be best around deeper structure (jetties, old pilings,
docks and any dead-heads or other submerged objects that can be located. Live
shiners and crankbaits will be most productive in these areas. Floating worms,
buzz baits or live bullhead minnows may catch bass early morning and late
afternoon near the edge of eelgrass beds which extend into two to three feet of
water. Eelgrass beds in the lake have recovered from the impacts of the recent
hurricane seasons in a big way. Striped bass will move to thermal refuges and
deep holes. The Croaker Hole in Little Lake George becomes very productive for
striped bass this time of year and they should be in relatively decent
condition. Grass shrimp, dead shrimp and large jigs may work well. Expect redear
sunfish (shellcrackers) and bluegill to spawn several times. Crickets are great
for bluegill; worms usually work better for shellcrackers. Brown bullheads will
congregate for spawning in the eelgrass beds through this quarter. LAKE HARRIS (Lake County): Lake Harris is an 13,788 acre lake located south and east of the City of Leesburg. Access to the lake is from Singletary Park on the outskirts of Leesburg on U.S. Hwy 27, at a City of Leesburg boat ramp in Venetian Gardens off of SR 44 (Dixie Avenue), at the Hickory Point recreational area ($2.00 fee per vehicle) on SR 19 south of Tavares, and in Astatula at a ramp on Florida Avenue west of C.R. 561. Lake Harris Lodge (352-343-4111) is a fish camp located on Lake Harris off of US Hwy 19 south of Tavares, and Palm Gardens (352-343-2024) is located on US Hwy 441 near Tavares. Largemouth bass fishing should continue to be good through late spring using topwater plugs, plastic worms, crankbaits or live shiners. Bass can be found along shoreline grass and on the drop-offs near the S.R. 19 bridge. Bluegill and redear sunfish action will improve throughout this period with spawning action peaking around the full moon. The 9th Street canal is a popular spot for bedding redear sunfish. Both species can be caught on live baits such as grass shrimp, worms and crickets. Black crappie fishing will be slowing as water temperatures rise and fish begin to move into deeper areas of the lake, but can provide action on minnows or grass shrimp when drifting or trolling offshore. KENANSVILLE LAKE-formerly Blue Cypress Reservoir (Indian River County): Kenansville Lake is a shallow 2,500- acre impoundment with an average water depth of 3 feet. This area was cattle pasture prior to flooding in 1993. Boaters, especially those unfamiliar with this water body, should navigate with caution as there are rows of submerged fence posts throughout the lake. Interior levees are also located at the north, center and south areas of the lake. A single lane concrete boat ramp is the only facility on the site. The town of Kenansville is the closest place to obtain gas, food and bait. Although most anglers fish this area by boat, bank fishing is available along the access canal and north end of the lake for those willing to walk or ride a bicycle to those areas. The most popular fish species include: black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish. All largemouth bass are protected by a special no harvest regulation. Bluegill and redear sunfish action on this lake has been known to be excellent during their spawning period. Best success is in one to three feet of water adjacent to levees and along submerged canal berms throughout the impoundment. Although many panfish anglers use artificial lures, live crickets are known for producing some of the better catches. Black crappie anglers will continue to catch fair numbers of fish in the deeper waters of the center and perimeter canals. Use a jig pole and switch jigs until you find a color that works. Bass anglers can expect to catch fish along the west side of the reservoir in the pickerelweed patches and the lines of bulrush as long as the lake level remains high. Bass may also be found consistently along the vegetated edges of the submerged canals and the outside edges of the north, south and central canals. Consideration should be given to the fact that the west side of the lake is shallower and waters there will warm more quickly. Anglers are reminded that all largemouth bass
caught must be released immediately under the special no-harvest regulation. LAKE KISSIMMEE (Osceola County): Lake
Kissimmee is a 34,948-acre lake located 40 miles south of Orlando and 18
miles east of Lake Wales.
LAKE MONROE (Seminole & Volusia counties): The St. Johns River flows through this 9,406-acre lake. The city of Sanford borders on the southern shoreline. Public access can be utilized off the Seminole County side of the intersection of Highway 17/92 and I-4; north side of the lake off of Enterprise Road; and at Monroe Harbor Marina in downtown Sanford. Private access and more recent fishing information can be obtained form Lake Monroe Inn Bait & Tackle (407/322-3108), Highbanks Marina and Camp Resort (386/668-4491), or Best Western Marina (407/323-1910) For further information please contact our fisheries office in DeLeon Springs at 386-985-7827. Bulrush will create excellent fishing opportunities unless water levels become too low. Due to warm water temperatures this winter, the black crappie spawn appears to have finished but a few may still spawn on the April full moon. The bulrush is very difficult to fish during low water but it may be worthwhile. Use a long heavy rod or cane pole and dip into the interior of the vegetation. Largemouth bass have been plentiful in the bulrush on the west end of the lake. Shellcracker (redear) will also spawn in the bulrush. Although not as numerous here as in other lakes on the St. Johns, most harvestable ones are very large. Bluegill will spawn periodically throughout the quarter wherever they can find vegetation with sufficient water depth. OCALA FOREST LAKES (Lakes & Marion counties): There are approximately 600 natural lakes in the Ocala National Forest with lakes Bryant, Mill Dam, Kerr, Crooked, Wildcat, Lou Echo, Grasshopper, Eaton and Quarry Fish Pond being the most popular. A booklet titles "Fishing Opportunities in the Ocala National Forest" by the Ocala National Forest Interpretive Association is available at the Visitors Welcome Center at the intersection of S.R. 40 and C.R. 315. This booklet describes sport fishing locations, with recommendations for fishing methods and accessibility, as well as a topographic map. Due to a
continued drought, boat ramps in the Ocala National Forest lakes are difficult
to use for launching larger boats. Bluegill and redear sunfish will spawn over
the next several months. Look for beds in shallow sandy areas near vegetation.
The beds will appear as a honeycomb of saucer-like depressions. Bedding fish
will temporarily leave their beds when disturbed. It often will take several
minutes for the fish to return and begin feeding. Live bait such as worms and
crickets are best. Small spinnerbaits and fly fishing with popping bugs can also
be productive. There should be plenty of action for schooling size bass on small
surface lures. For trophy bass use large shiners along the grassline. OKLAWAHA RIVER (Marion & Putnam counties): The Oklawaha River originates at the north end of Lake Griffin in Lake County. The upper reach is largely channelized but is in a natural condition for most of its length. Rodman Reservoir is a 16 mile impoundment lying between Highway 316 near Ft. McCoy to Highway 19 near Palatka. The river is again natural from the Rodman Dam to its confluence with the St. Johns River near Welaka. Largemouth bass action
in Rodman Reservoir should be good with shiners fished in the barge canal or
river channel. Black crappie action should begin to slow as warmer weather sets
in. Bluegill, redear sunfish and catfish are caught year-round in the stretch
from Moss Bluff Dam to SR 42. Grass shrimp and worms are the best baits for
sunfish, while worms and chicken livers provide the most catfish action. The
lower Oklawaha River below Rodman Dam is typically shallow and very clear.
Largemouth bass fishing should be best during early morning or early evening low
light hours. Drifting shiners in deep holes or along undercut river banks will
produce largemouth bass and an occasional striped bass. Redbreast sunfish and
spotted sunfish will gather to spawn during the spring. Small spinnerbaits (1/32
oz) or live bait such as worms or grass shrimp cast to shore and retrieved
slowly will provide lots of action. LAKE PANASOFFKEE (Sumter County): This is a 4,460-acre Fish Management Area located by the town of Lake Panasoffkee. Panasoffkee is unusual; a true spring-fed lake, water depths seldom exceed four feet. I-75 runs along the eastern edge and C.R. 470 along the southern and western shore. A public ramp is available on the Outlet River, west of the lake on C.R. 470.
Largemouth bass action is best on plastic worms or
topwater baits fished in and around grass beds early or late in the day. A warm
spring will produce good redear sunfish and bluegill fishing. Look for exposed
snail shell beds to find spawning redear sunfish and bluegill. The water will be
shallow and clear so the fish will momentarily flee. Anchor your boat and expect
to wait 15 to 20 minutes before getting the first strike. Earthworms, crickets
or grass shrimp fished near the bottom are the best baits. Water levels are low,
so navigation will be difficult at the Outlet River fish camp. RODMAN RESERVOIR (Putnam County): A premier largemouth bass fishery located in north Northeast Florida, covers 9,500 acres and is about 15 miles long. It is located south of Palatka off of Hwy 19. The reservoir was created in 1968 when an earthen dam was built across the Ocklawaha River. A four-gate spillway (Kirkpatrick Dam) controls the water levels of the reservoir. The reservoir from its headwaters at Eureka Dam to Paynes Landing consists of flooded woodlands. The transition section from Paynes Landing to Orange Springs consists of flooded standing timber and areas of floating vegetation. The pool section from Orange Springs to Kirkpatrick Dam, including the river channel and the Cross Florida Barge Canal, consists of floating and submersed vegetation, dead standing timber and submersed and partially submersed trees and stumps. The Barge Canal and river channel have water depths up to 30 feet deep. Submersed vegetation (hydrilla, coontail and eel grass) is common in the pool section of the reservoir. Drawdowns are conducted every three to four years on the reservoir for aquatic plant control and fish and wildlife habitat enhancement. Largemouth bass catches during the drawdown were hit-and-miss according to reports, and shy of the big fish potential that normally presents itself during drawdown levels. By the beginning of April, the reservoir drawdown will be over, and reservoir water levels will be back to normal storage capacity. However, Rodman Reservoir still offers some of the best bass fishing in the area, and as water temperatures increase, largemouth bass will move to deep water in the stump fields. Carolina-rigged soft plastics and deep diving crankbaits are baits of choice. Anglers may also try drifting or trolling live shiners in the stump fields on both sides of the barge canal in the pool area. Artificial lures such as spinnerbaits and soft jerk baits retrieved along the stumps should also provide some action. In the Orange Springs area, live shiners floated under overhanging vegetation in the river channel should produce some good catches of largemouth bass. Deep diving crankbaits fished along the river channel and flipping craws or lizards in the vegetation are worth trying. Bream anglers should fish around stumps using grass shrimp, crickets and worms. Bluegills are caught throughout the reservoir; however, the Kenwood to Orange Springs area generally seems to be the best. For redbreast sunfish, fish the riverine section of the reservoir (Orange Springs to Eureka). Small beetle spins and worms work well. Finally, look for stocky warmouth between Orange Springs and Cypress Bayou using worms and grass shrimp to get the best results. * Special note: Look out for floating logs. Use caution when boating in the river channel, Barge Canal and stump fields. For updated information: Striped bass will move
to thermal refuges (springs, spring runs, deep holes). Grass shrimp, shad and
menhaden are good baits this time of year. Try the pads along the edges of the
river for spawning shellcracker and bluegill. Catfish and bluegill will be
around channel markers, dead heads, etc. when not spawning. Largemouth bass
will group up around submerged structure. Live bait will be best. Water levels in the upper St. Johns River basin will likely drop throughout the spring dry season. The low water can create excellent fishing opportunities in the river sections between Lakes Winder and Poinsett, and from SR 520 to SR 46, for those anglers with smaller, lighter boats. Shallow draft or smaller boats will have an easier time navigating sand bars and secondary channels in the river than their larger counterparts. Largemouth bass and panfish (bluegill, redear sunfish, spotted sunfish, redbreast sunfish and warmouth) should be concentrated throughout the deeper portions of the river. Anglers should target the edges of submerged vegetation along banks, sharp bends and drop-offs near shallow bars. Traditional methods for taking all species will work. Many who fish this area prefer to swim plastic worms and jerk baits or twitch shallow-running minnow imitations for bass. Fly-fishing with a surface popper is another rewarding way to catch both bass and panfish in these sections of the river. Lake Washington will be the best choice for those anglers with larger boats because the lake is impounded for the city of Melbourne’s water supply and typically has the most water. Concentrate on the deeper eastern shoreline for bass and panfish amongst mixed bulrush, emergent grass and cattail. For listings of fish camps or for further information please contact our fisheries office in DeLeon Springs at 386-985-7827. For lakes Washington, Poinsett and Winder please contact or East coast Fisheries office in Melbourne at 407-752-3115. LAKE TOHOPEKALIGA (Osceola County): Lake Tohopekaliga known to the locals as Lake Toho is an 18,810-acre lake located southeast of the city of Kissimmee. The lakes Commission made fish attractors are especially popular fishing areas, for a map with lat-long coordinates, click here. Largemouth bass anglers should concentrate their efforts in and around Goblets Cove, Lanier and Brown’s points, Little Grassy Island and offshore vegetative communities near channel marker 24. Both live and artificial bait should be very effective utilized within these areas. Golden shiners will be the live bait of choice by many anglers, although spinnerbaits (white or white/chartreuse skirted), lipless crankbaits (chrome colored) and plastic worms (black grape, black/blue and Junebug colored) will account for a fair share of the catches. Anglers targeting bluegill should try to make room in their schedules for time on the water during the full moon phases of this reporting period. Spawning activity by these valued sport fish should be well under way during these months and anglers should seek areas in the lake having sandy bottoms to try their luck. While many anglers have their favorite locations for catching bluegill, one may find the telltale signs of bedding activity (small, six- to eight-inch depressions grouped together) in vegetated areas associated with sandy bottoms along North and South Steer Beaches, Big Grassy Island and open water east of Makinson Island. Live bait (crickets and red wigglers) will be the bait of choice by a majority of the anglers seeking these scrappy fighters, but small, artificial jigs or beetle spins (white or yellow) will also account for some fine stringers of fish. A six-lane boat ramp with a
floating courtesy dock is located on Lakeshore Blvd. From the intersection
of Highway 192 and Highway 441/17-92 in Kissimmee, travel south on Main
Street 0.6 mile to Monument Avenue. Turn left onto Monument Avenue and
follow to Lakeshore Blvd. Turn right on Lakeshore and follow 0.3 miles to
ramp on left. Pier and bank fishing is allowed. A marina is located
approximately 0.2 miles north of ramp. LAKE YALE (Lake County): Lake Yale is a 4,042-acre lake located northwest of the City of Eustis. Access to the lake is from C.R. 452 in Marsh Park on the outskirts of Eustis and off C.R. 450 west of the City of Umatilla. Black crappie fishing is beginning to slow as the weather begins to warm. Largemouth bass fishing is good using shiners, plastic worms, topwater plugs and spinnerbaits near vegetation. Bass fishing should be good through late spring, particularly early and late in the day. Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker) fishing will pickup throughout the next few months as the fish begin their spawning cycle. For best results use worms, grass shrimp or crickets near shoreline vegetation. Fish on or near the bottom if you are targeting redear sunfish. There are no fish camps on the lake, but you can get bait and supplies from Owens Marine on S.R. 19 in Eustis or from Umatilla Bait and Tackle on S.R. 19 just south of Umatilla. For more information on how fishing has been lately, contact the Eustis Field Office at 352-742-6438.     The Division of Freshwater Fisheries Mission and Goal [ FISHING RULES | FISHING LICENSES | FISH IDENTIFICATION | FISHING TIPS | FISHING SITES & FORECASTS | | FBCC | BOAT RAMPS | PIERS | FISHING LINKS | FISHING MAPS | | FISHERIES PUBLICATIONS | FISH BUSTER COLUMN | FISHERIES NEWS | FISHERIES OFFICES-PROJECTS | | FISHERIES PERMITS | BIG CATCH PROGRAM | SPORT FISH RESTORATION | BASS TAG FOR CARS | | DIVING/PHOTOGRAPHY | JOE BUDD AEC | WOMEN'S OWN | FISHING CALENDAR | | FREQUENTLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS | FUNSTUFF & GAMES | RECORD FISH | FISH ORLANDO! | | SPONSOR OPTIONS | FISH MANAGEMENT AREAS | MULTIMEDIA SHOWS AND PHOTOS | | SITE MAP | LINK TO US | CUSTOMER SURVEY | ASK FWC ] NOTE: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records; request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. MyFWC.com • Copyright © 1999-2008 State of Florida • Privacy Statement • EEO/AA/ADA Advertising Statement & Disclaimer | |||||
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