Lake George
Lake George is one of the premier largemouth bass fishing lakes in central Florida. It is the second largest lake in the state (46,000 acres), and is located 18 miles northwest of Deland and 29 miles east of Ocala.
Lake George is one of the many natural lakes that are part of the St. Johns River System. It has extensive vegetation that provides excellent habitat for bass. Wade fishing in eel grass with plastic worms fished on the surface or with other topwater lures is productive. Fishing with live golden shiners is an excellent method for catching trophy bass during the spring spawning season.
Hot spots on the lake include Juniper, Salt and Silver Glen spring runs on the western shoreline. In winter and early spring, look for bass to congregate at the jetties on the south end of the lake. Casting deep-diving crankbaits near old dock structures along the northeast shore and off Drayton Island can also be productive.
There are many fish camps on the St. Johns River just north and south of Lake George; however, the only one located on the lake itself is Pine Island Fish Camp. There is one public boat ramp with limited parking on the south end of the lake off Blue Creek Lodge Road, located north of Highway 40. A fishing pier is also located along the east side of the lake at the end of Nine Mile Point Road.
Consumption Advisory: Relatively low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur in the St. Johns River from the SR 415 bridge near Enterprise south, including Lake George. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers and children should follow Department of Health (DOH) guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz. of cooked bass in a month's time. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to four 6 oz. meals per month (or one per week).
Lake George is one of the premier largemouth bass fishing lakes in central Florida. It is the second largest lake in the state (46,000 acres), and is located 18 miles northwest of Deland and 29 miles east of Ocala.
Lake George is one of the many natural lakes that are part of the St. Johns River System. It has extensive vegetation that provides excellent habitat for bass. Wade fishing in eel grass with plastic worms fished on the surface or with other topwater lures is productive. Fishing with live golden shiners is an excellent method for catching trophy bass during the spring spawning season.
Hot spots on the lake include Juniper, Salt and Silver Glen spring runs on the western shoreline. In winter and early spring, look for bass to congregate at the jetties on the south end of the lake. Casting deep-diving crankbaits near old dock structures along the northeast shore and off Drayton Island can also be productive.
There are many fish camps on the St. Johns River just north and south of Lake George; however, the only one located on the lake itself is Pine Island Fish Camp. There is one public boat ramp with limited parking on the south end of the lake off Blue Creek Lodge Road, located north of Highway 40. A fishing pier is also located along the east side of the lake at the end of Nine Mile Point Road.
Consumption Advisory: Relatively low levels of mercury in largemouth bass have been found to occur in the St. Johns River from the SR 415 bridge near Enterprise south, including Lake George. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers and children should follow Department of Health (DOH) guidelines and eat no more than 6 oz. of cooked bass in a month's time. All others are advised to limit consumption of largemouth bass to four 6 oz. meals per month (or one per week).