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Northeast Region Fishing Forecast

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October-December 2009

The following is a general description and quarterly forecast (*bold 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. 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.

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 (1.2mb) Northeast Region fishing guide for places to fish, tips, accommodations and more.  

See also the FISH ORLANDO! Quarterly Forecasts for the lakes in the Orlando Area

Miami Lakes-Ansin Garcia (Indian River County):

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.

*Water levels will be back up to normal for the start of the quarter. The hydrilla which became problematic for anglers this spring and early summer has also dropped back. During this year’s summer rainy period the impoundment did experience another fish kill which always concerns managers. Low levels of dissolved oxygen were recorded and believed to be the primary culprit. Slightly lower fish counts in this year’s electrofishing indicated these kills may be having some impact. Like last year, we were hoping the kill to be only minor. It was promising that a number of anglers were reporting fair to good catches not long after the fish kill this year. Oxygen levels should stabilize this quarter allowing and fish to redistribute throughout the impoundment to areas they were displaced from earlier.

This water management area is still inundated by a diverse mix of submerged and emergent plant communities which can be a challenge for anglers. The northwest section of the reservoir and the area around the submerged borrow pit are always a good starting point for anglers. More than likely anglers will be fishing around topped out or submerged hydrilla within the western third of the reservoir. Therefore, most anglers use weedless lures and focus on edges where the hydrilla ends next to deep water such as a canal. Another option is to seek out open water among the patches of hydrilla and use floating plugs like diving minnows, chuggers or prop baits.

Black crappie anglers should focus their efforts on the deeper waters of the borrow pit, the canal at the northwest corner of the lake, and the canal along the eastern edge of the reservoir. Traditional tackle and techniques like those mentioned for the Stick Marsh/Farm 13 will work here as well, but anglers may have to use very light line if the water is especially clear. Panfishers should be able to find a few bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker) on sandy bottom around submerged levees and along the edge of the borrow pit. As usual, crickets, grass shrimp and worms are the better baits for these two species.

A map in PDF format is available courtesy of the St. Johns Water Management District here. Ansin/Garcia is the area marked Blue Cypress WMA, just southeast of the lake.

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.

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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.

*Summer rainfall will have water levels back up to normal in this scenic lake. Fishing usually picks up during late summer and will hopefully get better during this quarter. Bass anglers can expect to find fish holding around cypress trees in the southern portion of the lake and along grass and lily pad lines around the shoreline. Bass may also begin to school around the mouth of Big M Canal when there is current being pulled northward. Big M Canal, Zigzag Canal, and the four-open water fish attractors are additional sites where bass anglers may want to focus their attention. Dark colored plastic worms, topwater poppers/prop baits, spinnerbaits, and live bait (golden shiners) will produce.

As water temperatures drop, black crappie success will improve for anglers trolling and drifting the deeper areas of the lake using small jigs, beetle spins, and live minnows. Big M and Zigzag Canals should hold fish in the deeper water along the grass/brush lines.

Bluegill and redear sunfish catches may slow down a bit but a few will still be along grasslines in 1-3 feet of water and also in and around open water fish attractors throughout the quarter. Big M Canal and Zigzag Canal should also be holding panfish. Fly-rod popping bugs, small jigs, beetle spins, and live bait (crickets, grass shrimp and worms) are the favored methods.

Anglers should be aware that they can no longer access Kenansville Lake through the Big M Canal from Blue Cypress Lake.

For more information on daily fishing forecasts and lake conditions call Middleton's Fish Camp at: (561) 778-0150.

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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.

*Look for schooling largemouth bass over eelgrass patches, and fish them with shad-imitating lures. Soft plastic lures in Junebug and red shad colors will produce bass around shoreline vegetation. Fish with live wild shiners for the best chance at some big bass over submerged vegetation. Bluegill (bream) and redear sunfish (shellcracker) fishing will begin to slow as spawning congregations disperse. Use crickets and red wigglers fished under a cork for bluegill and shellcracker, respectively. Black crappie (speck) fishing should improve as the water temperatures cool in the fall. Catfish can be found in the deeper holes in the lakes. Use chicken liver, commercial stinkbaits and frozen shrimp on the bottom or under a cork.

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Lake Crescent (Flagler & Putnam Counties):

This 15,960-acre lake is a tributary of the St. Johns River. Public access to Crescent Lake can be obtained on the west shore off of Highway 17 in Crescent City. Private access can be obtained from Lake Crescent Resort (386-698-2485). For additional listings of fish camps or more information, please call our fisheries office in DeLeon Springs at 386-985-7827.

*Docks in deeper waters along the western shore of the lake are the best bet for bass anglers using either artificial baits or live shiners. Numerous deadfalls scattered on the eastern shore also hold bass. Eelgrass beds are still in recovery mode following 2004’s hurricane season and Tropical Storm Fay. Remaining patches of vegetation should retain good numbers of bass. Try the deeper edges of the bulrush and grass patches along the west shore of the lake. Cooler temperatures mean it’s time for black crappie (speckled perch). Anglers should have good luck drifting or trolling minnows or crappie jigs, particularly in the southern end of the lake.

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Farm 13/Stick Marsh (Indian River County):

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.

*As water temperatures begin to cool in October and November, bass should become more active throughout the reservoir and for longer periods of time during the day. Anglers lucky enough to find moving water will probably have the most success. Water flow in the reservoir can be attributed to water control structures, agriculture pump stations, or wind. Anglers can expect to find heavy feeding activity around the inflows and outflows (S-96D, S-258, S-259, and S-96B water control structures) and other areas generating current (southeast corner of the Farm 13 pool, Ditch 13, east and west ends of Ditch 7, and channelized areas at the northwest and northeast ends of the Stick Marsh). Anglers must realize that weather conditions, including tropical storms and hurricanes during September and October, which generate heavy rainfall, are unpredictable and have the most effect on water releases from control structures. With cooler temperatures in December, anglers can expect bass to enter into their pre-spawning mode, staging near the canals and submerged drainage ditches protected from strong wave action. Anglers will have to continue to depend upon onboard electronics to define the physical structure and depth in order to pattern fish because the hydrilla that was destroyed by the hurricanes in 2004 has not yet recovered. The southern third of Farm 13, Ditch 7 and the flow-way at the north end of the Stick Marsh are regions of the impoundment to pattern fish late this quarter. In recent years the biggest complaint by anglers has been extremely turbid water due to recent high winds. Many anglers feel strongly that the extreme turbidity of the water had a negative effect on catch success. Consideration should be given as to wind conditions prior to and the day one chooses to fish. Water temperature and clarity of the water will dictate lure selection. During the fall and winter months, golden shiners are the live bait of choice by those seeking trophy bass. For those who prefer artificial lures, plastic worms (Junebug, tequila sunrise, and red shad colors) rigged a numbers of ways depending on depth and structure are probably the most popular lure. Some anglers prefer shallow-running and deep diving crankbaits, while others like to throw a spinnerbait which generates more attracting vibration in the more turbid water. Anglers are reminded that all largemouth bass caught must be released immediately under the special no harvest regulation.

Significant numbers of black crappie should be found in Ditch 7 and in other submerged ditches during this quarter. Last year, during this quarter, a strong crappie bite occurred for many anglers randomly drifting the north half of Farm 13. Best bets for these tasty panfish are minnows and/or small jigs (1/32 – 1/8 oz) in twister tail or tube styles. Jigs in green or chartreuse seem to be popular colors to try for specks. The key to catching crappie and bluegills this time of year is locating good numbers of them, because they can be scattered. They can often be found along the bottom, on a dropoff or ledge, or suspended in the underwater canals. Again, the lack of hydrilla for visual orientation necessitates the use of electronics to locate fish and specific underwater features which increase the likelihood of catching fish.

Anglers are reminded that all largemouth bass caught must be released immediately under the special no harvest regulation.

For more information on daily fishing forecasts and lake conditions, call Palm Bay Fishing Outfitters at (321) 952-4435 and Middleton's Stick Marsh Bait and Tackle at (772) 571-9855.

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.

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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.

* The eelgrass beds are recovering from the impacts of Tropical Storm Fay and may still be somewhat sparse on the southern expanse. Largemouth bass anglers may find success using live shiners and artificial baits fished near the outer edge of deeper eelgrass beds and pilings. Live shad and grass shrimp fished near the jetties when the river is flowing should produce catches of largemouth bass and stripers. Later in the quarter, cooler waters should bring success to black crappie (speckled perch) anglers fishing the sunken barge at the center bombing target and Willow Cove on the east shore. Striped bass become more active around Nine-Mile Point, the jetties, and the bombing targets as fall progresses and waters cool.

For further information please contact our DeLeon Springs Office at 386-985-7827.

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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.

*Crappie fishing is already getting started on Lake Harris in late September. Anglers using minnows and grass shrimp around the emergent grasses of Harris and Little Lake Harris are doing well and fishing will just get better for crappie throughout the fall and winter. Also, try drifting jigs and minnows in the open water areas of both lakes and the Howey-in-the-Hills bridge for good crappie action. Largemouth bass fishing will pick up also with cooler weather as the fish begin getting more active and seek to bulk up for the winter. Look for schooling bass chasing shad in the open water offshore and throw crankbaits such as Rat-L-Traps amongst them. You may also be surprised by a scrappy sunshine bass while doing this. Largemouth bass will also be cruising the shoreline vegetation; try slow-rolling spinnerbaits and large Texas-rigged plastic worms in these areas.

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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.

*Black crappie fishing should really turn on as water temperatures in this reservoir begin to cool. The crappie catch on this impoundment has been off during the last two years and hopefully this species, whose population tends to cycle, will rebound this year. Most of the specks will be caught within the submerged drainage canals running along the northern, eastern, and southern shorelines of the reservoir. Fish may also be caught in the center canal that bisects the northern and southern pools. A native plant re-vegetation project has been very successful in establishing bulrush around the reservoir. Many anglers use a cane or telescoping pole to deliver a jig or minnow to specks that are tight in the bulrush. Also look for occasional patches of hydrilla that may be present in open water holding food items that would attract specks. Traditional jigs (twister tail and tube style) and techniques often work well, but most anglers have better success with live minnows. Some slow troll along the canals or fish them under a small float. Keep adjusting the depth of the minnow beneath the float until fish are located. Bluegill, redear, and catfish are less active during this time period but should still be caught in fair numbers by those anglers targeting black crappie.

If water levels remain high this fall, bass fishing should be good along the western shoreline. Before the water temperature cools appreciably, anglers should try weedless lures in the eelgrass and hydrilla expanding out into the lake. Also try tossing plastic worms and jig-n’-pig combinations where deeper emergent vegetation (bulrush, cattail) may be found. Bass may also be caught by fishing along the brush/weed edges along the submerged canals. Plastic worms should be considered standard tools of the trade when targeting these fish.

Anglers are reminded that all largemouth bass caught must be released immediately under the special no-harvest regulation.

A map in PDF format is available courtesy of the St. Johns Water Management District here.

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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.

*As the searing temperatures from the summer months begin to fade, bass anglers will be offered more comfortable conditions in which to enjoy their passion during this period. Under more pleasant conditions, bass anglers should be able to enjoy some good action in and around the expansive native grass communities (maidencane and knotgrass) associated with the shoreline. Anglers may want to try their luck between Shady Oaks Fish Camp and the “Rocks� located at the lakes southern end near State Road 60. Live bait (golden shiner) fished in this area, as well as, around vegetative communities associated with Brahma Island, Lemon Point, 27-Palms (South of Ox Island) and the Pig Trail should account for some good action. Bass anglers who prefer using artificial lures need to give a spinnerbait (white skirt and single Colorado blade) a try. Also, soft-bodied jerkbaits (watermelon or shad colored), crankbaits (shad imitations), minnow-type lures (black/silver or gold) and plastic worms (blue/black, red shad and Junebug colored) should account for some line-testing action.

Although bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker) anglers will still be able to find concentrations of these fish using worms (red wigglers) and crickets, a gradual cooling of nighttime and water temperatures during these months will cause many anglers to turn their sights on the ever-popular black crappie (specks). The most common method anglers employ for these scrappy fighters is live bait (fathead minnow) fished under a slip-cork and weighted with a small split-shot sinker 3-4 inches above the hook. Anglers should find concentrations of specks drifting open water in close proximity to vegetative communities (maidencane, knotgrass or hydrilla) associated with four large islands within the lake (Bird, Brahma, Rabbit and Grassy). In the past, anglers have also had good success in North Cove and offshore of Lake Kissimmee State Park. Typically, the two-week period around the full moon phase (one week prior and one week after) will be the best times for anglers to try their luck. Keys to success for many speck anglers will be to alter the depth of their baits and keep on the move until fish are found. Besides live bait, small (1/8th-1/64th oz) plastic-bodied or natural hair jigs or beetle spins fished in and around native grasses and stands of water-lily should account for some excellent stringers of fish. Green-, yellow- or white-colored baits will be good color choices.

There are quite a few fish camps in the area. For further information on Lake Kissimmee or a listing of the fish camps, please contact the Kissimmee Fisheries office at (407)846-5300. See Fishing Hot Spot Maps for a detailed interactive map of the lake, and to purchase maps from them.

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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.

*Eelgrass beds, hydrilla and bulrush patches were severely impacted by Tropical Storm Fay. Low water should have allowed these areas to bounce back somewhat, and they provide excellent habitat for largemouth bass, black crappie (speckled perch), bream and occasionally striped bass. Drifting jigs and live minnows should produce good catches of crappie as the quarter progresses.

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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.

*Fishing has been great all summer for bass and sunfish in many of the forest lakes and should be even better in the fall and winter for bass and crappie. Lakes Wildcat, Bryant and Half Moon look to be tops for crappie this season and successful fishermen drift or troll the open waters of these lake and others in the forest with minnows and jigs for good stringers of crappie. Largemouth bass, including a number of trophy fish, are best at Bryant. Use large buzzbaits and topwaters in and around the lily pads, docks and maidencane for good action. While the weather is still warm try fishing this lake at night with topwater plugs for some exciting action and the chance of catching a fish of a lifetime. Commission biologists have sampled a number of bass from Bryant in the last 4 years that exceed 12 pounds! Live wild shiners fished in the same areas mentioned earlier are your best bait to land a lunker.

Note: There is a slot and special bag limit on Lake Kerr. No person shall kill or possess any largemouth bass that is 15� or more in total length and less than 24 inches in total length. No person shall take in one day more than 3 largemouth bass of which only one may be 24� or longer in total length.

Note: Lake Wildcat has a special regulation requiring all largemouth bass to be released immediately.

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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.

*In the upstream area around Moss Bluff Dam catfish and crappie are already providing good action. The river is high and releases through the dam attract catfish below the spillway providing bank anglers a great opportunity at a mess of fish. Use chicken livers or prepared bait on a slip sinker rig in the fast waters and hang on. Further downstream crappie are biting well around the Sharpes Ferry Bridge; fish the bridge pilings and brush with minnows or jigs below a slip bobber. Largemouth bass and sunfish (redbreast and spotted, i.e. stumpknockers) are very active from Silver Springs to below Eureka. Most of the bass are being caught on plastic worms or shiners fished near downed brush and other structure such as lily pads. Sunfish are being caught in good numbers below Rodman Dam with redbreast found in or near the lily pads and stumpknockers along the cypress knees and stumps. Both are being caught on 1/32nd oz beetle spins around the above structures. White and channel catfish are also active below Rodman. Fish the outside bends of the natural river channel and the area downstream of the channelized portion with worms and chicken livers on the bottom with a slip sinker rig.

Public boat ramps are at Moss Bluff off Highway 464, Ray-Davidson Park at Highway 40, Gores Landing off CR 415, Eureka East and West on Highway 316, Orange Springs, Kenwood Landing and Hog Valley on Rodman Reservoir, Rodman Dam off Highway 19 and Highway 19 south of the barge canal.

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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.

*It has been nearly a year since the completion of the dredging project and fishing, particularly for largemouth bass, has been outstanding.  An abundance of shad should provide for a lot of action on schooling bass early and late in the day or on overcast days.  Cast small 1/4 oz crankbaits in the open water and be observant for surface action and concentrations of seagulls.  Jerk worms and spinnerbaits will also mimic shad and can be fished around shoreline cover.  Crappie action is also expected to be top-notch this winter.  The best areas are typically the canal at Coleman Landing and the area off of Tracy's Point, but with the abundance of open water and following a wet summer just about anywhere in the lake is fair game for crappie.  Try drifting minnows and grass shrimp in the open water, offshore areas.

For more information on fishing conditions you can contact the Pana Vista Lodge at 352-793-2061. For information on other fish camps in the area, please call our Ocala office at 352-732-1225.

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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 anglers should have success fishing the river channel with live shiners, deep-running crankbaits and Carolina-rigged worms. Deep bends are good places to start and are holding largemouth bass from Orange Springs to Eureka. Early morning and evening topwater action should be good along the flats adjacent to the river channel from Orange Springs to Kirkpatrick Dam. Bluegill and redear sunfish action has slowed in the vegetation mats along the Kenwood area; however, redbreast sunfish action will be fair upstream of Orange Springs in deep holes. Grass shrimp and live worms are your best baits.

Note: Look out for floating logs. To prevent boating accidents during the drawdown, boaters are asked to watch their wake and be courteous to anglers fishing along the Barge Canal and river channel.

Note: Largemouth bass anglers should keep an eye out for tagged fish worth $5 or $50.  The tags are orange spaghetti-like tags attached to the fish adjacent to the dorsal fin.  If a tagged fish is caught, anglers can simply cut the tag from the fish and send it to the address printed on the side of the tag to claim their reward.

For updated information:
The Tackle Box (352) 372-1791.

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Lower St. Johns River and Lakes (Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns & Volusia Counties):

Water levels should continue to fall heading into winter and anglers should find largemouth bass and panfish catches picking up as the temperatures drop. Moving water always stimulates feeding activity in the river and in the entrances and exits of lakes. Bass anglers can expect to find bass hiding in shoreline vegetation, eelgrass, and around docks and pilings. Locating fish should become easier as water levels fall and fish become somewhat more concentrated. Anglers should target edges of submerged vegetation along banks, sharp bends, and drop-offs near shallow bars. If water levels are still up through December, bass will move up into sheltered areas behind bulrushes and into wind-protected coves in preparation to spawn. Traditional methods for taking bass will work. Swimming plastic worms/jerk baits and twitching shallow running minnow imitations are the choice among many bass fishermen.

*Striped bass leave their cool water sanctuaries in the fall and should be congregating river wide near bridge pilings, jetties, channel markers, and in sharp bends in the river in the Mullet Lake area when the river is flowing. Grass shrimp, small shad, and rattling crankbaits are popular baits for these fish. Largemouth angling should also be picking up in the Mullet Lake area with live shiners the preferred bait. Cool weather marks the start of the black crappie (speckled perch) season. Lakes Jesup, Beresford and Harney, are popular speck lakes with most anglers drifting minnows or crappie jigs. Lakes Woodruff and Dexter, typically popular largemouth bass and crappie fisheries, should be relatively productive.

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UPPER ST. JOHNS RIVER AND LAKES (Brevard County):

*Water levels are back up to normal and anglers should find bass and panfish catches improving as temperatures moderate. Moving water usually stimulates feeding activity where the river enters and exits the lakes. Locating fish may be difficult but bass anglers can expect to find fish hiding in shoreline habitat inundated by the high water. If water levels are still up through December, bass will move up into protected areas behind bulrushes and into wind-protected coves as they prepare to spawn. Bass fishing should be fair to good on lakes Washington, Winder, and Poinsett. Electrofishing numbers were up considerably from last year’s samples. Riverine sections from SR 520 north to Halfway Lake and the middle river section between Winder and Poinsett should also be productive. Most of the traditional methods for taking bass will work. Swimming plastic worms/jerk baits and twitching shallow-running minnow imitations are the choice among many bass fishermen. Fly-fishing with a surface popper is also a very popular way to catch both bass and panfish in these sections of the river.

Crappie anglers should take fair numbers of fish by slow trolling artificials (small jigs and beetle spins) or by drifting with live minnows in the deeper, open water areas of lakes Poinsett, Winder, and Washington. Late in the quarter, crappie can also be found moving into and concentrating around bulrush patches, preferring those mixed with submerged vegetation to provide overhead cover. Deeper undercut bends in the middle river section between lakes Winder and Poinsett and the stretch between lakes Washington and Sawgrass have also been known to be productive for crappie anglers.

Note: Anglers are reminded that a saltwater fishing license is required to possess shad when fishing from a boat, and the bag limit is 10 fish.

The "River Returns" is a high definition television show about the St. Johns River that will air in October on PBS. Meanwhile their Web site provides some excellent information about the river.

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.

*The period will be marked by the subsiding summertime heat and increased rainfall, which will give bass anglers good conditions to enjoy the resource. Rainfall will provide flowing water conditions at canals and tributaries of the lake. Historically, the mouth of Shingle Creek, St. Cloud Canal, Partin’s Ditch or near the water control structure (S-61) located at the south end of the lake have been good locations to find bass during flow conditions. If moving water is not available, anglers should spend time in native vegetative communities (knotgrass and maidencane) or hydrilla associated with Little Grassy Island, North Steer Beach, Goblet’s Cove or around channel marker 24 at Big Grassy Island. Both live and artificial baits should be very effective utilized within these areas. Golden shiners will be the live bait of choice, although many anglers using spinnerbaits (white or white/chartreuse skirted and a single Colorado blade), crankbaits (shad imitation), topwater propellered baits and plastic worms (black grape, black/blue or red shad colored) will likely be rewarded with some outstanding action.
Although water temperatures will begin to cool during this time of year, good numbers of bluegill and shellcracker can still be caught by anglers using worms or crickets just off the bottom at North and South Steer Beaches, Makinson Island or around channel marker 26. Anglers looking for some good action on black crappie should try drifting live minnows in open water near the mouth of Shingle Creek, Little Grassy Island and Goblet’s Cove. For those anglers who favor artificial baits, jigs or beetle spins (green, white or yellow in color) should account for some fine stringers of fish used along the edges of knotgrass, maidencane or hydrilla within the lake.

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.

For more information on Lake Toho or the fish camps in the area, please contact the Kissimmee Fisheries office at (407) 846-5300. See Fishing Hot Spot Maps for a detailed interactive map of the lake, and to purchase maps from them.

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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.

*Lake Yale is also expected to be one of the top crappie lakes in the area this fall and winter. Your best bet for a good stringer of specks is to drift the open water, offshore areas with minnows and jigs. Watch your fish finders to locate the fish and to determine what depth they are suspending at and adjust the depth of your bait accordingly. A top crappie producer are the FWC brush piles (fish attractors)’; three are found in the lake with a large, yellow, floating buoy marking the center of each location. Use slip bobbers to place your jig or minnow at the depth the crappie are suspended at and be ready for some fast action.

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.

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