Natural lake

Lake George

Putnam & Volusia Counties, Florida

Florida's second-largest lake, a broad, shallow widening of the St. Johns River between Astor and Georgetown on the edge of the Ocala National Forest. It is known for Florida largemouth bass, speckled perch in the cooler months, and striped and sunshine bass at the jetties.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Surface area46,000 acres

Max depth—

Shoreline—

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Largemouth Bass●●●●○

Live shiners and artificials around pilings, cypress knees and woody cover along the shoreline.

Crappie●●●●○

Speckled perch bite best in cool months; drift open water or fish Willow Cove on the east shore.

Striped Bass●●●○○

Around Ninemile Point and the jetties at the south end where the St. Johns enters, especially with good river flow.

Bluegill●●●○○

Bluegill and redear along shoreline cover and grass in spring and summer.

When they bite

Month-by-month activity for each target species.

	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Largemouth Bass
Crappie
Striped Bass
Bluegill

SlowFairGoodHot

Boat launches

4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

Volusia Wharf Boat RampFree
Ocala National Forest. Free, unpaved ramp into a dredged channel to the lake's south endDirections ↗
Shell Harbor ParkFree
Volusia County park near Pierson. Free, floating dock, restroom; no airboatsDirections ↗
Georgetown Marina & LodgeMarina
Georgetown. Boat launch, bait and tackle, fuel, cabins and RV sitesDirections ↗
Pine Island fish campFee
Private fish camp on the east shore. Small launch feeDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake George are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ↗

Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Georgetown Marina & LodgeNearby
1533 County Road 309, Georgetown(386) 467-2002 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Lake George ↗

Local tips

Most of the lake is under 10 ft deep and wind builds whitecaps fast; use a depthfinder and watch the forecast.
A military bombing practice range sits on the lake; check navigation charts for the restricted zone.
When river flow is high, fish the jetties at the south end with live shad or grass shrimp.

Angler reports

Water temp, what's biting, and anything else other anglers should know about Lake George.

Loading reports...